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Category Archives: Books
Dave Eggers Completes The Circle (before anyone notices)
Missing my book-buying radar is one thing. But a major author holding off on the release of a 500-page tome til just over one month until said tome drops? That’s something only someone like Dave Eggers could accomplish. Turns out … Continue reading
Another Trip to Penumbra’s Bookstore
The folks over at Litro Magazine in England have posted a couple of interesting pieces on Robin Sloan’s Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. Penumbra, the magazine’s current “book club book,” was one of my favorite books in 2012, a great example … Continue reading
The Yellow Birds in Flight
I purchased a copy of Kevin Powers’ The Yellow Birds after Dave Eggers recommended it in Huck Magazine a couple of months ago. It’s a bit of a departure for me, reading a war novel. On top of that, it’s … Continue reading
From Rivendell: An Extended Clip from the Hobbit
One of my favorite parts of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was the time spent in Rivendell. It was nice seeing the interplay between Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel, seeing them smile and enjoy each other’s company as they moved across … Continue reading
George Saunders: Graduating in the Direction of Kindness
The commencement address of author George Saunders recently made its way onto the internet. He takes on the issues of selfishness and kindness and does them justice in just under twelve minutes (which is a great length for a graduation … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Internet, Teaching
Tagged George Saunders, Graduation Speeches, Kindness
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Dave Eggers: The British Skateboarding Magazine Interview
I received my copy of Huck Magazine #38 in the mail a few days ago, straight from the Church of London. It’s not often that I order a British skateboarding magazine, but then it’s not often that Dave Eggers graces … Continue reading
I Dreamed an English Major’s Dream
Last week I dreamed that I was back in college and walking into the English department. There I ran into, saw for the first time in years, three of my favorite English professors, each perfectly in character, each a joy … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Teaching
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Habit and Habits
Seth Godin recently posted some thoughts on habit, mainly through the lens of things like anger. I’ve been thinking a lot about habit lately, through the lenses of faith (James Smith) and psychology (Charles Duhigg). Godin says: Habits are great … Continue reading
Jonathan Safran Foer and the Danger of Being an Archivist
Graduation season has come and gone, and a few commencement addresses have risen to the top of the optimistic consciousness. Joss Whedon said something about everybody dying. At least one high school speaker ripped up his speech and recited the … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Internet, Teaching
Tagged Commencement Addresses, Jonathan Safran Foer
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The Desolation of Smaug Trailer Arrives
True, we’re all waiting expectantly for The Man of Steel to fly into theaters this weekend, but the knowledge that the first trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug makes that wait a little bit sweeter. An international version … Continue reading
Space Enough, and Time 