Tuesday's Theory: Celebrate World Read Aloud Day

Today is "World Read Aloud Day."  Take your favorite picture book and celebrate with The Storybook Mom, Meredith Sinclair. 

Where:  The Book Cellar, 4637 N. Lincoln Avenue
When:  7:30 p.m. TONIGHT
Why:    Your admission of $15.00 goes to literacy advocacy nonprofit LitWorld.

Tuesday's Theory: Being a Reading Mentor Will Improve A Child's Life and Your Own.

Mentoring Programs focused on Reading are a proven success. I have personally participated in two different programs: H.O.S.T.S. and W.I.T.S. I encourage everyone who is able to research whether the local schools have a reading mentoring program and explore whether you would be able to participate. It is amazing how a child with as little as an additional hour of reading each week can increase as much as three reading levels in one school year! Most reading programs are held over the lunch hour, "the power lunch."

Here are a couple of websites that I think explain the programs well and give great tips for establishing your own program.

Everybody Wins: Power Lunch Reading Mentor Information Guide

Teen Trend Setters: HS Students Mentoring Elementary Students

H.O.S.T.S. Example

No programs where you are located?  Think about starting one!!!  It is a wonderful way to involve an entire community.  High school students taking study hall, retired individuals looking to do something meaningful, and professionals needing to escape the office for 45 minutes to 1 hour can all participate and bring success to a student's life!

Tuesday's Theory: Voting Is Important

It's a big day here in the Windy City.  That's right, it's Election Day!  Hopefully, every Chicago resident will be exercising their right to vote for their favorite mayoral and aldermanic candidate.  Think about bringing a book along with you because there may be a wait.  Tuesday's theory?  Voting is important.  If you do not vote, you cannot complain.

Tuesday's Theory: The Controversy Over the Legal Administration of Stieg Larsson's Literary Property

Tuesday's Theory is very simple.  Execute a valid will to make your wishes known.  Without a will, you very well may leave your loved ones in heated conflict and controversy.  In Stieg Larsson's case, the controversy over the legal administration of his literary property is one of momentous proportions taking place on an international stage.  Apparently, after spending approximately 32 years with Eva Gabrielsson, Larsson made no valid legal provisions for her in the event of his death (according to one source, Larsson did execute a will, but it is not valid under Swedish law).  According to www.stieglarsson.com, Swedish law does not recognize common law marriages and Larsson's estate was inherited by his father and brother rather than his girlfriend of 32 years.  Currently, Gabrielsson and Larsson's relatives are disputing not only the administration of Larsson's estate but also the publication of a partly finished fourth manuscript in the Millennium Series.  Apparently, Gabrielsson possesses the script as it is stored on the laptop computer the couple shared.  Whether the world will ever know what adventures Lisbeth Salander would encounter in the fourth book is a mystery.  Perhaps the publication of the manuscript was just not meant to be.  The sad reality is that Larsson's wishes are also unknown and what he intended may never be realized.

It should be noted that the official website for Stieg Larsson maintained by Random House is http://stieglarsson.net

Tuesday's Theory: You are Never Too Old to Send a Valentine

During the third century, Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men hoping to create a better army made up of men free of wives and children.  According to one legend, Valentine, a priest, continued to marry young lovers in secret and was put to death for his actions.

Another legend tells the tale of an imprisoned Christian by the name of Valentine who signed his love letters with the words "From your Valentine."

Like all legends, we cannot know how much, if any, of a story is true.  What we do know is that the tradition of celebrating love and romance through the month of February is long standing.  Valentine's greetings go back as far as the Middle Ages.  The oldest known Valentine card is on display in the British Museum.  According to the Greeting Card Association, approximately one billion Valentine's cards are purchased each year.

Most Americans remember classroom Valentine's parties complete with sweets, games, and, of course, exchanging Valentine cards.  After classroom parties, anonymous Valentines were sent to crushes, signed Valentines were exchanged with first loves, and then with spouses.  Besides those mentioned, the only Valentines received after primary education, are probably from a close relative wishing you a special day.

