Posted: February 23rd, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
I thought a follow up on my most recent blog post about David Foster Wallace might be nice, so here I present you with an interview that features not only David Foster Wallace, but also writers Mark Leyner (author of books such as My Cousin My Gastroenterologist), and Jonathan Franzen (author of books such as The Corrections). This is an interesting conversation that seems to apply to us more and more in the modern day: how the information age that we live in today affects our approach to fiction and reading. All three authors have interesting points to make! Enjoy! 
Posted: February 22nd, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
In many literary circles, the name David Foster Wallace has almost come to represent an enigma. He was the brilliant author of the novel Infinite Jest and an almost mysterious figure. His story seems to repeat that of other great writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Sylvia Plath: tormented by a depression that somehow made him brilliant at what he did, he sadly took his own life in 2008. Here is an interesting article and interview with Wallace. Yesterday’s date marked what would have been his 50th birthday. I lift my glass to a great author – thankful that his legacy can live on through the works he left behind.
Posted: February 21st, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
The arguments for and against using e-readers such as the Kindle to read literature both old and new as opposed to the common method of reading off of actual paper have continued to rage. I myself have yet to purchase an e-reader as, for some reason, I am still a die-hard paper book reader. Here is an interesting article arguing in favor of e-readers and claiming that these devices actually enhance the literary experience. I have to admit, most of the points were valid ones; I found myself questioning my own tenacious refusal to give up on paper books and just start using an e-reader. Hmmm… could the purchase of a Kindle be in my near future?
Posted: February 19th, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
How has reading changed your life? Does it steer you down paths you never thought you’d take, make you think, or change your point of view about the world? I’d have to answer yes to all of these questions as reading has long played a critical role in my life and opened up my mind in too many ways to count. That’s why I think this article is so interesting; a judge in the USA on occasion asks those he sentences to jail time to not only read Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables but to write a report on it – all in hopes of making them think about their life choices. Kind of cool, don’t you agree?
Posted: February 19th, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Where the Wild Things Are is by far the one book from my childhood that I never grow tired of. Now, as an adult, I still find myself delighted by this imaginative story and I can never resist the chance to read it to the kids in my life. I even loved the film that came out a few years ago – despite the obvious deviations from the original story. Therefore, you can imagine that it is difficult for me resist the opportunity to present you with a video of this beloved children’s book being read aloud. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Posted: February 16th, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Does anyone remember the children’s show Reading Rainbow? As you can probably guess by the name, it was a show that encourages reading – especially among children. I remember watching it as a little girl and even feeling its influence on my love of literature as I grew older. The show was hosted by an actor by the name of LeVar Burton who also starred in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Here is a cool video link which features Burton discussing (appropriately it would seem) science fiction literature and the importance of reading. It is a sneak peak at Burton’s own childhood and career as well as his thoughts on literature. Enjoy!
Posted: February 15th, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
There are very few people who have been successful in reading to its entirety the epic poem Paradise Lost by John Milton (I myself have tried and failed). So perhaps it will not come as a great surprise that, according to this article, and attempt at making the poem into a film has also fallen short of actual completion. Let’s face it: any decent movie based on Paradise Lost would not only take tons of money to create, but would also require and excellent cast to pull it off. In this case, it seems the money was the greatest issue. Fans of Paradise Lost, are you disappointed or relieved?
Posted: February 15th, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
The price of fame can often be a heavy one, as many people who skyrocket into the public eye discover. Way back in 1842, famous novelist Charles Dickens learned this the hard way on a visit to America. According to this article, not only did Dickens suffer from being under the near constant observation of American fans, but he was irritated by people’s attempts at making money off of his fame. Even more interesting, Dickens was not at all impressed by the money driven politics which affected America even back then. As an author who brought to light the plight of impoverished England, this seems understandable. But fear not, over two decades later Dickens made a second trip to the USA which fortunately proved much more successful and pleasant.
Posted: February 13th, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Ever since I took a class on politics in Japan in university, I have been a sucker for Japanese history. It always seems infused with mystery, romance, and brilliant color. Of course, being a fan of any Japanese anime related to feudal Japan doesn’t help dispel this romantic image I have. Today, I stumbled upon a novel about Japan in the feudal 1600s: Shogun by James Clavell. This book has everything from samurai to secret assassins to an interwoven love story. I definitely plan on picking up a copy very, very soon! I hope you will give the book a try as well. Enjoy!
Posted: February 9th, 2012 | Author: Katherine Collom | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Here is something that I hope will surely put a smile on your face: a page of the funnies done according to how famous authors such as James Joyce and Leo Tolstoy would have illustrated them. The funnies listed here range from the beloved Peanuts comic to the always amusing Garfield comic. Some of these illustrations are funny, others disturbing, but all are very entertaining. I usually start out my day reading the funnies, but today this took the place of that activity! I hope that you will enjoy this as much as I did! Let yourself laugh out loud!
