Marsh’s Library – Dublin, Ireland

Located behind Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Marsh’s Library is Ireland’s oldest public library dating back to the 18th century. Made up of two long galleries joined by a reading room, the inside of the building has remained, for the most part, untouched over time. But this library has more than just elegant oak bookcases, old books, and ladders among the shelves – it also has ghosts.

Patrons and staff have reported seeing the ghost of an old man rummaging through the shelves, believed to be that of Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, the library’s founder. The story goes that Marsh’s favorite niece, Grace, who he raised from a young age, fell in love with a sea captain at the young age of just 19.

Marsh made it clear he didn’t approve, which resulted in Grace running away and eloping. Grace left a note for her uncle explaining why she had eloped and asking for his forgiveness, but she hid the note among the thousands of books so he couldn’t find it in time to stop her. Legend has it, Marsh continues to search for the note in the afterlife.

Throughout the Middle Ages, chained libraries were common to keep expensive books safe. In Marsh’s Library, however, readers were locked in cages to keep them from nicking the books. You can still see these cages in the library, very much adding to the eerie atmosphere. Next door, in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, are the bodies of author Jonathan Swift and girlfriend Stella. Copies were made of their skulls and Stella’s was placed in one of the cages at the back of the library, while Jonathan’s remains in St. Patrick’s. Some say Swift’s ghost ventures to the library to pay Stella a visit.

Marsh’s Library is open to the public, and upon visiting we recommend taking a look at the visitor book for the signatures of authors Bram Stoker, Johnathan Swift, and James Joyce.

Andrew Bayne Memorial Library – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If you find yourself perusing the Andrew Bayne Memorial Library, there’s a chance you may run into Amanda Balph, the former owner of the library who passed away in 1912. Built in 1875, this Victoria-style home holds roughly 14,000 print volumes, as well as a residential spirit that is as kind as she is mischievous.

The building was originally the home of Amandy Bayne Balph, the daughter of Allegheny County Sheriff Andrew Bayne, and was donated after her death to be used as a library and a park under the stipulation that no trees were to be removed from the property; however, after a 300-year-old tree on the grounds had to be removed due to Dutch elm disease, some very spooky things started happening around the library including lights and ceiling fans turning off and on, computers and other electronics being played with, and books, keys and other items being hidden from staff members.

But don’t get too spooked, as long as you ask her nicely, she’ll stop.

Combermere Abbey Library – Cheshire, England

Built sometime around 1113, Combermere Abbey is a former monastery, that later served as a country house for the family who took ownership in the 16th century. More recently in 1998, the building was entered into English Heritage’s “Buildings at Risk” register. While the abbey is partially occupied and restored, work has been ongoing since 2010 to save the building. Now, let’s get to the spooky stuff because a building that has been around since 1113 is bound to have a ghost story or two.

The most famous ghost story has been around since 1891 when Abbey owner Lord Combermere passed away after being run over by a horse-drawn carriage. During his funeral on December 5th at St. Margaret’s Church in Wrenbury, Sybell Corbet took a photo of the library with a long exposure camera. After the photo had been developed, Sybell noticed the image of a man’s upper body sitting in one of the chairs of the library, which was peculiar since the house was empty at the time the photo was taken.

Lord Combermere’s children said the apparition not only looked like their late father but that it appeared to be sitting in his favorite chair. Abbey staff members still report a number of ghostly sightings and other paranormal activity.

Peoria Public Library – Peoria, Illinois

Our story begins in the 1830s when Mrs. Gray gained custody of her nephew after the death of her brother. Unfortunately, her nephew had a mind of his own, to say the least, getting into trouble at every opportunity. Mrs. Gray, a widow who had little money to her name, decided that it would be best to hire a lawyer to attempt to get her nephew out of his legal troubles. David Davis took her house as collateral to cover his fees and when the bill came, Mrs. Gray was unable to pay and Davis sued to collect the mortgage for his fees.

In a fit of anger, Mrs. Gray kicked her nephew out of the house while she battled her own court case. Soon after, her nephew’s lifeless body was found floating in the Illinois River, the cause of death unknown. A devastated Mrs. Gray didn’t blame herself, but instead blamed Davis and cursed the property and all future occupants.

The lore is after Davis took over the property, nothing would grow on the land, despite the fact Mrs. Gray had beautiful gardens. Davis was also known to wake up suddenly throughout the night to a banging on the door, finding Mrs. Gray’s nephew outside, begging to be let in, only to immediately disappear.

In 1894, the city of Peoria purchased the property and built a public library. The first three directors of the library died under suspicious circumstances including a streetcar accident, a heart attack during a board meeting, and suicide after swallowing arsenic. While these could all be coincidences, Mrs. Gray’s curses were always at the forefront of locals’ minds. The original library was torn down in 1966 and rebuilt, but library visitors still report seeing Mr. Wilcox wandering the halls, staff have reported seeing his face in doorwards, their names called when nobody else is around, and have felt cold spots where there should be no drafts.

