Naz has curated a list of short story collections/anthologies for your consideration and discusses some of the challenges/benefits of reading short stories.
“I hate the endless shade thrown at the short story — whether from publishers or editors or writers who talk the form down, who don’t think it’s practical or sufficiently remunerative—and I always cheer when a story collection takes a prize or becomes a surprise bestseller (rare and getting rarer). I always have at least one story collection on my desk or near my bed for reading—and there’s never a week when I don’t have a story I just read kicking around inside my head.” — Junot Díaz: On My Way to the Novel, I Fell in Love with the Short Story
“Of course, that scale is fluid; consider the top rankings those I actively seek out and the bottom rankings those I’ll settle on if I find no better options. Because in the dregs of December reruns, Hallmark is always a reliable bet.” — My friend Casey ranked all 49 of Hallmark’s Christmas movies. ALL OF THEM. This list is definitive. You’re welcome.
“There are dementors in America, and we are without magic. There are no prayers, no ‘Expecto Patronum!’ solutions; only our labors will make a difference.” — Dementors in America
“To know that there was an entire group of women period, but especially Black women, all of extraordinary intelligence and acumen, working at NASA ensuring the continuation of the early space program and having ZERO idea about their contributions is exactly why we need to support movies like this.” — You Were Probably Going to See Hidden Figures Anyway, But Go See Hidden Figures
“Progress is driven by questioning our assumptions and cultural assumptions,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden says in a new video. “Embracing diversity and inclusion is how we as a nation will take the next giant leap in exploration.” — Check out NASA’s new feature: From Hidden to Modern Figures
“You texted Cole this morning, but still haven’t received a response. He’s probably going to get back to you, but waiting is stressful and time-consuming. Instead of panicking, make the most of the wait by completing a Master’s Degree. He’ll definitely have texted back by the time you graduate!” — 6 Masters Degree to Get While You Wait for Him to Text You Back
Just a reminder that the Dumbledore’s Army Readathon is going on right now.
“2016 brought systemic oppression out from the abstract, out from the intangible, into the spotlight. And blogging almost seemed trivial to me, trying to expose books from different cultures and identity. Trying to push the board game hobby and industry to a more inclusive space. But as I am writing this, I realize the importance of the little things we do as bloggers and as people that will impact and change a larger culture and system.” — Goodbye 2016: A Wrap Up
“This is going to be a yearly challenge focused on watching television shows we’ve been wanting to get to (both new and old), and reading books we’ve been wanting to read that match some fun challenge prompts.”— The Netflix and Books Challenge
“At first, I didn’t know what two third graders and a kindergartener could do. Whatever ‘political’ activity it was had to be tangible, relatively easy to understand, and meaningful to them.” — Hope in the Dark: The Joy of Chasing Butterflies (This is the post that finally got me to add Hope in the Dark to my TBR.)
“I thought of God as contained
In these little practices
Of prayers, Of kneeling
…
I found the God
My prayer thought they knew” — [Poetry Friday]: Holy Ground
The Snowy Day stamps! Yesssssssssssss.
Laura offers up a template for reviewing #ownvoices books you love.
“Once or twice a week is not the practice school of living. One surprise lesson of adulting: it’s harder to do things once or twice a week than it is to have a set time and routine to do those things daily.” — Elisabeth picks her one little word for 2017
“My point is, you don’t have to be in imminent physical danger for these thoughts to be life-threatening and dangerous, and you can reach out with nothing more than the desire to not feel the way you are currently feeling.“ — How I Managed Not to Kill Myself Yesterday
Jennifer’s spreadsheet for tracking her reading is…wow. Just wow. I am in awe.
Elisabeth linked to this post about a teacher’s experience doing a Mock Caldecott with her fifth graders, and it seriously warmed my heart.
The Englishist 
Hi Akilah,
Thank you for including my post here. It’s a nice surprise after being away from GB for so long.
-iphigene
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Thank you for including my post! I hope you find Hope in the Dark as interesting as I did.
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Aaaaa, so many great links! You have cast my browser into multi-tab hell!
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All the links, yay!! I can’t wait to see Hidden Figures!! It’ll screen here in February, I’m probably going to see it 3 times, hope the rest of this messed up country, Germany, will show up. They better!
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