As the final addition to the Reader’s Library, I wanted to share a way to receive a book every month. There are actually a lot of businesses and bookstores that offer this, but I am highlighting the most cost-efficient ones I could find. For those who want a steady stream of books or don’t want to take the time to browse through shelves and shelves, this is a fun alternative. Each of these monthly book services are unique in the way books are chosen and boxes are put together. Brilliant Books Monthly $89.00 to $325.00 a year USD This is a small brick and mortar bookstore with a dozen employees (including the intern) that aims to be the most personalized monthly book supplier. New subscribers fill out a physical card to detail their preferences that will help BBM make the best selection. All the books are guaranteed and come withRead More

I feel so behind the times barely getting around to sharing this addition to the Reader’s Library. Throughout my education career, I had heard references to it, but it only ever stayed on the periphery of my awareness until recently. Project Gutenberg celebrates 50 years of offering free literature! Some quick facts: Since its founding by Michael Hart in 1971, everything offered by Project Gutenberg are works with expired copyrights in the U.S. Volunteers digitize and proofread the books before they are added to the library. Books can be either read online or downloaded. There is no fee or registration and no special apps needed to access the library. Project Gutenberg has over 60,000 eBooks available to the public. Personally, I enjoyed reading recently added short stories published in the Imagination: Stories of Science Fiction and Fantasy from 1955. It was a treat to read about the interesting and uniqueRead More

This installment in the Reader’s Library is, admittedly, a little unconventional. Quick note: I am only suggesting a tool, not promoting a specific brand. First, a little backstory. I started my new job over a year ago. It’s a great job, but it requires that I am at my computer for eight hours. That doesn’t include the hours I spend writing or looking at my phone. Shortly after starting my job, I was plagued by painful headaches that impeded my ability to do other tasks. When I got my yearly eye exam, pictures were taken that let me see the immense pressure on my optic nerves. I’ll leave the medical jargon out, but my eyes were taking a pounding. Long story short too late, all the time looking at screens was making my head hurt. Why am I telling you about my screen time and the headaches it was causing?Read More

Without further ado, I am thrilled to share the inaugural installment of the Reader’s Library. Growing up, I was raised on mostly classical literature with a spattering of modern from time to time. As I’ve gotten older and more involved in various communities around me, I found myself wishing I was more familiar with recent works. In my search, I found The Hugo Awards, a site where the books, novellas, novelettes, and other forms of media are listed after they have won this prestigious award. So far, I have not been disappointed by their selections. Winners of the Hugo Award in the best novel category have been A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martin (2020); The Calculating Stars, by Mary Robinette Kowal (2019); The Stone Sky, by N.K. Jemisin (2018); and The Obelisk Gate, by N. K. Jemisin (2017). If you’re looking for a fantastic read or to expand yourRead More