Some children’s books have a straightforward story to tell. Others leave you thinking about the things we take for granted, the lives we imagine for ourselves, and the possibility that what we think we want might not be quite what we need. Bird/Dog belongs to the latter category. Written by … [Read more...]
The Ladder Classics: How Popular Library Made Great Literature Easier to Read
I found this 1965 edition of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw in my father's personal library. What I discovered inside led me down a fascinating little publishing-history rabbit hole. Old books can be full of surprises. I recently came across this small, not-too-battered paperback in … [Read more...]
The Many Seas to Guernsey by Catherine Taylor – Book Review
I have always had a soft spot for WWII stories, whether they are books or films, so The Many Seas to Guernsey was very much my kind of book. But what I particularly enjoyed about this one was that the war is not just a backdrop to a love story. The novel explores faith, morality, conscience, … [Read more...]
How We Spend Our Free Time Has Changed
There was a time when having free time meant sitting down with a book, watching whatever happened to be on television, meeting friends or simply going outside. Today, we have an almost endless number of ways to fill an empty hour. We can watch a film whenever we want, explore a new city … [Read more...]
How to Choose Hobbies That Fit Your Lifestyle
The scratch of a pencil finding its rhythm on paper. The hush right before a movie starts. The quiet satisfaction of watching a plant finally push out a new leaf after weeks of waiting. For some, it's a slow evening with a book. For others, it's a casual round of the best JILI games. Somewhere … [Read more...]
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: A Story That Sneaks Up on You
Some books pull you in from page one.And then there are books like this one. The kind that you almost resist at first… and then, quietly, completely take over your heart. When I picked up The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, I had a very specific expectation in mind. The back cover described … [Read more...]
What Middlemarch Taught Me About Love, Marriage, and Human Nature
You’d think that by the time you’re in your 40s, you understand the world reasonably well. And then a book like Middlemarch comes along and quietly unsettles that confidence. Reading it felt like a slow revelation. With its detailed observation and psychological depth, it left me with more … [Read more...]
Looking Forward by Looking Back: How the Right History Books Will Help Your Kids Transform Their Future
When it comes to learning about history, some kids’ eyes light up at the thought, while other kids may roll their eyes and break out the sarcasm. Either way, the right history books will not only intrigue them but also teach them about more than just history. For example, the Tuttle Twins history … [Read more...]
Rewatching Gossip Girl in My 40s: I’m Completely Smitten with Lily van der Woodsen
Rewatching Gossip Girl in my 40s has been an unexpectedly emotional experience. Let me begin with a confession. I am still completely in love with Blair Waldorf. I cannot get over her incredibly pretty face, her headbands, her impossibly lovely outfits, and the sheer cinematic perfection of her … [Read more...]
How Home-Based Entertainment Fits into Family Routines
These days, as a family, you need to factor in digital fun time into your plans. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average adult in the UK spends 3 hours and 46 minutes per day on digital entertainment. That implies they have to set limits to keep their sleep patterns … [Read more...]