We started out with 32 blockbuster best-selling books from a variety of genres ... over 5 weeks, the books were voted upon by you, our faithful blog readers and library patrons... as each week… continue reading

By Peter SM   August 14, 2018   

We're now into the fifth and final round of our Summer Madness blockbuster reads online bracket game! Amongst 32 titles vying for the prize, our finalists Life of Pi and The Hitchhiker's… continue reading

By Peter SM   August 10, 2018   

We're now into round 4 of our Summer Madness blockbuster reads online bracket game! The Final Four battle is ON! Here's some stats on each title to see how they match up against each… continue reading

By Peter SM   August 3, 2018   

The 2018 Will Eisner Comic Book Industry Awards took place on July 20 in San Diego at the yearly Comic-Con. The awards, now in their 30th year, honor creative achievement in comic books from… continue reading

By Peter SM   July 25, 2018   

Today, July 13, is the second of two Friday the 13ths occurring in 2018. The first one arrived exactly 13 weeks earlier on April 13! I penned a post full of screamingly scary streaming selections… continue reading

By Peter SM   July 13, 2018   

The sun is out, the weather is warm, and it's the perfect time to hop on a bike and go for a spin! Philadelphia is a very bikeable city, especially with the recent addition of new protected… continue reading

By Peter SM   June 28, 2018    1

Chef. Raconteur. Explorer. Enthusiast . Anthony Bourdain was all of these things and much more. He had a lust for life that was all encompassing, whether it was his dream of traveling to the Congo… continue reading

By Peter SM   June 8, 2018   

Another summer season is about to start and with it a swath of celluloid distractions from the impending heat and humidity outside, projecting eye-popping entertainment some 40 feet high amid… continue reading

By Peter SM   May 25, 2018    2

The GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards took place on April 12 in Los Angeles and were broadcast on the LOGOtv network last night. The awards, now in their 29th… continue reading

By Peter SM   April 19, 2018   

Today, April 13, is the first of two Friday the 13ths occurring in 2018. The next one arrives exactly 13 weeks later on July 13! The only logical thing to do on such a superstitious occassion is… continue reading

By Peter SM   April 13, 2018   

This year's additions to the National Recording Registry were announced last month , which include 25 songs, albums, or audio recordings from the early 20th century up to the present. This… continue reading

By Peter SM   April 6, 2018   

Just in time for Easter, perhaps the largest collection of "Easter Eggs" to ever be assembled on film debuts in theaters today— Ready Player One . The film is adapted from Ernest… continue reading

By Peter SM   March 29, 2018    1

The YA graphic novel I Kill Giants smashes and crashes its way out of the confines of comics panels this weekend to loom large on the big screen... Firmly in the category of a gritty and somewhat… continue reading

By Peter SM   March 23, 2018   

It's the first day of spring ... well, at least according to the calendar. Look outside? Winter still has its grip on much of the U.S., especially here on the east coast . Nevertheless, spring… continue reading

By Peter SM   March 20, 2018   

If you are reading this on March 14 at 1:59 p.m., then it must be Pi Day (Pi at 5 decimal places = 3.14159, natch!) This annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (Pi), or in its… continue reading

By Peter SM   March 14, 2018   

2018 marks the 38th time little golden statues have been awarded to films of a certain competence... and no, I'm not talking about the Oscars—I'm referring to the Razzies ! The… continue reading

By Peter SM   March 9, 2018    1

Another year, another Academy Awards. This Sunday, March 4 marks the 90th(!) Oscars ceremony, sure to have plenty of pomp , pageantry , and now more than ever, politics . Some will tune in for the… continue reading

By Peter SM   March 2, 2018   

Earlier this month in Denver, CO, a room full of children's and teen librarians erupted in cheers, gasps, and wild applause for the newest batch of books chosen to receive Youth Media Awards .… continue reading

By Peter SM   February 27, 2018   

Today, February 16, we celebrate the Year of the Dog ! In the video below, Jenifer Chang, Chief of Central Public Services Division at Parkway Central Library , discusses the history and… continue reading

By Peter SM   February 16, 2018   

209 years ago today, one of the most peculiar poets and apparitional authors to ever hold a pen was born: Edgar Allan Poe . His macabre and gothic tales have fascinated and entertained readers for… continue reading

By Peter SM   January 19, 2018