Dogs may be man’s best friend, but cats are without a doubt writers’ greatest pal. It’s not necessarily that cats are intelligent, reserved,  love lots of sleep, and have short spurts of energy which make them most similar to us (although many writers and avid readers I know tend to lean drastically towards these cat-like qualities), but rather because, as Robertson Davies so eloquently said:

“Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors for the same reasons.”

So, whether you keep your cat around to do your proofreading for you, or to cuddle with you when you’re stuck in a writer’s block, know that these three authors also loved their cats and kept them around for all those reasons and more!

1.       Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway became a cat lover when he was living in Cuba and was gifted a six-toed cat. When the cat started breeding, the six-toed feature became common with future felines earning them the title of the “Hemingway Cats”. There’s even a museum in Florida dedicated to these polydactyl fur balls! Considering Hemingway wrote some of his best works in the region, cat-lovers are eager to believe all those funky cats had something to do with it!

2.       Mark Twain

Somehow it’s not too surprising that the father of jocular prose was a cat owner. Twain was apparently so attached to his large, black cat Bambino that he offered a reward when the cat disappeared. This author put an ad in the “New York American” describing the distinguished feline as: “large and intensely black; thick, velvety fur; has a faint fringe of white hair across his chest; not easy to find in ordinary light.” It also seems that Twain picked up some cat-like habits as his publisher claimed the writer enjoyed lolling about in bed (alongside Bambino, of course)!

3.       Neil Gaiman

The author of what is perhaps the most celebrated comic series of our time, Sandman, has a lot of love for his feline friends. Although he is also the proud owner of a couple dogs, Gaiman loves his cats so much that he at one point had an online journal solely dedicated to their furry shenanigans. Considering he also named one of his cats Hermoine, after the Harry Potter character, it seems safe to say that books and cats are closely intertwined for this author.

Writers and readers: tell us about the cats in your lives who inspire you! What fuzzy friend curls up next to you on a rainy day while you’re reading that book or penning that novel?

*Photo credits:

culturalcat.com

beekman1802.com

twainquotes.com

writersandcats.wordpress.com

Fans of the Anastasia Steele – Christian Grey ‘love story’ (if it can be called that) were swooning all across the world lately when the much-anticipated “Fifty Shades of Grey” trailer hit the internet. Based on E.L. James’  Fifty Shades of Grey series, the book and film are known for their sensual and…uh…erotic themes.

The film, which is due to be released in 2015, will reportedly hit the theatres with two styles: the ‘tamer’ R-rated version for 17+ fans, and a grittier version which holds truer to the sexual nature of the book and will be slapped with the NC-17 rating generally reserved for films featuring rape or drug scenes. And in most countries where these films will be released, movie-goers will have to provide an ID to prove that they are indeed old enough to sit through “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

But, at the end of the day, it won’t much matter if that 16-year-old, or 14-year-old can’t legally get into the theatres to see the movie. Why? Because they can simply pick the book up off of any bookstore shelf and read it for themselves. Which begs the question: should there also be ratings on books?

By no means is this a new debate, in fact, readers have been asking the same question for years now. Some argue that a rating similar to the G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17 ratings commonly used in the movie industry would prevent unpleasant surprises; namely you wouldn’t find yourself blindsided by a rape scene if the book featured an R or NC-17 rating or a warning label.

A lot of parents also view a rating system as an easier way to gage what their children are reading or seeing. After all, it’s difficult for a busy parent to read every book prior to approving and passing it on to their children. And if you really think about it, even television shows feature ratings beforehand in order to give a forewarning of adult content. So why not books?

The main deterrent when selling books with ratings is, of course, money. When it comes to a top seller like Fifty Shades of Grey, booksellers don’t want to market it in a way that would restrict sales (although, considering E.L. James earned $95M last year alone, it seems unlikely that a warning label could really affect sales all that much). And yet, some bookstores have stated they would feel uncomfortable selling erotic novels to, say, 13-year-olds. Note, however, that they would only feel uncomfortable, they wouldn’t actually refuse to do so. Doesn’t money run the world, folks?

