The Transformative ‘Tollbooth'
Milo, a bored boy, is transported through a magic tollbooth to Lands Beyond and a divided Kingdom of Wisdom, which can be restored to harmony only by the return of banished princess-sisters Reason and Rhyme. He accomplishes the rescue.
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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nicola Sturgeon to discuss her autobiography at book festival
Nicola Sturgeon will be among the famous faces set to appear at this year's Wigtown Book Festival. The former First Minister of Scotland will discuss her autobiography during the 10-day event running from September 26 to October 5 in Scotland's National Book Town. The festival will feature more than 200 events exploring stories, ideas, and experiences through fiction and non-fiction. Adrian Turpin (Image: Supplied) The programme goes online on August 5, with tickets on sale on August 7. For more information, go to Read more: Technology: Seenda SKM64-3 Rechargeable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Mouse Lack of clarity around how to measure biodiversity in Scotland - report Are Edinburgh mega gigs from Oasis a boon or a curse? The figures don't add up Adrian Turpin, creative director of the festival, said: "Wigtown gives audiences the chance to enjoy famous names, new writers, great storytelling, big ideas and colourful characters in intimate surroundings at the heart of Scotland's National Book Town. "We also cherish its reputation for being friendly, laid-back, quirky and full of surprises. "This year's programme combines all these elements, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the festival, the place and the people that make it such a special event." Rory Cellan-Jones (Image: Supplied) Other notable guests include Del Amitri's Justin Currie, who will speak about living with Parkinson's, former royal butler and etiquette expert Grant Harold, and journalist Rory Cellan-Jones, who will share the story of his Romanian rescue dog Sophie. Gavin Esler will discuss the rise of modern political strategies, while Andrew Lownie will present his latest work about The Rise and Fall of the House of York – his exposé of Prince Andrew. Adventurer Mollie Hughes will talk about her journeys to Everest and the South Pole, and Sara Stewart will discuss her memoir of 1970s Latin America. The festival will also feature a talk by Glasgow-based Gillian Shirreffs on her experience of life after a breast cancer diagnosis and a session with Rachel Joyce, author of the Sunday Times bestseller A Homemade God. Fans of the antiques trade can look forward to the return of TV personality James Braxton. As always, the festival extends beyond books to include poetry readings, the Wigtown Poetry Prizes, the James Mirrlees Lecture on economics, and events on history and archaeology. The festival will open with a fireworks display and include daily poetry sessions, storytelling at Bladnoch Distillery, and a grand ceilidh.
Forbes
19 hours ago
- Forbes
15 Most Quotable Books Of All Time
The most memorable popular book quotes pack a lot of power into just a sentence or two. Good book lines set the stage for the entire book, creating expectations for what themes will be explored, which type of language will be used, and who the narrator is. You may be inspired by good quotes from famous books, or you may find the best book sentences remind you of something important in your own life. The best sayings from books often become indelible parts of culture, phrases quoted so much that they become a type of shorthand for a feeling. This list of inspiring lines from books hits on classic and contemporary examples to provide lots of new reading material. Great Lines From Literature A good book quote speaks to a universal truth, uses original and concise language and offers insights you know to be true. The best quotes make you think, too. Some of the most frequently quoted writers include William Shakespeare, Dr. Seuss, Toni Morrison and Jane Austen. These rankings are based on popularity of the quotes, enduring wisdom of what they convey, beauty of the language and how frequently they show up in pop culture. One of the most famous Dr. Seuss lines opens the last book published during the author's lifetime. It conveys the excitement of starting on a new journey, one reason this book is frequently gifted to recent graduates. Seuss simplifies the act of moving on while also deftly building anticipation for what's to come. This book is best for people entering new phases of life. Dr. Seuss's Oh, The Places You'll Go is available from publisher Penguin Random House. French intellectual André Gide's heralded essay collection drops this singular truth about being true to oneself. Better that people dislike you for your true self than like you for something you are not. Most people learn this lesson the hard way; if they'd only listen to Gide. This book is best for those trying to find themselves. André Gide's Autumn Leaves is available from publisher Philosophical Library. The folly of youth has value, as Louisa May Alcott shows in her acclaimed novel. So many of life's lessons can only be learned through experience—and not every day will be smooth sailing, which Amy March wisely embraces. Such insights are one reason this classic has remained popular for more than a century. This book is best for young people looking for coming-of-age insights. Louisa May Alcott's Little Women is available from publisher Penguin Random House. The phrase 'comfortably numb' comes to mind when considering this quote, an epitaph of sorts for protagonist Billy Pilgrim. The former soldier, whose war trauma comes back to haunt him, slowly accepts the absurdity of life and how history painfully repeats itself. This phrase is certainly disconnected from Billy's actual experience. This book is best for anyone trying to make sense of history. Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five is available from Penguin Random House. Calling the word 'sorry' the 'Kool-Aid of human emotions,' Stephen King defines the difference between saying something and feeling something. People claim to be sorry but rarely feel actual sorrow, he argues—and his supernatural protagonist makes those people pay when she takes revenge on them for their terrible bullying. This book is best for horror fans. Stephen King's Carrie is available from publisher Penguin Random House. Everyone is unique, yes, but friendships are based on commonalities—and there is no better way to feel connected than to realize that someone else shares your weird thought, hobby or obsession. It makes you feel less alone, C.S. Lewis argues in this treatise on the nature of love. This book is best for those who want to understand the underpinnings of love. C.S. Lewis's The Four Loves is available from publisher HarperCollins. