Tag Archives: books

Gah! The Trailer For Judy Blume’s “Tiger Eyes” Has Arrived!

Amelia McDonell-ParryApril 25, 2013 //

Davey + Wolf 4 Ever!

Judy Blume’s “Tiger Eyes” is one of those young adult novels I read multiple times as a teen, so I was beyond excited when I found out they were making it into a movie. And now there’s a trailer! Willa Holland stars as Davey, a 15-year-old girl who relocates with her family to New Mexico from New Jersey after her father is killed. Hiking in a canyon, she meets a mysterious young man named Wolf — played by Tatanka Means — and the two become fast friends (there are romantic sparks too). The story follows Davey as she struggles to come to terms with her father’s death while also progressing into womanhood. From the looks of the trailer, the movie looks so much like I imagined it would, probably because Blume and her son were closely involved in making the film. The movie opens June 7 — cannot wait.

YA Novel Life Lessons

What can we learn from "Sweet Valley High" and "The BSC"? Read More »

Coming Soon: "Tiger Eyes"!

Judy Blume's book is being made into a movie! Read More »

Book Or Movie?

This venn diagram will help you decide to read or watch. Read More »

10 Life Lessons From The Book From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Claire MyskoApril 24, 2013 //

YA Novel Life Lessons

What can we learn from "Sweet Valley High" and "The BSC"? Read More »

The Fault In Our Stars

Shailene Woodley has been cast as Hazel in "The Faul In Our Stars." Read More »

'Persepolis' Trouble

Chicago Public Schools threatened to pull the graphic novel Persepolis. Read More »

"The Bell Jar" Covers

In order of adorable to depressing. Read More »

I turned into a teary-eyed sap as I read the New York Times obituary of Newbery Award-winning author E.L. Konigsburg, who died last Friday. Her classic young adult novel, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, is one of my all-time favorites. It’s the reason I swore from the age of 10 that I would move to New York. (I made good on that promise.) It’s the reason I am a certifiable word nerd. I still treasure my childhood copy of the book with my name handwritten on a purple sticker bookplate.

A Manhattan-based version of the greatest youth fantasy (read: a life devoid of parental supervision), From the Mixed Up Files follows Claudia Kincaid and her younger brother Jamie as they flee the suburban doldrums and hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There is adventure. There is mystery. There are grammar references and vocabulary lessons. It’s loaded with poignant wisdom.

Twelve-year-old Claudia is the kind of character who inspires all the best kinds of troublemaking. Here are a few important lessons I learned from this bold, enterprising runaway. Keep reading »

Politician Introduces Bill To Make Science Fiction Required Public School Reading

The Mary SueApril 20, 2013 //

West Virginia Republican legislator Ryan Canterbury’s bill to make sci-fi a mandatory part of public school required reading just landed him on our Awesome People list.

The idea behind the bill is that making at least some sci-fi required reading would spur interest in math and science, so it’s not like Canterbury’s just a big ol’ sci-fi geek who wants other people to read the things he likes. Reads the bill:

“The Legislature finds that promoting interest in and appreciation for the study of math and science among students is critical to preparing students to compete in the workforce and to assure the economic well being of the state and the nation.

To stimulate interest in math and science among students in the public schools of this state, the State Board of Education shall prescribe minimum standards by which samples of grade-appropriate science fiction literature are integrated into the curriculum of existing reading, literature or other required courses for middle school and high school students.”

Read more on The Mary Sue…

Frisky Q&A: Sarah Erdreich On Her Book Generation Roe

Sarah GrayApril 14, 2013 //

Roe Vs. Wade

Where do abortion rights stand today? Read More »

Ellen On Abortion Rights

"I want women to be able to choose," the actress says. Read More »

No Abortion Clinic?

Will Mississippi become the first state without an abortion clinic? Read More »

Forty years after the landmark decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion, a woman’s right to make her own reproductive decisions is still a hotbed of discussion in state legislatures and a target of lawmakers. Outside of these state capitals, talking about abortion is still largely taboo.

Sarah Erdreich is trying to open up a larger discourse about reproductive rights and the next generation of women. Generation Roe: Inside the Future of the Pro-Choice Movement tackles the difficult issues of stigma, activism, pop culture and how to talk about abortion as not just a scary political battle but a more nuanced, personal choice for all women.

I had a chance to speak to Erdreich about the book and what she believes are the biggest issues facing the women who came after Roe and the right to choose. Keep reading »

I See A Fun Party Trick In My Future

Winona Dimeo-EdigerApril 12, 2013 //

Astro 101: Astrology Rules!

Here are 13 reasons why astrology is awesome! Read More »

Vanilla Cookbook

All vanilla everything! Read More »

What Your Bookshelf Says

Ever wondered what your bookshelf says about you? Read More »

I’ve recently become obsessed with the idea of learning how to read palms. I’m not sure I even believe in it, but I think it would be the best party trick ever. “Oh my, you have an unusually long life line” = the perfect antidote to awkward pauses and boring conversations. This cute little palm reading book should give me a nice overview for my new hobby, and for less than five bucks? Totally worth it. [$4.95, Powell's]

I’m Sorry, I Refuse To Drink A Semen Cocktail

Ami AngelowiczApril 5, 2013 //

Semen Squirt Gun

This man used a semen-filled squirt gun as a weapon. Read More »

Semen 101

Everything you need to know about man's precious nectar. Read More »

Semen In Yogurt

Did this woman's yogurt test positive for semen? Find out! Read More »

Squid Sperm

When your dinner tries to impregnate your mouth. Read More »

Jizz Cocktails?