Secondly, many people think that there’s a distinct difference between seeing a scene played out visually on a screen as opposed to what your imagination conjures up while you’re reading a book. But, while it is true that a story can at times become more ‘real’ by being acted out, never underestimate the power of a vivid imagination. There are plenty of readers who say they wish they could ‘unread’ something and even I have made myself sick on several occasions with doses of particularly intense rhetoric.

Polls have shown that over 60% of people asked state that book ratings are a good idea. But there still remains the staunch minority who look at ratings as censorship, or as unnecessary for readers. And so the debate rages on.

At the end of the day, however, providing ratings is only a means of providing more information about the book you’re about to invest time and money in. Doesn’t every reader have the right to know what they’re getting into?

As author Jami Gold so eloquently wrote:

“Ratings aren’t about taking away choices.  Ratings aren’t about forcing books to stop pushing boundaries.  Ratings are about giving people enough information to help them make smarter choices, the choice that’s right for them.”

(Be sure to check out Gold’s interesting blog article on whether or not books should have a rating system.)

So what do you, the reader, think? Would ratings on books be detrimental or helpful to those seeking out new works to read? Will it help parents to better manage their children’s reading choices? Should children’s reading choices be curbed and managed?

Share your thoughts!

*Photo credits:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/toddmecklem/7078034573/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nvshn/11806534435/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/65492342@N06/5961019125/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadic_lass/8242540389/

You’ve probably heard (or given) your own fair share of reasons for why books are better than E-readers. Everything from “I like how books smell and feel” to “I want to stock my bookshelf” have been used to explain why books are preferable, and, no doubt, these are very valid reasons.

But rarely have I heard anyone discuss how E-readers change the way you read. That’s right, you heard correctly, the process of reading varies drastically from when you dust off that book on your shelf and start reading it, to when you decide to peruse a written work the electronic way.

So whether you already own an E-reader, are planning on buying one, or refusing to give up your ‘old-fashioned’ way of reading, you’ll be interested in learning about these 3 ways E-readers change your reading habits:

1. E-readers will get you to read more.

A recent survey into how E-readers affect literate adults in the UK showed that 48 percent of people asked stated that using electronic devices had indeed gotten them to read more books. If you think about it subjectively, E-readers are all about convenience. If you finish your book halfway through your commute, no problem, there are scores of others available for instantaneous downloading. If you don’t know a word, no problem, E-readers come equipped with built-in dictionaries to solve your vocabulary woes. If you don’t feel like making the trek to the bookstore or library, no problem, you can peruse thousands of books to your heart’s content, right from the comfort of your home. And so, the process of reading is made easier and more accessible to people, which in turn leads people to read more!

2. E-readers drain mental energy faster.

Scientific American did a series of studies last year to look at the difference between paper vs. electronic reading and the result has been fascinating. According to this research, a tablet will drain your mental energy faster, not only making it more difficult to read for long periods at a stretch, but also affecting how well you remember what you read. The study also claims that reading on paper allows you to peruse long sections with a more intuitive and educational mindset as opposed to a tablet or E-reader which you most likely would look at as purely entertaining. So if you need to study complex or difficult concepts, experts recommend pulling out the good ol’ paper version of the text!

3. E-readers make you read slower.

Even with contemporary technology, a lot of times the print on your E-reader or tablet isn’t quite as sharp as the printed word in that book on your shelf. As a result, researchers have noticed that people tend to read more slowly when perusing an E-book. One of the best studies into how reading speeds change according to device was done by Jakob Nielsen, a Silicon Valley researcher, who asked dozens of readers to read the same story using the printed version, the iPad, and the Kindle. Nielson discovered that iPad readers went 6.2% slower and Kindle users read 10.7% slower than when reading the same text in print. You probably never imagined using an E-device could affect your reading speed, did you?

Whether you’re pro or against E-readers, one thing we all have to accept is that these nifty devices are here to stay. And it will always be interesting to see how our habits change as advancing technology alters the reading experience as a whole. However, one thing that will hopefully never change is our love for the literature which inspires us, excites us, and moves us.

