What Caught My Eye Online #65
A reading quiz, US reading habits, book design, and more
Welcome to this week’s roundup! Here’s what I’ve been loving lately:
Spring break. One of the best parts of working in education is the schedule. I’m blessed with time off throughout the year, including this week for spring break. I love the extra time for hobbies and being able to sleep past 5:00 a.m.
Being creative just for fun. As a perfectionistic Enneagram 1, I often feel that unless I’m creating something “good,” I shouldn’t be doing it. I keep reminding myself that it’s okay to create just for fun. Play is important and adults need it.
And now for this week’s links!
This fun Read Your Color quiz has been making the rounds on Substack. There’s also a Substack with book recommendations based on your color. (I got blue, which is right on.)
Sara Hildreth of Fiction Matters wrote an interesting reflection inspired by the quiz about whether or not knowing your reader type is helpful or limiting.
Book Riot shares some cute library-themed crafts.
What genre are the people in your state reading?
Here’s another look at America’s reading habits.
I loved this look at how the Los Angeles Public Library helped readers find books before the internet.
Check out this list of five funny short story collections.
The American Library Association has filed a lawsuit and is fighting back against the dismantling of the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
In more ALA news, they released data regarding 2024 book bans and censorship efforts. You can see all the data here. This part is important to note:
“Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. Parents only accounted for 16% of demands to censor books, while 5% of challenges were brought by individual library users.” If groups like Moms for Liberty can be this effective, imagine what groups fighting for inclusion and intellectual freedom could do with enough organization.
I enjoyed Maureen Corrigan’s reflections on The Great Gatsby and what it reveals about America, 100 years later. (Also, that original cover is one of the very best.)
Eleanor Lanahan, Fitzgerald’s granddaughter, has written a foreword for the novel. You can read an excerpt here.
The International Booker Prize has announced its shortlist. I just borrowed Perfection from the library and am eager to start it.
NPR shares five buzzy books out this week that look inward. Audition and Sky Daddy are high on my TBR at the moment.
Electric Lit recommends eight powerful memoirs about being mixed-race.
I loved this behind-the-scenes look at book cover design. That would be such a cool job!
Read an excerpt from Maggie Smith’s new book, Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life.
The Paris Review shares a beautiful Rumi poem with a line that grabbed me: “What stirs the life in you?”
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What things have caught your eye lately? Share in the comment. As always, thanks for reading!
A treasure trove of links here. Can't wait to check them out! Thanks!
“The garden asks…” I love that Rumi poem. Thank you for it! Happy Spring Break! We still have five more glorious days. I’m reading The Berry Pickers and it’s so good. 🥰