Library & Information Science

"I wonder how many authors set out to write trilogies. Tolkien, for instance, intended the Lord of the Rings to be the first big ass volume of a two-volume set (the second being the equally big ass The Silmarillion), as well as the sequel to The Hobbit. His publisher sensibly refused to do this, instead dividing up LOTR into three books. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Peter Jackson took The Hobbit (which would have made a fine two and a half, possibly three hour movie) and created a cinematic trilogy padded with action scenes destined to become amusement park theme rides. (...)"

It's no secret that reading is good for your brain. But what actually happens inside your brain when you read a great novel?

“Stories shape our lives and in some cases help define a person,” Dr. Gregory S. Berns, director of Emory University's Center for Neuropolicy in Atlanta, said in a written statement. “We want to understand how stories get into your brain, and what they do to it.”

"Our Reading Lives features stories about how books and reading have shaped who we are and how we live. It is open not only to regular Book Riot contributors, but to guest posters from the publishing industry, authors, and….you. If you are interested in telling us about a book that has been influential in your life, please contact us: community (at) bookriot (dot) com.

I am a “bookworm.” I’ve always really enjoyed books and reading. But when I was in school there were always two kinds of books: the ones that were assigned reading, and the ones I was allowed to choose for myself.

Assigned books come with a burden..."

"The proportion of Americans who read e-books is growing, but few have completely replaced print books for electronic versions.

The percentage of adults who read an e-book in the past year has risen to 28%, up from 23% at the end of 2012. At the same time, about seven in ten Americans reported reading a book in print, up four percentage points after a slight dip in 2012..."