Be sure to weigh in with your thoughts! How have your own reading habits changed since you started using E-books?

Whether using print books or E-readers, as always, happy reading!

We are delighted to inform you that we now have a brand new poster available! Embark on a spiritual journey with this magnificent Siddhartha art print.

Siddhartha (24×36″ – 91.4x61cm)

This Siddhartha poster is created using the entire text from the book.

Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha creates a story like no other as it follows the metaphysical passage of the protagonist Siddhartha. This central figure wants for nothing more than a wise and fulfilled existence, but he soon discovers that attaining ultimate enlightenment is never easy. Siddhartha embarks on a life-long journey which carries him from the quiet tremors of the river to the flurried movements of the city and back. In the final moments of this sensational novel, Siddhartha learns to acknowledge that every individual has their own journey. As visions of timelessness dance before Siddhartha’s eyes, he accepts the distinct experiences of every man as being fully and equally valuable.

Using the melodic rhetoric from Siddhartha, this work of literary art molds a divine and mindful design. Outlined against the tranquil and peaceful surroundings is the figure of Siddhartha himself. Having attained the ultimate pinnacle of enlightenment, this central figure has returned to where it all began. Here, he fulfills the role of a spiritual guru and ferries hopeful sojourners forward on their migration towards an enlightened future. In the foreground, Siddhartha’s devout face is revealed to the viewer as he gazes upon life’s pilgrims with a subtle yet beatific smile. It is the smile of true fulfillment and a beacon of hope for those who desire to embark upon that same quest to find nirvana.

Hermann Hesse’s famous work Siddhartha is lauded by book fans as a transcendent work of art. With tenacious charm and placid tranquility, this artistic likeness lends life to the greatest spiritual tale of our age.

 View this poster in our store.

Hermann Hesse, most famous for his work Siddhartha, is no exception. And since we’re releasing an art print this month based on Hesse’s incredible, soul-searching work, we thought some interesting facts might be appropriate to celebrate the grand reveal. Of course, we didn’t bargain for Hesse’s life being possibly one of the gloomiest we’ve seen so far. Take a look for yourself and judge whether these 5 facts make Hesse a contender for ‘Most Brooding Author’:

1. Hesse came from a family of missionaries. Not only were Hesse’s parents Protestant missionaries, but his mother was born in India to missionary parents as well. As a result, religion played a large role in Hesse’s life, in particular Swabian Pietism. Pietism offered a strict view of personal faith which led to small, close-knit religious groups. However, as a result of his extremely religious upbringing, Hesse would experience a constant melancholy turmoil for the entirety of his life when it came to thoughts about his own personal feelings of faith.

2. Hesse was in constant conflict with authority figures. Possibly due to the rigid nature of his childhood, Hesse often found himself in conflict with his parents, teachers, and other figures of authority. When he was only 15, Hesse began to reveal his rebellious nature by running away from seminary. In that same year, following an attempted suicide, Hesse’s parents had him interred in a mental institution. Upon his release, Hesse further pushed the patience of the authority figures around him by taking up smoking and drinking with older companions.

3. Hesse had a deep-set love for books. This is probably one of the few happy facts we know about Hesse’s life. Before transitioning into becoming a writer, Hesse worked as an apprentice in several bookshops. He garnered his first apprenticeship at age 16 and continued to work until the publication of his novel Peter Camenzind in 1904 allowed him to branch off into living the life of an independent author.

4. Hesse sought to regain his spirituality by traveling through Asia. In 1911, Hesse went on a prolonged journey which took him through Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo, and Burma. The purpose of the trip was to renew his spirituality, but in reality Hesse only succeeded in further exhausting himself. Having struggled with depression throughout his life, the physical exertion of the journey caused it to resurface and grow worse.

5. Hesse had a relationship with renown psychotherapist Carl Jung. 1916 was a notoriously bad year for Hesse. In the span of a single year, the writer watched his father die, his son become seriously ill, and his wife descend into the clutches of schizophrenia. As a result, Hesse became a firm believer in psychotherapy and began receiving treatment. In this way, he came to know Carl Jung personally.

