We can never know the future. Yet we plan ahead expecting continuity.
July 31, 2017
A Commonplace Book
In the last couple of years have I become more systematic in trying to synthesize my “highlighted” passages by trying to summarize them, paraphrase them, or otherwise actively engage with my reading.
February 8, 2012
Entertainment Is Not Play
Encouraging active play may be a worthwhile goal but it’s so easy to give into passive entertainment.
May 8, 2008
Cranford
Cranford.
Elizabeth Gaskell.
Oxford University Press.
ISBN 0-19-283209-3
Originally published as a series of stories between 1851 and 1853, and then as a book in 1853. This edition includes an excellent introduction, a chronology of Elizabeth Gaskell’s life, and an essential section of explanatory notes.
December 5, 2004
How Proust Can Save Your Life
In How Proust Can Save Your Life Alain de Botton turns literary biography into self-help manual full of useful advice gleaned from Proust’s life and works. What does Botton think we can learn from Proust? Chapters include: How to Take Your Time. (Useful advice for anyone thinking about reading Proust.) How to Suffer Successfully. How to Open Your Eyes. How to Put Books Down. Quotes “…we don’t do any of
January 2, 2004
Girl With A Pearl Earring
Girl With a Pearl Earring.
Tracy Chevalier.
HarperCollins Publishers. 1999.
March 2, 2003
Bargain Books
After encouraging Jeremy Hedley to check out the great book deals at Daedalus Books Online, I realized that I hadn’t browsed the bargains for awhile. I did and came away with six new books for under $30.00. The shipment arrived just before the ice storm, so I’ve been snuggling under a quilt on the couch in front of the fireplace with this stack of books. My Asakasa: Coming of Age
April 11, 2002
As the Twig is Bent
As the Twig is Bent: Sketches of a Bittersweet Life.
Winifred Foley.
Taplinger Publishing Company, New York. 1978.
Published in England as: A Child in the Forest. 1974.
Sketches of early twentieth century life as an impoverished coal miner’s daughter in rural Gloucestershire.
January 14, 2002
Clear and Simple as the Truth
Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose
Francis-Noel Thomas & Mark Turner
Princeton University Press. 1994.
This book defines one type of style, classic, and its elemental principles. The classic style is contrasted to other styles, such as, romantic, contemplative, and reflexive.