Category Archives: Books

Banned Books Week

Posted on September 19, 2022 by admin

I read banned books. From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Huckleberry Finn, from Song of Solomon to The Things They Carried, I find something valuable in wresting with ideas and depictions that other people find dangerous. Library systems across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education, Ethics | 32 Comments

Literary Challenge

Posted on August 23, 2021 by admin

Find a sentence from a piece of literature where a single, simple word makes all the difference in the world. A lovely example, as noted by Paul Crenshaw, comes from a Robert Hayden poem: “Sundays too my father got father … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Books | 10 Comments

Appropriation Sensation

Posted on February 4, 2020 by admin

The first three lines of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” rank among the most memorable lines of free verse in the language: I celebrate myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Ethics | 12 Comments

Taking Away Your (Library) Card

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

The City of  Columbus and Lowdnes County have been engaged in an open war for about a year. They’ve squabbled over the language of the restaurant tax, which resulted in significant reduction in the amount of money allocated to the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education | 7 Comments

Pop the Bubble

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Thomas_Easterling

As most of you know, I am a recovering journalist who deeply appreciates the old adage that if you’re not rocking the boat, you’re not doing your job. When journalists don’t ask difficult questions, they don’t just fail their readers, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education, Race in Mississippi | 23 Comments

One for the Late American Drama class

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Thomas_Easterling

What questions do you want to ask Wayne Self about Upstairs? Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education, Gender Issues, Music | 11 Comments

Contemporary Literature Possibilities

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Thomas_Easterling

Greetings all. The list below constitutes possibilities for the contemporary literature course I will teach in the fall semester. I still need to trim about four titles; it’s possible, even now, to consider a replacement text. I want your input. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized | 30 Comments

The Price of Innovation

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Thomas_Easterling

A colleague recently forwarded me information about NEA grants for teachers. The application declares that “[w]e support new ideas and practices to strengthen teaching and learning. Our goal is to fund and share successful strategies to educate and prepare students … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education | 29 Comments

It’s Time to Dream!

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Thomas_Easterling

I feel like a kid in a candy shop: I have received clearance to design a contemporary literature course to be taught in the spring semester of 2018. I’m interested in your suggestions regarding books to include, of course. I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education | 28 Comments

Beach Reading

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Thomas_Easterling

Okay, classes of 2017 and 2018: I know you’ve got another seven weeks or so before I give you a quiz, but I’m curious about what you’re reading now. I just finished The Book Thief and I’m about to begin The Free State of Jones. I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 18 Comments