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Why Reading Books Still Matters: The Power of Literature in Digital Times
by Martha C. Pennington Robert P. WaxlerBringing together strands of public discourse about valuing personal achievement at the expense of social values and the impacts of global capitalism, mass media, and digital culture on the lives of children, this book challenges the potential of science and business to solve the world’s problems without a complementary emphasis on social values. The selection of literary works discussed illustrates the power of literature and human arts to instill such values and foster change. The book offers a valuable foundation for the field of literacy education by providing knowledge about the importance of language and literature that educators can use in their own teaching and advocacy work.
Why Reading Literature in School Still Matters: Imagination, Interpretation, Insight
by Dennis J. SumaraWhy Reading Literature in School Still Matters: Imagination, Interpretation, Insight explains how a reader's involvement with literary texts can create conditions for developing deep insight into human experience, and how teachers can develop these interpretive possibilities in school contexts. Developed from the author's many years of research, this book offers both a theoretical framework that draws from an interdisciplinary array of sources and many compelling and insightful examples of literary engagement of child, adolescent, and adult readers, as well as practical advice for teachers and other readers about how to create interesting and expansive sites for interpretation that are personally rewarding and productive. Why Reading Literature in School Still Matters: Imagination, Interpretation, Insight : *provides an overview of theories of human learning that influence beliefs about language, culture, and identity; *shows how these theories of learning influence beliefs about and practices of reading and interpretation; *introduces new ways to conceptualize reading that emphasize the relationship between individual and collective identities and language/literacy practices; *explains why access to information does not guarantee that understanding and/or insight will occur--by emphasizing the importance of "re-reading" and "close reading" this text shows that development of deep insight depends on interpretation skills that must be taught; and *presents a reconceptualized view of reading pedagogy. This is an essential text for education courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and a must read for teachers and for anyone interested in more deeply understanding how literary works of art can create conditions for learning about oneself, one's situation, and one's possibilities.
Why Rural Schools Matter
by Mara Casey TiekenFrom headlines to documentaries, urban schools are at the center of current debates about education. From these accounts, one would never know that 51 million Americans live in rural communities and depend on their public schools to meet not only educational but also social and economic needs. For many communities, these schools are the ties that bind. Why Rural Schools Matter shares the untold story of rural education. Drawing upon extensive research in two southern towns, Mara Tieken exposes the complicated ways in which schools shape the racial dynamics of their towns and sustain the communities that surround them. The growing power of the state, however, brings the threat of rural school closure, which jeopardizes the education of children and the future of communities. With a nuanced understanding of the complicated relationship between communities and schools, Tieken warns us that current education policies--which narrow schools' purpose to academic achievement alone--endanger rural America and undermine the potential of a school, whether rural or urban, to sustain a community. Vividly demonstrating the effects of constricted definitions of public education in an era of economic turmoil and widening inequality, Tieken calls for a more contextual approach to education policymaking, involving both state and community.
Why Safety Cultures Degenerate: And How To Revive Them
by Johan BerglundFrom Chernobyl to Fukushima, have we come full circle, where formalisation has replaced ambiguity and a decadent style of management, to the point where it is becoming counter-productive? Safety culture is a contested concept and a complex phenomenon, which has been much debated in recent years. In some high-risk activities, like the operating of nuclear power plants, transparency, traceability and standardisation have become synonymous with issues of quality. Meanwhile, the experience-based knowledge that forms the basis of manuals and instructions is liable to decline. In the long-term, arguably, it is the cultural changes and its adverse impacts on co-operation, skill and ability of judgement that will pose the greater risks to the safety of nuclear plants and other high-risk facilities. Johan Berglund examines the background leading up to the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011 and highlights the function of practical proficiency in the quality and safety of high-risk activities. The accumulation of skill represents a more indirect and long-term approach to quality, oriented not towards short-term gains but (towards) delayed gratification. Risk management and quality professionals and academics will be interested in the links between skill, quality and safety-critical work as well as those interested in a unique insight into Japanese culture and working life as well as fresh perspectives on safety culture.