Houston Public Library – Houston, Texas

One morning in November of 1936 the librarians of the Houston Public Library arrived to find the night watchman/handyman/gardener, Jacob Frank Cramer, dead. Eventually, the cause of death was determined to be a lung hemorrhage. Since his death, all peculiar instances reported at the library have been attributed to Cramer. 

Cramer had rented a small apartment in the basement of the library where he lived with his beloved German Shepherd, Petey. In his spare time, Cramer loved to play the violin and could often be found serenading the building that he loved and cared for. Patrons and staff have reported finding violin sheet music on the basement floor, as well as hearing a scratching sound as if a dog was digging and the sound of a dog’s toenails tapping on the floor. Staff have also reported seeing shadows, that disappear when directly looked at, lights flickering on and off, and trees sprouting up in freshly planted locations around the building.

The post Let’s Go Ghouls: 5 Haunted Libraries  appeared first on Magazine.

The Cincinnati Book Bus rapidly became a hit. Barely a year later, Melanie and her inspiring business got themselves a write-up in Forbes. It seems the residents on Cincinnati were really loving the mobile bookstore, and Melanie and her business was adding real colour and vibrancy to the literary life of the Ohio city. But this was four years ago. So, what are Melanie and the Book Bus up to now?

Tilly the Literary Star

The Cincinnati Book Bus is certainly a descriptive name, but it’s a little impersonal. Melanie wanted to change that, making sure everyone knew about the real name, and real personality, of the vehicle at the heart of the whole thing. And so, back in February 2024, it was announced that Melanie’s Book Bus would be starring in a book of her own. Now known as Tilly the Book Bus, the 1962 VW Transporter has become a hit in its own right, thanks to a charmingly vintage look and an inspiring story.

Melanie wanted to give local kids some insight into Tilly’s story and how she became such a big hit among book lovers. Working with a local artist Mike Helm, and the children’s bookseller Brian Wray, Melanie created a fitting tribute to the vehicle that has taken on a life of its own. Melanie, Brian, Mike, and of course, Tilly herself, were present at the book’s launch in March 2024.

Fostering a Real Love of Reading

You don’t need to be a book lover to recognize the charm of Tilly. The classic VW van is a thing of beauty, with a paint job to match. But it seems as if Cincinnati’s young people are coming for Tilly, and staying for the books.

Maria Schappert is the program director at Notre Dame Urban Education Center in Covington. In August 2024, Melanie and Tilly paid a visit to Notre Dame, and it seems they made quite the impression.

“Did you see the boy who took three books? He hates to read”, Maria told the Grant Moxley of the Cincinnati Magazine. “He took the books to his desk and told his tutor ‘I want to read this one first!’”

This is the kind of impact that Melanie, Tilly, and the Cincy Book Bus, are having. The project is fostering a real love of reading in the young people of Ohio – a love that is going to stay with most of these young people for their entire lives.

Making a Big Difference in Cincinnati

In recent years, Melanie has been thinking of ways to funnel the profits from bookselling back into the local community. While she’d originally been anxious about not making any money at all, she eventually found herself with an opportunity to make a big difference across Cincinnati.

“I told [my sister] ‘if I sold just one book, I would be happy’”, Melanie said. She ended up selling rather a lot more than one. The start-up costs had all been paid back within only three months of running the business, and Melanie and Tilly quickly found that the operation was highly profitable.

Running the Cincy Book Bus helped Melanie engage with the world around her in a new way. When she met a third-grade teacher from the west side of Cincinnati, whose classroom was lacking a library, Melanie understood just what she could do. She donated $500 from the Book Bus to help begin the new classroom library project at the school. This turned out to be a springboard – now Melanie donates collections of books worth thousands of dollars to local schools and institutions, people who really need them – institutions like the Notre Dame Urban Education Center.

What’s Next for the Book Bus?

“My main goal at this point is just to get the kids excited about reading,” Melanie says. What began as a lifelong dream that might never have gotten off the ground, has evolved into something truly remarkable here in Cincinnati. Whether kids are receiving one of the Book Bus’ donations, or reading about Tilly in her very own book, they can’t help but be spellbound by this exciting project.

While Tilly is still mobile, the bookstore itself has put down roots. These days, Melanie runs the Book Depot – basically, the home of Tilly, and also a space for way more books.

The Book Depot plays host to a range of different events for book lovers across the region and has become a real center of Cincy’s literary community.

And that doesn’t look likely to change any time soon!

The post The Ongoing Adventures of the Cincinnati Book Bus appeared first on Magazine.

The Versatile Grain and the Elegant Bean: A Celebration of the World’s Most Healthful Foods by Sheryl and Mel London

Years Overdue: 21

Loaned From: The Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence, Kansas

This healthy cookbook was returned anonymously in 2014, after having been missing since September 24, 1992. This cookbook has over 300 recipes, and given how long it was checked out, I’m willing to bet this person tried every single one of them!

