Posted by Erin on 02.03.2012 at 3:43 pm
Guest blog by BWB Change Agent, Activist & Author, Pattie Baker
You think you get 80 years. Steve Jobs’ recent death knocked the wind out of that one, and snapped back into focus for me that we have one day (this day) to live our fullest lives. Jobs had barely been on my radar–I have never owned an Apple product, and I’ve walked into an Apple store exactly once, while on vacation, simply to check my email (I don’t even text). Yet, I saw that face looking up at me at the last of the big-box book stores. And for some reason, he spoke to me (smart marketing decision, that face). I requested the book from my husband as a holiday gift, and I received it.
Thus began my life transformation. First, let’s start by saying that I read books rather slowly, not because I’m a conscientious, deliberate reader but because by the time night comes, the opening of the book and the almost-immediate closing of the eyes have become a Pavlovian response. It is common for me to dog-ear the same page day after day after day. So picking up this 600-page behemoth elicited snickers from my family.
Yet Steve quickly became my constant companion. He rode with me in the car and stood in line with me at the post office. He walked with me to the supermarket and I read while I strolled (carefully). He even kept me company during that annual three-hour mammogram/ultrasound appointment where I mostly shuffle from waiting room to waiting room in a blue gown, hoping to dodge the family-history bullet for another year. Two other women brought him as well, and thus began what became a common occurrence over this timeframe for me–the recognition of a secret society of people completely addicted to this book. We smiled at each other, we talked briefly, and we collectively dove back in, almost sorry when our names were called.
Read more…
Posted by Erin on 02.01.2012 at 9:15 am
I asked the leaders of
Students of the Worldto answer a few questions so we could share their impactful story with you.
Mission:
Students of the World (SOW) serves those who serve others by using media to shine a light on the progress of innovative groups working to solve the world’s problems.
By shifting focus from problems to solutions and empowering young people to use the tools they have at hand– media and technology– we envision a generation that redefines what it means to “give back” and places progress at the center of national dialogue.
Books that inspire Students of the World and why:
The most recent book that has inspired us is called Generation We by Eric Greenberg all about the incredible social and political power of the Millennial generation. Millennials are who we are and who we work with, so it is inspiring to read books that reinforce our desire and potential for social change. Read more…
Posted by Erin on 01.31.2012 at 9:36 am
Here’s a top 10 Tuesday list that should be very helpful in your book-browsing endeavors. Check out these BWB fan favorite authors to find your next great read.
1. Terry Pratchett
Co-Author of “Good Omens” with the number two pick. Pratchett also wrote “Unseen Academicals,” “The Wee Free Men,” “The Color Magic,” and many other novels.
2. Neil Gaiman
Co-Author of “Good Omens” with the number one pick. Gaiman also wrote “The Graveyard Book,” “American Gods,” and “Neverwhere” to name a few.
3. Kurt Vonnegut
Most famous for his anti-war book “Slaughterhouse-five,” Vonnegut also wrote a satirical commentary on modern man, “Cat’s Cradle,” and “Breakfast of Champions,” examining fiction as truth, as well as “Welcome to the Monkey House,” full of his short stories… plus many more.
Read more…
Posted by Erin on 01.30.2012 at 9:32 am
Our partners at the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) have partnered with the
Dollar General Literacy Foundationto teach families the value of financial responsibility through “A Day at Dollar General: Learn While Shopping.” The interactive online game recreates the experience of shopping in a real store and encourages children to learn while shopping.By expanding the definition of literacy to include smart financial habits, NCFL and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation are teaching children to make informed spending decisions that will help them reach their goals.
“A Day at Dollar General: Learn While Shopping” is tailored to families and children, providing them with a fun and interactive game that teaches good spending habits.
Posted by Erin on 01.26.2012 at 11:42 am
Guest post from our Twitter friend Hannah Giles
Organic Manifesto by Maria Rodale is a deceptively thin book, chock full of imperative information about not only the environment, but more importantly, public health. Her perspective is far-reaching; her grandfather, J.I. Rodale, was one of the first advocates of modern organic agriculture, so it is no surprise that Rodale has written such a thorough book on what “going organic” really means.
Read more…
Posted by Erin on 01.25.2012 at 9:14 am
Six year old Daniela’s face never used to be clean. Her eyes seemed vacant and she rarely uttered a word. She only ever sketched single colored empty bubbles with the crayons and paper they gave her. Daniela had trouble concentrating and often sought refuge in “no puedo” (“I can’t do it”). When there were group activities she would wander off alone. Daniela spent her days wandering the streets of Quito, Ecaudor. She had no way to discover her own imagination and free her mind to the endless opportunities six-year-olds around the world should be granted. Daniela did not even have one book, let alone a chance to learn the fundamental skill of reading.
Read more…
Posted by Erin on 01.23.2012 at 9:27 am
“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers” Tennessee Williams once said.In that spirit, one of my favorite ways to spend a sunny day is by walking around local neighborhoods and taking photos of strangers.
I ask them for permission, of course, and will only take their photo if they are willing to share their face and their story with the world.
Read more…
Posted by Erin on 01.19.2012 at 12:56 pm
Last night 45 Better World Books staff, friends, family and fans gathered together at Atlanta’s City of Refuge. We served dinner to the women and children residents and also out on the streets of downtown Atlanta. After an eye-and-heart-opening shared experience, we ate together from the social enterprise kitchen at the shelter and discussed one of my favorite books (and true stories) “Same Kind of Different as Me”. You can view photos from the event on Facebook.
This is the season when most of the world is focused more on giving than receiving, on blessing or helping those who cannot help themselves. In an excerpt from our book
What Difference Do It Make, I’d like to share a story that hopefully will bless you, the reader of this blog, about serving without judging.
After Denver and I struck up our unlikely friendship at the mission, we had a bargain. I was going to show him how to get along with the country-club set, and he was going to show me how to get along in the ‘hood. When Deborah first dragged me down to serve at the mission, my biggest worry was catching a disease or some kind of creepy-crawly infestation. But after a while, my heart toward the homeless softened up to the point where I actually started going out into the streets with Denver to reach out to the homeless. Read more…
Posted by Erin on 01.19.2012 at 9:04 am
I am so impressed with the most “liked” resolutions our
Facebook fans shared. Not that I was expecting tons of people to encourage going to the gym and eating less candy over doing good in our world, but nonetheless, I am pleased to share this list with you.
1. Listen more, talk less.
2. Less time on the iPad, more time interfacing with a real book!
3. Now that I’ve moved closer to a city, I plan to volunteer again for an adult literacy program.4. My goal is to read at least 50 books in 2012, not including college textbooks. I’m going to donate books to places and people in need and get more of my friends and family to read. Every gift I give in 2012 will be a book!
5. To manage our energy consumption more responsibly and efficiently!
6. Read the Bible in one year. Increase my volunteer work.
7. Buy more organic foods, eat less processed stuff!
8. Never buy a nook or a kindle.
9. Self sufficiency, survival and faith in good over evil.
10. Start reading poetry!
11. Read more books this year!
12. To be more active.
What is your New Year’s resolution? Hope this inspires some meaningful ideas to spur in your head and heart!
Posted by Erin on 01.17.2012 at 9:32 am
Have you read any of the books listed above? Are you excited to read any of them? Or is your top choice for 2012 not on the list – what is it and why? Thanks for sharing your thoughts below and cheers to 2012!