Why School?
by Mike RoseWhy School? is a little book driven by big questions. What does it mean to be educated? What is intelligence? How should we think about intelligence, education, and opportunity in an open society? Drawing on forty years of teaching and research and "a profound understanding of the opportunities, both intellectual and economic, that come from education" (Booklist), award-winning author Mike Rose reflects on these and other questions related to public schooling in America. He answers them in beautifully written chapters that are both rich in detail and informed by an extensive knowledge of history, the psychology of learning, and the politics of education.This paperback edition includes three new chapters showing how cognitive science actually narrows our understanding of learning, how to increase college graduation rates, and how to value the teaching of basic skills. An updated introduction by Rose, who has been hailed as "a superb writer and an even better storyteller" (TLN Teachers Network), reflects on recent developments in school reform. Lauded as "a beautifully written work of literary nonfiction" (The Christian Science Monitor) and called "stunning" by the New Educator Journal, Why School? offers an eloquent call for a bountiful democratic vision of the purpose of schooling.
Why School Doesn’t Work for Every Child: How to Create a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging (Equity in Education Series)
by Matt BromleyEvery child, no matter their starting point or background and no matter their additional and different needs, should have an equitable chance of success at school.This first book in the Equity in Education series looks at how schools can foster a better sense of belonging and ensure they are truly inclusive of all learners, thus mitigating the effects of an increasingly unequal, fractured society. To ensure a child’s birth does not also become their life’s destiny, Matt Bromley shows how an inclusive school culture can be created through a process that is as simple as ABC: Attendance: raising the attendance and punctuality of disadvantaged learners Behaviours: helping students develop appropriate behaviours for learning so that they can conduct themselves positively and develop the skills needed to access an increasingly challenging curriculum Community: building a community around learners by putting family first and engaging with parents as partners in the process of educating their child Offering actionable guidance and strategies that can be used to support school development plans, the book sets out the practical ways schools can create a collaborative culture in which all staff understand the importance of inclusion as well as the part they play in helping to achieve it. As such, it is essential reading for all teachers and school leaders who want to ensure that every child has an equitable chance of success at school and in later life.
Why She Must Lead: Bridging the Gap Between Opportunities and Women of Color
by Vasudha SharmaA passionate advocate for women of color shares her personal story as well as interviews with female changemakers across the globe.Vasudha Sharma immigrated to the United States to find better opportunities. She soon discovered what the glass ceiling looks like in one of the world’s most advanced nations. Today, that ceiling shows some encouraging cracks—from more executive women to Kamala Harris’s historic ascent to the vice presidency. But how long will it take for a major impact to finally shatter it? In Why She Must Lead, Vasudha draws on inspiration and interviews with women around the world to envision how issues like the pay gap, broken rungs, and lack of mentorship can be filtered out systematically, and how workplaces can uplift the most underrepresented group of women. Vasudha kindles the call for women of color to challenge the status quo and lead with purpose. Why She Must Lead will help women: • Analyze reports related to the leadership gap for minority women • Understand the causes for a leaky talent pipeline • Create personalized approaches to eliminating barriers and bias • Deepen their insight about how to minimize the leadership gap • Rise as a leader to champion equity goals for themselves or their organization
Why Students Resist Learning: A Practical Model for Understanding and Helping Students
by John Tagg Anton O. Tolman Janine KremlingHowever personally committed faculty may be to helping students learn, their students are not always as eager to participate in this endeavor, and may react with both active and passive resistant behaviors, including poor faculty evaluations. The purpose of this book is to help faculty develop a coherent and integrated understanding of the various causes of student resistance to learning, providing them with a rationale for responding constructively, and enabling them to create conditions conducive to implementing effective learning strategies. In this book readers will discover an innovative integrated model that accounts for student behaviors and creates a foundation for intentional and informed discussion, evaluation, and the development of effective counter strategies. The model takes into account institutional context, environmental forces, students’ prior negative classroom experiences, their cognitive development, readiness to change, and metacognition. The various chapters take the reader through the model’s elements, exploring their practical implications for teaching, whether relating to course design, assessments, assignments, or interactions with students.The book includes a chapter written entirely by students, offering their insights into the causes of resistance, and their reflections on how participating on this project has affected them. While of great value for faculty, this book is also useful to faculty developers advising future and current faculty, as well as to administrators, offering insight into how institutional values impact teaching practice and student attitudes.
