Writer. Contributing Editor at The Discarded Image. Digital Content Strategist. Here's where I publicly explore the books I'm reading, the projects I'm working on, and other current interests. Clippings 27: reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic
After reading this review of David Ulin’s The Lost Art of Reading: Why Books Matter in a Distracted Time, I had to add it to the TBR list. Â It was these words by reviewer Kevin Smokler that got my attention:
“Loud and divided” is our sad starting point because lately it seems you cannot discuss reading and its place in our lives without the conversation descending into a joust between cultural prejudices. Horse #1: Books and literature pushed into the sea of irrelevancy by dumber, digital distractions. Horse #2: The inevitable march of time and progress and a disdain for sentimental heel dragging. Clash, bruise, KindleNookiPads, Repeat. Ulin understands both sides but suggests we can go deeper and do better by first looking at ourselves.
You know Gertrude Bell, the British-born writer, explorer, cartographer, historian, politician, and intelligence officer, who died in Baghdad in 1926?  Yeah, neither did I until I read this fascinating introduction by Jacqueline Winspear at HuffPost.  Can’t wait to learn more about “Major Miss Bell,” as the writer was known by her colleagues at the Red Cross.  And speaking of Winspear, I plan to meet the novelist on Thursday at a reading of her newest Maisie Dobbs title, A Lesson in Secrets, at Nicola’s Books in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  I’ve read all the Maisie books and am looking forward to the latest.
And Friday is April 1, which means National Poetry Month is almost here! Â Take a look at the Academy of American Poets’ list of 30 ways to celebrate over the next month.
