Category: books

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Alan Rickman’s Personal Letters Reveal He Had Some Mixed Feelings About Playing Snape

Moviegoers, co-workers, directors, and everyone enjoyed the time they spent working with Alan Rickman, watching him, or just being around him. But just because he was so well-liked doesn’t mean he had a complex personal life. Actors are emotional beings, and Rickman was no different.

Thanks to some of his personal letters coming up for auction, we’ve gotten a glimpse into his complicated feelings about playing one of his most well-known roles.

 

The collection of letters, which are part of an auction at the ABA Rare Book Fair, seem to indicate the actor struggled with how the film franchise’s directors were handling his character, beginning as early as A Chamber of Secrets, the second installment in the Harry Potter franchise.

One letter from producer David Heyman told Rickman “Thank you for making HP2 a success. I know, at times, you are frustrated but please know that you are an integral part of the films. And you are brilliant.”

Later, after filming Half-Blood Prince (the sixth film), Rickman wrote a note, titled “Inside Snape’s Head,” that seemed to indicate he was unhappy with choices made by director David Yates.

“It’s as if David Yates has decided that this is not important in the scheme of things i.e. teen audience appeal.”

He’s clearly frustrated, but about what, exactly, we may never know.

The collection does include happy notes, as well, like one from author J.K. Rowling thanking Rickman for “doing justice to my most complex character,” and one from Daniel Radcliffe, who idolized Rickman (rightfully so).

“To Alan, Thank you for all of my presents, I can’t wait to read Catcher in the Rye.”

The entire collection includes 35 boxes of diaries, photos, scripts, and other personal effects like notes from Prince Charles, Tony Blair, and Bill Clinton.

If you want to bid on it, you’d better have deep pockets – they’re expecting the whole thing to go for over $1.2 million.

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The Kids Book ‘Go the F*Ck to Sleep’ Is Getting a Sequel

If you’re a parent or have spent a lot of time around kids, you know the nightly routine. Your kids are totally adorable and they mean the world to you, but you just want them to get some shut-eye so YOU can get some shut-eye. That’s why Adam Mansbach’s 2011 bedtime book Go the F*ck to Sleep was such a huge hit. Mansbach hit exactly the right nerve for exhausted parents who were ready to throw their hands up in the air.

Well, good new parents! The hit book is getting a sequel titled F*ck, Now There Are Two of You that will be released on October 1 by Akashic Books. The official description says, “The third installment in Adam Mansbach’s international best-selling Go the Fuck to Sleep series addresses, with radical honesty, the family implosion that occurs when a second child arrives.”

In 2014, Mansbach released another book in the F*ck series, You Have to F*cking Eat that details the challenges of getting your little monsters to eat a (hopefully) nutritious and delicious meal.

We’ll have to wait until October 1 to see what Mansbach’s new creation has in store for parents, but we can probably assume that it’s about how the family dynamics change when a second child is introduced into the mix.

One more thing we can speculate about right now until the book is released in a couple weeks: will Samuel L. Jackson do the audio narration for this new book like he did for Go the F*ck To Sleep back in 2011?

Let’s keep our fingers crossed on that one.

UPDATE: This is great. It’s been confirmed that none other than Larry David will record the audio narration for F*ck, Now There Are Two of You. I’d say that’s a pretty great choice.

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15 Jokes That Writers Might Find Funny

Writing for a living is a tough gig. Always wracking your brain to come up with something interesting or witty to say. Hitting that inevitable bout of writer’s block at one point or another.

But it’s also a lot of fun, and anyone who gets to write for a living would probably say the same thing.

If you’re a writer, these jokes will most likely make you shake your head and say, “Yup, that’s accurate.”

Enjoy!

1. You’ll all be very disappointed.

2. You can never, ever, have enough.

3. One of the worst feelings of all time.

4. I’m back, baby! Back with a bang!

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Yep, that’s me ?

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5. That’s exactly what he was talking about.

6. Woo! Time for a nap and a snack.

7. Never listen to this advice.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

8. Make them suffer immeasurably.

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9. Among other things…

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10. Check your email every two-and-a-half minutes.

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11. Maybe it’s time to focus on one thing.

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12. Pretty much sums it up.

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13. “The man devoured the baked bread like it would be his last meal.” How’s that?

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14. Moments of inspiration.

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15. Let’s jump ahead a few years.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Time to keep working, writers! You know we never get a day off…

Do you have any funny jokes about writing? If so, share them in the comments. Thanks!

