Can't count the times I've recommended Eggers' "The Captain and the Glory," and today I find that we can read it for free. Painfully funny and short, it might get you through the last days of this beleaguered year. #BookSky #ReadABook #LibrarySky store.mcsweeneys.net/products/the...
#ReadABook
Call it what it is:
corporate #theft of copyrighted works, entrusted to them to be sold, not scraped and offered circumventing the original.
Currently reading "Ghosts of Hiroshima", by Charles Pellegrino. I read "Hiroshima" by John Hersey maybe 50 years ago. "Ghosts of Hiroshima" brings to life so many survivors stories, updated in a truly fascinating way. What are you reading? #Readabook #Readbooks #read
So, I looked at my cat just now and said, "Well, that was the most unproductive doomscrolling ever!" My cat gave me an inquisitive look and provided me with a meow turned into yawn response. (soooo cute, btw, š„°).
I truly feel like that is the best advice to put my phone down and continue reading my book, š
#doomscrolling #doomscrollbreak #readabook #fuckpolitics #projectgutenberg #cats #catsofmastodon #catstodon
@read_a_book
Moin auch š
Hallo und herzlich #willkommen hier im #Fediverse!
#ReadABook klingt gut - ist das zugleich Deine #Vorstellung ? š
October 2025 Programs at
#RangePondStatePark
#MountainBike with the Ranger
Mondays, October 6 & 20, 5:30 p.m.
Meet at: parking lot on Empire Rd. across from the park entrance
"Bring your bike and explore the trails at the park with a park ranger. This is a beginner friendly social ride to discover what our trail system has to offer and to develop more confidence when riding on dirt. Rides last from 30 to 90 minutes depending on participants; families are welcome. Please bring your bike in good
working condition, a helmet, gloves, a water bottle, and sturdy footwear (no sandals or crocks please). There is no charge for the program, regular park entrance fees do apply."
Book Drop-off Lightly Used Books at the Park
Monday, Tues. & Fri. between 9:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.
"Do you have books that you love that you want to share with others? Help us stock up for next summerās #BookSwaps. Please bring lightly used books for all ages to the Parkās entrance booth on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or call the park at (207) 998-4104 to schedule a drop-off with a park ranger."
Cost: Programs are free with park admission. Day use: $1.00 ages 5-11, $4.00 Maine residents age 12-64, $6.00 non residents age 12-64, $2.00 non residents 65+; persons under 5 & Maine residents 65+ free.
Contact Phone: (207) 998-4104
Program Reminders: - Programs are free with paid park admission. - Dress for the weather. - Use tick and black fly protection. - Wear sturdy outdoor shoes. - Bring a folding chair if you want to sit. - Children attending programs must be accompanied by an adult. - Text RANGE to 888-514-7527 for park alerts.
#MaineEvents #MaineStateParks #MountainBiking #SpendTimeInNature #ReadABook #SolarPunkSunday
#Maine - Book Drop-off: Lightly Used Books at the #RangePond State Park
Date: October 3, 2025 - October 31, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:50 PM
Location: 31 State Park Road, Poland, Maine 04274
State Park: Range Pond
"Do you have books that you love that you want to share with others? Help us stock up for next summer's #BookSwaps. Please bring lightly used books for all ages to the Park's entrance booth on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or call the park at (207) 998-4104 to schedule a drop-off with a park ranger."
Contact Phone: (207) 998-4104
Website: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/trail_activities/rangepond_trail_conditions.shtml
Cost: Free with Range Pond Park Admission: Adult Maine Resident = $6. Adult Non-Resident = $8.. Senior Non-Resident = $2. Children 5-11 years = $1. Children under 5 years and Maine Seniors are Free.
#SolarPunkSunday #ReadABook #MaineStateParks #SpendTimeInNature #BookDropOff #PolandME #RangePondStatePark #SharingEconomy
Echoes of #Plato: #NeoLuddism ā reclaiming the human in the digital age
Making room for humanity in the march of technology
āThe machines were their enemies, for the machines were the means by which greedy masters enforced their will.ā ā ā E.P. Thompson, The Making of the English Working Class (1963)
by Kem-Laurin Lubin, Jan 4, 2025
"Modern neo-Luddism draws inspiration from this historical movement, but rather than opposing all forms of #technology, it critiques the #uncritical adoption of digital tools and automation. Neo-Luddites are not anti-technology per se; instead, they advocate for a more #mindful and selective use of technology, prioritizing human #WellBeing, #EnvironmentalSustainability, and meaningful #SocialInteractions.
