Blog Posts

TWO IN A ROW: THE TRUE STORY OF X AND O

published by Rick Chillot on July 17, 2014 - 9:50am

 

              

Tic-tac-toe. It’s a familiar game, and we all know the players: the X, the O, locked in an inevitable struggle for control of a 3 x 3 grid. But what’s at the route of their seemingly endless conflict? Is it a friendly rivalry, a long-term grudge, a bitter enmity…or something more complicated?

For the creation of Tic-Tac-Tome, the first-ever book that can play a game of tic-tac-toe, the two adversaries came together for their first major project since the revival of Hollywood Squares. This seemed like an ideal time to try and square their differences.

But even though these two characters sometimes stand in for hugs and kisses, their feelings about each other don’t by any means fit into neat little boxes.

Worst-Case Wednesday: How to Win a Sword Fight

published by Marissa Stern on July 16, 2014 - 9:50am

Just because Game of Thrones finished its fourth season and won’t return to our TVs for only the gods know how long doesn’t mean it’s totally over.

Suppose you’re yearning for that excitement of watching one of the epic sword fights and that suspense of not knowing what’s going to happen, and you decide you want to have a sword fight of your own. Or, someone else is feeling this way and challenges you to a duel (you never know).

Whether you have a tiny poker like Arya Stark’s Needle or a big ol’ slab of Valyrian steel, you also have The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook to lead you to victory. And if all else fails, just remember to stick your opponent with the pointy end. Read on to find out how to win a sword fight:

Six Amazing Comics You've Probably Never Heard Of

published by David Goodman on July 16, 2014 - 9:47am

(Image via Flickr)

How many times have you decided to start watching a new television series, only to have it cancelled after a season—or worse, after a precious handful of episodes? The history of television is littered with series that were unfairly cut off at the knees: we all mourn Millennium, Crusade, Birds of Prey and, of course, Firefly. But how many of us can name an equally ill-fated comic series?

X-Men, Superman, and Batman, will go on forever, regardless if anyone actually reads them, and mid-list series like Teen Titans, Swamp Thing, and Young Avengers will stick around for a few good years. But some books seem to have the deck stacked against them from the get-go. Niche subjects and storylines can be successful, but for every Sandman, Bone, The Walking Dead or even Hellblazer, there are scores of series that disappeared as fast as they arrived. These are titles that don't fit the “superhero” mold, or that buck even the most alternative of trends. These are the miniseries that never get collected as trade-paperback filler for quarter bins at Wizard World. 
 
Still, I can practically guarantee that every gone-too-soon series was someone's favorite. Commercial success or no, most of these books feature ideas that will intrigue you, writing that will make you think, and artwork that will dazzle and impress. With that in mind, I present six series, unfairly forgotten in the mists of most fanboys' minds but still quite worthy of admiration and investigation.

What if Dogs Wrote Classic Novels?

published by Blair Thornburgh on July 15, 2014 - 10:32am

The greatest things in the world are, in no particular order, dogs and books. Groucho Marx put it best: "outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."

But what if you could multiply the best-frienditude and put adorable canines in literature?! Or, as Xzibit would say, "Yo dawg, we heard you like dogs, so we put dogs in your book so you can dog while you dog. Dogs!" Here are six brilliant reimaginings of pup-ular novels.

How-to Tuesday: A Roundup of DIY Bookish Crafts

published by Whitney Penn on July 15, 2014 - 10:09am
 
Paper Flowers via the Tiny Painted Blog
 
Books are a wellspring of DIY inspiration– whittling all the amazing stuff out there to our top 10 was no easy feat! This list has a variety of crafts at varying skill and book-destruction levels for everyone's skill and comfort level, so hopefully you'll find a way to get your creative juices flowing.
 
However! Before you start, we recommend that you to do a little research, especially if you're working with an unfamiliar garage-sale find. A quick google search of the title, author, and year should affirm that you're working with a book that could use a second life and not a priceless first edition. After you're certain, let the crafting begin! 
 
1. Paper Flowers (Tiny Painter Blog): These are all the rage right now, and while they do look beautiful with colorful paper, the book worm in our hearts wants to chomp on these blooms from the Tiny Painter Blog. Om nom nom!
 
2. Book Vases (Confetti Sunshine): The nice thing about these book vases is that as long as you don't mind a little water in your book, you don't need to rip it apart to make these flower arrangements. We think they would be perfect centerpieces at a book lover's wedding. 

Read like Rowling: Five Books that Influenced "Harry Potter"

published by Blair Thornburgh on July 14, 2014 - 9:32am
 
The magic of the Harry Potter series (besides, you know, the wand-waving and stuff) is how easy the books are to sink into: the characters are delightful, the language is beautiful, and the lessons are profound. But these beloved tales of adventure and coming-of-age become even more rewarding when you’ve read all the books that its author relished as a reader.
 
The creatrix of the most beloved children’s series of ever is herself a ferocious bookworm (surprising, right?) who read and wrote stories all through her childhood and earned a BA in French and Classics at the University of Exeter. Here are five titles that cast a spell on Joanne Kathleen Rowling.
 

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