The Real Book About Snakes by Jane Sherman

Years Overdue: 41

Loaned From: The Champaign Country Library, Urbana, Ohio

Like the previous book, the person who turned in this useful field guide on snakes did so anonymously. However, they did provide an explanation: “Sorry I’ve kept this book so long, but I’m a slow reader! I’ve enclosed my fine of $299.30. Once again, my apologies!” At $.02 a day for 41 years, that’s quite a hefty fine for just one book!

The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

Years Overdue: 63

Loaned From: The Rugby Library, Warwick, England

This book was returned home in 2013 during an eight-day fines amnesty period. It’s a good thing the tardy patron decided to turn it in during this period because they otherwise would have had to pay €4,000 in overdue fees (that’s over $4,450 in US dollars)! Librarian Joanna Girdle had this to say about the book’s return: “It’s amazing to think how much the library has changed since that book was taken out in 1950.” I’m sure it has. Hopefully, the book was returned in good quality!

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Years Overdue: 78

Loaned From: The Chicago Public Library, Chicago, Illinois

Harlean Hoffman Vision was worried when she found a rare edition of Oscar Wilde’s classic novel among her late mother’s personal effects. The book was returned in 2012, but her mother had had it in her possession since 1934! Marketing director Ruth Lednicer recalled Harlean being so worried that she was in trouble that she kept asking, “You’re not going to arrest me?” Of course, the book was returned during another amnesty period, so Harlean didn’t even have to pay a fine. “We’re so happy you brought it back!” Ruth remembered telling Harlean. So are we, Herlean!

Master of Men by E. Phillips Oppenheim

Years Overdue: 79

Loaned From: The Leicestershire County Library, Leicester, England

E. Phillips Oppenheim (also known as Anthony Partridge) is generally considered one of the originators of the thriller genre. He also lived in Leicester, so even though the library branch this book originally belonged to had been shut down decades earlier, the Leicestershire County Council was delighted for the return of this piece of the county’s literary history after it turned up in a nearby house.

Facts I Ought to Know About the Government of My Country by William H. Bartlett

Years Overdue: 99

Loaned From: The New Bedford Free Public Library, New Bedford, Massachusetts

When Stanley Dudek’s mother borrowed this book in 1910, he didn’t expect she’d hang on to it until 2009. “For a person who was just becoming a citizen, it was the perfect book for her,” Dudek said. Considering she was just immigrating from Poland, I imagine it was very helpful to her!

An Elementary Treatise on Electricity by James Clerk Maxwell

Years Overdue: 119

Loaned From: The New Bedford Free Public Library, New Bedford, Massachusetts

A rare books curator at West Virginia University Libraries found this book while inspecting a box of donated books. According to the inside of the book, the volume had been checked out on February 14, 1904 – well past its due date, considering the book was found in July 2023! The curator, Stewart Plein, contacted the library and returned the book. At $.05 per day late, this could have been an expensive fine! Fortunately, this library’s late fee maxes out at $2.00. No word on whether or not Plein was responsible for it.

Insectivorous Plants by Charles Darwin

Years Overdue: 122

Loaned From: The Camden Libraries, Sydney Australia

Wouldn’t it be cool to have a Venus flytrap? Somebody thought so. This copy of Darwin’s treatise on bug-eating flora was borrowed in 1889. This thing saw two World Wars, the Apollo moon landing, and the birth of the internet before it was finally returned in July 2011.

The Ancient History of the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Macedonians, and Grecians (Volume II) by Charles Rolling

Years Overdue: 150 (approximately)

Loaned From: The Grace Doherty Library, Danville, Kentucky

Given how many ancient societies this book covers, it doesn’t surprise me that it took a lifetime to finish it! “It’s been out of the library for at least 150 years,” librarian Stan Campbell said when this book was finally returned in 2013. It was found at a neighboring school for deaf students. It had been stored there since at least 1854, according to a note dating to that year found inside the copy. The library doesn’t have any records from that period, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how long this book was really gone.

The Law of Nations by Emmerich de Vattel

Years Overdue: 221

Loaned From: The New York Society Library, New York City, New York

If you’re going to lead a new nation, it’s probably good to at least have an idea of what you’re doing. That’s why, five months into his first term, George Washington checked this legal manifesto out from the historic New York Society Library. For more than two centuries, it remained at Mount Vernon. Adjusted for inflation, that fine would have been about $300,000! Fortunately, head librarian Mark Bartlett assured the estate, “We’re not actively pursuing overdue fines. But we would be very happy to see the book returned.” Bartlett’s plea was heard, and the book was finally returned in 2010.

Hopefully, you feel a little bit better about your overdue library books.

The post 10 Ridiculously Overdue Library Books Returned at Last appeared first on Magazine.

But have you ever been so distracted by books that the crime you’re in the process of committing seemingly slipped your mind? We would venture to guess that probably hasn’t happened to most of us, however, that is precisely what happened to a burglar in Rome recently.