What I propose for Tuesday's theory is that we toss out the notion that Valentines are only to be sent to a lover, but rather embrace sending a Valentine to all those you care deeply.  First, everyone loves receiving something other than a bill in the mail.  Second, greeting card companies have plenty of non-romantic Valentines to offer (if you are not interested in getting in touch with your elementary self and making your own).  Third, it truly is better to give than it is to receive.  I guarantee YOU will feel the love when you drop your cards at the post.

Tuesday's Theory: A Cute Calendar will Help Keep You On Time

Today's technology practically demands a person to keep their busy schedule using computer software.  No matter which event reminder you have already committed yourself to, you DO have room in your life for a cute desk or pocket calendar.  It WILL brighten your day!  Here are a few of my favorites:

Stuck in a cubicle?  I LOVE Linda & Harriet's Letterpress 2011 Calendar.
P.S.  Greer, located in Old Town, carries Linda & Harriet products!

Countdown to Friday in style with the Tiffany 1837 Perpetual Calendar:

Design your own planner at Snapfish.

Happy Planning!!!

Tuesday's Theory: Love that Ended an Empire

The Book Keeper is a little bit of a history dork.  I love history.  I cannot help it.  I especially enjoy history dripping in fashion, jewels, and pageantry.  Therefore, I love reading about pre-revolution Russia.  If you also enjoy world history, I would highly recommend Nicholas and Alexandra:  The story of the love that ended an empire.What is interesting about this book is that I acquired it because a friend HATED it.  When she described it, I remarked that I thought it sounded like something I would enjoy.  The rest is, well, history.  The Book Keeper carried this HUGE hardcover book on and off the L for a month or so, savoring each and every word.  

Normally, the Book Keeper presents her own personal theories for "Tuesday's Theory."  HOWEVER, I thought it would be fun to highlight the theory of another.  Author Robert K. Massie brilliantly sets forth his theory that but for Alexis Romanov's hemophilia, the Revolution would not have occurred.  Specifically, as hinted at in the title, it was Alexandra's love for her son, and in turn, Nicholas' love for Alexandra, that was actually responsible for the fall of the House of Romanov.  Massie supports his theory with incredible research comprised of letters, diary entries, anecdotes, photographs, and government reports.  Most interesting, is that Massie points to his own personal experience with hemophilia as his inspiration to to research the world's most famous hemophiliac.  The biggest surprise? Nicholas and Alexandra's British family's refusal to allow the family to seek refuge in England.

The book is certainly not for everyone, but this Book Keeper found it fascinating.  

Tuesday's Theory: Coupons Make you Buy More Books

"Book Keeping" can become a very expensive habit. Obviously, borrowing from friends and from the local library is a great option. If you need to buy a book, however, take advantage of the reward programs offered at both Borders and Barnes & Noble. Borders Rewards is free to join and Borders frequently sends out great coupons (that you can use in addition to "Borders Bucks"). A Barnes & Noble membership will cost you $25 per year, but members enjoy an everyday discount of at least 10% off (even in the cafe) in addition to bonus coupons and email offers. I frequently plan my gift giving based on Borders' weekly deals (because my friends are book lovers, of course), but I think a Barnes & Noble membership is a great gift idea itself!

However, those coupons and incentives most definitely encourage me to buy MORE.  Am I really saving money???

While we are on the subject of buying books, I have to say that I got the best deals during last year's Black Friday sale on Amazon.com.  A friend recently encouraged me to check out Amazon.com during the other 364 days of the year for used books in top condition.  I don't know why I did not think about this earlier.

When I started looking at the used books on Amazon, I wondered whether there were any local shops that carry used books.  I am a strong supporter of supporting local business.  The first place I found for used books was the Children's Memorial White Elephant Resale Shop.  In the very back there are several narrow rows of filled bookshelves.  Surprisingly, the books were well organized.  The second shop I discovered is Myopic Books in Wicker Park.  I have not yet had the pleasure of browsing the three floors of books, but I am definitely looking forward to it!

