About Books & Literature: Best Beach Reading (and Other Summery Delights)

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and many of you are heading off to the beach in the coming weeks. What books are going in your beach bag? Best Beach Reads Whatever your beach reading style might be -- romances, whodunits, thrillers, classic literature -- our Guide to Bestsellers has some great suggestions for just the right book to read by the sea (or with your feet in the kiddie pool on the back porch at home). See More About:  beach reading  romance novels  mystery novels Plan Your Summer Reading List If I'm not careful, I will read nothing but trashy magazines all summer. Planning out a reading list really helps keep me focused, and come Autumn, my brain isn't mush. Plus, who says you can't read some classics and some trashy magazines? It's summer! There's time for both! See More About:  how to plan  how to  reading lists Summer Reading Tips These reading tips are targeted for kids and those who are tasked with nagging them all summer long. However, they're really applicable to all ages. Tip #1: reading, schmeading -- the library is air-conditioned! (Okay, it doesn't really say that. It's true, though.) See More About:  reading lists  reading aloud  libraries 'The Sea is my Brother' by Jack Kerouac Jack Kerouac is the king of the summer road trip book. This newly-published novel is actually the first one he wrote... and it's kind of obvious, upon reading. Still, if you're a Kerouac completist, you might as well add it to your summer list. See More About:  jack kerouac  beat generation  Books & Literature Ads Free Books Kids Books Authors Fiction Books E Books Free Kids Books Featured Articles 'The Night Projectionist' Review Making a Living in Manga Part 2: Is OEL Real Manga? Profile: 'Glengarry Glen Ross' by David Mamet Douglas Adams on Writing 'As You Like It' Characters: The De Bois Household Quotes About Grandparents   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Real Recipes app Download our highly-rated app for free recipes and kitchen tools, for iPhone and iPod Touch. 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 © 2012 About.com   Poems About Summers of Yore 'In The Mountains on a Summer Day' - Li Po (c. 750) 'Sumer is Icumen In' - English Traditional (c. 1250) 'Fair Summer Droops' - Thomas Nashe (1600) Advertisement

About Books & Literature: The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor This week, I'm headed out on a road trip and thus loading up my e-reader. I am a terrible driver, so it's my job to read aloud from books to keep everyone entertained. (Yes, I'm aware of audiobooks, but this job makes me feel important. Don't take that away from me.) Review: 'The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human' I love pop-science nonfiction, especially for reading aloud. Sometimes I secretly pretend that I'm an NPR presenter while I read. Don't tell anyone. This book, from writer Jonathan Gottschall, explores what makes humans human, with the hypothesis that it's our desire and ability to tell stories that sets us apart. I'm already hooked. See More About:  storytelling  social science  nonfiction Review: 'The Newlyweds' by Nell Freudenberger I like to read some fiction now and again, too. This newly-released story about an intercontinental arranged marriage might be a good choice, with bonus points for much of the action taking place under 100 miles from our trip's ultimate destination. See More About:  the newlyweds  nell freudenberger  Review: 'Animal Man Vol. 1' Well, comic books aren't ideal for reading aloud. In fact, they're rather the opposite. But if you're going on a road trip and you'll be stuck in the back seat, they're perfect. This recent release snagged a glowing review from our Guide to Comic Books. See More About:  animal man  dc comics  the new 52 For Memorial Day: Poems of War and Remembrance Poetry is perfect for reading aloud; it begs for it, really. These poems are thematically appropriate for the upcoming holiday, and worth a read for anyone, road trips or no. See More About:  war poems  william shakespeare  walt whitman Books & Literature Ads Audio Books Free Audio Books Free Books Audio Books for Free Times Books Featured Articles Making a Living Making Manga Part 1 Review: 'Dead Man's Cell Phone' by Sarah Ruhl EText: 'Superstitions and Recollections of Childhood' 'Lola at the Library' Book Review Family Love Quotes 'To The Lighthouse' Questions for Study and Discussion   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Real Recipes app Download our highly-rated app for free recipes and kitchen tools, for iPhone and iPod Touch. 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 © 2012 About.com   Classic Patriotic Reading 'The Red Badge of Courage' Complete Text Best Classic Books About Freedom and Liberty Literature of the Founding Father Advertisement