Breaking News

The BBC reported that via the balcony, a 38-year-old gained access to a flat in the Prati district of Italy. With a bag of stolen, expensive clothing in hand, the perpetrator quickly became consumed by a copy of The Gods at Six O’Clock by Giovanni Nucci. So consumed in fact he totally gave up trying to flee the scent of the crime. Assuming the house was empty and he had a few minutes to spare, the alleged burglar decided to cozy up with the book. Meanwhile, the 71-year-old homeowner awoke and confronted the alleged burglar who was still heavily absorbed in his reading.

We Interrupt This Broadcast

We know you must be wondering about the book that this alleged burglar just couldn’t put down.

In short, The Gods at Six O’Clock by Giovanni Nucci explains The Iliad from the perspective of the gods.

Acknowledgments

As if this story wasn’t chaotic enough, word got out to author Giovanni Nucci and he had some thoughts on the matter.

“It’s fantastic,” Nucci told Il Messaggero, an Italian newspaper. “I’d like to find the person caught red-handed and give him the book because he’ll have been arrested halfway through reading it. I’d like him to be able to finish it.” The author also took to Instagram to recap the story. Now, whether you’re a fan of the fantasy genre or not, if a book is captivating enough to stop a crime, that must be worth something.

How it Ended

Ultimately the alleged thief was caught off-guard and attempted to make a quick getaway via the balcony he came in on, but was arrested soon after. At one point he told police that he had climbed the building to visit someone he knew, “I thought I had ended up in a B&B, saw the book, and started to read it.” 

There is no doubt that this instance was nothing if not bizarre, but admittedly our number one question is, did he get to finish the book? We’ll continue to follow this story in hopes of answers to all of our questions.

The post Italian Burglar Caught After Stopping to Read a Book appeared first on Magazine.

Make Good Art: Inspiration for Creative People by Neil Gaiman

Okay, so technically it’s a commencement address he gave at Philadelphia University of the Arts in 2012. But, it’s been made into a lovely illustrated book! Neil Gaiman’s speech resonated with many creative types besides just those 2012 graduates, and renowned graphic designer Chip Kidd’s contributions are a lovely commemoration of Neil Gaiman’s best advice for any new writer or artist: no matter what, make good art.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

In this book, Julia Cameron works to uncover problem areas that restrict creative flow. Three of her main techniques have become the most accepted way among writers and artists to unleash their creativity. The first is her daily morning pages, which is probably a good thing to do even if you’re not creative. The second is the weekly artist’s date, where you devote a certain amount of time each week to do things that inspire you. The last is what she calls a Creative Cluster. A big part of being creative is surrounding yourself with creative people.

If you’re anything like me, this happens naturally – most of my friends are creatives, and we’re always bouncing ideas off of each other. However, if finding fellow creative people is something you struggle with, Julia Cameron offers some guidance.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Written by the best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love, this book is all about the spiritual journey of becoming a writer. It’s also a self-help book. It can be scary to live creatively; if you’re not already independently wealthy, it can be a risk to take on a big challenge like writing a book. Facing that fear can be a challenge in and of itself, and this big is all about conquering that fear

Building Fiction by Jesse Lee Kercheval

Okay, so now you’ve been inspired to write. Where do you start? Structure is always a good starting point, and this book is all about structure. Building Fiction is great for beginners, and it’s a common reference book in creative writing courses – my own professors used it when I was in college. Stories are something we know how to tell by nature, but this book breaks down the elements of a story in a way that’s easy to understand for those who haven’t written a story before. It even has some exercises for you to practice.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White

The Elements of Style is another essential for readers who want to start writing. Another common reference book in creative writing courses, it’s basically a rulebook full of tips and tricks for the act of writing. As with any hobby, you have to know the rules. This is especially true if you want to make a career out of writing. This book can be a bit of a dry read, but on the plus side, it’s short. You don’t even have to read it all the way through – just skip to the section you need, and you’re good to go!

The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker

On the flip side, rules are boring. Some feel that prescriptivist rules like those in The Elements of Style restrict creativity. That’s where Steven Pinker’s The Sense of Style comes in. Steven Pinker is a psycholinguist who knows and understands that language is fluid, not rigid as Elements would suggest. As my own creative writing professors said, you have to know the rules before you can start breaking them, and this book shows how you can bend those rules effectively.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Love or hate him, Stephen King is a highly prolific author. Whether you enjoy the King of Horror’s works or not, there’s no denying that the man knows a thing or two about writing. This book is basically King’s story of how he got where he is today, and it’s remarkably relatable. In addition to his little tips and tricks on the craft of writing, he gives a lot of insight into what life as a full-time author is like.

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

Want more insight into the writing life? Check out this book. Ray Bradbury is another great author with some great advice regarding writing and life in general. Zen in the Art of Writing isn’t just a how-to manual; Bradbury encourages writers to find their own unique path, style, and voice.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Even when inspired, sometimes it can be like pulling teeth to get a good draft out. Well, according to Anne Lamott, a first draft doesn’t have to be good. In fact, Bird by Bird introduces the idea of shitty first drafts. Writing doesn’t have to be good at first – that’s why we revise. Get it down, and you can fix it later.

