THE FIRST PASTOR FOR GAME OF THRONES

THE READING ROOM ARTICLES

We Give Thanks for These Ten Classics

As you may have already figured out, the ambition of this list far outweighs our means. It is truly impossible to create a comprehensive list of all the books we’re thankful for. But we can list ten books that we feel have helped shaped contemporary literature. These are just some of the books that made so strong a mark on our culture that they continue to be vital and immensely entertaining. More >

7 Books Written in a Unique Form

Dear Reader, The epistolary novel is a tradition that began in the 15th century. Though “epistolary” is derived from the Latin epistolē, meaning “letter,” the term as a literary category tends to refer to books written in all sorts of forms including diary entries, newspaper clippings, blogs, and emails. The emergence of electronic media has opened up many more avenues and forms which can be integrated into the epistolary tradition. Perhaps needless to say, the epistolary book is still going strong. More >

Quiz: What's Your Skill in the Hunger Games Arena?

No one wants to be in the Hunger Games, of course, but having the skills of Panem’s finest would be awesome. The expertise of the tributes vary from deft intelligence to brute strength to fantastic skill with a weapon. You may be an independent fighter, or perhaps you work best in groups. Take this quiz to determine your skill, as well as which tribute you most closely resemble. More >

Princess Rap Battle Pits Hermione Against Katniss

Two of the biggest female characters in YA fiction are inarguably witch Hermione Granger and tribute Katniss Everdeen. Hailing from the Harry Potter and Hunger Games series respectively, the two have been role models to millions of young readers in the 21st century. But what would it be like if they fought each other? We now have an answer, though in a different way than you might expect. More >

Hemingway’s Paris Memoir Sells Out in Wake of Tragedy

A Moveable Feast (1964), by Ernest Hemingway, has hit the bestseller list in Paris following the deadly attacks on November 13. The American author’s memoir about his life as an expatriate in Paris in the 1920’s glorifies the historic city and its countless cafés, where a number of writers and artists found inspiration. Paris, Hemingway writes in his memoir, is, “the best place in the world to live and work, for the French have a way of life into which all needs easily fit.” To Hemingway and Parisians, Par More >

The Real Bear Behind Winnie-the-Pooh

As unbelievable as it may sound, literature's most famous talking bear is actually based off a real life bear. Back in 1914, 12 years before A.A. Milne published the first Winnie-the-Pooh book, veterinarian Harry Colebourn encountered a friendly baby bear in the woods and named her Winnie. Pictures have recently been uncovered of the duo's extraordinary relationship, and they're sure to get your day off to an adorable start. More >

Black Friday Book Sale!

Black Friday is almost here, and that means sales everywhere! But this major shopping holiday doesn't even require you to leave the turkey coma you're in. Check out our wonderful list of books we're discounting, and find your next great read. More >

First Poster for 'Game of Thrones' Season 6 Released

Fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and the HBO adaption Game of Thrones, rejoice! HBO just released the first poster of this season, and it features a very bloodied and bruised Jon Snow. If you recall from last season...More >

Cook the Perfect Literary Thanksgiving

Hosting a Friendsgiving party can be a challenge. Not only the process of streamlining of your guest list down to the most important people in your life, but also the planning of a meal that will delight all of your guests (taking into consideration the diverse needs of the vegetarians, the picky eaters (or children), and those with food allergies). More >

Discover These Entrepreneurial Indie Authors

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending some time in San Diego. But it wasn’t the seals or the weather that was the primary attraction, rather the opportunity to meet and talk with a group of independent authors who regularly meet up as members of the Publishers and Writers of San Diego, run by Karla Olson, that is specifically designed to help writers self-publish. More >

Stock Up on Books at the Goddard Riverside Book Fair

If you’re in the New York City area this weekend and are looking for a fun activity, look no further. Support a great cause and come to the Goddard Riverside Book Fair, which runs Saturday, November 21 - Sunday, November 22. Proceeds support the outreach programs at Goddard Riverside, which provides extensive help to the homeless. More >

Book Giveaway: 'The Ex' by Alafair Burke

In this breakout standalone novel of suspense in the vein of Gone Girl and The Girl on a Train, a woman agrees to help an old boyfriend who has been framed for murder—but begins to suspect that she is the one being manipulated. More >

Have You Tried These Bookish Bars?

Want to put a literary spin on your next bar crawl? It may sound like a niche pipe dream, but more people than you might expect have wanted to mix books and booze. There are bars and restaurants all around the world that have drinks, food, and décor based on beloved books and writers. Here is a smorgasbord of establishments brimming with book love. More >

Former AWC Winner Michelle Weidenbenner Explains Why She Chose to Self-Publish

Thank you to everyone who entered the 2015 Aspiring Writers Competition! We are so excited to read your entries, and we can’t wait to announce the finalists on Sunday, November 22. Until then, we’re giving you some insight into the mind of a previous AWC winner. Michelle Weidenbenner, now the author of several books, talks about her writing process, inspiration, and how her life has changed since winning the competition. More >

Famed Bookstore Provides Shelter During Paris Attacks

We know you may have heard this story before, but we still feel like it’s an important one to share. During the terrorist attacks that took place across Paris last week, people shopping in famed bookstore Shakespeare & Co. were able to find shelter among the books. More >