Growing up, my family’s diet was pretty straight forward; meat, potatoes, veggies, bread and butter, all straight out of Betty Crocker’s cookbook. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to take part in making a documentary film in India at the age of 18, that I was exposed to more international cuisine. My life, and appetite, were forever changed.Being shown a vastly … [Read more...] about Why Cookbooks are Still Essential
Freedom of Speech & Book Banning in 2022
For many people, there's an uneasy feeling in the air right now due to a large resurgence in censorship. Banning books is by no means a new tactic, and attempting to control people to think 'the right things' and not 'the wrong things', can be seen throughout history and the world. History of Book Burning and Banning In 213 B.C., as a way of consolidating power in his new … [Read more...] about Freedom of Speech & Book Banning in 2022
Libraries Unintentionally Offered ‘Hate’ Books via Digital Services
Hoopla and OneDrive are digital media services used by more than 8,500 libraries in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. They allow library patrons access to movies, audiobooks, and ebooks. Libraries buy a subscription to their services, and unlike buying physical books, librarians don’t always have input or control of what’s included. Recently, some librarians have … [Read more...] about Libraries Unintentionally Offered ‘Hate’ Books via Digital Services
Nostalgia for Bookstores Creating Expansion
Normally, I avoid malls like the plague. Sometimes, when I'm strolling along, checking out all the shiny new clothes and items, I somehow end up feeling bad about myself. Huh? Should I have dressed up to go shopping? I've had some good experiences at the mall; seeing a movie, grabbing a quick smoothie on my way to the gym, or going to a specific store. However, I still find … [Read more...] about Nostalgia for Bookstores Creating Expansion
NY Library Offers Free Banned e-reader Books
For the month of May, the New York Public Library (NYPL) will be releasing four banned books nationwide using SimplyE, which is a free-reader app.There is an interesting commonality between all of the titles; they are all award-winning highly praised books, however, due to their subject matter, they are also viewed as controversial, as some parents and educators have … [Read more...] about NY Library Offers Free Banned e-reader Books
BuzzFeed “Guts” Newsroom
In 2012, BuzzFeed made the bold choice to branch out from its bread and butter of animal videos and “WTF!” tag lines, and move into more serious journalism. Almost a decade later, it has gained a reputation as a rising star in digital media, and has even claimed a very prestigious award; the Pulitzer Prize, for an investigative series which utilized satellite imagery focusing … [Read more...] about BuzzFeed “Guts” Newsroom
Banned, Buried & Burnt: Book Censorship on the Rise
“Can you tell me, does equity and inclusion, also include incestuous relationships?” Amanda McClanahan, a concerned Iowa resident, asked at a Waukee Community School District meeting, as documented by PBS News Hour (March 10 2022). In a piece called, Nationwide effort to Ban Books Challenges Freedom of Speech, writers Brown, Davenport and Thoet, highlight the increasing efforts … [Read more...] about Banned, Buried & Burnt: Book Censorship on the Rise
Print Sales Forecasted to Drop in 2022
During the pandemic there was a notable increase in print sales of books, 8% in 2020 and 9% in 2021, respectfully.According to Kristen McLean, executive director for NPD/BookScan Books Group, it's unlikely that unit sales of print books will continue to expand in 2022, as reported by The Passive Voice (April 3 2022). McLean shared that the larger sale increases that were … [Read more...] about Print Sales Forecasted to Drop in 2022
Celebrity Narrated Audiobooks Worth Exploring
It seems more and more celebrities are jumping on the exciting band wagon and lending their iconic voices to the growing genre of audiobooks. These fantastic celebrity-narrated audiobooks include modern tales, classical literature, as well as children's stories. Claire Danes "'It's so poetic,' Danes said of Atwood's writing via Audible's YouTube channel quoted by Tampa Bay … [Read more...] about Celebrity Narrated Audiobooks Worth Exploring
Did Amazon Purposely Mislead Members?
Did Amazon purposely draw out the process of being able to cancel a Prime membership?According to internal documents obtained by Insider, it seems there was a concerted effort on behalf of Amazon to create delays and complications for Prime members looking to cancel their subscriptions. Amazon is a complex website, with a large number of drop-down menus, that are not always … [Read more...] about Did Amazon Purposely Mislead Members?
Five Celebrity Authors Worth Exploring
Celebrities are creative and imaginative by nature. Many of them have made the transition from film, stage acting, or singing to the written word with much success. A tell-all memoir, often written with a ghost writer, which highlights the pleasures and plights of living with fame, fortune, and Hollywood “frenemies” may be typical among A-list celebrities.However today's … [Read more...] about Five Celebrity Authors Worth Exploring
Comixology’s David Steinberger Leaving For New Amazon Position
David Steinberger, CEO and president of Comixology, Amazon’s digital comics marketplace, is leaving to launch a brand new Amazon-wide initiative (details about this new project have yet to be released). Through a five-part note posted on Twitter, Steinberger shared his plans to departure Comixology, although he will stay on as an advisor.Steinberger described this change as … [Read more...] about Comixology’s David Steinberger Leaving For New Amazon Position