You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins

This book is more about the business of writing than the craft of writing. Jeff Goins has plenty of advice for people who are looking to take their writing hobby and turn it into a career. In You are a Writer, he shares his own story on tackling imposter syndrome and self-doubt. If you’re really serious about being a writer or just need help claiming the title, this is a good book to look into!

Of course, there are so many more books about writing.

The post 10 Recommended Books for Aspiring Writers appeared first on Magazine.

National Authors Day is coming up on November 1st. Originally established as an awareness day in the United States, this holiday has since transcended borders. Readers across the world gather every November to find new and creative ways to express gratitude to their favorite writers. 

National Authors Day was first proposed in 1928 by the President of the Illinois Women’s Club, Nellie McPherson. McPherson wanted to emphasize the importance of reading and writing, while celebrating beloved American authors. After twenty years of informal celebrations in America, the day was officially recognized by the US Department of Commerce in 1949. Since then, it has become an international day to celebrate talented writers and the power of storytelling across the world. In early recognition of the day, here are five fun and easy ways you can celebrate National Authors Day yourself.

Re-read a Favorite Story

If you read in any capacity, whether as a novice or a professional, it’s likely that you have a favorite novel or series that you’ve held onto over the years.

National Authors Day is a great time to break it back out to enjoy and help you remember what made you fall in love with it in the first place. This could mean rereading your favorite childhood fairytale or embarking on a 700-page quest with your most beloved fantasy heroes. If you’re not a fiction person, cracking open your most interesting piece of nonfiction is well within the rules of the day.

As November kicks off the holiday season for many of us, this could be a good time to share your favorite seasonal or cultural stories with your children or younger generations. A family storytime featuring a holiday fable or tale from your culture is a wonderful way to honor the author and pass down traditions – or even create a new one.

Explore New Voices

The world has no shortage of authors. Every day new writers share their works with the world in the hopes that someone will enjoy their voice or resonate with their art. Authors from the past and present await new readers. In recognition of National Authors Day, you can seek out new stories. Shop for unfamiliar authors at your favorite bookstore or explore a new section of your local library. Honestly, who needs another excuse to go book shopping?

Reading is also a fun and powerful way to educate yourself. You can use this day to explore themes and ideas that might change the way you see things. Feel encouraged to push your boundaries of worldview or put yourself in another’s shoes. This is easily done by choosing an author who isn’t a member of your own experience. It’s always a good idea to celebrate diverse or marginalized groups who are often overlooked as authors. You might just find a new favorite while you’re at it.

Find The Writer Within

Have you always enjoyed reading and are envious of authors who are living out their passion and getting paid to write? The good news is that writing is for everyone! If you have a story to tell and access to a writing utensil and something to write on, then (surprise!) you’re a writer. It’s that easy. National Authors Day is a chance to put yourself in the shoes of your most admired writers and try it for yourself. Set aside some time on November 1st to take a stab at writing in your favorite genre. 

If you’ve got the drive but are having a hard time with creative inspiration, this can be easily remedied. A quick internet search of ‘writing prompts’ + your genre of choice will generate a plethora of creative prompts to get you started on your writing journey. You can also search for ideas on the pages of your favorite book. Other works of writing are often the inspiration for new stories. Immerse yourself in their world and then create your own new one.

Reach Out To Your Favorite Writer

For the lucky few, becoming an author is a lucrative and rewarding career, but like so many other artists, many writers work and struggle for their art every single day.

It can become a tiresome and thankless job for even the most talented writers. A little appreciation can go a long way. National Authors Day is a fantastic time to share your feelings with your favorite author. 

There are lots of ways you can do this. One way is to reach out to them directly. Many authors have websites with their contact information provided. If it’s available, send them an email or leave them a message of encouragement to enjoy.

You can also find them on social media. In the digital age, many relevant writers find success by being active on social media and marketing their books to users. You can post about your favorite book or piece of writing to your own followers and tag the author so they can see. It’s a great way to celebrate them and help them promote their work to other readers. Don’t forget to use #NationalAuthorsDay to broaden your reach.

Time To Celebrate

However you decide to observe National Authors Day is up to you. This list is just a few of the many ways to celebrate the day. Just make sure to set aside a few moments on November 1st to acknowledge your favorite authors and enjoy the magic of meaningful writing

The post 5 Fun Ways to Celebrate National Authors Day appeared first on Magazine.

Parnassus Books

Owned by Ann Patchett, a novelist with multiple bestsellers such as Tom Lake, this Nashville-based bookshop offers an amazing selection of high-quality literature paired with somewhat quirky but fun interior design.

Like many independent bookstores, it regularly hosts author discussions and book signings. And, if you happen to be a fan of Patchett’s books, every single one of her copies sold in this store are signed, so it’s a rare opportunity to nab a collector’s item.

Bookends & Beginnings

The owner of this bookshop, Nina Barrett, has authored several books, the most popular being The Leopold and Loeb Files. The store has two floors and carries a decent variety of fiction ranging from children’s series to bestselling thrillers. It’s also home to a lovely little café for anyone hoping to sip on something warm while reading.

