When I first read The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison , at 15 years old, I knew it would haunt me. The story fed my soul—I was shocked at its lovely, yet stinging taste, but realized I had always been craving it. Never had my struggle with society’s portrayal of white beauty and embedded racism been described so well. With a writing… continue reading Remembering Toni Morrison, 1931–2019
By written by Lo I. August 7, 2019 11
Talking animals, pigs rising to power, a full-fledged government on a farm, and a revolution against an alcoholic farmer serve as the backdrop of George Orwell’s 1945 novel Animal Farm . Confused? Trust me, there’s far more to the story. Orwell was a British writer who strongly opposed dictatorship, extreme control over… continue reading George Orwell in Context
By written by Lo I. June 25, 2019
Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. She died in 2016 in the same small Southern town, leaving many mourning her death. Her legacy lives on today most notably through her signature novel, To Kill a Mockingbird . Dealing with the complexities of racism, economic disparities, and childhood innocence, To Kill a… continue reading Harper Lee and Complicating an American Classic
By written by Lo I. April 25, 2019
What is a story? Perhaps the question isn’t what , but where . Every story I’ve read has taken me somewhere, twisting and turning the ground under me until I’m in a place I haven’t been before. A good story invites and encompasses the reader, until he or she knows the characters and imagines each scene, completely… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Journeys
By written by Lo I. February 27, 2019
Throughout Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing , we see how the characters connect, or disconnect, from each other. The novel focuses in on relationships and what one needs for such connections to thrive in positive ways. Each of the story’s relationships hones in on what it means to genuinely care for someone—it also explores… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Natural Healing & Remedies
By written by Lo I. February 13, 2019
We’re about a month away from kicking off the One Book, One Philadelphia 2019 season. After the official Kickoff Event , eight weeks of discussions, films, performances, and more take place across the city! Even if you haven’t read the book, that still gives you a bit of time to catch up! And, if you don’t tackle it before the… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: It's Time to Discuss!
By written by Lo I. December 19, 2018
December 16 will be Jane Austen’s 243rd birthday. I’ve always been an avid reader. My love of literature filtered its way into my studies. English was usually my favorite class in middle school and high school—it even became my major in college. Yet, I have no interest in Jane Austen . Yeah, I know—a blasphemous… continue reading There's Something About Jane
By written by Lo I. December 14, 2018 1
In case you missed it, we announced in mid-October that Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing is the 2019 One Book, One Philadelphia selection . We’re now in the heart of the reading period. Many of us are already deep in the titillating novel, but if you’re not, don’t worry! You still have plenty of time to read… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: There's More to the Story...
By written by Lo I. December 5, 2018
The days have gotten shorter. We’ve dug up our coziest sweaters. We’re making hot chocolate and plenty of other steaming drinks. We’re spying twinkly lights all around, from city streets to shopping malls. Winter is definitely upon us. Feel free to frolic outside in the cold air and roll around in any upcoming snow.… continue reading Curl Up with a Winter Read
By written by Lo I. November 26, 2018
This year, Banned Books Week runs from September 23 to September 29 and in true book-and-idea lovin’ fashion, the Free Library is ready to celebrate the freedom to express and share all types of knowledge—even ideas that some people view as unconventional. The Free Library continues to support the right to read the incredible… continue reading Banned Books Week | What Do You Mean We Can't Read That?
By written by Lo I. September 24, 2018 2
Ah, Book Lovers Day —a day to celebrate the love of the written word. While many of us are book lovers every day , the Free Library wouldn’t miss the chance to officially celebrate. The easiest way to participate in Book Lovers Day is just to read : Return to the inviting story of an old favorite . Dive into that mystery that you… continue reading Happy Book Lovers Day!
By written by Lo I. August 9, 2018
When you first think about reading a book, it seems like a solitary affair. I picture myself curled up by a window, reading by natural light and entering a new little world—alone. Sometimes I picture myself in a coffee shop, surrounded by others and the buzz of conversation, but still on my own literary journey. Once I finish a… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: A Shared Experience
By written by Lo I. February 21, 2018
Dear reader, Perhaps a dying art, or perhaps in fact an art that has now expanded in form, letter-writing creates a tangible connection between humans. Usually, letters are thought to be written on pieces of paper, exchanged between two individuals who care deeply for each other. Is an essay a letter? A poem? A novel? The Boston Globe refers to… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: A Love Letter for You
By written by Lo I. February 7, 2018
"I refused to cover my head in public. Refused to walk through the world as a messenger of Allah’s teachings, ate hot dogs and bacon when I was with my girls. My Muslim beliefs lived just left of my heart. I was leaving space for something more promising. Let her be who she’s trying to become, my father said. Yeah, I said. Let… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Spiritual and Religious Identity
By written by Lo I. December 20, 2017
In Another Brooklyn , Jacqueline Woodson explores the complex coming-of-age story of the teenage August, while seamlessly weaving in the history of the late 1960s and 1970s. She shows how events impacted the growth of individuals living in this time—like her fictional characters—but also how they touched the evolving landscapes of… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Another Brooklyn – Historical Backdrop
By written by Lo I. November 1, 2017
As a young girl, I loved fairy tales—especially those centered on princesses. But I was also drawn to strong female characters. So, I decided to re-read Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine as an adult and revisit the character that made such a powerful impact on me as a child. Ella Enchanted adds layers of depth and adventure to… continue reading #ThrowbackThursday: Re-reading Ella Enchanted
By written by Lo I. September 7, 2017
The arrival of 2017 brought numerous throwbacks to popular television shows of the past. A number of reboots have already hit the small screen, with more scheduled to appear by the end of the year. Some people are tired of old characters and plots being recycled, but others are thrilled to see their favorite shows pop up again. With a pinch of… continue reading Re-viewing the Re-boot Phenomenon
By written by Lo I. August 15, 2017 1