Why Teach?
by Ben NewmarkAt the start of his career, Ben Newmark assumed that all the things he was told to do, from how to teach to how to record the progress of my pupils, were well planned and necessary. Sometimes things didn't feel right and seemed bizarre but, for the first couple of years of his career, he assumed this was because he was not skilled, knowledgeable or experienced enough to understand the rationale. But he couldn't keep this up forever. So he began to ask questions. And then he asked more. And the more he learned the more confused he became. To his horror it became clear that there wasn't a masterplan. Instead, education was a world full of contradictory thinking, bad planning and unintended consequences. Each chapter of this book tries to answer one of the questions he struggled with, trying to explain the reasons for the oddness and then give some advice on how schools and individual teachers might manage it. And it is possible to do better than manage it. For all its frustrating weirdness there isn't another job in the world he'd rather do. When finally he has to retire, he will be begging his closest school to teach two or three classes a week. Including chapters such as: Why are there so many spreadsheets in schools?; Why doesn't my school behaviour system work?; Why is teaching making me so unhealthy?; and Why won't my pupils work hard?
Why Teach?
by Ben NewmarkAt the start of his career, Ben Newmark assumed that all the things he was told to do, from how to teach to how to record the progress of my pupils, were well planned and necessary. Sometimes things didn't feel right and seemed bizarre but, for the first couple of years of his career, he assumed this was because he was not skilled, knowledgeable or experienced enough to understand the rationale. But he couldn't keep this up forever. So he began to ask questions. And then he asked more. And the more he learned the more confused he became. To his horror it became clear that there wasn't a masterplan. Instead, education was a world full of contradictory thinking, bad planning and unintended consequences. Each chapter of this book tries to answer one of the questions he struggled with, trying to explain the reasons for the oddness and then give some advice on how schools and individual teachers might manage it. And it is possible to do better than manage it. For all its frustrating weirdness there isn't another job in the world he'd rather do. When finally he has to retire, he will be begging his closest school to teach two or three classes a week. Including chapters such as: Why are there so many spreadsheets in schools?; Why doesn't my school behaviour system work?; Why is teaching making me so unhealthy?; and Why won't my pupils work hard?
Why Teaching Art Is Teaching Ethics
by John RethorstThis exhaustively-researched, carefully-focused book asks whether imagination, emotion and art can enlighten our sense of right and wrong, looking at this question through the lens of moral philosophy with contributions from cognitive science, psychology and neurology.If moral thinking is simply logical reasoning or following God-given law, why did the poet Shelley say that “the great instrument of moral good is the imagination”? Why does ethical reasoning tend towards absolutes: something is either right or wrong, period, while a thoughtful minority values the “priority of the particular” – that unique aspects of a situation may come closer to the heart of the matter than any general rules could? Are emotions, as many philosophers in history have theorized, only a distraction from the clear perception of duty, or do feelings add something important, even critical, to how we judge good and bad, right and wrong? Can great works of art and literature embody imagination, the particular, and emotions to illuminate human life in ways crucial to ethical thinking?This book introduces an original idea in philosophy, “moral density,” which for the first time elucidates the profound relation between art and ethics. Written for the literate layperson, an academic or technical background is not necessary, so this book will be of interest not only to philosophers and educators, but to all who are concerned with what is good, and how to see it and teach it.
Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and its Origins
by Jacob L. WrightWhy did no other ancient society produce a text remotely like the Bible? That a tiny, out of the way community, could have produced a text so determinative for peoples across the globe seems improbable.For Jacob Wright, the Bible is not only a testimony of survival, but also an unparalleled achievement in human history. Forged during Babylonian exile after the shattering destruction of Jerusalem, it makes not victory but total humiliation the foundation of a new idea of belonging. Lamenting the destruction of their homeland, scribes who composed the Bible turned to the golden ages of the past, reflecting deeply on abject failure. More than just religious scripture, the Bible is a resonant blueprint for the inspiring creation of a nation. As a response to catastrophe, it offers a powerful, message of hope and restoration that is unique in the Ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds. Wright's Bible is thus a social, political, and even economic roadmap – one that enabled a small and obscure community located on the periphery of leading civilizations and empires, not just to come back from the brink, but ultimately to shape the world's destiny. The Bible speaks ultimately of being a united, yet diverse people, and its pages present a manual of pragmatic survival strategies in response to societal collapse.
