About Books & Literature: 'One Day' Book vs. Movie, plus Poetic Tattoos!

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor This week, we've got a book that's way better than the movie, some literary body art, and an upcoming novel that has critics all abuzz. Read on! 'One Day' Movie Review Our movie critic starts off her review of the new film, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, like this: "Let me put this out there right up front: I love the book One Day by David Nicholls. It's smart, funny, and moving - just a real 'can't put it down' read." From there, it goes downhill fast. Apparently this flick is, as she puts it, "soul-sucking." Yeeee-ouch! See More About:  one day  jim sturgess  anne hathaway 'One Day' Book Review And what a shame. The book itself was well-received by critics and audiences alike, and really should've made for a decent film. But such is life. If you're looking to blow $18, though, buy yourself a copy of the book and a latte, and skip the movie tickets. See More About:  one day  david nicholls  british lite Wearing Emily Dickinson, Wearing Her Words Our Guides to Poetry take a peek at the literary tattoo phenomenon, pointing out in particular poet Philip Jenks, who eschewed the typical literary tattoo style (choosing a line or two of poetry to have calligraphed onto your skin) and instead got a big ol' honking picture of Emily Dickinson's face tattooed on his back. Would you get a literary tattoo, and if you did, what would it be? Review: 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern If early reaction from critics is any indication, this novel is going to be quite talked-about this fall. No one seems to be madly in love with it, and yet the literati keep talking about it. Perhaps there's something more to this ethereal, magic-themed novel than meets the eye? Books & Literature Ads Books Fiction Novel Books English Literature Movie Reviews Teaching Literature Featured Articles H.P. Lovecraft Biography What's Your Favorite David Mamet Play? Favorite Shakespeare Love Quotes 'Delirium' by Lauren Oliver Weekly Manga Reading List: JManga Edition BOOM! Studios Profile   More from About.com Should You Go Back to School? Have you been thinking about resuming your education? These eight questions may help you figure it out. More> 5 Tips for Adult Students Whether it's finding the money or worrying about tests, going back to school can be stressful for adult students. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Mark Twain on Writing and Rhetoric "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offences" "On the Decay of the Art of Lying" "Corn-Pone Opinions" Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Back to School Reading

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor My favorite thing about this time of year is that school supplies are widely available and generally quite on sale. Mmm... there's nothing quite like the smell of new pencils. Picture Books About Starting School In about three years, when my wee beastie has reached kindergarten age, I suspect I'll have a new favorite thing about this time of year. "Get on the bus and get outta here, kid, so I can catch up on the last five years' worth of reading!" If you've got a kid of that priceless age, you might find the transition a bit easier with the help of one of these great books. See More About:  children's books about school  childen's picture books  Great Back-to-School Books for Bigger Kids These back-to-school themed books, which include classics and modern favorites, are better for bigger kids and the grown-ups who love them. See More About:  back to school  harry potter  a separate peace Walt Whitman - 'An Old Man's Thought of School' If all this talk of starting school has you feeling nostalgic and wistful, Walt Whitman's wise words on the subject might speak to you. Not that I'm calling you old or anything. See More About:  walt whitman  poetry  american literature Back to School -- For Free! Maybe you really want to relive the school experience, at least just a little bit. Our own Richard Nordquist has compiled a list of free online college courses that let you replicate the experience, learn a little something (or a lot of something, in some cases!) and have a fantastic excuse to purchase and sharpen up some brand new pencils. Books & Literature Ads Back to School Books English Literature Kids Reading Books Children Literature Featured Articles The Intern and How Books Work All Kinds of Found Poems All Together 'Malignant Man #1-4' Comic Series Review 'Tired of Waiting For Love' Manga Review Shakespeare and the U.K. Riots Broadway on Netflix   More from About.com Should You Go Back to School? Have you been thinking about resuming your education? These eight questions may help you figure it out. More> 5 Tips for Adult Students Whether it's finding the money or worrying about tests, going back to school can be stressful for adult students. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Recent Releases in Contemporary Lit 'Animalinside' by Laszlo Krasznahorkai and Max Neumann 'Millenium People' by J.G. Ballard 'Buzz Aldrin, What Happened to You...?' by Johan Harstad Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Valuable Comic Books, Poets Laureate, and More!

