A lecture on libraries and a mother talking to her son about sex

These are two of the best things I have come across on twitter this week. The first is a lecture by author Neil Gaiman on the importance or reading; reading for fun, reading to travel and reading to escape. And how letting children explore the world of fiction will make a better world for us all.

"The simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity. And that means, at its simplest, finding books that they enjoy, giving them access to those books, and letting them read them."
Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming


The second is a letter from a mother to a son, a letter about sex and raising children who can challenge the ideals of masculinity and step away from rape culture. I think there are quite a few grown men who need to reflect on some of these issues too. 

"What’s way more important than getting laid is pretty much everything. But specifically, you have core values that will always trump getting laid."
Son, It’s Okay If You Don’t Get Laid Tonight

Now go read and learn something new. Because reading is sexy and so is intelligence. Just look at Sherlock. 

I never leave a bookstore empty handed

I went to a local bookstore during my lunch hour to get some birthday presents for Rob's twin boys who'll be 8 soon. Ah... bookstores. I can wander around a good one for hours.
Books and reading were a big part of my childhood. It's no coincidence that I'm a journalist and my sister is a librarian.

I found two great books for the birthday boys, one by Neil Gaiman and one by Roald Dahl. I looked at a lot of books that seemed great, but in the end I picked two that I have read and loved.

And I also found a little something for myself. Vintage Surfing by Jim Heimann.

Boards and beach babe.

George Barrie Kustom Kars and a woodie.

It's just one great image after another.

Neil and the Newbery

Neil Gaiman has won the prestigious Newbery Medal for his children's book The Graveyard Book. The Guardian has an article on the prize and populism, where Neil Gaiman's presence on twitter and his frequent blog posts are mentioned as part of his appeal.

Neil Gaiman is currently promoting the movie version of his children's book Coraline. It's directed by Henry Selick of The Nightmare Before Christmas fame. For more on the Coraline movie, go to www.coraline.com

Gaiman's Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book raced past every other book in my neat stack when I found it at the sci-fi bookstore. Sorry Russel Brand and Vivian Cash, your autobiographies will just have to wait.

I read Neil Gaiman's blog from time to time so I've followed his work on the book. There is a clip on his website where he explains the origins of the book.
Neil Gaiman updates like crazy and he is posting the entire book in the form of readings from his book tour for free. So far the first six chapters have been posted.
You can find them here.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm on page 120 and I need to get reading...
But I will say that if you liked his earlier work you'll love The Graveyard Book. And if you haven't seen Stardust, you should.