I can endorse sperm as a cure for morning sickness or even as a natural mood booster, but, I’m sorry, I refuse to drink a semen cocktail. We all have to draw the line somewhere and this where I draw mine. I refuse to walk into a bar and order a “Galliano Cum Shot” or a “Slightly Saltier Caviar.”

In the new book Semenology: The Semen Bartender’s Handbook, Paul “Fotie” Photoenhauer, who also wrote Natural Harvest: Collection of Semen Based Recipes, teaches us how to mix selected spirits to enhance the delicate flavors of semen. To quote the Amazon book description:

“Driven by a commitment and passion for the freshly harvested ingredient, Semenology pushes the limits of classic bartending. Semen is often freshly available behind most bar counters and adds a personal touch to any cocktail.”

Since when is semen freshly available behind most bar counters? Never mind. I don’t want to know. This better not become the new mixology trend.[Huffington Post]

6 (more) uses for sperm

6 Photos »

Why Feminism Must Be About More Than Careerism, “Leaning In,” And The Glass Ceiling

The GlossApril 5, 2013 //

There’s been a lot of discussion as of late about Sheryl Sandberg‘s bourgeois and somewhat apolitical version of feminism, Lean In. It seems like everywhere I look, the feminist discourse has been taken over by discussions of the ways in which women hold themselves back at work, how we need more women at the top, why Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer won’t call herself a feminist, etc. As a feminist with some serious socialist leanings, I am mildly annoyed by this, but I’m also kind of happy, because it gives me a chance to discuss how and why feminism must go beyond talking about how the most privileged women should be allowed to self-actualize at the highest levels possible, to the issues that concern that vast majority of the female workforce.

As I see it, there are really two issues here: 1.) “Lean In” feminism isn’t feminism in any traditional sense of the word, and 2.) even if we do decide to think collectively (and hence politically) re: women in the workplace, that’s not going nearly far enough. Read more at The Gloss…

Frisky Q&A: Kelly Oxford Talks About Her Hilarious New Memoir, Going From Stay-At-Home Mom To Breadwinner & Meeting David Copperfield’s Mermaid

Amelia McDonell-ParryApril 4, 2013 //

Kelly Oxford's Book!

Our review of "Everything Is Perfect When You're A Liar." Read More »

Full disclosure: I am more than a little obsessed with Kelly Oxford. The Canadian blogger turned Twitter celeb turned screenwriter just released her first book, the memoir Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar, and it’s seriously one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. I have to stop myself from retweeting every single one of her deadpan missives on Twitter. Her husband James looks like bearded Jon Hamm and her three children — Salinger, 11; Henry, 8; and Bea, 4 — are adorable. She owns the Isabel Marant wedge sneakers that I want but can’t afford. So when I got the opportunity to talk to Kelly about her book and her other upcoming projects, naturally I kept her on the phone for as long as possible. After the jump, Kelly talks about the process of writing all of the essays in Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar; the differences between Canadians and Americans; what it’s like to have switched roles with her husband so she’s now the “breadwinner” after 10 years of being a stay-at-home mom; what pal David Copperfield — yes, the magician — has hidden on his private island; and which celeb she totally could have dated at 17. Keep reading »

The Funniest Memoir You’ll Read This Year

Amelia McDonell-ParryApril 2, 2013 //

Twitter Must Follows

Our list of the 26 ladies to read and follow on Twitter. Read More »

Books For Obsessives

No matter the obsessive k-hole, there's a book for you to read. 11 Photos »

Comforting Memoirs

These memoirs will make you feel better about your life. 11 Photos »

Why Funny Women Rule

John DeVore on why funny women are a natural resource. Read More »

Chances are, if you spend any time on Twitter, you know who Kelly Oxford is. The Canadian-born mom of three has amassed over 450,000 followers thanks to her hilarious and dry-witted one liners about everything from notorious celebrities like Chris Brown (“Leave it to fucking Chris Brown to make a dance song out of police sirens”) and dead rockstars (“One thing Kurt Cobain would have loved is trending on Twitter on his birthday”), to random life moments (“Almost passed out from trying to blow a 3″ long pube off a toilet seat so no one in this restaurant would think it was mine”), marriage (“Marriage: Waking up to the best news stories being emailed to you from your husband in the bathroom”) and motherhood (“How do you get a red wine stain off a baby?”). She counts Jimmy Kimmel, Roger Ebert, Jessica Alba and David Copperfield among her biggest fans, but, as her new memoir, Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar, makes clear, fame hasn’t gone to Oxford’s head. Keep reading »

The Only Sloth Book You Need

Jessica WakemanMarch 22, 2013 //

Kristen Loves Sloths

Kristen Bell freaks out over a sloth on "Ellen." Read More »

The Sloths are Coming

Don't worry, they move really slowly. Watch »

Sloths a-Swimming

And they take dips in the pool, too. Watch »

Baby Sloth Onesie

You need to see this baby sloth in a onesie. Watch »

Grumpy Cat is an intergalactic superstar for his sour little pussycat face. But some of us prefer animals with a bit of whimsy and happiness, like … sloths! In her coffee table book, A Little Book Of Sloth, author Lucy Cooke pens an ode to the humble sloth, complete with pictures taken at a sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica. Whether they’re slowly dragging themselves off to do something adorable, munching on a leaf, or snuggling a stuffed animal like their life depends on it, these little critters will put a smile on your face. Don’t just take my word for it — ask Kristen Bell! [$16.99, ModCloth]