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Friday, May 11, 2012

If You Write Personal Stories...

I'm a fan -- no that's not true - I'm not a fan. I am an admirer, better word, of Phillip Lopate, the great essayists and literary nonfiction writer. (If you have not read Confessions of a Shusher, please do. It is a masterpiece in personal essay writing.)

Why do I not describe my interest in Lopate with the word "fan?" Well, "fan" implies that I devour his work, covet it. That I do not do. I have read a lot of Lopate, but he's not one of my favorite authors. However, that said, I hugely admire him and how he shapes a piece of work. He is to be studied, to be read, to be listened to.

Here's your chance.

If you know Lapote's work - and love it - then you'll love this interview. If you are new to Lopate, well, you'll love this interview.

Poets and Writers-Interview with Phillip Lopate. 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Top 10 Most Read Books

These surveys come out form time to time and always at the top is The Holy Bible. But some of the  books on this top ten list certainly, in my mind, could say a lot about our world, culture and ourselves.

Here is a neat little poll. Take the information for what it's worth. But it's okay to read into what you may. I did.

Top Ten Most Read Books: (Based on sales over the last 50 years.)

1. The Holy Bible
2. Quotations from Chairman Mao (The number of Chinese in the world may have bumped this one up; plus, maybe a little "mandatory" reading.)
3. Harry Potter (the first)
4. The Lord of the Rings
5. The Alchemist
6. The Da Vinci Code
7. The Twilight Saga (That should tell us something!)
8. Gone with the Wind
9. Think and Grow Rich (That should also tell us something!!)
10. The Diary of Anne Frank

Here's the full story.

Top Ten Books in the World

Monday, May 7, 2012

Mindful Writing

Sometimes writing is simply for discovery, writing to let it all out. Whatever IT is. It can be a cleansing process or one of wonderment. But going deep into this can also be tenuous, a bumpy, winding road.
Ah, but what the heck. It's worth it!

This new book - THE PEN AND THE BELL - is about that kind of writing - mindful writing - and I recommend it highly.