More Americans Reading Fiction
From Newser:
The percentage of Americans reading fiction has increased for the first time in years, a new study by the National Endowment for the Arts indicates. The reported 50.2% of the population who picked up a book for pleasure marks a turnaround from a statistical decline in literary culture over the past two decades, the New York Times reports.Read the New York Times article here.
Perhaps the most heartening increase was among 18- to 24-year-olds, who had previously been sliding at the fastest rate. Dana Gioia, NEA chairman, partly credits programs such as Oprah’s book club and the popularity of series like Harry Potter and Twilight.
The Art of Ebru
Ebru, or marbling, is a Turkish form of book art. I'm not gonna pretend like I know how it's done, but please check out these two nifty videos. Thank you.
Critical Updates: 11/28
- Yesterday was Thanksgiving
- Today is Black Friday
- Tomorrow is Saturday
- And the day after that is Sunday
- Which precedes Monday
- And is followed by Tuesday
- Leading up to Wednesday
- Ending with Thursday
- And so on and so forth.
Guano Islands Act
The Guano Islands Act, passed by the US Congress in 1856, allows citizens the right to stake claim to any rock or island containing deposits of guano.
There are two rules:
1. The rock or island cannot be occupied by humans before the capture.
2. The rock or island cannot be under the jurisdiction of any other Government.
Once the rock or island is claimed, the possessor is free to name the territory whatever he or she pleases.
So what exactly is guano? Guano is poop from seagulls, bats and seals.
Kewl, huh?
There are two rules:
1. The rock or island cannot be occupied by humans before the capture.
2. The rock or island cannot be under the jurisdiction of any other Government.
Once the rock or island is claimed, the possessor is free to name the territory whatever he or she pleases.
So what exactly is guano? Guano is poop from seagulls, bats and seals.
Kewl, huh?