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor This week in literature, we've got a list of the most valuable comics, a quick biography of America's new Poet Laureate, a quick question for book club members, and -- ahem -- some Leftovers. Read on, readers! The Most Valuable Comic Books in the World I like to hold out hope that the yet-to-be-conquered attic in my house is holding one of these highly prized comic books, but I suspect that there really isn't much more than some tacky old Christmas decorations and some Tupperware up there. Cleaning it out would spoil all the fun of guessing, so I think I'll leave it cluttered for awhile longer. See More About:  comic book values  superman  spider-man America's Newest Poet Laureate Meet Phillip Levine, the newest Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (how's that for an ironically unpoetic title?). Our Guides to Poetry call him a "plain-spoken narrative poet of the working class," and add, "In this economic environment, with the ranks of the downtrodden and the unemployed growing to ever larger proportions of the American population, we think it's a fitting choice. " See More About:  philip levine  poets laureate  contemporary american poetry What's the Best Book your Book Club has Read? Now it's your turn! Help other book clubs around the world by telling us about your book club's favorite book for reading and discussion. And hey, need some inspiration for your club? Check out some of the answers that others have already posted! Review: 'The Leftovers' by Tom Perrotta The premise sounds familiar: a few million people just up and disappear one day, without any warning, leaving behind a whole bunch of confused folks, trying to figure out what happened. The difference with The Leftovers, though, is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the disappearance. Our reviewer explains the situation: "The event seems to have been Rapture-like, but random. Christians, Buddhists, good people, and bad disappeared. And just as many of them remained." Intrigued? Me too! This book just jumped to the top of my reading list. Books & Literature Ads Comic Books Book Club Literature Reading Books Fiction Books Featured Articles JManga - Is it a Game-Changer? Book Review: 'A Smart Girl's Guide to Staying Home Alone' Quotes from Shakespeare's Tragedies What is a Dramaturg? Stephen Covey Quotes   More from About.com Should You Go Back to School? Have you been thinking about resuming your education? These eight questions may help you figure it out. More> 5 Tips for Adult Students Whether it's finding the money or worrying about tests, going back to school can be stressful for adult students. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Quick Essays for Rhetorical Analysis Hyperbole in Martin Amis's "Money" Hypotaxis in James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son" Personification in Jonathan Lethem's "Motherless Brooklyn" Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Spotlight on 'The Help'

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor This week, the movie adaptation of the wildly popular novel The Help hits theaters, and it seems like everyone in my circle is talking about it. Book Review: 'The Help' Kathryn Stockett's The Help was originally released in February, 2009. Somehow, I completely missed it and have yet to read it. How embarrassing! See More About:  the help  kathryn stockett  debut novels 'The Help' Book Club Discussion Questions Would it be too weird to try to call an emergency meeting of my book club? "Hurry gals! We've got no time here! We need to get this book read and discussed yesterday!" See More About:  the help  kathryn stockett  'The Help' - The Film Seeing as how I'm apparently the last one to read the book, I'm probably going to be the last one to see the movie, too. Don't tell me what happens, okay? New Releases for August 2011 If when you hear "New Releases," your mind jumps to books, not movies, here's what you're looking for: a quick rundown of the best contemporary literature that's being released this month. See More About:  2011 books  recommended reading  Books & Literature Ads Bathroom Remodeling Bathroom Design Books Bathroom Tile Ideas Literature Featured Articles 3 Manga Trends to Watch Tips for Writing Children's Plays First Look: Marvel Kitchen Accessories Readers Share: What's Your Favorite Little Golden Book? Shakespeare's Wedding Venue Still a Mystery Paloma Josse on the Point of Grammar   More from About.com 10 Bathroom Remodels There's nothing worse than a bathroom remodel that looks like it belongs in a gas station. If you're looking for inspiration, you'll find it in these luxe, lush photos. More> Inspired Bathroom Tile Choices New tile can transform your bathroom in countless ways, whether you're looking for a playful, colorful child's bath, a cool and elegant sanctuary, or a bold sophisticated escape. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Selected Limericks by Edward Lear There was an old man who supposed... There was a young lady whose bonnet... There was an old man in a tree... Advertisement