*** BOOK: How to Bake π–An Edible Exploration of the Mathematics of Mathematics AUTHOR: Eugenia Cheng YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2015 REVIEW: *** How to Bake π is simply terrific–one of those unclassifiable books that’s incredibly smart and incredibly appealing.  It’s about math, and why it’s more than just numbers, why it’s more weird and wonderful … Continue reading On Our Bookshelves- How to Bake π – An Edible Exploration of the Mathematics of Mathematics →

*** BOOK: The Book of Imaginary Beings AUTHOR: Jorge Luis Borges, Translation by Andrew Hurley YEAR OF PUBLICATION: Originally 1957, but it’s complicated REVIEW: *** I have a habit of making impulse book purchases: sometimes at airports and train stations on my way somewhere, sometimes when I go to a bookstore for a gift for … Continue reading On Our Bookshelves – The Book of Imaginary Beings →

*** “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays: First Series (1841). Carol Ward recommended that I speak with Victor Carinha of Journey Lab–she said that I’d really enjoy and appreciate his work.  She generally knows what she … Continue reading Journey Lab – Our Q&A with Artistic Director Victor Carinha →

Reading to children is, was, and always will be a good thing–it’s a great way to help them become readers: awakening their imaginations and improving their language skills.

*** BOOK: Kitchen Confidential–Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (Updated Edition) AUTHOR: Anthony Bourdain YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2007 (original edition, 2000) REVIEW: *** I really miss restaurants these days.  I like large parties, and happy hours after work, and tasting menus with wine pairings, and pub grub, and treating those younger and broker than me, and … Continue reading On Our Bookshelves – Kitchen Confidential →

*** We thought it might be interesting to see what Jonathan Todres has been up to since we last discussed his book Human Rights in Children’s Literature: Imagination and the Narrative of Law, co-authored with Sarah Higinbotham.  He was kind enough to answer a few questions over email.  Here’s what he had to say. *** Jonathan … Continue reading Preventing Child Trafficking – Catching up with Law Professor Jonathan Todres →

*** NOVEL: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine AUTHOR: Gail Honeyman YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2017 REVIEW: *** Eleanor Oliphant is not fine, not fine at all.  Gail Honeyman is a good writer, though, and she’s created a rather remarkable character here in her debut novel.  I am somewhat mystified by the reception this book has received–my … Continue reading On Our Bookshelves – Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine →

*** NOVEL: Momo AUTHOR: Michael Ende YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 1973 REVIEW: *** Back in 2018, I asked the musician Steve Sandberg for some book recommendations, and he mentioned a book for children called Momo, which I wasn’t familiar with.  (He also recommended Lizard Music, which is excellent–I’d just about forgotten about its existence, and was happy … Continue reading On Our Bookshelves – Momo →

I was introduced to Miguel Flores-Vianna and his lovely photography book, A Wandering Eye, last year, thanks to Rhonda Eleish and Edie Van Breems.

*** NOVEL: A Thousand Acres AUTHOR: Jane Smiley YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 1991 REVIEW: *** I really like when contemporary authors take on the classics.  It doesn’t always work, of course, but there are a lot of tales worth retelling, and it’s worth looking at them from different angles.  Here, Jane Smiley brings the King Lear story … Continue reading On Our Bookshelves — A Thousand Acres →