Why the Church? (Reframing New Testament Theology)
by Joel B. Green Robert W. WallGiven the way many in the West have read the New Testament in the last century, the church might be regarded as an afterthought at best. But at the worst, it can be viewed as an unnecessary, perhaps even problematic, institutionalization of genuine faith especially in our post-denominational context. These perspectives fly in the face of the robust ecclesiological concerns and commitments of the New Testament documents when read as witnesses from, to, and for congregations of God's people. For Wall, the problem is spiritual because fewer go to find God in church. Why the church? Because this peculiar fellowship of saints, whose loving communion is with the risen One, has been appointed by the triune God as God's herald. With its sacred vocation, every demonstration of the church's oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity--each eschatological mark enabled and brought to maturity by God's grace--is the concrete means to address our theological crisis. This book will contribute to New Testament studies but also serve related discussions in theology and church history. Reframing New Testament Theology is a series that fulfills the need for brief, substantive, yet highly accessible introductions to central questions and themes raised by New Testament study.
Why the Gospel?: Living the Good News of King Jesus with Purpose
by Matthew W. BatesWe know what the gospel is—but do we know why it is? As Christians, we often ask what the gospel is, when we should be asking why it is. Matthew W. Bates has previously demonstrated that the &“good news&” of the gospel is that Jesus is King. But in his latest book, he explores God&’s intentions: why has God issued this royal proclamation? And what role can it play in our everyday lives? As Bates observes, we find the answer in a simple but challenging realization: &“I am a horrible king of my own life.&” With examples from Scripture, literature, and personal experience, Bates explains what pledging allegiance to Jesus as ruler of our lives looks like. Living authentically according to God&’s reign conforms humanity to the image of Jesus and extends his glory and honor to all creation. Perfect for church studies, evangelism, or personal spiritual reading, Why the Gospel? invites readers to consider how we can transform our lives and communities through loyalty and devotion to King Jesus. The book includes questions to guide discussion.
Why the Iraqi Resistance to the Coalition Invasion Was So Weak
by Stephen T. HosmerDraws upon information derived primarily from interviews with and interrogations of senior Iraqi military and civilian officials to examine why the Iraqi resistance in March and April 2003 was so weak. It focuses on two questions: (1) Why did the Iraqi Regular Army and Republican Guard forces do so little fighting? and (2) Why did Iraqi leaders fail to adopt certain defensive measures that would have made the Coalition's task more difficult?
Why Theatre Matters
by Kathleen GallagherWhat makes young people care about themselves, others, their communities, and their futures? In Why Theatre Matters, Kathleen Gallagher uses the drama classroom as a window into the daily challenges of marginalized youth in Toronto, Boston, Taipei, and Lucknow. An ethnographic study which mixes quantitative and qualitative methodology in an international multi-site project, Why Theatre Matters ties together the issues of urban and arts education through the lens of student engagement. Gallagher's research presents a framework for understanding student involvement at school in the context of students' families and communities, as well as changing social, political, and economic realities around the world.Taking the reader into the classroom through the voices of the students themselves, Gallagher illustrates how creative expression through theatre can act as a rehearsal space for real, material struggles and for democratic participation. Why Theatre Matters is an invigorating challenge to the myths that surround urban youth and an impressive study of theatre's transformative potential.
Why They Can't Write: Killing the Five-Paragraph Essay and Other Necessities
by John WarnerAn important challenge to what currently masquerades as conventional wisdom regarding the teaching of writing.There seems to be widespread agreement that—when it comes to the writing skills of college students—we are in the midst of a crisis. In Why They Can't Write, John Warner, who taught writing at the college level for two decades, argues that the problem isn't caused by a lack of rigor, or smartphones, or some generational character defect. Instead, he asserts, we're teaching writing wrong. Warner blames this on decades of educational reform rooted in standardization, assessments, and accountability. We have done no more, Warner argues, than conditioned students to perform "writing-related simulations," which pass temporary muster but do little to help students develop their writing abilities. This style of teaching has made students passive and disengaged. Worse yet, it hasn't prepared them for writing in the college classroom. Rather than making choices and thinking critically, as writers must, undergraduates simply follow the rules—such as the five-paragraph essay—designed to help them pass these high-stakes assessments.In Why They Can't Write, Warner has crafted both a diagnosis for what ails us and a blueprint for fixing a broken system. Combining current knowledge of what works in teaching and learning with the most enduring philosophies of classical education, this book challenges readers to develop the skills, attitudes, knowledge, and habits of mind of strong writers.