"In todayās context, neo-Luddism is less about destroying machines and more about reclaiming control over how technology shapes daily life. It questions the pervasive influence of #smartphones, #SocialMedia, and constant #connectivity, encouraging moments of #disconnection to foster deeper, more authentic human experiences.
"This philosophy underpins the growing trend of 'no-tech meetups,' where individuals come together to temporarily step away from digital distractions and reconnect in more organic, face-to-face ways [Like listening to vinyl records with a friend!]. Neo-Luddites advocate for a conscious retreat from digital dependence, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face communication and preserving human connection without the interference of screens. These gatherings, often called '#LudditeClubs' or 'analog meetups,' create spaces where participants can engage in conversations, activities, and communal experiences free from the distractions of smartphones, social media, and other digital tools.
"The motivations behind this movement are diverse. Some individuals express concerns over privacy and the pervasive #surveillance associated with digital platforms. Some lament the growing loss of #jobs and community. Others seek to combat the social isolation and mental health challenges exacerbated by excessive screen time. #Environmental considerations also play a role, with participants mindful of the ecological impact of #ElectronicWaste and the resource demands of constant technological upgrades."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/6tQNO
#Philosophy #RightToRepair #EWaste #PlannedObsolescence #LudditeClub #NeoLuddite #UseYourBrain #DigitalAge #ReadABook #SmartphoneAddiction #TechAddiction #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #DatacentersUseTooMuchElectricity
Writing in Your Books Is Good for Your BraināHereās Why
Annotating the margins of books is an important part of deep reading and has a long legacy of merit in both science and literature
By Brianne Kane edited by Jeanna Bryner, September 19, 2024
Excerpt: "Readers on TikTok and Instagram are making the aesthetics of reading more visible than ever with creative, and often intricate, annotations. Called marginalia, these markups can be elaborate, with notes that nearly fill full pages and that are color-coordinated with the bookās cover. The emergence of such bookish note-taking has sparked a debate between enthusiasts and skeptics: Is the practice of marginalia a bad habit or a beneficial endeavor?
"#Marginalia have a long history: #LeonardoDaVinci famously scribbled thoughts about gravity years before Galileo Galilei published his magnum opus on the subject; the discovery was waiting under our noses in the margins of Leonardoās Codex Arundel. Famous writers such as #HermanMelville and #EdgarAllanPoe are somewhat known for their marginalia, making their biographers both overjoyed and overwhelmed. Just last year #AnnPatchett, a staple on any modern fiction shelves, told Literary Hub about the joys of reading her own books and annotating patterns she never before noticed. She created a unique edition of Tom Lake for dedicated deep readers, in which she included her own annotations on her own writing style. The Patchett-ception worked: the special edition raised money at an auction for indie bookstores during 2020, and the endeavor inspired the writer to annotate a copy of her beloved classic Bel Canto as well.
"Alongside this evolution of margin additions, neuroscientists have been researching the cognitive effects of writing, pencil to paper. For instance, a study of electrical activity in the brain published in Frontiers in Psychology found that handwriting itself helps a person remember and understand more about theyāve read and written. Maryanne Wolf, director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners and Social Justice at the University of California, Los Angeles, discussed the importance of annotating with NPR in 2022. In classic former-English-major fashion, she paraphrased Marcel Proust in explaining that deep reading allows us to 'go beyond the wisdom of the author to discover our own.' In that vein, marginalia can help the annotator understand the material deeply enough to further develop their own interpretation of the text, she said. In the Journal of Language Learning and Teaching, foreign language professor Demet Yayli of Pamukkale University in Turkey, explained that in writing workshops, especially for genre-fiction writing, deep readingāwhich includes annotationsāis critical in helping students articulate their interpretations and maintain their own 'learner autonomy.' "
Read more:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/go-ahead-write-in-the-margins-its-good-for-your-brain/
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/Bts8M
#LearnerAutonomy #ReadABook #UseYourBrain #AISucks #BrainHealth #UseAIWithCaution #AIIsDumbingUsDown #Bookstodon #Books
More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones
Sequoia Carrillo, September 1, 2025
Excerpt: "In Texas, every public and charter school student will be without their phones during the school day this fall. Brigette Whaley, an associate professor of education at West Texas A&M University, expects to see "a more equitable environment" in classrooms with higher student engagement.
"Last year, she tracked the success of a cell phone ban in one west Texas high school by surveying teachers throughout the year. They reported more participation by students, and also said they saw student anxiety plummet ā mainly because students weren't afraid of being filmed at any moment and embarrassing themselves.
" 'They could relax in the classroom and participate,' she said. 'And not be so anxious about what other students were doing.'
