July 28, 2018

Ancient find may be earliest extract of epic Homer poem Odyssey


The Odyssey is old. 
Super  duper  old
And now archaeologists in Greece think they may have 


Speak, Memory--
Of the cunning hero,
The wanderer, blown off course time and again
After he plundered Troy's sacred heights...

July 27, 2018

Get rid of books


By chance do you have too many books in your home? Of course you do! You're human! You're a Friend. We all have too many books in our homes.

Well, okay, not this guy.

Here's a handy dandy little article to help you begin the process of letting go. As the article points out, "books deserve to be read." If you've already read it and probably won't again, why not pass it along to the next guy?

And to help you get started, your Friends are here.

July 26, 2018

A literary map of the UK



(We know it's little. 
Click on it to go to the article & see it in all its larger glory.)

July 25, 2018

The Best Notes Atlas Obscura Readers Found in Used Books


Sure sometimes you find forgotten bookmarks inside books. But what about permanent notes to future readers? Take a look at this article to discover some funny, clever notes past readers left for all of us to discover.


July 24, 2018

The Literary Roles of Benedict Cumberbatch



Not only did he act in the BBC's hit series Sherlock Holmes, but Benedict Cumberbatch has portrayed other literary figures for our thespian enjoyment. Here are a few of his literary roles.

July 6, 2018

100% accurate online book quiz


Okay, actually? There is no 100% accurate online ANYTHING. But this is a fun quick time-waster, if you're waiting for other people to show up in the conference room for the all-staff meeting.


They say only true book lovers will score 100% on this quiz. And now, the gauntlet has been thrown down.

Have at it, Friends.

Project Backpack


(Click on image to enlarge.)

July 5, 2018

July 3, 2018

Sometimes you just have to be your best you


Perhaps you need a little inspiration? 
Here are a few literary characters who got revenge by living their best life



Arsenic and old ... books?


Danish librarians got a bit more than they bargained for when they checked out three old books.


July 2, 2018

Beat the heat!


Come sit in a dark, cool, air-conditioned basement and be entertained this summer. Free movies two Saturdays in July and two in August.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

You Think It, I'll Say It


Curtis Sittenfeld's new book of essays, You Think It, I'll Say It, "gives sustained, compassionate attention to the middle-aged women of middle America." Before each essay's conclusion, a more complicated and richer version of each woman is revealed. Read more here.


July 1, 2018

Literary signage in England




Somewhere in England, a literary prankster has "been making 'creative interventions' all over the country for about 20 years." The Friends are wistfully wishing he'd come visit us in Amherst...