Dealing with the grief of the loss of his wife, Howe wrote in an introduction to the book, “The impact, however, occurred gradually. One day I found an envelope in my mailbox with my name and address written in pencil in a childlike hand. What in the world can this be? I asked myself as I tore it open and withdrew the letter from inside. No wonder the handwriting had been childlike—the letter was from a child....

Indie pop singer-songwriters including Regina Spektor and Sufjan Stevens have tons of songs with literary and religious references. Kendrick Lamar was the first rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize in 2018. Taylor Swift has lots of literary allusions in her early lyrics and even more on her recent Folklore and Evermore albums. While many bands have literary or religious references in their lyrics, the bands listed below took it to the next level and put their literary influences right in their names....

Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle has a passion for justice and an obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father’s law books and her mum’s microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England. When her neighbor dies under Mysterious Circumstances, Myrtle seizes her chance. With her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, by her side, Myrtle takes it upon herself to prove Miss Wodehouse was murdered and find the killer, even if nobody else believes her — not even her father, the town prosecutor....

With millions of titles, ThriftBooks has an endless selection of children’s books at the best prices to fill your child’s imagination…. and their library. From childhood classics to new undiscovered worlds of adventures, there is something for everyone and every budget. And with the ThriftBooks ReadingRewards program, every purchase gets you a step closer to your next free book. Shop ThriftBooks.com today to unleash the pure imagination a world of children’s books has to offer....

One of my go-to stress relievers is bookish podcasts—but book podcasts that don’t talk about the current state of publishing, book sales, or other things that generally revolve around current news cycles. Instead, I turn to these ten best bookish podcasts for distancing from the news. The Slowdown Called a “literary once-a-day multivitamin” by Electric Literature, The Slowdown features a short poem with an introduction every weekday. With short, 3–6 minute episodes, this is perfect if you’re feeling rushed, frenzied, or your brain is pulling you in 16 different directions all at once....

What I’m trying to say is that middle grade is certainly for kiddos, but adults and teens can also find some joy and excitement in these stories. Full of magical elements and fantastic lessons, there’s something for everyone. With that said, I’ve compiled ten of the most anticipated 2021 fall middle grade releases. I hope that from these books you find a new favorite to add to your bookshelf. Happy reading!...

During Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we often see much more coverage of Asian and Asian American authors than Pacific Islander, Pasifika, and Native Hawaiʻian Authors authors. But every year, more and more initiatives spring up, encouraging more people to pick up books by authors from these islands and the Pacific Islander diaspora. On Instagram, several Pasifika bookstagrammers have organized the #PasifikaReadathonChallenge, and over on We Need Diverse Books, JoAnn Yao posted a blog with recommendations for those looking to read more books by Pacific Islander and Pasifika authors....

Here are 11 great kids’ books about the Fourth of July: Those Rebels, John and Tom by Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham Though Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were radically different in almost every way, this unusual duo were a model of collaboration in their leadership and big thinking in shaping our country. This NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book from Barbara Kerley and Edward Fotheringham explores their contributions and their unusual relationship....

Mangas are typically read the opposite way people in the U.S. read books, which means you are reading from right to left. Some children don’t have a problem with adjusting but you may want to monitor just to make sure. So, if you think you are ready for your kids to explore manga, here is a list to get you started. Early Manga for Kids Manga for Middle Grade Readers Find even more middle grade graphic novels here!...

As always, I’m obsessed with my favorite audiobook narrators, but a lot of the narrators for these books haven’t been released yet. I’m blaming it on supply chain issues slowing book production down. A great narrator can make all the difference in the experience of listening to an audiobook, so I’m thrilled to see two of my favorites already and can’t wait to find out who will be narrating the rest....

via GIPHY 1) I Wake up exhausted And promptly have Tegan and Sara stuck in my head. The readathon in my time zone starts at 5 am, which is perfect, I think. 5 am is still a “morning” time to wake up at, and going to sleep at 5 am feels like just a very late night. I don’t know how the readathoners who end up with afternoon to afternoon readathons do it....

I love to curl up under a blanket, cat resting on my feet, hot cocoa or a mocha warming my hands and dive into a story set in a wintery wonderland. Here are twelve young adult books with a winter or cold theme to get cozy with this winter. There are mix of genres from contemporary and thriller to fabulism and fantasy. I’ve tried to start with the lighter, cozier stories and move on into the darker stories, so you can find the best book for your mood....

The Illusionist (IMDb, Tubi) The Illusionist is loosely based on the short story “Eisenheim the Illusionist” from Steven Millhauser’s book The Barnum Museum. Set in 19th century Vienna, it’s a compelling movie that combines mystery, romance, and Spiritualism. Little Women (Crackle) While renting or buying Greta Gerwig’s excellent 2019 adaptation is worthwhile, for a more traditional, linear interpretation of Alcott’s novel, you can watch the 1994 version for free. Both movies have stellar casts and gorgeous scenes of Concord, Massachusetts....

There is a blessed pack of books available in English from Japanese translation. The struggle was really about digging through the lists and the classics, to decide the best selection to share with all of you. Japanese is one of the languages that has been most blessed by translators — still not nearly enough, but a blessing nonetheless. It’s a dream, and it means I’ve been careful to leave off the more obvious or mainstream books from this list....

8-Page Mini-Book This adorable design requires just one piece of paper. It’s ideal for very young kids who are either inclined toward the literary or just want to scribble on something for a while. Blizzard Book The big advantage of this type of book—aside from the fact that it’s almost entirely origami—is that its pages are pockets. They’re ideal for ephemera like concert tickets, genealogical treasures, or report cards. Book of Textures The real joy of this design lies in customization!...

The books on the list are ones I read and put down, only to feel that the real world in front of me was a little greyer with the story over. Sometimes these books have stayed with me for years, occupying a little corner of my heart. For most, I have never read them a second time because the first experience was pure perfection. Immersive books remind my cynical self that stories are absolutely a form of magic....

Meet your new reading buddy: an all-in-one spot to record everything and anything book related. Inspired by bullet journaling, Book Marks offers ideas for setting up a multitude of book tracking pages with a mix of fill-in prompts, charts, lists, and plenty of dot-grid pages to customize. To help expand your literary horizons, the journal also includes a section of recommended reading lists compiled by Book Riot. Use Book Marks to jot down what you’re currently reading, what’s on your nightstand, your favorite quotes, new vocabulary words, memorable characters, your reviews of recent reads, and more....

Veritas and Ian have finally defeated their worst enemy, but their work isn’t done yet. An escape from the netherworld pits them against supernatural beings seeking to rule over mortals once again. Even as a wedge is driven between them, Veritas and Ian must rally friends and foes alike – while avoiding a death sentence from the vampire council. Can they stand together against the unearthly powers about to be unleashed?...

Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Esther Hicks, Jerry Hicks Get life advice from “Abraham,” the collective entity that Esther channels, in this book. It features a simple and positive message. Building a Noble World by Shiv R. Jhawar If it ever seems like life has gotten overwhelming, then you may need to find some inner peace! Jhawar suggests that it’s not possible to live a satisfying life without this critical component of happiness....

Learn all about dreamers who changed history in this engaging and hopeful board book perfect for dreamers-in-training! As I try to tame a new language, I find myself going back to children’s books. They’re easier to read and understand, and yet they present huge value: unlike much of adult fiction, children’s books are unassuming in what the reader knows, and they teach invaluable things. When it comes to historical figures, it is safe to say that many have undeservingly been given less time in the spotlight....