Category: Features

When Books Burn: Libraries, Looting, And The Destruction Of Culture In Conflict

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"Throughout Bosnia, libraries, archives, museums and cultural institutions have been targeted for destruction, in an attempt to eliminate the material evidence - books, documents and works of art - that could remind future generations that people of different ethnic and religious traditions once shared a common heritage in Bosnia." (Andras Riedlmayer) In 1992, Bosnia's National … Continue reading When Books Burn: Libraries, Looting, And The Destruction Of Culture In Conflict

The Mysterious Magic Of ‘The Little Prince’

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While on the hunt for some replacement books this week, I had the amazing fortune of coming across a 1946 French edition of Le Petit Prince for just $8. Not only does this prove the eternal wisdom of shopping for books second-hand, it also reacquainted me with one of my all-time favourite books. I first came across The Little … Continue reading The Mysterious Magic Of ‘The Little Prince’

10 Unconventional Reads To Enjoy This Valentine’s Day (Whatever Your Relationship Status)

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Whether you face Feb 14th with feelings of horror, boredom, or excitement, Valentine's Day is one of those events that cannot be avoided. As soon as the Christmas lights are taken down, we're confronted with visions of stocky cherubs and uncomfortably artificial advertisements at almost every turn of the head. Since meeting my husband, I've … Continue reading 10 Unconventional Reads To Enjoy This Valentine’s Day (Whatever Your Relationship Status)

Books To Watch For In 2019: The Year’s Most Anticipated Releases

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2018 was a great year for fiction. From powerfully provocative works such as Richard Powers' The Overstory and Tommy Orange's There There to the incredible feminist retelling of classic Greek myth in Madeline Miller's Circe, the diversity was incredible. Fortunately, 2019 promises to be another wonderful year for literature (I mean, any year that features a new release from … Continue reading Books To Watch For In 2019: The Year’s Most Anticipated Releases

10 Classic Novels Everyone Should Read In Their Twenties (Part Two)

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Answering the question 'What makes a novel a classic?' is a challenging task. What exactly is the common thread that brings a diversity of titles, from various genres and centuries, under this illustrious label? Although I'm sure that there are plenty of opinions on the subject, for me it's something about the universality of a … Continue reading 10 Classic Novels Everyone Should Read In Their Twenties (Part Two)

The 5 Best Places To Learn About Literature Online (For Free!)

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As most regular readers of The Book Habit already know, I'm someone who needs to be constantly learning. I have always thrived as a student, whether in an official capacity or through picking up knowledge in my spare time. It's probably why I ended up following my academic career to its natural peak as a PhD … Continue reading The 5 Best Places To Learn About Literature Online (For Free!)

Literary Lifestyles: The Writing Habits of Charles Dickens

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Is it possible to really love a book without wanting to know something about the person that produced it? For me, the two are heavily intertwined. I have a fascination with authors and the background, skills, and habits that have allowed them to make such incredible art. Whether there are patterns in the way that … Continue reading Literary Lifestyles: The Writing Habits of Charles Dickens