Reading Skillz

So it's a new year, and with the new year, I am sure you made some resolutions. Hopefully they are the bookish type! I will be participating in a few reading challenges myself. But I stumbled across this article, I thought you would enjoy. It is 7 Reading Hacks to Improve Your Literary Skills. Some of them are quite helpful and interesting, but then some... Don't read in bed?! Read aloud, or mouth along?! Some of these might take a bit of work....

Peanuts = The Smiths?

So I love Charles Schulz's Peanuts strip. I am actually in the midst of reading through all the collected strips that are currently coming out in two year volumes. And I also happen to love the 1980's Manchester, England-born band "The Smiths." But I NEVER made the connection between Morrissey's lyrics and the strips dark and existential themes.

Brava to the Oakland-based graphic designer Lauren LoPrete who began the Tumblr account named “This Charming Charlie” where she inserts Smiths lyrics into Peanuts panels. And they are seamless, my friends. Do you like Peanuts or The Smiths? What's your favorite newspaper strip?

Bill Murray Reads Poetry

Because it's Monday and the weather has been dreary lately, here is a video of Bill Murray reading poetry to a group of construction workers.

New Year's Resolution: Read More!

New Year's Day! What are your resolutions? Did you make a list?

Among others, such as learning to tat lace and learn lost wax casting, I also have resolved to read more books, particularly sci-fi and literature. This past year I found myself reading mostly comic books because of time restrictions, which was perfect for the amount of time I had at any one time. But this year is the year of READ for me! I found this excellent list for how to read more in the coming year:

• Throw your phone in the ocean. (Or, keep it in airplane mode.) 
• Carry a book with you at all times. 
• Have another book ready before you finish the one you’re reading. (Make a stack of books to-read or load up your eReader.) 
• If you aren’t enjoying a book or learning from it, stop reading it immediately. (Flinging it across the room helps give closure.) 
• Schedule 1 hour of non-fiction reading during the day. (Commutes, lunch breaks, and any period of idle time work well.) 
• Go to bed 1 hour early and read fiction. (It will help you sleep.) 
• Keep a reading log and share your favorite books with others. (They will send you even more books to read.)