S.D. Livingston

War of Words

Admin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:23:28 +0000

Of all the literary contests and book clubs out there, nothing sounds quite so benign as “Canada Reads.” From the title alone you can tell it involves Canadians, a famously polite bunch, and reading, a notably non-violent pastime. So what the heck happened when a Canada Reads judge started accusing authors of being “bloody terrorists” and liars? The truth about literature’s hidden dark side turned, roaring, into a very public fray.

read this week’s full column at The Voice Magazine

Bookmark This

Admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:43:53 +0000

If you’ve ever rummaged through dusty hardcovers in your grandma’s attic, you’ve probably seen a bookplate. These decorative labels, usually pasted inside the front cover, say something like “This book is the property of Anne Shirley.” Charming relics? Maybe, but you probably own a similar accessory that could have the next generation puzzled: bookmarks. This week, we look at the beauty of the lowly bookmark, an item that could soon disappear in our increasingly digital world.

read this week’s full column at The Voice Magazine

The Element of Surprise

Admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:40:30 +0000

When’s the last time a piece of writing surprised you? I mean really opened your eyes to a new idea, or startled you out of complacency, or introduced you to a pastime you never knew existed. If it’s been a while, there are easy ways to change that—and it might surprise you to know they’re the same tools we use to limit what we read.

read this week’s full article at The Voice Magazine

The Long Tail

Admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:08:14 +0000

We’re still a long way from spring cleaning, but it’s not too early to start thinking about those stacks of magazines in your basement. You know the ones—those craft magazines you’re saving because there’s a pattern you want in one of them (if only you could remember which one). Or that collection of Road & Track you’ve been meaning to reread. But what if digital back copies could banish that clutter forever?

read this week’s full article at The Voice Magazine