Author Archives: Italic Bookmarks

This Is Your Brain on Jane Austen: The Neuroscience of Reading Great Literature

I found this article and the cited research from Michigan State University very informative. It addresses different areas of activation within the brain during reading for pleasure, and reading technical information. It also mentions the principle of “cognitive training”, in this case being able to shift focus effectively and completely between various items or tasks.Continue reading “This Is Your Brain on Jane Austen: The Neuroscience of Reading Great Literature”

East of Eden vs. Brothers Karamazov – HELP!

I have been feeling ambitious lately… I have heard so much about both of these novels for as long as I can remember. Both are epic, sweeping, works of classic literature. Each has been proclaimed to be the “BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN” by numerous sources. My goal is to finish one of these two booksContinue reading “East of Eden vs. Brothers Karamazov – HELP!”

Wanna get paid in bookmarks?!?!?!

Do you have a short story that we can publish on our website? We love to feature great writing on our site devoted to those who love reading. If you have an original, remarkable, and/or insightful short story that we can include on our site please contact us. We will feature works of 1,000 wordsContinue reading “Wanna get paid in bookmarks?!?!?!”

Stefen Chow on Medium – bring your toddler for a mini adventure

My favorite story this week is actually from a little over a year ago. The author is Stefen Chow, “father, photographer and mountaineer from China. I came across the story on Medium. com, a site/source/app recently that features stories, articles and opinions from around the world. The story is simple and short, but the purposeContinue reading “Stefen Chow on Medium – bring your toddler for a mini adventure”

2017 was the year that I…

It’s 2017. What have you done so far? Five years from now, when you look back on 2017, what will you remember? What have you accomplished this year that will change or improve the course of your life? Did you graduate? Did you earn your first $1 million? Did you meet someone new? There areContinue reading “2017 was the year that I…”

Pictures of Famous Authors

When reading a great novel or short story we all create a mental picture of the main characters from the description and details that the author gives us. When I read a book, I can’t help but form a mental picture of the author as well. Have you ever been surprised when you come acrossContinue reading “Pictures of Famous Authors”

Watching Television vs Reading a Book

This article from the website Medical Daily compares brain function and development while watching television or while reading books. There are references and descriptions of several studies conducted within the last few years that focus on various measurements of brain development and cognitive function in each scenario. Can you guess which activity is better for your brain?Continue reading “Watching Television vs Reading a Book”

Silent Book Club

Here is an interesting new spin on the traditional book club… You meet periodically with a group of friends, and new acquaintances to discuss your favorite books, etc. but the majority of each meeting is spent simply reading. You don’t have to worry about any of the challenges that people sometimes experience with a traditionalContinue reading “Silent Book Club”