Of note is the store’s inclusion of 48 different languages in its collection of children’s literature, an important stride in encouraging literacy in young readers.

Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books

With a catchphrase like, “Cool People. Dope Books. Great Coffee,” you know you’re in for a good time. This is the best place to go in Philadelphia if you want to chill with a cup of Joe and a good book, purchased from a well-curated selection of black authors and black-themed literature.

The menu has some light fare, such as bagels, pastries, and sweets, but it’s mainly about the drinks (notably the coffee, though they serve tea and hot chocolate as well) and the relaxed vibe.

An Unlikely Story

This bookstore and café is owned by Jeff Kinney, the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It occupies the historic site of Falk’s Market, a Civil War-era business that had been around for 150 years before it was demolished in 2013. Kinney and his wife sought to rejuvenate the area by erecting their store that gives off the impression of a modernized Old Western saloon. It even uses flooring from local historic sites to give it an edge of authenticity.

Inside is a colorful and inviting shop that caters to a wide range of ages and interests. It regularly hosts events, including book discussions, signings, open mic nights, and more.

Books are Magic

Emma Straub, author of The Vacationers, opened Books are Magic in Brooklyn with her husband after the neighborhood bookshop shut down in 2016. They cater mainly to children and young adults with colorful displays, hoping to inspire a love of reading in future generations. They’re doing so well that they opened up a second store on Montague.

Perhaps one of the reasons why they’re so beloved by their community is because of the support they’ve shown to other independent bookstores, such as when they encouraged their followers on social media to help East Bay Booksellers after it burned down in July 2024.

Nowhere Bookshop

Founded by bestselling author Jenny Lawson, this Texan bookshop and café sells a healthy range of books, merchandise, and beer. The front window often sports creative, colorful displays showing off the latest recommended books.

Although the café shows wine and beer alongside its coffee offerings, the store caters to all ages. It even comes with a dedicated children’s section, complete with a rack of stuffed animals to brighten up the area.

Bel Canto Books

Bel Canto Books is an independent bookstore located in Long Beach, California, known for its commitment to community engagement and diverse literature. Founded by Filipina-American poet Jhoanna Belfer, it hosts monthly pop-up events and book clubs, giving representation to authors of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Bel Canto Books stands out as a vibrant community hub calling attention to cultures from around the world.

Birchbark Books & Native Arts

Featured on Good Morning America, this Minnesota bookstore was founded by Louise Erdrich, an award-winning author of the Ojibwe people. The store specializes in Indigenous American literature, arts, and gifts, and has a strong commitment to promoting Native culture and writing.

Erdrich puts an emphasis on community, expressing how she wants the store to be a haven for all indigenous peoples. She also sells signed first-edition copies of her works.

Townie Books

This combo coffee shop and bookstore is based in Crested Butte, Colorado. It actually started out as a café that the owners, author Arvin Ramgoolam, and his wife, expanded into a bookstore after the beloved local bookshop shut down in 2011.

Townie Books keeps an amazing collection of both fiction and non-fiction titles, plus a selection of children’s works that will put a smile on any kid’s face.

Beastly Books

Settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Beastly Books is owned by none other than George R. R. Martin. It has a fantastic selection of mainly fantasy and sci-fi books, with comfy little reading spots scattered here and there about the store. And as you might imagine, the store and café has quite a few nods to Martin’s most famous work, A Song of Fire and Ice, and its TV series, A Game of Thrones.

The interior gives off a clean-cut, open feeling, with paintings hung on the wall for a nice bit of flavor.

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What’s the Story?

The Tale of Genji is the story of Genji, the son of an emperor. It follows him and his many wives, concubines, children, and the exploits that tie them all together. In it, he is removed from the line of succession, has affairs with his father’s mistresses, and is even exiled. The story is an epic tale of fortune, intimacy, and a great demonstration of noble life in Heian Japan. 

The narrative spans over four generations and has around 800 poems interspersed within it. It features a number of female characters, all of whom are distinct from one another, and is often said to have a loose plot.

The Woman Behind the Novel

We may not know her name, but what do historians know about the woman who invented the novel? 

It is thought that she was born circa. 978 and died around 1014 in the part of Japan that is now called Kyoto. Her father was a provincial governor, and she was born into a branch of the famous Fujiwara Clan.

As an adult, she was a lady-in-waiting, and historians have discovered that she was recently widowed when she took to writing The Tales of Genji. The story is written in Japanese, but Shikibu also spoke Chinese, which was incredibly rare for women at that time. Her diaries reveal that she taught herself the language by listening outside the door as her father taught her brother.

Translation

There is an extreme lack of certainty about many of the elements of life in Japan in this era, and where the story inevitably features references to culture, poetry, and phrases from the time of its conception, much of it is lost on Japanese and English scholars. This is made even harder by the fact that Shikibu only refers to most of the characters by their rank, not their birth names. It was deemed incredibly rude to refer to anyone by their birth name!