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A School in Tennessee Banned ‘Harry Potter’ Books. In 2019.

What year are we living in? Oh, that’s right, it’s 2019…and apparently, some things never change.

A Catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee, has removed J.W. Rowling’s world-famous Harry Potter books from its shelves because the school’s pastor said, “These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true, but in fact a clever deception. The curses and spells used in the books are actual curses and spells; which when read by a human being risk conjuring evil spirits into the presence of the person reading the text.”

St. Edward Catholic School pastor Father Dan Reehil wrote an email to parents at the school explaining the decision. Reehil said in the message that he consulted with several exorcists in the U.S. and in Italy before making his decision. That seems like time well spent, doesn’t it?

Rebecca Hammel, the superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Nashville, said, “Each pastor has canonical authority to make such decisions for his parish school. He’s well within his authority to act in that manner.”

This is not the first time that the Harry Potter series has been under scrutiny from schools. From 2001 until 2003, the series was on the American Library Association’s list of “most challenged books.”

Father Reehil started exploring the possibility of banning the Harry Potter books after he received an inquiry from a parent. I bet that kid thinks his parents are a BLAST.

It’s hard to believe that this kind of thing still happens in 2019, but here we are…

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5 Fan Theories About Harry Potter That Hit the Nail on the Head

Surprisingly, there was a time when the mysteries in Harry Potter were actually mysteries, and those of us reading (and then watching) along had to actually guess what was what and who was who.

Needless to say, in the end most of us were wrong.

But thanks to hindsight and the fact that J.K. Rowling is pretty available for questions (and sometimes answers) on Twitter, we know that these 5 people’s mystery-solving games were totally on point.

5. Magic is genetic. Usually.

Let’s take a little historical tour of J.K. Rowling’s comments on how one might or might not come to expect a Hogwarts letter on their 11th birthday, shall we?

In 1999, she said that “Nobody knows where magic comes from. It is like any other talent. Sometimes it seems to be inherited, but others are the only ones in their family who have the ability.”

Fans, however, picked up on the obsession some wizards had with “pure blood families,” leaving them to speculate that there had to be some genetic component to the talent.

Then, in 2012, Rowling addressed the issue of Squibs (non-magical people born to magical parents), stating that they’re rare in her world because “magic is a dominant and resilient gene.”

One biology major wrote a six-page paper on how magical ability could be attributed to “a single autosomal dominant gene if it is caused by an expansion of trinucleotide repeats with non-Mendelian ratios of inheritance,” and she’s joined by Duke University professor Eric Spana, who explained Muggle-borns like Lily and Hermione by way of de novo mutations (a genetic lottery).

4. There was more to Harry’s Invisibility Cloak that he knew at first.

Harry loved his invisibility cloak from the start, given that it was a hand-me-down from his deceased father, but at first he – and fans – had no reason to suspect that “exceedingly rare” meant “one-of-a-kind.”

But fans began suspecting there was more to the mysterious garment long before Ron recognized it as a Ignotus Peverell’s Cloak of Invisibility – and one of the Deathly Hallows – in the final book.

3. Harry and Ginny had a good reason for not naming their children after Remus Lupin.

Harry and Ginny’s children’s names honored a number of late and living loved ones, but fans immediately noticed that Remus Lupin was missing. Most were upset, but a few deep thinkers believed that perhaps they were saving Lupin’s name for someone else.

A fact Rowling affirmed, saying on Twitter that “Harry left Remus’s name for Teddy to use for his own son.”

2. The romantic relationship between Grindelwald and Dumbledore.

While most fans’ “ships” (relationships) don’t ever come to fruition on the page or on screen, the teen romance between Grindelwald and Dumbledore didn’t disappoint.

In 2007, Rowling revealed that Dumbledore was both gay and “in love with Grindelwald,” a plot point that has made an appearance-ish in the latest Fantastic Beasts movie.

Oh happy day!

1. That Harry would both die AND live.

One of the most enduring questions of the series became this: would Harry earn the title of The Boy Who Lived a second time, or would he die in order to save the world from Voldemort’s rebirth? The prophecy that stated “either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives” certainly made sacrifice seem unavoidable, but some fans guessed early on that there might be a third option.

Harry does die and cross into the afterlife, but he also returns. The best of both worlds? Maybe!

 

We nailed it guys, good work all around.

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This Is Why Men Should Be Banned from Writing Female Characters

“Write what you know.” That’s how the saying goes, remember?