Why They Couldn't Wait: A Critique of the Black-Jewish Conflict Over Community Control in Ocean-Hill Brownsville, 1967-1971
by Jane Anna GordonExamining the infamous conflict between a predominantly black community and a predominantly Jewish teachers' union, Gordon takes a new look at this historically rich and racially diverse community.
Why Trust the Bible?
by Rose PublishingRose Bible Basics series: Why Trust the Bible?Is the Bible an ancient document that has been tampered with? Has it been edited many times over the centuries and now is filled with errors? How can we know what the Bible really said when the originals no longer exist?Bestselling books that promote these doubts, such as Bart Ehrman's Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, are influencing today's news media, and these teachings are being treated as fact. Now is the time to address the topic of textual criticism in our churches and help Christians become better informed — ready to "defend the faith." "The Bible can be trusted," says author Dr. Timothy Paul Jones. The good news is that the Bible is reliable, even though it was hand copied and there are variations between texts. This ebook explains the variations and why they don’t affect the trustworthiness of the Scriptures.Dr. Jones' interest in this topic began many years ago when he came across these arguments in seminary. At first his faith was badly shaken and he wondered if he still believed. But as he dug deeper, he found answers. Dr. Jones shows the errors in critics'logic and facts —and does it in an easy-to-understand style with charts, diagrams, and explanations. This full-color ebook gives answers to the following claims by critics:•The Gospels were written long after Jesus lived by people who weren't eyewitnesses.•The stories about Jesus' life and death were not handed down reliably and not recorded accurately.•The Bible is full of textual errors, as proven by the Dead Sea Scrolls•The New Testament wasn't finalized until hundreds of years after Jesus and his disciples, so there could have been many other "Gospels" accepted and later rejected -- in addition to the four Gospels found in the Bible today.•The originals of the Bible are lost, therefore we have no way of knowing what it actually said.•The Bible was edited by people who had an "agenda" and changed many teachings.The chapter titles are How We Got the Bible; Dead Sea Scrolls; 100 Proofs for the Bible; Why Trust the Bible; 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus; and the Gospels "Lost" & Found.Full color, dozens of color photos and illustrations and charts.
Why Truth Matters: 10 Common Doctrinal Errors
by Rose PublishingWhat is truth, and how can we know? The Bible plainly reveals the errors and false teachings that Christians will be expected to identify and defend against. Learn to recognize the counterfeits through the light of God's truth. Christians often wonder why certain religious groups are called "cults" or are said to have "cultic teachings." The answer is fairly simple. The Scripture mentions 10 key Christian beliefs that cult leaders or aberrant teachers ignore or twist. You will learn each of these 10 beliefs and be able to give examples of truth vs. counterfeit teachings. The 10 Common Doctrinal Errors include: False Gospels, False Doctrine, False Gods, False Christs, False Spirits, False Prophets, False Apostles, False Teachers, False Visions, and False Miracles.