This means that a literal word-for-word translation of The Tale of Genji is near impossible, and even if it were possible, it’d be unreadable. Instead, translators work in one of two ways.

They either try to tell the story using the same kind of lyrical language that Shikibu used, or they try and tell the story in the most succinct way possible, deeming the accuracy of the tale more important than the language used to tell it.

This dichotomy can be seen with the two most popular English translations of the story: Arthur Waley’s 1900s translation maintains as best it can the style of the tale, skipping out untranslatable sections in favor of new, fanciful English passages. Alternatively, Edward Seidensticker’s translation from 1976 favored the message of the story and did all it could to make the tale succinct, even though that meant stripping away the beauty of the language used.

The Tale of Genji in the Modern Day

Unfortunately, the original manuscript no longer exists, but as we’ve said, the story is far from dead. There are 5 chapters that were transcribed in the 1200s by Teika, a poet. There are also plenty of translations of the text that allow people to enjoy the story, all these years later. These translations have given people the chance to really study the text—and study they have! 

There are a number of different approaches and theories about The Tale of Genji. Some see it as a story of seduction and intimacy, even though there are no explicit examples of either within the narrative. Others see it as a useful glimpse into a world long gone into the social etiquette and behavior of the noble Japanese people. The novel shows that marriage politics ruled the country, and that the women behind the scenes played a much larger part than often given credit for. This leads to one of the most common explorations of the novel, which sees it as a discussion on and monument to gender roles in Japan. 

Beyond all of that, the first novel has elements that we can see in our literature today. There are scenes that are absolutely pre-cursors to our modern-day genres. As mentioned earlier, there is a haunting—one of Genji’s wives is unfortunately possessed by a wicked jealous spirit, leading to scenes that are without a doubt straight from a horror novel. There are also strong feminist themes and ideals throughout, even though it was written in a time that pre-dates any such notion.

Shikibu’s story very clearly differentiates between Genji’s wives, concubines, and lovers in a way that is outright abnormal for this period. She even gives the allusion that, to some degree, the wives and women have behind-the-scenes control over their men! There are also, of course, intimate themes and romance throughout the novel, so much so that it has even been adapted into a rom-com and the trials and tribulations of a soap or drama. 

Was It All Murasaki?

The original manuscript of The Tale of Genji is long gone, but we still have the story, and it is still all credited to Shikibu—but was it all her? 

Well, we actually can’t be sure. The book does seem to have a unity of style, sensibility, and themes, although it does get darker toward the end of the novel, which certain scholars like Dennis Washburn argue is evidence of sole authorship. On the other hand, the literary quality of the book is not even throughout, and so several scholars, such as Royall Tyler, believe that sole authorship is unlikely. 

The reality is, we may never know. But what we do know, is that Shikibu wrote enough of the story to have mentioned it in her diaries, and without another author to credit, the first novel is rightfully attributed to her.

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For students at the Linlithgow Academy in Scotland, it’s quickly becoming the latter. Leading publishers Penguin Random House have gifted their own special vending machine to the school, close to the Scottish capital at Edinburgh. Now, students and staff members are able to pick up a great new book, immediately, with just a few touches of the machine’s keypad.

And not just any books. The 70 titles in the vending machine come from Penguin’s Lit in Colour reading lists – a collection of volumes designed to showcase diverse and sometimes marginalized voices in the world of literature.

Linlithgow’s Lit in Colour Vending Machine

It was August 27th, 2024 when Linlithgow’s Lit in Colour vending machine was opened for business for the first time. Among those present at the grand opening was Jackie Kay, Scotland’s former poet laureate, and author of Red Dust Road, among other books. This was an especially proud moment for Jackie – some of her works are among the books available for purchase.

The Lit in Colour scheme was launched after research from the Runnymede Trust found that below 1% of students aged between 14 and 16 had studied any work from a writer of color as part of their school curriculum. By placing vending machines packed with diverse books in schools, Penguin – in partnership with the Runnymede Trust – is working to change this.

An Exciting Opportunity for Students

As part of the launch of the new book vending machine, Jackie Kay sat down with education manager Lesley Nelson-Addy at the Runnymede Trust. The two spoke about the unique opportunity these vending machines represent.

“Having a vending machine for books is really exciting,” Jackie said during the discussion. “I think it’s a novel idea and a wonderful way to introduce people to books they might not have come across otherwise.”

This is particularly exciting for students at Linlithgow Academy. The school was one of 800 who applied to join the program, so there was stiff competition in the application process. Now beginning a new academic year, students at Linlithgow are already enjoying works from the likes of Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, Toni Morrison, and many others.

The History of the Book Vending Machine

While this seems like an exciting new idea – and, of course, it is – book vending machines actually have a longer history than you might expect. In fact, Penguin has been among the pioneers of book vending machines for the best part of a century.

Penguin Books first emerged back in 1935, and vending machines very quickly made their way onto the agenda. Only two years later, Penguin’s co-founder Allen Lane announced the Penguincubator – a ground-breaking book vending machine that appeared on London’s Charing Cross Road in 1935.

