Ninety-five years ago, the first Academy Awards ceremony took place in Hollywood! Vastly different from the awards show we know today, the ceremony only had 12 categories, lasted just 15 minutes, and it was the only Academy Awards to not be broadcast on television or radio. Tickets were $5 (about $90 in 2024), with plenty of fans in attendance with the celebrities.
While we might be out of awards season, brush up on your film knowledge for next year with some movie history books:
Let’s celebrate Earth Day early with some nature-focused books to get us in the spirit! Especially as we start experiencing warmer days, it’s a good time to reflect on all the wonders that our Earth provides. And with these books, you’ll be ready for Earth Day, on April 22.
We’re two days into spring but it doesn’t quite feel like it yet. Daffodils had started to peek up, then were promptly covered by a dusting of snow. Sun warmed our faces, but now we’re back to grey.
If you’re eager for spring weather to come back and stick around, try some of these books to summon the season of renewal:
Time is a funny thing. This year was a Leap Year and in a couple days, our clocks will spring forward, ushering us into Daylight Saving Time. Those sunny mornings we’ve had? Gone. Instead, we get evenings (hopefully) filled with sunshine and each day warmer than the last.
I love a good theme and this week here are a bunch of books on various topics, all with the word “time” in the title. Enjoy!
Today is the first day of Black History Month! Originally started in February 1926, it spanned one week, encompassing the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The response was incredible: Black organizations formed; teachers demanded materials to teach their students Black history; and progressive white people endorsed the efforts. In 1976, the celebration was officially changed to the entire month of February, to honor the achievements, contributions, and history of Black Americans.
Here are a few selections of nonfiction and fiction books to start celebrating, learning, and enjoying during Black History Month and beyond:
Before it was designated as a National Park, the Grand Canyon was a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on January 11, 1908. Multiple times, Senate bills were introduced to establish the area as a National Park before finally being signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. The Grand Canyon became the 15th National Park in the United States.
While the Grand Canyon is certainly one major draw to the region, there is no lack of beauty in the American Southwest. The Grand Canyon is certainly a showstopper, and there’s also Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks across the border in Utah, Joshua Tree National Park further west in California, Sedona’s red rocks, the deep gorge of Black Canyon of the Gunnison…I could keep going but we’d be here all day! Instead, here are a few books to explore these incredible facets of our planet, whether you’re planning a trip or doing some armchair travel:
As we enter the New Year, we look towards the future, setting goals and making plans. But sometimes it’s hard to leave the past year behind us. If you’re looking for inspiration to move forward, here are a few books about fresh starts and forging your own path:
Today is the winter solstice, also known as the shortest day of the year. But after today, each day will have a little more daylight! The sun will come back for us.
These short winter days are perfect for reading and I’ve curated a list of winter books to curl up with. From horror to romance to cozy, your ideal pick is waiting.
If you’ve been putting off writing that novel, November is the time to hunker down and get started. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) takes place during the whole month of November. The organization began in 1999 and has grown to have over 400,000 participants. The challenge is self-directed but if you’re interested in winning any of the prizes, you’ll have to follow the rules:
Your novel must be at least 50,000 words and written between November 1st and November 30th.
Writing done before November 1st doesn’t count, although you can include outlines, character profiles, research, and citations in your draft. Basically, the 50,000 words should be prose written during November.
Write a novel. The term “novel” is broadly defined here. If you say it’s a novel, it’s a novel.
You should be the only author of 50,000 words. If you’re co-writing a novel, each author should contribute 50,000 words of their own.
The writing must be coherent (you can’t just copy and paste one sentence or one word to get to 50,000 words).
You need to be at least 13 years old to participate, and if you’re under 17, you have the option to sign up for the Young Writers Program. (source: https://kindlepreneur.com/nanowrimo/)
Whether you’re ready for the challenge or just want to use NaNoWriMo as the perfect time to put pen to paper, check out these books for inspiration:
Read it or Weep 