Recreating and Rewriting Reality in J. K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy

“You must accept the reality of other people. You think that reality is up for negotiation, that we think it’s whatever you say it is. You must accept that we are as real as you are; you must accept that you are not God.” (88)

Little Luxuries to Make Reading Even More Heavenly

Reading is possibly one of the most enjoyable things to do. However, like all good things, it can be improved with little luxuries.

Another Book About Vampires, Witches, and Werewolves: Charlaine Harris’ Dead to the World

So sometimes you just want a good read. A book that will keep you interested regardless of how fun your vacation will be once your airplane lands. A book that you read until your eyes burn and you can no longer keep them open. A book that is unpredictable. When that’s what you want, pick up Charlaine Harris’ Vampire mystery series that HBO made into True Blood.

Creeping on my Friends’ Books

Whenever I go to someone’s home, I’m always drawn to their books: who are they reading, what editions they have, how they treat their books, and how they store/display them. Looking at people’s books is akin to being an intellectual creeper. You are trying to get a better understanding of who this person is based on their literary interests. But book collections are not always a true reflection of someone’s self. They can have books stolen, lost, borrowed. They could have moved and had to downsize. They could keep them on an eReader. Oh my. It’s getting difficult to be a creeper. Luckily, my friends have allowed me to creep on their books.

Learning how to Lean In and Share our Stories: Thank you Sheryl Sandberg

“‘Did you hear the one about the woman taking a feminist studies class who got angry when someone called her a feminist?’ . . . We mistakenly thought that there was nothing left to fight for.” (143). Sheryl Sandberg‘s Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead urges women to lean in to their work and move into leadership roles. And she does this with complete honesty, humility, and humor.