Rumour has it that Allen had been visiting legendary mystery author Agatha Christie when he found himself in an ironic position on his return journey from Exeter St Davids station – he had nothing to read. This was in 1934, and it proved to be the spark of inspiration he needed to begin the Penguin Books imprint. Because of this moment, one of the first Penguin vending machines was placed at this very same station, several years later.

Penguin Book Vending Machines Across the United Kingdom

In 2023, 89 years after Allen Lane found himself at a loose end in Exeter, Penguin Books decided to do something special. They installed a new vending machine at Exeter’s St Davids station, commemorating both the birthplace of Penguin itself, and the location of one of its first vending machines.

But it’s not just Exeter train station and the Linlithgow where you can enjoy the super-convenient experience of picking up a book on the move. Penguin has also been installing similar vending machines at other libraries around the country. In 2023, Penguin gave the United Kingdom’s train stations a chance to apply for a vending machine of their own. The only proviso – the station must not already have a bookshop on-site.

In 2024, Penguin plans to launch four vending machines in schools across the country. As well as the machine at Linlithgow, Penguin unveiled one at Fossdene Primary School in Greenwich, London in September. Two more are scheduled for launch at schools before the end of the year.

Following on from the early successes, Penguin plans to launch more of their library vending machines in various locations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the new year. It’s never been easier to broaden your reading horizons and dive into a new book.

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Major novels, major films, video games, and TV shows, none seemed too far out of reach for Crichton and few have even come close to his success over the years. On what would be his 82nd birthday, we’re paying homage to the legend himself.

From Tall Beginnings

While first a writer of novels throughout the 1960s while attending Harvard Medical School, it didn’t take Crichton long to segue into films, screenplays, and directing. At a staggering 6 foot 9 inches tall, to say he commanded the room as a director was an understatement. While his height made him somewhat of a target for middle school bullies, George Clooney, who credits his long and impressive career to Crichton said, “Michael was always referred to as a Renaissance man. That’s because he was so good at so many things. Doctor. Writer. Director. And he was a stunning six-foot-nine figure.

He would walk in the room and all the rest of us mortals felt somewhat inadequate. It was something you had to see. He could reduce giant stars and brilliant directors to little kids looking up to this gentle giant.” It has also been said that his intellect was just as, if not more impressive, than his height. Intellect paired with scientific curiosity and frankly a vision paved the way for a number of hits including, but nowhere near limited to Westworld, Jurassic Park, Twister, The Terminal Man E.R., The Andromeda Strain, and more.

Life Finds A Way: Collabing with Spielberg

As fate would have it, Spielberg had just begun a 7-year contract as a television director when he first met Crichton after being asked to give the author a tour of Universal Studios. Spielberg recalled doing most of the talking that day, but the two became quick friends nonetheless.

Crichton eventually came to Spielberg to read a 150-page screenplay called Code Blue which, after reading, Spielberg committed to directing, “I mean, you couldn’t catch your breath trying to keep up with him when you were blazing through the pages [of his screenplays and books]. . .

When he [later] co-wrote Twister for me, I probably read that script in an hour, and I’m a slow reader, and I was blazing through it” The duo worked together on Code Blue, later Twister, and another little film you may have heard of, Jurassic Park. That is after Crichton would spill the details. One afternoon over lunch Spielberg asked Crichton what he was working on and while Crichton would only say it was a secret project, Spielberg eventually wore him down and got him to say that it was a book about dinosaurs and DNA. The rest is, as we well know, history.

Not Without Controversy

Between the books and the films and the directing and the ticket sales, people could piece together what a big deal Michael Crichton was but even when you’re that popular and beloved, controversy can and will still find you.

A number of his novels took on various hot topics such as feminism and sexual harassment (Disclosure) Japanese corporate dominance of technology (Rising Sun) and global warming (State of Fear).  

Needless to say, Crichton wasn’t afraid to shake things up, command people’s attention, and perhaps most importantly, get people thinking. With over 28 novels and over 200 million copies sold worldwide, things seemed to work out pretty well despite a few negative reviews. 

Lasting Legacy

In Santa Monica, you’ll find a home that Crichton once owned and in that home, you’ll find a large photo of Alfred Hitchcock autographed to Crichton adorning the kitchen, a proud display of his books in the living room, movie posters, book ads, the Time magazine cover from 1995 and an E.R. script signed by the cast preserved in plexiglass. While time tends to march on, it’s important to continue telling the stories of those who can no longer do so themselves which is precisely what Crichton’s wife, Sherri Alexander Crichton, is doing.

Steven Spielberg said it best when he remembered Crichton saying, “He left a huge legacy. Michael had a special imagination different from most other writers. And I think that he’s got a lot of unhatched eggs, you know, and rather than let them sit around and fossilize like amber, we’d like to get those stories out to the world while they’re still fresh.” Michael Crichton passed away from cancer in 2008 and while he’s no longer with us in the physical sense, his legacy lives on through the books he wrote and the films he created.

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