Why Wait?: 24 Reasons to Wait Until Marriage to Have Sex
by Rose PublishingWhy Wait? is a best-selling abstinence education booklet for Christians. It discusses one of the biggest challenges among teens and singles: pre-marital sexual activity. This bestselling full-color ebook presents 24 reasons--12 biblical and 12 medical and emotional--to think twice before risking health and happiness on sex outside of marriage. Emphasizing God's plan for marriage and his prohibition of sex outside of marriage, the ebook presents sobering statistics on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and offers sensible information that helps people make an educated decision about their lives. A Basic Abstinence Education Program for Churches, Sunday School Classes, and Youth GroupsAlthough many public school students receive sex education in school, Christians have a distinct view of the sacredness of sex that is usually not presented in a classroom setting. This Why Wait Pamphlet is a very basic abstinence education overview from a Christian stance that presents a Christian viewpoint on human sexuality in a simple 1-2 hour discussion. Many churches divide the students by gender to discuss these topics once a year, often in April or May, when public school address the issue, but it can be used any time.The reality is that many students today have experienced sexual contact already. Some have been taken advantage of. Others were pressured or coerced. Some have simply been naive. This grace-filled pamphlet also helps those who want to be assured of God's constant love and good plan no matter what they have experienced. It is never too late to treat yourself with respect and expect others to do the same.Abstinence Education from a Christian Point of ViewTeens and single adults ask themselves, Why Wait? Why does God care if I have sex? Everyone else is doing it. In fact, these many people are often surprised to discover that God does have very good reasons for us to wait for sex until marriage. The pamphlet presents 12 of God's compelling reasons to wait, but also provides ideas for those who have not, as well as an encouraging section on "second-time virginity."Abstinence Education: Medical FactsThe ebook also offers "Quick Facts from Medical Science." For instance--Did you know that:* STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) cost $8.4 billion each year to treat in the United States alone?* Two-thirds of people with STDs are less than 25 years old?God's Design: Sacredness of Sexuality Within MarriageGod's design for sexuality limits it to marriage. While that view might seem extreme these days, his plan is a wise one, allowing time for true love and tenderness to grow and have its appropriate place in life. Sexuality can be misused and abused. It belongs to mature people who are committed to one another through marriage.24 Reasons to Practice Abstinence Before Marriage* 12 Biblical reasons to wait, with verses of Scripture that inspire and encourage* 12 health and emotional reasons, including issues of pregnancy, STDs and personal regret* Nine ideas for "keeping out of trouble," such as* Group dating* Staying away from places where "making out" is encouragedBiblical Reasons for Abstinence Before Marriage3 Examples from the Why Wait Pamphlet* Having sex with a person creates a kind of "oneness" that God intended for marriage only (1 Cor. 6:16). This oneness is not just physical; it is emotional and spiritual, too. God created sensuality in a loving marriage to build intimacy and trust, and to bond the couple. * To test the commitment of the other person. Some people promise marriage just to get sex, and then they back out of their commitment. Many people have sex with people they would never marry (Proverbs 5:3-12).* The Bible says we should run away from sexually immoral situations (1 Cor. 6:18). When you feel yourself being tempted, get away!Health & Emotional Reasons for Abstinence Before Marriage3 Examples from the Why Wait Pamphlet* To avoid death by fatal sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, which cause more than 18,000 deaths annually.* To increase your chance of a happy, lasting marriage. People who have sex
Why We Need the Humanities: Life Science, Law and the Common Good
by Donald DrakemanAn entrepreneur and educator highlights the surprising influence of humanities scholarship on biomedical research and civil liberties. This spirited defence urges society to support the humanities to obtain continued guidance for public policy decisions, and challenges scholars to consider how best to fulfil their role in serving the common good.
Why We Need the Humanities: Life Science, Law and the Common Good
by Donald DrakemanAn entrepreneur and educator highlights the surprising influence of humanities scholarship on biomedical research and civil liberties. This spirited defence urges society to support the humanities to obtain continued guidance for public policy decisions, and challenges scholars to consider how best to fulfil their role in serving the common good.
Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out
by Shannon Reed*NATIONAL BESTSELLER**A Good Housekeeping Reads pick*A hilarious and incisive exploration of the joys of reading from a "beloved and wonderful writer" (George Saunders), teacher, bibliophile, and Thurber Prize SemifinalistWe read to escape, to learn, to find love, to feel seen. We read to encounter new worlds, to discover new recipes, to find connection across difference, or simply to pass a rainy afternoon. No matter the reason, books have the power to keep us safe, to challenge us, and perhaps most importantly, to make us more fully human.Shannon Reed, a longtime teacher, lifelong reader, and New Yorker contributor, gets it. With one simple goal in mind, she makes the case that we should read for pleasure above all else. In this whip-smart, laugh-out-loud-funny collection, Reed shares surprising stories from her life as a reader and the poignant ways in which books have impacted her students. From the varied novels she cherishes (Gone Girl, Their Eyes Were Watching God) to the ones she didn&’t (Tess of the d&’Urbervilles), Reed takes us on a rollicking tour through the comforting world of literature, celebrating the books we love, the readers who love them, and the ways in which literature can transform us for the better.