"The findings in west Texas align with results from many of the states and districts that are heading back to school without phones: Students learn better in a #PhoneFree environment. Getting cell phones out of the classroom is a rare issue with significant bipartisan support, allowing a rapid adoption of policies across red and blue states alike.
"Some 31 states and the District of Columbia now restrict students' use of #CellPhones in schools, according to Education Week."
Read more / listen:
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/01/nx-s1-5495531/more-states-now-ban-cell-phones-in-schools
#TechAddiction #SmartPhoneAddiction #ReadABook #TalkToAFriend #TakeNotes #Handwriting #PayAttention #LessDistractions #LessScreenTime
Why teens are ditching their smartphones ā and how to live without one
Maybe your teen will ditch their smartphone, too. Hereās how they can do it
By Natalie Issa
Published: Aug 10, 2023
Excerpt: "A recent study published by APA PsycNet found that limited smartphone use has its benefits.
"For this study, German researches monitored two groups: one group that stopped using smartphones altogether and a second group that reduced smartphone use by one hour everyday. Both groups were monitored over one week.
"While both groups saw an increase in life satisfaction and physical activity, the group that only limited phone use by one hour saw stronger and more sustainable effects over four months. Additionally, this group saw a decrease in the number of cigarettes they smoked everyday.
"The study concluded that 'conscious and controlled changes of daily time spent on smartphone use can contribute to subjective well-being (less depressive and anxiety symptoms, less problematic use tendencies, more life satisfaction) and to a healthier lifestyle (more physical activity, less smoking behavior) in the longer term.' "
Read more:
https://www.deseret.com/23583331/teens-smartphones/
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/nyDOL
#LudditeClub #NeoLuddite #UseYourBrain #ReadABook #SmartphoneAddiction #TechAddiction #MentalHealth #BrainHealth
The Crack Squad of #Librarians Who Track Down Half-Forgotten Books
Reuniting stumped readers with the books from the edges of their memories.
by Jessica Leigh Hester, published August 2018
Excerpt: "A few years ago, staffers in the New York #PublicLibraryās reader services division drafted a blog post about how to track down a book when its title eludes you. This post spurred a follow-up, in which reader services librarian Gwen Glazer recommended library resources and a number of other strategies (among them are Goodreads groups, a sprawling Reddit thread called whatsthatbook, an indie bookseller in Ohio who is happy to poke around for a $4 fee). Thanks to Googleāāhow to find a bookāāmany stumped people seem to land on that post, and they have often written about their enduring puzzles in the comments section. The messages now number in the thousands. Glazer says she often arrives at work to see another 10 title requests.
"To solve these little mysteries, Glazer assembled a team of sleuths from across the branches: Chatham Square, in Chinatown; the Jefferson Market, in Greenwich Village; the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, near the Flatiron Building; and the Mulberry Street branch, in Nolita. At lunchtime on a Wednesday in 2018, they were gathered in that computer lab in the libraryās officesāacross the street from the soaring, spectacular Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (the Main Branch)āto nibble on homemade lemon rosemary cookies and apple, carrot, zucchini bread while they clattered away on their keyboards. Other members of the team participated remotely. The '#TitleQuest' #hackathon was underway."
If you're in #Maine, SAVE THE DATE!
Free Day at #MaineStateParks (Note, not all parks - see * below) for #LibraryCard Holders on September 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2025
Augusta, Maine ā "September is #NationalLibraryCardSignUpMonth, and thanks to a proclamation by Governor #JanetMills, it is also officially #MaineLibraryCardSignUpMonth. To mark the occasion, the #MaineStateLibrary and Maine State Parks are partnering to offer a special day of free admission to participating state parks.
"On Saturday, September 20, simply show your Maine library card at the entrance of any participating Maine state park and enjoy a day outdoors at no cost.
" 'This collaboration is a perfect way to highlight the value of libraries and the exceptional outdoor values of Maineās State Parks,' said Andy Cutko, #DACF Bureau of Parks and Lands Director. 'Libraries open your mind to the world of literature, and on September 20, your library card is also a ticket to the outdoors.'
" 'Maine State Library is delighted to partner with Maine State Parks for Library Card Sign-Up Month,' said #LoriFisher, Maine State Librarian. 'With the fall season upon us, providing free admission to many Maine State Parks on September 20th is a natural extension of the types of services and resources that our public libraries provide regularly to their communities.'
"Visitors are encouraged to bring a favorite #book, find a shady spot, and enjoy some quiet #ReadingTime surrounded by Maineās natural beauty. Whether itās a novel at #CrescentBeachStatePark [my favorite beach], #poetry under a pine at #LamoineStatePark, or a field guide on a trail atop #BradburyMountainStatePark [another favorite], the day is a celebration of learning, relaxation, and connection.