About Books & Literature: The Artistry and Influence of Maurice Sendak

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor I was so sad to hear of Maurice Sendak's passing this week. Where the Wild Things Are was my favorite book when I was a little girl, and it's one of my favorites to read to my own son, as well. The Artistry and Influence of Maurice Sendak There are plenty of wonderful children's books out there, to be sure, but few (if any) have had the tremendous overall influence that Maurice Sendak has had. Read more about his work and his legacy. See More About:  maurice sendack  picture books  children's illustrators Classic Maurice Sendak Books Is your Sendak library a bit slim? If you have these five classic volumes, you're off to a good start. If not, what are you waiting for? See More About:  maurice sendack  picture books  children's classics Review: 'Mommy?' by Maurice Sendak This pop-up book is one that hasn't made it into our library yet, but I suspect my toddler would quite love it. He's got a birthday coming up; perhaps it's just the right thing! See More About:  maurice sendack  pop-up books  children's classics 'Where the Wild Things Are' Have a look at the classic -- Sendak's big hit -- and what it meant in the world of children's literature. See More About:  maurice sendak  picture books  children's classics Books & Literature Ads Kids Reading Books Kids Books Authors Free Books Classic Kids Books Kids Books Featured Articles Review: 'Suddenly, a Knock on the Door' by Etgar Keret The Sea, The Beach, and All -- Musings on Literature Classic Nursery Rhymes Shakespeare for Kids What's the Plural of Ignoramus? Theater Summer Camp   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Macaroni and Cheese Oodles of delicious macaroni and cheese recipes, from old fashioned classics to spiced-up versions. 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 © 2012 About.com   Now in Paperback 'In The Garden of Beasts' by Erik Larson 'State of Wonder' by Ann Patchett 'Cocktail Hour...' by Alexandra Fuller Advertisement

About Books & Literature: 'Angelmaker' by Nick Harkaway and More!

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor This week, we've got a quick round-up of some recent releases, and a few ideas for Mother's Day. You did remember that Mother's Day is this weekend, right? Review: 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' by Katherine Boo Our Guide to Bestsellers bestowed four and a half stars upon this recently-released nonfiction narrative, which examines life in the worst slums of Mumbai. Says she, "It is heartbreaking, but real." Behind the Beautiful Forevers Book Club Discussion Questions Review: 'Angelmaker' by Nick Harkaway Our Guide to Contemporary Literature calls Angelmaker a "sprawling literary adventure novel of mobsters, moles, spies and super villains, all of whose actions revolve around an ingeniously crafted and coded doomsday device and a rather mild-mannered clockmaker by the name of Joe Spork." See More About:  nick harkaway  funny books  british literature Lauren Oliver Interview Dystopian fantasy is all the rage in young adult publishing right now, and author Lauren Oliver is a fast-rising name in that field, drawing particular praise for her book Delirium. Learn more about her life and her work in this interview! See More About:  dystopian novels for teens  authors of books for kids and teens  Mother's Day: What the Writers Say Need some inspiration for composing your own masterpiece of a Mother's Day card? Here are some favorite classic writers and poets on the subject of mothers. If you steal one of their lines, I promise I won't tell. See More About:  mother's day  quotes  literary quotes Books & Literature Ads American Literature Free Books Children 'S Books Fiction Books Poems Poetry Books Featured Articles The Avengers Movie Gallery 'As You Like It' Summary 'Barefoot in the Park' Summary Dunkin' Donuts Accused of Verbicide Dating Book Reviews Special Needs Parenting Book Reviews   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Macaroni and Cheese Oodles of delicious macaroni and cheese recipes, from old fashioned classics to spiced-up versions. 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 © 2012 About.com   Poems, Quips, and Quotes for Mom Poems For Mothers Mother's Day Quotations Funny Quotes About Mothers Advertisement