Turning literature into a numbers game makes some sense for the book trade, but none for readersWe may be halfway through January already, but the spirit of new year is still in full swing over in San Francisco, where the 2014 Goodreads Reading Challenge goes from strength to strength to strength. More than 240,000 of Goodreads' 25 million members have already committed to reading more than 14m books this year, pledging to get through them at an average of more than a book a week. And many fans of books will say hurrah for that. I reckon I'm pretty much in favour of books and literature, too, but the Goodreads Reading Challenge just sets my teeth on edge.It starts right there in the name. Since when was reading any kind of challenge? Isn't it supposed to be fun? Maybe not for children still learning to differentiate their Perfect Peters from their Horrid Henrys, or for the one in six UK adults who still struggle with literacy, but Goodreads is a site for people who are already "readers" . I don't think they have schoolchildren in mind when they suggest you should "raise your reading ambitions" and it certainly doesn't look like a scheme designed to help adult learners "make it to the final chapter". All this talk of pledging, of targets, of tracking your progress, is just another step in the marketisation of the reading experience, another stage in the commodification of literary culture.We know that literacy correlates with better social outcomes, that literary fiction... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2014-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
We used to love these books, but he told me he doesn't want me to support J.K. Rowling now in any way. Continue reading at Slate
[ Slate | 2020-12-22 11:00:00 UTC ]
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In this Read Harder Challenge post, we're recommending books for the task asking you to read a a food memoir by an author of color. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2020-12-21 11:31:00 UTC ]
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If you’ve used the internet to read book or film reviews in the last decade, you’ve probably heard of the Bechdel test. Cartoonist Alison Bechdel introduced the test in her comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For in 1985 as a means of assessing the ways women are portrayed in fiction. The test... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-12-21 09:50:22 UTC ]
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Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz explain what happens when “equal justice” meets politics. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-12-18 13:00:00 UTC ]
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In this Read Harder Challenge post, we're recommending books for the task asking you to read an SFF anthology edited by a person of color. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2020-12-18 11:31:00 UTC ]
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When I was young my parents enrolled me in a speed-reading course, which was held in what felt like the basement of a used bookstore on a former main street in a town just west of Kansas City. The post A Year in Reading: Farooq Ahmed appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions
[ The Millions | 2020-12-16 16:00:11 UTC ]
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In this Read Harder Challenge post, we're recommending books for the task asking you to read nonfiction books about anti-racism. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2020-12-09 11:31:00 UTC ]
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Take a look at previous What We’re Reading blogs for more reading inspiration.Don’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris HaughtonAll Chris Haughton’s delightful picture books for young children open with a quotation, which the story then evinces. His latest, surprisingly, quotes Anaïs Nin: ‘Life shrinks... Continue reading at British Council global
[ British Council global | 2020-12-08 12:08:02 UTC ]
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The billionaire philanthropist offers some recommendations to get you through the final stretches of quarantine. While Bill Gates’s 2020 summer reading list concentrated on the pandemic and its economic repercussions, the Microsoft founder opted for a “change of pace” in considering his... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2020-12-08 11:00:59 UTC ]
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Dame Helen Mirren has become an ambassador of the World Literacy Foundation's (WLF) UK initiative, UK Reads, and has added her support to its Christmas appeal. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-12-07 18:36:55 UTC ]
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Book subscriptions from indies around the country are ideal for gifting — to yourself or someone else. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-12-07 13:00:00 UTC ]
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The first book in David Bowles’s new graphic novel series, “Rise of the Halfling King,” shows kids how a hieroglyphic script might have captivated the Mayans. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2020-12-05 16:27:56 UTC ]
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The Bookseller's 12th annual list of the industry's most influential people reveals a spate of pandemic heroes. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-12-03 23:15:34 UTC ]
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The Calibre Audio charity for readers who have print disabilities is hoping to add 48 new audiobooks to its library this holiday season. The post Calibre Audiobook Charity Joins the UK’s Big Give Holiday Challenge appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-12-02 20:32:53 UTC ]
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Mariah Carey's list of 'essential 2020 reading' includes a host of books by Black authors, along with the pop diva's own bestselling recent memoir. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-12-01 18:44:49 UTC ]
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If you still have holiday shopping to do, perhaps one of these books will fit the bill. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-12-01 13:00:00 UTC ]
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For me, the book of the year was David Graeber’s Debt: The First 5,000 Years. The post A Year in Reading: Stephen Dodson appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions
[ The Millions | 2020-12-01 12:00:24 UTC ]
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HarperCollins imprint Avon Books will publish Gracie Taylor's historical novel Edie’s Home for Strays. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-12-01 01:09:06 UTC ]
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Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile’s editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. We keep our daily episodes short and sweet, with audiobook clips to give you a sample of our featured listens. Nikki Giovanni’s slightly raspy, slightly sibilant voice draws listeners into Make Me Rain,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-11-27 11:56:49 UTC ]
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Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile’s editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. We keep our daily episodes short and sweet, with audiobook clips to give you a sample of our featured listens. Looking for something to entertain younger listeners—or the whole family? Host Jo Reed and... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-11-27 08:59:06 UTC ]
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