Philadelphia has a long history of literary importance. It’s one of the reasons I love living here. I mean, what can be more literarily incredible (that’s a word, I’m sure!) than residing in the city that lays claim to the first public lending library? If Philadelphia’s expansive library system weren’t enough, the city is also home to great authors and die-hard brick and mortar indie book shops as well as a collection of some of the world’s most historic literature. But you knew that already, didn’t you? Good. That’s why I’m here to tell you about books set in Philadelphia that showcase Philly’s lesser known literary connections.
[Read more…] about Books Set in Philadelphia That Will Inspire Your Next Novel AdventureHow to Start Your Own Book Club and Get Set for Literary Adventures!
For the past few years now, I have been curating novel adventures with my rapidly growing Meetup book club: The Novel Tourists of Philadelphia. I’ve met new friends, explored fascinating places in the city, expanded my culinary taste buds, and learned interesting new hobbies. All with my fellow bookworms! Do you want to start your own active and adventurous book club? It’s not hard and I’m here to help!
[Read more…] about How to Start Your Own Book Club and Get Set for Literary Adventures!Picasso’s Blue Period: The Book and the Barnes Foundation Collection
Artsy bibliophiles are going to love this novel destination mashup. It’s an artistic literary adventure to the Barnes Foundation museum. The Blue Period is a term used to define the art produced by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso between 1901 and 1904. Picasso’s life leading up to and including the Blue Period are captured in Luke Jerod Kummer’s historical fiction and imaginative novel, aptly, albeit uncreatively, named, The Blue Period: A Novel.
The Barnes Foundation’s collection in Philadelphia contains several notable pieces from Picasso’s Blue Period. I paired these two together for a wonderful literary art experience with my Philadelphia based book club.
[Read more…] about Picasso’s Blue Period: The Book and the Barnes Foundation Collection15 Fiction Books that will Inform and Widen your Views on What it is to be Black
Ask someone to recommend books written by a Black author and invariably the list will be limited to topics of race, racism and white privilege. My friend Ingrid Shepard, the Executive Director of The One Less Foundation, recently opined on this subject in a Facebook post, stating “I see this a lot and I shouldn’t…..Not every Black author is Toni Morrison, Bell Hooks, Roxanne Gay or Ta-Nehisi Coates, but all Black writers have a story to tell, that may (read: absolutely will) inform and widen your views on what it is to be Black, especially Black in America, if you’re reading a Black American writer.”
[Read more…] about 15 Fiction Books that will Inform and Widen your Views on What it is to be BlackZucchini “Crab” Cakes
Ever since my parents thought it would be fun for us all to watch Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, an over abundance of any vegetable makes me nervous. In fact, in late summer, when wiffle ball bat sized zucchinis are so common that farmers everywhere contemplate paying people to take them off their hands, I can’t help but consider adding extra security around the perimeter of my home. Invasion of the zucchinis is a real threat! So much so, that a national holiday commemorates the efforts of backyard gardeners who are trying to purge this prolific produce.
[Read more…] about Zucchini “Crab” CakesNovel Ways to Cope with “National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day”
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Leave it to a fellow Pennsylvanian to come up with a holiday like “National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day!” Thomas Roy, who grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, may have made August 8th the official day, but here in the Keystone state eighty-six’ing zucchini is almost as popular as ding-dong-ditch. It’s not surprising considering how easy it is to grow this summer squash.
[Read more…] about Novel Ways to Cope with “National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day”