Portrait of a Young Reader as an Addict

This post is the sixth in a series on contemporary popular literature. There are nothing quite like the sensations that accompany getting sucked into a good book.  It’s probably a bit different for everyone, - Read more

Protect our Farmers Market Title, VOTE NOW!

The human desire for acceptance and belonging, probably rooted in our genetic code from millions of years of tribal life, can be expressed is some awfully ridiculous rivalries.  Some people flock to the logo of - Read more

Travelogue: Thousand Islands, NY

I woke up early this morning and drove to an internet cafe – The Lyric Bistro in Clayton, NY housed in an old opera house – ostensibly to catch up on the e-mail I have been ignoring for more than a - Read more

Books for Kids: A Formula that Works

Well, it’s official, I’ve graduated, bringing my long academic career to a close, at least for now.  And as it happens, thinking of endings brings me all the way back to thinking about the beginning.  And - Read more

Page to Screen: Giving Flight or Cutting Wings?

This post is the fourth in a series on contemporary popular literature. So I know you’ve all noticed the massive trend towards making huge powerhouse movie sequel machines lately.  And what better way to go - Read more

Literary Mash-ups All Mixed Up

Ed. Note: This post is the third in a series on contemporary popular literature. To help convey the potential of a good literary mash-up, let me set the scene: In Jane Austen’s Regency Era, a girl rigged out - Read more

Vampire Craze: Why Are Corpses Compelling?

Ed. Note: This post is the second in a series on contemporary popular literature. Nowadays, it’s hard to throw a stick in a bookstore (not that any respectable book aficionado would do such a thing) and not - Read more

Unleash Your Imagination

Let’s talk about fan fiction, aka fanfic.  Most people fall into three categories: you don’t know what it is; you know what it is, and think it’s silly; or you are passionate about it.  Like  me. In - Read more

Culture in Motion!

NewStar Performance to Benefit Davis Schools The sights, sounds, and colors of the diverse regions of China and beyond will come together on Saturday, May 1, 2010, 7:00 pm at the Davis High School Brunelle - Read more

Young Rockers Shake The Town

I’ve not had this much fun enjoying music (with ear plugs) in a long time.  The Rockband University, right here in Davis, is a group of kids that gave us a show of a lifetime. [caption id="attachment_1743" - Read more