Well, maybe men should consider that advice a little harder before they take a crack at writing female characters. Because a lot of them are waaaaaaaaaay off, and, frankly, they sound pretty dumb.

Ladies, on behalf of all males, I apologize for what you’re about to see.

1. Interesting!

2. WTF?

3. I hate that!

4. Here’s why…

5. Oh my god…

Macaroni and cheese vagina from menwritingwomen

6. Weird

7. Not Phillip K. Dick!

Thinking with his Phillip K Dick from menwritingwomen

8. Mmmmm

9. An awful bit

10. Wait, what?

11. Borrow them

12. Get a load of that passage

13. Dear Mr. King…

14. Creamy

Soft and creamy boobs from menwritingwomen

15. Perfect!

Cringeworthy, isn’t it?

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Did You Know the 16th Century Had Its Own Version of Facebook?

In the 16th century, young people in the Netherlands and the Rhineland might not have had Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter, but they were way ahead of their time. Instead, they had what they called alba amicorum, which means “friend books” in Latin.

In the books, the nobility of 1560 and later traded thoughts, commented on others’ opinions, sought advice, and celebrated their favorite songs. The books also doubled as both yearbooks and as a sort of LinkedIn recommendation, as young men traveled abroad and met scholars, philosophers, scientists, and other students to complete their education. They would ask these people to write a quick entry in their alba amicorum, or sometimes, if the new friend was an artist, to draw an illustration.

margarethahaghen

Women of the 16th century didn’t have much opportunity for travel or education, which tended to make their friend books more personal and, for us, more revealing. They drew in each other’s books, traded secrets, gossip, and inside jokes, and the women’s books were generally less organized and pretty than those kept by the men. But, I’m guessing, they are a lot more fun to read.

album_amicorum_van_jacob_van_bronckhorst_van_batenburg_8077131573

“The alba kept by women are mostly full of ugly, busy pages on which up to 15 people scribbled down their name, motto, or a short saying,” says Sophie Reinders, a Dutch Ph.D. student specializing in the alba amicorum.

So, they may not have contained links, hilarious GIFs, or daily memes, but they did often include song lyrics, poetry, pictures, memories of great events, and things of the like. When two people married, they would announce their union with new, joint entries. Kind of like changing your relationship status, I suppose.

album_amicorum_of_michael_van_meer_004

Basically, these were prettier, more personal ways to show off your popularity, as well as the status and stature of your friends around the continent. I, for one, would love to bring this back even if it would mean forcing people to interact again face-to-face.

A real-life Facebook. What a concept.

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Here Are the Best Bookstores in All 50 States

There is nothing, NOTHING, better than a good bookstore, at least in my humble opinion. I’d rather spend hours in a bookstore than have a great meal or the perfect cup of coffee. That’s just me.

And I think a lot of you out there feel the same way.

In honor of Independent Bookstore Day (April 27, 2019), Mental Floss chose its favorite bookstores from every state in America.

Let’s see if some of yours made the list.

Alabama – Alabama Booksmith, Homewood, AL

Alaska – Title Wave Books, Anchorage, AK

Arizona – Changing Hands Bookstore, Phoenix & Tempe, AZ

Arkansas – Dickson St. Bookshop, Fayetteville, AR

California – Green Apple Books, San Francisco, CA

Colorado – Tattered Cover, Denver, CO

Connecticut – R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT

Delaware – Browseabout Books, Rehoboth Beach, DE

Happy snow day! We are OPEN this morning. We're keeping an eye on the weather as the day goes on… We'll let you know if we decide to close early.

Posted by Browseabout Books on Sunday, January 13, 2019

Florida – Books & Books at the Studios, Key West, FL

Georgia – Charis Books, Atlanta, GA

Hawaii – Talk Story Bookstore, Hanapepe, HI

Idaho – Rediscovered Books, Boise, ID

Illinois – Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, IL

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I spy @bailey_no_ordinary_cat. Do you?