"Donāt have a library card yet? Stop by your local library to sign up ā itās free, and it opens the door to countless opportunities, from books and digital resources to programs and events.
"To find your nearest library, go to www.maine.gov/msl/libs/directories/public.shtml.
"To explore Maine State Parks, including maps and locations, visit http://www.parksandlands.com.
"Free admission applies to day-use at Maineās Maine State Parks and #HistoricSites on Saturday, September 20, from 9:00 a.m. until closing."
* The free admission does not apply to:
Acadia National Park
Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Baxter State Park
Maine Wildlife Park
Peacock Beach
Scarborough Beach
Swan Island
Penobscot River Corridor
Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect
Image: Crescent Beach State Park in #CapeElizabethME
#MaineEvents #SolarPunkSunday #FreeParksDay #LibrariesRule #Maine #SpendTimeInNature #ReadABook
Happy Read A Book Day! What are you reading today?
Slide 2: my current reads (I always have several on the go!)
Slide 3: a collection of the books I've written
Tomorrow is National #ReadABook Day! Get your weekend plans together now. Sorry, everybody's busy! š¤£
As I've noted many times, the Kids Todayā¢ don't read. So I guess the mass-market paperback is over. Because most paperbacks are now basically trades, and cost as much as the hardcover *OR SOMETIMES MORE*. $25 fucking bucks for 300 pages between two flimsy coversā½ YOUR MOTHER DOESN'T COST THAT MUCH, WRITER!
I do mostly read ebooks, but sometimes I want a print book as a trophy, or a more permanent version of something. But again, guess that's over.
#readabook
@GeoffWozniak @tsturm Those people are wrong. The books aren't perfect, they show being written as novellas for pulps and fixed-up into novels, and the later Robots tie-in books don't fit well.
But Asimov's books are relentlessly logically consistent and build up to his point in each section. The first 3 books, and the Empire books before them, are so damned good.
The show's gibberish nonsense by amateur non-writers, I would throw it across the room if it wasn't digital.
#foundation #readabook
Let's face it: Social media is a voluntary, emotional and logical roller coaster. It's okay to step off the ride every once in a while. Some days, you are not tall enough for the ride anyhow.
It's easy to slip unconsciously into the idea that your people, your community needs you, needs your feet ready to go at the hamster wheel at a moment's notice. That's also how you know it's time to let someone else drive the wheel for a while.
So, part of my ideal* bedtime routine involves turning off the computer, maybe watching a little Iron Chef or ASMR videos, then turning off the TV, making the rounds, check on kitty, change into comfy PJ's, rearrange the plush pals, and then read for a bit. On nights when my eyes are too tired to read, I'll listen to NPR on my clock radio (which has a timer).
* And yeah, I don't always stick to that routine, and when I don't, my sleep suffers.
#LessScreenTime #LightPollution #WindingDown #ReadABook #ListenToTheRadio #SleepDisruption
Speaking of #LightPollution...
#ScreenTime Before #Bed Is Ruining Your Childās #Sleep (Hereās What Parents Need to Know)
by Don on February 26, 2025
"Establishing a Screen-Free Bedtime Routine
"Creating a peaceful bedtime routine doesnāt have to be complicated. Start by setting a consistent bedtime and work backward about 30-45 minutes to begin your routine. Replace screen activities with calming alternatives that help signal to your childās body that itās time to wind down.
"Begin by dimming the lights throughout the house to support natural #melatonin production. Choose quiet activities like reading stories together, listening to #GentleMusic, or practicing simple #BreathingExercises. Many families find success with a warm #bath or shower, followed by putting on comfortable pajamas and brushing teeth.
"Consider incorporating #mindful activities like #GentleStretching, #coloring, or #QuietPlay with #NonElectronicToys. Some children benefit from a brief #CuddleTime or sharing their favorite moments from the day. Keep a consistent order of activities to help your child feel secure and know what to expect.
"Remember that transition times can be challenging. Give clear, gentle reminders about upcoming routine steps, and offer praise when your child follows along. If your child seems resistant, try making it fun by turning routine tasks into simple games or using visual schedules for younger children.
"Store all devices in another room to avoid temptation, and make the bedroom a #ScreenFreeZone. This helps create a sleep-friendly environment and reinforces healthy boundaries around technology use."
#Parenting #LessScreenTime #ReadABook #Storytime #Bedtime #ChildhoodDevelopment #SmartPhoneAddiction #SleepDisruption
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