Herman Hesse’s life journey undoubtedly contributed to the breadth of his work. His struggles to find spiritual and emotional peace eventually led him to pen his most popular work Siddhartha in 1922. And it’s nice to think that perhaps through the words of his spiritual book, Hesse was finally able to find peace. As he himself wrote in Siddartha:

“And all the voices, all the goals, all the yearnings, all the sorrows, all the pleasures, all the good and evil, all of them together was the world. All of them together was the stream of events, the music of life.”

Be sure to check in with us in two days to get a glimpse of our new Siddhartha literary poster. Reading these very words as they form a breath-taking image will make them all the more unforgettable!

Happy reading!

Kindle recently announced the launching of its brand new Kindle Unlimited which offers avid readers the opportunity to read and listen to as many books as they want for the reasonable price of $9.99 per month. In layman terms…it’s a bit like a monthly book buffet.

This can sound like a great option for those who think they can make it through several books per month, but if recent statistics have any say in the matter, it seems that most of us simply don’t have the time.

Data released just last month showed that the typical American is now working more than ever (around 8 hours per day on weekdays and 6 per day on weekends). Add to that the fact that most of us spend an average of 2.8 hours per day watching television, another hour socializing (both online and in person), and a mere 4 minutes to an hour of reading per weekend day, and things indeed begin to appear a bit grim.

But the potential death of reading isn’t the only issue Kindle Unlimited will face when trying to get people on board with paying close to ten bucks a month for access to 600,000 books. The bottom line is that the overall cost of $120 per year just may not be worth it if you have admittance to free library systems (as most people do).

And, although $9.99 is only a fraction of what you would normally spend purchasing a single book, people need to take into consideration that not all big publishers are onboard with Kindle Unlimited, so you won’t be getting any of the big, new releases included in the membership just yet.

In truth, it seems unlikely that anyone beyond the most avid bibliophiles would be able to get full use out of the new Kindle Unlimited system, but, as it’s still a new concept, it’ll be interesting to see how it develops and whether or not people will be willing to join just for the convenience of accessing a library without leaving the house.

That being said, Kindle Unlimited will hopefully go a long way towards helping people get interested, and invested, in reading. After all, when you’re paying for a service, you’re much more likely to use it, right?

Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think. Is this a service you’ll consider using? Let us know yes or no, and why!

Happy reading!

We all have our own personal list of books which have changed how we look at the world, but it seems that a lot of readers tend to love similar books and how those works make them think. So let’s take a look at 5 reader favorites which will change how you view the world. Read them if you dare!

1. The Giver by Lois Lowry: This popular book is something most of us have read in our childhood, but a work that everyone should read at least once more as adults. The themes in this book stretch the boundaries of how we view personal freedom. Not only that, it will cause you to rethink how important both pain and pleasure are for us to truly be alive.

2.  Animal Farm by George Orwell: Orwell’s book 1984 seems to get a lot of love these days, but most readers look to Animal Farm when it comes to a truly remarkable portrayal of the ups and downs of a utopian society. Orwell’s powerful rhetoric will stop you in your tracks and make you consider how any society, regardless of the good intentions upon which it is founded, can fall to social hierarchy and corrupt power.

3.  The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: You might not have expected to see Hitchhiker’s Guide on this list, mostly because this work comes across as more comedic than life-changing. But there are few books out there which can raise the question and foster the answer to humanity’s existence with such charm and playfulness. You’ll find some serious life lessons amongst the rip-roaring cross-galactic adventures of this amazing work.

4. Night by Elie Wiesel: Throughout my research, I came across a few surprising titles, but none stood out quite so much as Wiesel’s autobiography. Readers have again and again pointed to this book as one of the most influential works they’ve ever read. This book takes an uncomfortably honest look at despair and the personal death of God. If any literary piece will shock you into awe, it will most likely be this heartbreaking work about a man’s Holocaust experiences.

5. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: Bradbury’s novel is perhaps one of the most famous dystopian works in modern literature and there’s good reason why. Readers seem to love this novel because it broaches a topic which makes book-lovers uncomfortable: the burning of books and literature. We all fear the day when mindless entertainment takes over educational pastimes and this book will change your worldview with its nearly spot-on portrayal of how our modern society can evolve – in some ways for the worst.

Of course, with so many books out there which can change your worldview, it’s difficult to narrow it down to just 5 works. So be sure to share with us which ones you think belong on this list and which don’t as well as your own personal list of books which changed your life and why.

Happy reading!

In the age of technology where the internet seems to be at the top of everyone’s mind, keeping up with your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can seem like a fair use of your free time. Unfortunately, this also means that reading habits tend to go by the wayside as people are less and less able to simply sit still and read a book.

In a 2013 article, Forbes noted that one of the 9 habits of productive people was in fact to spend some time in the mornings reading as opposed to checking e-mails or looking at social media sites. And whether you’re reading the newspaper, a magazine, or a good book, the act of doing so has healthy benefits not only for your mind but for your emotional well-being.

Perhaps some time has passed since you actually sat down and read something cover to cover. Maybe you feel you’ve gotten out of the habit of reading or lost the ability to do so for long periods of time. Like with anything, being a good reader takes practice – and daily practice at that. So to get you started on your path to becoming a better reader, check out these three tips:

1. Pick what YOU like to read.

All readers have their guilty pleasures, and you should never be ashamed of the types of books you enjoy reading. Sure, you may think it’s embarrassing to get caught with the latest teen romance in your hands, but at the end of the day what matters is that you like it. Ignore what other people consider to be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ literature and read away. There’s a reason why William Faulkner said: “Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad,” (it’s because he knew what he was talking about, people!)

2. Read aloud.

A great way to become a better reader is to work on your comprehension skills. And, according to experts, one of the best methods to achieving this is to read aloud. When you’re reading out loud your complete attention is focused on the task at hand as you sound out the words in front of you. There’s no room for distractions such as having the TV on or playing music. You’re also strengthening the connection between your mind and your voice, resulting in greater cohesiveness. Therefore, it’s easier to visualize what you’re reading – meaning your imagination can truly soar!

3. Carry your book with you everywhere.

Most of us tend to whip out our phones when we’re waiting for the bus or in line at the bank, which is why you should carry that book with you everywhere. Slowly train your mind to want to read by easing into it bit by bit. You can’t expect yourself to be able to read through an hour-long commute if you’re mind isn’t ready. Go half and half; allow yourself to play on your phone only after you’ve read two chapters of your book. More likely than not, you’ll get so interested in the characters of the work that you won’t even remember to pull out your phone again.

Of course, you know what they say, right? The first step to becoming a great reader is to pick up a book. So go forth, find something you love to read, and spend time reading it aloud and training your brain to love it. Before long, you’ll find out you’re the ninja reader you were always meant to be. Happy reading!

Yes everyone, the rumors are true! It looks as if J.K. Rowling couldn’t bear to leave things be in Potter land and has penned a brand new story! The short tale, which can be found on the Pottermore website, apparently features a now ‘graying’ 33-year-old Harry Potter as he attends the Quidditch World Final. Written in the form of a gossip column, readers also get a glimpse at what Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger look like as older and wiser adults in their thirties. Sounds juicy!

Be sure to pop over to Pottermore to see what the buzz is all about, and don’t forget to report back here with your thoughts!

Happy reading.

As we’re entering July, you’ve probably knocked a few titles off your summer reading list. At this point, it’s also a lot easier to judge what is the most-read and least-read book for this summer and The Wall Street Journal is addressing just that with The Summer’s Most Unread Book Is…. This list features 9 of this summer’s popular books from most to least read.

Donna Tartt’s novel The Goldfinch  rightfully tops the list, but you’ll have to check the article out for yourself if you want to know what is this summer’s most unread book.

Check it out! You might even be inspired to add one or two of these titles to your own list of summer must-reads!