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Indiana – Hyde Brothers, Ft. Wayne, IN

Iowa – The Haunted Bookshop, Iowa City, IA

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You want me to hide them. The little colorful things that make big human cubs squeak? and not the heavy ones that make no sound but make humans act like they are having fun and bad dreams and stomachaches all at once? Because they are the same colors but one looks more like eggs ??? What kind of eggs do you EAT?! Now what are you – what are the white fuzzy – oh no, nope, nu, hm-mm, rrrrrrooooooowwwwwww ? you put those on yourself or they don't get put. Rattling shiny things and… hare ears. You guys got a religion that just maybe serves more food? . . . . . . . #bookstore #bookshop #bookstorecats #catthoughts #rabbitears #easterbunny #hidingeggs #dice #shiny #bizarre #ritual #commercialcandyday #thingswedoforkids #lostintranslation #chocolateappropriation #goodjewishboy #passtheplate #firsteatthenwetalk #happyeasterfriends

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Kansas – Rainy Day Books, Fairway, KS

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@rainydaybooks could also be called Arctic Day Books, as it was one of two stops on our day out on the town during subzero temperatures. Because, let’s be honest, I’m terrible at entertaining my kids at home. We only bought a picture book for a friend’s birthday gift, but I’m already planning my birthday trip back here in a few weeks… What would you do if you had an unexpected day off school with the kids? Cozy up at home with a book, or venture out to find a new read? Be honest – there are no wrong answers. ?. . . . . . #kcbookstagram #bookstagram #rainydaybooks #indiebookstore #independentbookstore #indiebooks #kansascity #bookstorebrowsing #bookstoresofinstagram #bookstorelover #books #booklover #shelfie

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Kentucky – Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington, KY

Louisiana – Faulkner House Books, New Orleans, LA

Posted by Faulkner House Books on Thursday, June 12, 2014

Maine – Longfellow Books, Portland, ME

Maryland – Second Story Books, Rockville, MD

Posted by Second Story Books & Antiques – Rockville on Sunday, May 5, 2019

Massachusetts – Trident Booksellers & Cafe, Boston, MA

Michigan – John K. King Used and Rare Books, Detroit, MI

Posted by John King Used & Rare Books on Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Minnesota – Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN

Mississippi – Square Books, Oxford, MS

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Happy selfie day, y’all. #tbt

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Missouri – Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO

Montana – Country Bookshelf, Bozeman, MT

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We've been feeling the love lately ?Thanks @claratreckrealtor! #Repost @claratreckrealtor (@get_repost) ・・・ Our very own @countrybookshelf was voted one of the best bookstores in the 50 states! This bookstore never fails to please and has its own events monthly. Follow my Facebook page for their April calendar to start planning your month. They have an exciting line up! #downtownbozeman #bozemanmontana #bozemanmt #bozeman #realestate #realestateagent #realtor #bozemanmontana #bozeman #montana #belgrade #bozemanmontanarealestate #montanarealestate #bozemanrealestate #buyhomes #sellhomes #dreamhome #househunting #househunt #realestatelife #realty #realestatebozeman #realestatemontana #homesweethome #property #home #housing

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Nebraska – Indigo Bridge Books, Lincoln, NE

Nevada – Sundance Books and Music, Reno, NV

New Hampshire – Gibson’s Bookstore, Concord, NH

New Jersey – Montclair Book Center, Montclair, NJ

New Mexico – Collected Works Bookstore and Coffeehouse, Santa Fe, NM

New York – Strand Book Store, New York, NY

North Carolina – Main Street Books, Davidson, NC

North Dakota – Zandbroz Variety, Fargo, ND

Oklahoma – Gypsysnark Books, Stillwater, OK

Oregon – Bloomsbury Books – Ashland, OR

Pennsylvania – Farley’s Bookshop, New Hope, PA

Rhode Island – Cellar Stories, Providence, RI

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Some small visitors today

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South Carolina – Blue Bicycle Books, Charleston, SC

South Dakota – Mitzi’s Books, Rapid City, SD

Posted by Mitzi's Books on Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Tennessee – Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN

Texas – Bookpeople, Austin, TX

Utah – King’s English, Salt Lake City, UT

Posted by The King's English Bookshop on Friday, June 29, 2018

Vermont – Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT

Posted by Northshire Bookstore on Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Virginia – Chop Suey Books, Richmond, VA

Posted by Chop Suey Books on Saturday, December 30, 2017

Washington –Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

The comfort of a bookstore is like no other.

Posted by Elliott Bay Book Company on Saturday, July 7, 2018

West Virginia – Taylor Books, Charleston, WV

Wisconsin – Dotters Books, Eau Claire, WI

Wyoming – Sidekicks Bookbar, Rock Springs, WY

Posted by Sidekicks Book and Wine bar on Thursday, October 11, 2018

Did your favorite store make the list?

The post Here Are the Best Bookstores in All 50 States appeared first on UberFacts.