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For babies, reading time can be a tactile experience. The adult should snuggle up with the child, let her or him turn the pages, point to things, etc. Board books are great because you don't have to worry that the child will tear the pages. Books should be familiar objects almost from...

Thanks! Yep--the big two-five. I find it intimidating somehow, like I have to grow up soon. Cheers to you all, Mari

I follow my heart, then use my head to try to take care of the consequences.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Prairie Home Companion is pretty good, but now that I've listened to it for several years, it's getting a little monotonous. I'm a fan of old-time radio. My favorite by far is Jack Benny. Allen's Alley is classic of course. I also like Gracie Allen, though I could do without the rest of...

Hermione Weasley? A Ron and Hermione shipper, huh? I think Hermione would at least keep her last name.

I see myself maybe a little too much in Anais Nin's semi-fictional persona, but I probably shouldn't go there.

The founding fathers felt that their enterprise was of such Biblical significance, they briefly considered making the official language of the new country Hebrew.

It adds up to about three hours a day. Also, my husband and I read out loud to each other for about an hour most evenings.

I recommend the annotated edition published by W.W. Norton. That way, you can get the historical background you need as you go, instead of reading history texts in advance.

Readers of the book might find it interesting to compare it with the original magazine version: http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=4078 The book version downplayed the relationship among the men, which had gotten the magazine version condemned as morally disgusting.

I like the dystopias such as Brave New World and 1984. I'm not sure if they're considered subtle, but the political and social commentary is definitely there. Also try Animal Farm.

The three-volume, hardcover edition still has the fold-out maps created under Tolkien's direction by his son. I'm referring to the basic edition without any movie tie-in illustrations. Used copies after 1980 have the latest version of these maps. I bought some used copies of the books that...

The music alone almost killed me. I've heard they're working on a fourth, but I don't think I'll bother.

I enjoy that thread. It's fun to share people's glee over bookstore discoveries and bargains.

I grew up in one of the sundown towns discussed in Loewen's book. My parents chose an unfortunate (and possibly sick) way to deal with it, so I was under extreme pressure to pass for White, which 1) didn't work, and 2) eventually led to a break with my family. Loewen's book is important, and...

Stewart, my advice is that you keep at it, but focus on Peter Walsh. His story is like the other side of the coin to Clarissa's, and I happened to find it more compelling. It's a love story, or more precisely a story of failed love that the characters never got over. I loved this book, and...

If the author's name is bigger than the title, I take that as a bad sign.

This usually works:

I was thinking mostly about highschool when I wrote that. In earlier grades, both girls and boys read horror series. Girls read Goosebumps; boys read gorier ones. Horses and girl detectives were for wimps. (For the record, I did read Babysitters Club. It fit my own suburban setting, but at...