“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”
— George R.R. Martin
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Posts Tagged ‘reading’
Staying Sharp
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, creativity, reading, Thoughts, writing on November 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I Say Yes
Posted in Likes, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, books, creativity, free reads, innovation, inspiration, libraries, library, national treasures, news, NPR, public libraries, reading, Thoughts on May 2, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I love libraries. Growing up, our local library was a great place to study, read, or wait for the bus, and was a never-ending source of new and interesting information. I’ve moved away but still donate, because I want others to enjoy the benefits I had. Libraries are idea repositories, the physical embodiment of one of humanity’s most impressive accomplishments: the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The real genius of our current iteration of this concept, however, is that we made so many of our libraries free.
Once upon a time, only the rich could afford books. (Heck, for a long time, few could read at all. And while we’re here, feel free to take a quick detour into the world of traditional bookbinding.)
Now, we all benefit when we all learn.
To those who say that the world is worse than ever? I give you public spaces filled with the magic of ideas, free for the borrowing.
Libraries are a great source for reading material but can also supply music, movies, information, classes, tools, seeds, eclipse glasses, museum passes, fishing poles, a taxidermied sandhill crane, or help with your taxes.
How cool is that?
Why am I talking about libraries? Because PBS has a new documentary about the evolution of the public library system in the US, and it got me thinking. Here’s a review from another national treasure, NPR:
‘Free For All’ review: This library documentary is worth checking out
…this documentary ends up covering all sorts of ground. The historical beginnings of American libraries, with nods to Ben Franklin and Andrew Carnegie. The growth and importance of tiny branches in rural communities. And, at each stop, a focus on individual libraries, librarians and everyday patrons.
Those in the US can watch the full film here:
Free for All: The Public Library – Independent Lens
How public libraries shaped a nation and remain a beloved sanctuary for Americans today.
If you can’t access the film, here’s a bonus article:
10 Ways Public Libraries Make Our Lives Better
Any answer must begin, of course, with books.
It asks, “With the internet putting a seemingly infinite supply of answers, arguments, and amusements at our fingertips, do we still need libraries?”
I say yes.
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Mostly Books
Posted in Holidays, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, books, chilling, reading, Thoughts on January 5, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Today is the last day before the day job resumes. I shall spend it wisely, with food, chill, and books. Mostly books.
“Sections in the bookstore
- Books You Haven’t Read
- Books You Needn’t Read
- Books Made for Purposes Other Than Reading
- Books Read Even Before You Open Them Since They Belong to the Category of Books Read Before Being Written
- Books That If You Had More Than One Life You Would Certainly Also Read But Unfortunately Your Days Are Numbered
- Books You Mean to Read But There Are Others You Must Read First
- Books Too Expensive Now and You’ll Wait ‘Til They’re Remaindered
- Books ditto When They Come Out in Paperback
- Books You Can Borrow from Somebody
- Books That Everybody’s Read So It’s As If You Had Read Them, Too
- Books You’ve Been Planning to Read for Ages
- Books You’ve Been Hunting for Years Without Success
- Books Dealing with Something You’re Working on at the Moment
- Books You Want to Own So They’ll Be Handy Just in Case
- Books You Could Put Aside Maybe to Read This Summer
- Books You Need to Go with Other Books on Your Shelves
- Books That Fill You with Sudden, Inexplicable Curiosity, Not Easily Justified
- Books Read Long Ago Which It’s Now Time to Re-read
- Books You’ve Always Pretended to Have Read and Now It’s Time to Sit Down and Really Read Them”
― Italo Calvino, If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler
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Day for a Cozy Reread
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, cozy killer robots, genre fiction, reading, Thoughts on December 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »
It’s a cold snowy Sunday afternoon, which seems like a good time for a fun reread.
Because Murderbot is my Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. (Apologies for the inside reference, but if you know, you know, and if you don’t and you enjoy science fiction, get thee to All Systems Red, stat!)
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s an interview with Martha Wells, Murderbot’s creator.
How Murderbot Saved Martha Wells’ Life | WIRED
Hearing a name like that, you’d be forgiven for running for your life. But the thing about Murderbot—the thing that makes it one of the most beloved, iconic characters in modern-day science fiction—is just that: It’s not what it seems. For all its hugeness and energy-weaponized body armor, Murderbot is a softie. It’s socially awkward and appreciates sarcasm. Not only does it detest murdering, it wants to save human lives, and often does (at least when it’s not binge-watching its favorite TV shows). “As a heartless killing machine,” as Murderbot puts it, “I was a terrible failure.”
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All the Time
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, change, community, inspiration, reading, Thoughts, Writers on October 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »
“It’s important to remember that we all change each other’s minds all the time. Any good story is a mind-altering substance.”
― Hank Green, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor
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Lighter Reads
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, free fiction, genre fiction, humor, reading, sff, Thoughts on May 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The news, man, it can be heavy. If you’re in the market for lighter reads, put these short stories from Reactor (f.k.a. Tor.com, why are so many sites changing their names these days? like we don’t all have enough to keep track of) on your list.
Six Seriously Funny Speculative Short Stories – Reactor
Haven’t read them all yet but I’m looking forward to it. For even more recommendations, scroll down to the page’s comment section. Readers have thoughts.
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Rereading
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, reading, Thoughts on May 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »
I reread a lot of books. (For example, I’m currently rereading Thursday Murder Club series. The trick is to wait just long enough to forget, but not so long that you don’t remember;)
Sometimes I also like to reread my blog posts. Not for my own perspective, that usually hasn’t changed, but for the interesting things I’ve shared but may have forgotten.
It’s also why I like the Random Post option. I never know what might pop up!
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On a Bit of a Tear
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, genre fiction, productivity, reading, Thoughts, Writers, writing on March 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »
This isn’t something I would normally say, but I think I’m reading a little too much.
I’ve been on a bit of a tear, rereading some of my favorite stories. I’ve just finished to the tenth book plus spinoffs in one series, and I think I need to slow down after this.
It’s cutting into my writing time.
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Glad You’re Here
Posted in Entertainment, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, #FTRWeek, libraries, reading, Thoughts on February 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »
It is Freedom to Read Week here in Canada. What is it, you may ask?
Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom.
Well, I am all about that. The more readers in the world, the better.
And while we’re on the topic, if you happen to live in a place where access to books is not what it could be, allow me to introduce you to the Open Library.
Open Library is free and open to anyone. Some features require that you have an Open Library account.
Have an email address? You’re in.
And welcome. We’re glad you’re here.
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When It’s Ok to Quit
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2024, reading, Thoughts, Writers, writing on January 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »
For the days when I look down at the book I’m reading and think, “No research is worth this.”
“If a book is tedious to you, don’t read it; that book was not written for you.”
—Jorge Luis Borges
I’m also a firm believer in this:
“I don’t believe in guilty pleasures… If you like something, like it.”
— Dave Grohl
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