In February I shared a lovely Book Lover’s Teapot and I found that the artist who made that one also makes another! How cool is that? You can buy this (or this other one) at this website:...

Who knew? What a brilliant idea! I am fairly certain I would have lived at this place as a kid… if it were near me,I still might!...

Oh. My. Some people are so clever. I see a t-shirt making day in my near future…Catherine from Dreamy Colours (love-tears.net) made this book nerd t-shirt and I definitely need to make one! Thanks Cath! =)       I will update when I make a t-shirt!

Smoking stinks and it kills. But reading? Well, reading does everyone only good. So, why not give up smoking for a reading habit? This is what Tank Magazine encouraged when they thought to use the clever packaging of cigarettes and used it to package little books, called Tank Books. Straight from their website: TankBooks pay homage to this iconic form by employing it in the service of great literature. We have launched a series of books designed to mimic cigarette packs – the same size, packaged in flip-top cartons with silver foil wrapping and sealed in cellophane. The titles are by authors of great stature – classic stories presented in classic packaging; objects desirable for both their literary merit and their unique design. Each story is complete and unabridged – with a type size that’s easy to read. Individual books are great for throwing into a pocket or handbag – an instantly familiar object to carry with you. The complete set comes in a stunning tin – perfect as a really original gift. TankBooks are for people on the move, lovers of literature and connoisseurs of design. Try one and you’ll be hooked. Titles: Joseph Conrad “Heart of Darkness” Ernest Hemingway “The Undefeated” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”, Franz Kafka “The Metamorphosis” and “In the Penal Colony” Rudyard Kipling “The Man who would be King”, “The Phantom ’Rickshaw” and “Black Jack” Robert Louis Stevenson “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Leo Tolstoy “The Death of Ivan Ilych” and “Father Sergius” Why leave a good idea to something bad, like smoking? I love it! Now, book lovers all over the world can request as many breaks as the smokers… and perhaps we can demand separate reading sections, outside in the fresh air! =) Or how about this for a way to unwind or calm your nerves… a quick chapter instead of a quick cigarette before...

Random facts about Autism:1234 Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys. The rate of autism is growing at 14% per year around the world. In China it is growing at a rate of 20% a year. Autism is a spectrum disorder meaning one can be affected severely or mildly — and people are all over the spectrum with how severely it affects them — this also means every person with autism is different and they may not all act, look or function the same way, mostly likely they will not. Only 56% of students with autism finish high school More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. From the Greek autos meaning “self,” autism literally means “alone. Autism costs the nation $126 billion per year. Yet,  autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases. Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism. There is no medical detection (no blood test, no scan, and no image that can detect autism–diagnosis relies on behavioral observation and screening). There is NO cure for autism. I do know a little about autism. Mostly, in how to help those with Autism cope mentally with the challenges they face. With great empathy for those with any kind of autism, any severity, I like to inform myself about the condition. Recently, I came across a book by Kate Winslet. The cover grabbed my attention and I decided I would put it on my “to read” list. And read it, I did. In one sitting. The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism by Kate Winslet, Keli Thorsteinsson and Margaret Ericsdottir. This book was born from creative desire to help the many families who have a member (or more than one) with autism. Kate Winslet narrated A Mother’s Courage a film about a mother and her journey and struggle with for her son Keli, who has nonverbal autism (meaning he cannot speak). This movie bonded Kate and Margret who kept in contact via email. And through their many exchanges, Kate had an idea she wanted...

This young lady, Alice Ozma, and her father made a pact for him to read to her aloud for initially 100 days. This reading streak actually lasted from the time she was 9 years old till she went to University. This shared love for literature impacted her so much she has grown up and wrote a book about it! And now she encourages everyone to take the reading promise and go on a reading streak, with someone else. =)   You can read more or make the reading promise with a child in your life here. Why not make this commitment to read with someone (adult or child!) as a birthday gift or holiday gift? Make it a Tuesday gift....