
The Breastplate of St. Patrick
I bind unto myself the power /
Of the great love of the cherubim; /
The sweet ‘well done’ in judgment hour, /
The service of the seraphim, /
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word, /
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the Prophets’ scrolls, /
All good deeds done unto the Lord, /
And purity of virgin souls.

Rodin’s Thinking Poet
For Rodin the sculptor, every aspect of action, character, and spirit that he wanted to convey had to be embodied in the physical form of his works. It’s a reminder to us that we, too, are bodily works.
Learn MoreBugs Bunny Stole My Cognitive Surplus!
Bugs Bunny’s first appearance, July 27th, 1940, was nominated for an academy award.
Learn MoreThe Infinite Book: The Plastic Logic Reader (and the Real Nature of Books)
A book is essentially whole, unitary — a little world of human thought, word, & spirit, chosen, shaped, and bound within its covers. Books are bundles; a book is what is bound together. For what makes a book more than it’s binding?
Learn MoreJoy to the World (Bruce Cockburn)
Bruce Cockburn’s Christmas is a tradition around here. Thanks to Quercus126 for providing this rendition. If you want to hear it played by the man himself, it’s here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3YF8nH7J0o
Learn MoreWhen Jesus Christ Was Born (Michelle Shocked)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwjeEZvdhO0 It’s time for Christmas music, right? Michelle Shocked sings with her whole soul, ’cause she knows what its all about. Visit her on the web at MichelleShocked.com.
Learn MoreDoes Your Book Deserve My Vote?
Kids react to books much as they react to their favorite candidates: they like them because everyone else does, adding titles to their favorites list even when they haven’t read them. Voting for a Book, part of the Youth Radio series on NPR.
Learn MoreIndependence Day
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Books Are Not Widgets
Books are not widgets. Books are a part of our culture and should be treated as such. Making them into throw away goods is bound to lead to disaster. The best way to handle books is like how we should handle food: small scale and local. –Jenn, gleefully watching Borders go bust at A Bookseller’s […]
Learn MoreShakespeare Covers the Superbowl
Will “the dauntless Brady” meet his match in Eli “yet more Manning than man?” The Bard’s Play, from NPR.
Learn More
Beowulf: Behold the Man
You think you’ve heard about swords, and heroes, and fire-breathing dragons, and friendship, and glory, and treasure, just ’cause you’ve read those Potter books? C’mere, boys, let me tell you a tale…
Learn More