Reviewer (text)
Barbara Bamberger Scott
“Every day people are involved in events they recognize as traditional, and at the same time they look to establish precedents for traditions of the future. They do so because tradition fuels their culture.” Read More
Teaser
In EXPLAINING TRADITIONS, Simon J. Bronner discusses the underlying reasons for the continuing significance of traditions, delving into their social and psychological roles in everyday life.
Promo
In EXPLAINING TRADITIONS, Simon J. Bronner discusses the underlying reasons for the continuing significance of traditions, delving into their social and psychological roles in everyday life.
About the Book
Why do humans hold onto traditions? Many pundits predicted that modernization and the rise of a mass culture would displace traditions, especially in America, but cultural practices still bear out the importance of rituals and customs in the development of identity, heritage and community.
In EXPLAINING TRADITIONS: Folk Behavior in Modern Culture, Simon J. Bronner discusses the underlying reasons for the continuing significance of traditions, delving into their social and psychological roles in everyday life, from old-time crafts to folk creativity on the Internet. Challenging prevailing notions of tradition as a relic of the past, EXPLAINING TRADITIONS provides deep insight into the nuances and purposes of living traditions in relation to modernity. Bronner's work forces readers to examine their own traditions and imparts a better understanding of raging controversies over the sustainability of traditions in the modern world.
This month, the festive season brings with it a multitude of long-awaited films based on books. Although it’s “the happiest time of the year,” the big screen is primarily featuring dark, twisted tales. But you’re guaranteed to be entertained by thrills and suspense, and there are a few heartwarming stories in the mix to carry the holiday spirit.
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December 1, 2011
Posted by Katherine
Keija Parssinen was born in Saudi Arabia and lived there for twelve years as a third-generation expatriate. She is a graduate of Princeton University and the Iowa Writers' Workshop, where she received a Truman Capote fellowship, a Teaching and Writing fellowship, and a Michener-Copernicus award for her first novel, The Ruins of Us, forthcoming from Harper Perennial in North America and Faber & Faber in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, and Australia in January 2012. Here she talks about the gold bracelets her mother gave her when her family left Saudi Arabia and moved to the United States.
We’ve created a special What to Give, What to Get Guide with you in mind --- it’s just for kids! We have books that we know you’ll love to unwrap this season, so check it out. We’re sure you’ll end up spotting a title or two that you can add to YOUR holiday list.
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Searching for the perfect gift, or maybe just a great read to enjoy during all the hustle and bustle of the festive season? Either way, you can’t go wrong with Kidsreads.com’s roundup of holiday books. This year, our feature includes characters of all different ages and species, from a playful mouse to the happiest elf in the North Pole. Read all about Greg Heffley’s wild winter adventure, the heartwarming story of the Rockefeller Center tree, one girl’s quest to bring Christmas cheer to her family, clever new takes on two classic holiday stories, and much more.
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Ever since 1929, the French comic book artist Hergé has been spinning thrilling tales of Tintin, a curious young reporter, and his faithful dog Snowy. Now, on December 21st, The Adventures of Tintin, based on the comic book series, comes to the big screen. The film follows Tintin and Snowy as they discover a ship with a centuries-old mystery and get drawn into a desperate chase from a deadly villain. The two travel halfway around the world in search of The Unicorn, a shipwreck that may hold the key to a fortune, and are swept into exhilarating adventures along the way.
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This is the time of year when “Best Of” lists are everywhere. While we could compile one for ReadingGroupGuides.com, we prefer to hear what YOU have to say about this topic. So we are asking "What was the 'best' book that your group read this year?" Share your picks (you can name up to three) between now and January 31st by filling out the form found here. We’ll share the results in February. Please share this link with the members of your group as we want as many folks to weigh in as possible.
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December 1, 2011, 255 voters
Dec 1, 2011
Co-editors Tom Pomplun and Lance Tooks discuss the work behind their new book, African-American Classics, which features the works of Trevor von Eeden, Jeremy Love, Christopher Priest, and many others.
November 30, 2011
Posted by Katherine
Teresa's romances regularly appear on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today bestseller lists. She's a two-time winner of the Waldenbooks Award for Bestselling Fiction, a seven-time finalist for the highest award given by the Romance Writers of America, the RITA, and winner of the Romantic Times Award for Best Historical Love and Laughter. Here she talks about how her mother inspired her lifelong passion for reading.
