Feedback Requested
The Unreal of Preservation
How can one think of preservation in terms of what is real? I think this while sitting in the main reading room of the Abbot Library at the University at Buffalo. I had been meaning to come to this library for some time after seeing a picture of it. Books are a passion of mine and thus so are the repositories of knowledge that we simply call libraries. Gone, it seems however, are the days of the beautiful library. Filled with grandeur and craftsmanship to be an edifice of thought itself imbued in structure. A space in which one can think, connected to the history of Mankind. A space that could anthropologically be called a place; that is, imbued with history, emotion, tradition. I could just as easily now be writing of the strangeness I experienced walking through the very modern, yet not all unpleasant, 39th Street Stavros Niarchos Public Library in New York City that felt the need to display photographs of the world’s most beautiful libraries on their walls. A strange display of the past in a space in which the past is abandoned, if only preserved within the books themselves, and yet, how real is the copy of Flaubert’s Madame Bovary or Joyce’s Ulysses that is printed in 1994, covered in its protective plastic laminate? In fact, the main 5th Avenue library that is imbued with history and beauty has lost its practical purpose and has become a museum that is its own relic.
By Daniel J. Guercioabout a year ago in Critique
Masala Chai Fast and Slow
Rajani LaRocca and illustrator Neha Rawat has created a children's picture book entitled 'Masala Chai Fast and Slow' which is a book in my eyes as a book for all generations to share. This is a book that will teach us all one lesson we all need to learn well.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse
Kate Allen Fox and illustrator Khoa Le has created a children's picture book entitled 'A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse'. This is a story of a little boy who experiences this phenomenon. It also makes for a great science lesson for all who have experienced such an event.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
A Spider named Itsy
Steve Light has written a children's picture book entitled 'A Spider named Itsy'. This is adapted his version from the classic finger play 'The Eensy Weensey Spider'. In this story Itsy is looking for a new home and you can probably guess what happens, but still a very cute adaptation.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Major Taylor World Cycling Champion
Charles R. Smith and illustrator Leo Espinosa have created a children's picture book that is based on a true story about Major Taylor and who knew a small colored boy in the 19th century that like to ride bikes, and will Major Taylor and society give him a chance to.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Cornbread and Poppy at the Museum
Matthew Cordell has written a children's beginning chapter book about two mice who live in a very small town by the name of Moonville. These two mice are totally different in their interests and lifestyles, but they will they figure out a secret that affects them both and the town.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Critique Ideas
Starting tomorrow I am planning to post many short 50-word critique blurbs of the many book reviews that I have written for the two book review sites that I work for as a volunteer. There are children's picture books, youth and teenage novels along with many adult novels I have reviewed over the past few months. All of these books cover the gambit of emotions that we all have felt or are feeling at various times of our growing up and into our adulthoods. Some are just downright cute while others well are just. Hoping to get feedback on this.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Deuteronomy 19
In reading a section in Deuteronomy titled 'Witnesses' there are few famous lines that have been used many times in many circumstances like 'an eye for an eye', 'a tooth for a tooth', hand for a hand', and a 'foot for a foot'. What if today we would do this literally to various criminals depending on the offense. Do you think the rate of various crimes would decrease and purge the evil from whomever. We must remember not to give false testimony for one never knows when it will come back to bite you in the but when least expected.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Going to War
In reading Deuteronomy 20 in a section entitled 'Going to War' I wonder how many soldiers actually took this advice before fighting in any battles. What would happen to the military of today were posed these situations like "if you built a new house make sure you live in it', if you planted a crop make sure you enjoy what you grew, and if you pledged to a woman make sure to marry her before going to war and letting someone else enjoy the fruits of your labor and not you. Now I know why the military asks for volunteers.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Deuteronomy 19
In reading a section in Deuteronomy titled 'Witnesses' there are few famous lines that have been used many times in many circumstances like 'an eye for an eye', 'a tooth for a tooth', hand for a hand', and a 'foot for a foot'. What if today we would do this literally to various criminals depending on the offense. Do you think the rate of various crimes would decrease and purge the evil from whomever. We must remember not to give false testimony for one never knows when it will come back to bite you in the but when least expected.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
The Game
I was watching my one grandnephew playing one of his computer games that he plays on his television where he has to complete missions or various activities. To me it looked kind of interesting for there were a variety of colors and designs that I may want to try and draw a few of them one. The game just seem to move so fast that one would have to be quick on the draw to complete whatever needed to be done to move on to the next level. I was not good at video games except for SpaceInvaders back when.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
