Blog
Vampires
Regardless of whether they are the heroes or villains of their story, vampires captivate our imaginations. These blood-sucking fiends (or, in some cases, friends) hide in the shadows, cloaked in the darkness of night. While vampires may hide from the sun, let us metaphorically shine a light on these ferocious, fanged creatures of the night.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
National Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. To celebrate Hispanic authors, illustrators and creators this month (and every month) be sure to check out some excelente books written by Latinx authors.
Hispanic Heroes You Should Know About
America is a beautiful melting pot of cultures, experiences and stories. Included in our great American narrative is the Hispanic and Latin American community. From September 15 to October 15, our country celebrates National Hispanic Heritage month. Hispanic culture has enriched the American way of life along with the way of the world from spicy cuisine, to the vibrant sounds of bachata, salsa and merengue.
The Origins & History of Labor Day
For many of us, Labor Day signifies the end of summer and many of us celebrate it outside barbecuing. As we look forward to spending the holiday with our family and friends, we thought it would be interesting to look back and see how it was celebrated in the past.
Women, Their Rights & Nothing Less
Happy Women’s Equality Day. August 26 marks the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, the amendment to the United States Constitution that gave women the right to vote. This year is extra special, because 2020 marks 100 years since the ratification of that amendment.
Lefties Get Their Day
Oh, hear the cheerful cries of the left-handed population. August 13 is officially recognized as International Left-Handers Day, and I find it most important to honor these everyday troopers for making it in a right-handed world. Why, you ask?
Congressman John Lewis
An American hero. A mover and shaker in the Civil Rights movement. Congressman John Lewis left a legacy that will far outlive his 80 years. On July 17, 2020 the fighter for justice and equality passed away. He is remembered for his relentless fight for human rights as well as leading the famous 1965 march in Selma, Alabama which garnered support for the Voting Rights Act.
Frida Kahlo
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo rendered the experiences of her life through painting, her colorful folk-art infused with surrealist elements that portrayed her pain, love and cultural heritage. She painted her first self-portrait while in a plaster cast, recovering from a devastating injury to her spine. As a young woman, a bus crash nearly killed her — leaving more than lasting scars, as the trauma affected her the rest of her life. This pain, and her loving but turbulent marriage to muralist Diego Rivera, became integral to her art, which also depicted the indigenous cultures of Mexico.
Literature’s Love Guru
As a Jane Austen novice, I was intrigued to read about one of her most popular novel characters, Emma, of whom Austen stated, “I am
Virtual South Carolina Road Trips
With stay-at-home orders extended, many of us are starting to get cabin fever — we’re itching to stretch our legs and do something new
Libraries of Ireland
Ireland, with its stunning natural beauty, has a captivating history and vibrant legacy in culture including a strong literary heritage. This includes writers such as
Katherine Johnson
On Monday of this week, the world awoke to news that Katherine Johnson — one of the pioneering black women featured in Hidden Figures — had died
Pizza ♥️ Love
Whether you’re a thin crust fan or a deep dish enthusiast, I’m sure we can all agree on one thing — pizza is love. Pizza can
The Roaring Twenties
The 1920s was a decade of bold fashion, the rise of jazz music, the emergence of new technology and the discovery of the Lost Generation.
From Real to Reel
First coined in the 1940s, a biopic is a movie that dramatizes the life of one central historical figure. The majority of biographical films focus
The Golden Globes
The Golden Globes kicks off Hollywood’s award season every January ending with the Oscars in February. The Golden Globe Awards are are presented annually by
A Cup of Tea
I love any excuse to celebrate (and drink) tea. Sweet, iced tea is a staple in the South, but hot tea is one of the
Pretend to Be a Time Traveler
One of the first time travel stories recorded appears in a Hindi epic written in 400 BCE. However, the idea of time travel didn’t gain
Your Fall To-Do List
Too old for costumes and trick-or-treating but still looking for fun ways to rock the fall season? Try these ideas
Cry the Beloved Country
From now until January 31, participate in our Fall Into Winter Reading challenge and enter to win one of our grand prize drawings. Grab a
