Gore Vidal, 1925-2012

August 1, 2012

Prolific author, playwright, actor, and raconteur died Tuesday from complications of pneumonia at the age of 86. A versatile writer, he published 25 novels (The Golden Age, Lincoln, Myra Breckinridge to name a few), two memoirs and several volumes of essays. He also wrote plays, television dramas, and screenplays, including the the movie adaptation of […]


Orson Scott Card on "Earth Unaware" and "Ender's Game"

July 31, 2012

Publisher’s Weekly offers this interview with renowned author of the “Ender’s Game” series, Orson Scott Card, speaking about his latest work, “Earth Unaware.” It was just released as an audiobook. If you recall Ender Wiggins starts off as a brilliant six-year-old in Battle School and eventually is responsibile for leading the war to save Earth […]


The Blues: Book Signing and Music in Evanston

July 26, 2012

Bob Riesman, author of  “I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy,” will appear with musician Billy Bob Arnold. They’ll be at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Aug 10, 8PM. For more information contact Miranda Sklaroff at (773) 702-1964 at The University of Chicago Press. EPL works on Broonzy. EPL material […]


This is not a fake: Lt. Governor to declare July 31 "The Onion Day"

July 25, 2012

The Chicago Tribune reports today that Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is so delighted the satirical newspaper, The Onion, is moving its headquarters to Chicago and bringing 100 jobs to boot, that not only has she declared July 31st “The Onion Day,” but she also will sing and play the banjo performing a piece written in […]


Critic's Review of Novel Leads to a Fictional Friendship

July 24, 2012

When NY Times critic Janet Maslin reviewed Patrick Somerville’s novel “This Bright River” her assessment was less than enthusiastic. However, she made a mistake. The error of confusing two characters added to her unflattering critique and may have proven disastrous for Somerville. An editor at the NY Times, Ed Marks, decided to begin a fictional […]


Summer Camp for Book Geeks

July 24, 2012

Rare Book School takes place for 5 weeks each summer at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. It brings together librarians, scholars, collectors, and “random book-mad civilians” for intensive courses in book history, bookbinding, etc – including one session dedicated to hand-marbled papers from the 18th century to the present, and another using tape measures […]


Apple Struggles with Recycling Policy

July 19, 2012

Are you using your favorite Apple device to read this post? Have you thought about what you will do with your old iPod after you buy the latest model? Interesting article and comments about Apple removing itself from the EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) list of green companies. Apparently, it’s getting too complicated to […]


For Smart, Confident, and Courageous Girls

July 17, 2012

In April of 2012, A Mighty Girl website was launched by Carolyn Danckaert and Aaron Smith as a tool to help parents, teachers, librarians, and friends find empowering and inspirational books for girls. Their website states, “A Mighty Girl is the world’s largest collection of books and movies for parents, teachers, and others dedicated to […]


Woody Guthrie Centennial

July 12, 2012

To commemorate the centennial of folk singer Woody Guthrie’s birth, the Smithsonian Institution is releasing a three- CD boxed set of his work. “Woody at 100” includes performances from radio broadcasts, live shows, and six songs that have never been heard on record. Beginning with his most famous song “This Land is Your Land”, the […]


Malcolm Gladwell's New Book: Underdogs who Fight Back

July 10, 2012

Acclaimed science writer Malcolm Gladwell will be coming out with a new book on the power of underdogs.”David and Goliath” will probe what occurs when weaker people confront stronger ones. It should be out in 2013. Look forward to his unconventional and thought-provoking take on everyday situations. Links to articles. Links to EPL’s Gladwell books. […]


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