Book Biz: Page Design, Captain Underpants, Amelia Bedelia
I’ve collected books for a long time. I think I was a collector before I knew I was a collector. One day you just wake up and realize you have a few hundred books packed into your one bedroom apartment. I’m not a “serious” collector, though. I don’t dream about ribbed leather spines or [...]
‘The Skeleton Box’ Tour: An afternoon with author Bryan Gruley
Join the Howell Carnegie District Library in welcoming award-winning and critically acclaimed author Bryan Gruley back to Howell! “The Skeleton Box” has been selected as one of Michigan’s 2013 Notable Books. The critically acclaimed title is the third in the author’s suspenseful “Starvation Lake” mystery series that takes place in Northern Michigan. But did you [...]
Livingston Loves Lit: “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” Part 4
Here we are with the final questions for this particular book. I hope you enjoyed the story Ayana Mathis wrote as well as the discussion generated here. 1. In the “Franklin” chapter the author varies the tense as well as the locale. What effect did this have on the story? 2. Why do you think [...]
Quirky Leadership
Here’s a fun new inspirational book about leadership by John Voelz (johnvoelz.com), a musician, songwriter, and visual artist from Jackson, Michigan. He would be more quick to tell you that he designed the new winery and brewery in town (Grand River Marketplace) than that he is a pastor at Westwinds Church (westwinds.org). In fact, his [...]
Livingston Loves Lit: “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” Part 3
This week we will be discussing the chapters “Ella” and “Alice and Billups.” 1. What did you think of Hattie and August’s decision to give Ella to Pearl and Marion? Did you think they’d go through with it? Did you find it hopeful or tragic? 2. Reread the picnic scene that starts on page 116. [...]
Book Biz: Paywalls, Pantone, Phablet, and World’s Smallest Book
Printers seem to be born innovators. I remember many employees who “customized” the equipment they ran for more efficiency, perhaps better ergonomics, and (most commonly) to increase quality and production. While watching the short video in this newsletter about Mergenthaler and the invention of the Linotype, I was reminded that Alois Senefelder had invented lithography [...]
Livingston Loves Lit: “The Twelve tribes of Hattie” Part 2
This week we’ll discuss the chapters about Six and Ruthie. 1. “Six wasn’t sure religion was any more than a lot of people caught up in a collective delirium that disappeared the minute they stepped out of the church doors and onto the street. And who could blame them? Who would not want to be [...]
Livingston Loves Lit: “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” Part 1
So, it’s been almost exactly a month since I announced our current book club selection. Have you bought or borrowed “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” by Ayana Mathis yet? I am halfway through what Paul Harding calls “a treasure of a novel.” Do you agree with his assessment? I must say, I do. Not only [...]