Even if I do start buying more used rather than new books, I think my theory will hold true:  the better the deal I think I am getting; the more books I will buy.

Predictive Analytics

I have often joked with my Mother that it is HER picture on the wall in every marketing firm's conference room; she is the target audience. I recently read the book Little Bee by Chris Cleave. It was a fantastic book. I am not the only person who thinks it is a fantastic book. The book was published in 2009. It is currently #4 on the New York Times Paper Back Bestseller's List. Without talking about the story (the publishers specifically direct readers not to share any details), I will say that there is a little boy who wears a commercial Batman suit - complete with the cape, utility belt, and mask.

As I was watching television this week, I could not help but notice the little boy in the cute little garden yard watching his father pull out of the driveway in a brand new Subaru. I don't know what the little boy looked like because he was wearing a commercial Batman suit - complete with the cape, utility belt, and mask.

It is not that I think that dressing up as a superhero is a unusual activity for a little boy. For me, it was more than the costume that led me to my theory. The scenery, the age and the underlying message about the father-son relationship consumed my thoughts until I finally sat down at the computer to write. The theory? Predictive Analytics.

According to Wikipedia, "Predictive analytics encompasses a variety of techniques from statistics, data mining, and game theory that analyze current and historical facts to make predictions about future events. Predictive analytics (and a lot of computer programming) are responsible for helping Borders tell you what books you would most likely enjoy. You know what I am talking about . . . If you liked Little Bee, "you may also enjoy": A Reliable Wife, The Last Child, Look Again, The Forgotten Garden, and The Little Giant of Aberdeen County.

This Book Keeper is positing that the wonderful people at Subaru (or the advertising firm representing Subaru) might have gotten their hands on a predictive model showing that the the target audience for a new Subaru "may also enjoy" the book Little Bee.

Of course, this post is just a theory.

The Reading Room

It has been two years since I first set eyes on The Reading Room in Bates Hall of the Boston Public Library. The room instantly commanded silence from its visitors. Staying silent was not difficult as the architecture alone struck awe in this Book Keeper. I kept imagining what it would be like to have this room at my disposal - would I actually use it or would it just be another stop on the tour for out-of-town guests? Often times, I think it is so easy to visit new places and find something you would like to see in your hometown. But what about the Chicago Public Library??? I have no idea what treasures lie within that building . . . perhaps a reading room to blog and brag about?!?!

What about YOU? What "reading rooms" have you visited that you would like to bring back home with you?

Books and Baby Names: Are Book Keepers really that easily influenced?

I never thought about the way a popular book (or book series) could influence the process of selecting a name for a new baby. After a separate discussion led me to look through a recent list of popular baby names, I noticed some names were identified as being "new on the chart." The names identified are as follows: Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett. Sound familiar?

All three names are main characters in the popular Twilight Saga. Also interesting is that the names Isabella (#2 on the list), Bella (yes, listed separately from Isabella), Edward, Jasper, and Alice have jumped more than ten spots each on the chart. Just a coincidence? Taking into consideration this increase in popularity as well as the fact that the names Victoria and Jacob have fallen over ten spots tends to support the theory that popular books may indeed influence name selection more than we, as book lovers, would care to admit. I mean, what mother would wish for their child's name to be associated with a famous book villain? Mothers want their girls to grow up and become Bella: beautiful, smart, articulate, and self-assured. As for Edward, he is also portrayed as handsome, wise, (more than) articulate, and certainly self-assured . . . AND he loves his mother. In fact, he brings his wife home to live with him under his mother's roof! What could be a better plan for mothers insecure about their baby boys "leaving them" for a life of their own?

As far as the drop in popularity for the name Jacob, I don't believe it is because Mothers do not want their children to develop his qualities (although transfiguration is a little disconcerting) . . . I just think the book keepers of the world have spoken: Team Edward, without a doubt.