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it—unless they rewrite it. In George Orwell's dystopian novel, Big Brother is always watching over this totalitarian state, and the Ministry of Truth rewrites the past to match its version of events. When a Ministry employee begins to question the wisdom of this, everything could unravel. This book is best for fans of dystopian or classic novels. George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four is available from publisher HarperCollins. Teenager Starr Carter must decide whether to call out—at great personal risk to herself and her family—the racist actions of the police who shot and killed her friend. She slowly realizes that no one can afford to keep their mouth closed if they want things to change, even when they risk harm themselves. This book is best for anyone struggling with a tough decision. Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give is available from publisher HarperCollins. Happiness is not the same for everyone. You may be told by society that something will make you happy, but it's not always the case—and understanding that can save you a lot of heartache, as Jane Austen so elegantly explains in Sense and Sensibility, a passionate 'opposites attract' love story. This book is best for fans of romance novels. Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility is available from publisher Penguin Random House. Has there ever been a better way to describe the concept of 'settling?' Stephen Chbosky gorgeously sums up why so many people with low self-esteem accept the bare minimum in life—whether in romance, friendships or family. Protagonist Charlie slowly learns that he deserves so much more in this YA novel. This book is best for anyone looking for a deep young adult read. Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower is available from publisher Simon & Schuster. Martin Luther King Jr. maintained a hopeful viewpoint even during the darkest days of his activism. He continually made a choice to embrace the light and encourage others to do so as well. In A Testament of Hope, the Reverend explains the principles that guide him and his humanitarian ethos. This book is best for everyone, really, as it speaks to so many universal concerns. Martin Luther King Jr.'s A Testament of Hope is available from publisher HarperCollins. Book lovers also love quotes about books, and this is one of the best. It sums up the sublime experience of reading—hopping into another dimension without actually moving. Jhumpa Lahiri's novel emphasizes the importance of maintaining ties to your heritage while embracing a new country, and books play a critical role in that story. This book is perfect for anyone who has felt the push and pull of two cultural identities. Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake is available from publisher HarperCollins. Catch-22 is one of the best satires ever written, and this line is a classic example of why. It is often repeated in popular culture, which doesn't make it any less true. Sometimes there is a reason for odd behavior, and this takedown of war and war culture does an exceptional job of showing that. This book is best for anyone looking for laughs as well as philosophical questions. Joseph Heller's Catch-22 is available from publisher Simon & Schuster. How fitting that a novel about human enslavement so perfectly sums up the issue with power dynamics. Formerly enslaved woman Sethe is tortured by memories of her daughter, whom she believes has been reincarnated. Sethe recognizes that even post-Civil War, she cannot fully determine how people see her. This book is best for fans of exceptional prose and storytelling. Toni Morrison's Beloved is available from Penguin Random House. William Shakespeare's works have stood the test of time for a reason. His wit, unflinching observations and outstanding characterization are all on display in Hamlet, about the Danish prince mourning his father and questioning everything else in his life. His soliloquy weighing life and death is poignant yet beautiful. This book is best for anyone who has trouble taking action. William Shakespeare's Hamlet is available from publisher Simon & Schuster. Bottom Line Great books generate great quotes, and all the works on this list are worth your time beyond those inspiring, memorable lines. Pick one up to see the power of words on full display. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What Are Great Quotes From Harry Potter? J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series is one of the most popular collections of all time, and it has some fantastic quotes. Here are two standouts: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999), Dumbledore says to Harry, "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.' This quote speaks to the importance of your own attitude in navigating tough times. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Dumbledore drops a similarly insightful nugget to Harry, telling him: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities," reminding the boy that greatness comes from who we choose to be and not who is the most powerful. What Are Great Shakespeare Quotes? Shakespeare's wisdom has endured for centuries. Here are two oft-repeated quotes from his plays: In As You Like It (1623), Jaques says, 'All the world's a stage,/And all the men and women merely players.' Human nature is to put on a performance rather than show our true selves, according to Shakespeare. In Romeo and Juliet (1597), Juliet says, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." She's urging Romeo to forget his own name (their families' blood feud is why they can't be together) and realize their love would be just as strong without it. What Are Great Dr. Seuss Quotes? Gifted children's author Dr. Seuss wrote dozens of books, many of which remain popular. Here are two of his most enduring quotes: In The Lorax (1971), the line 'Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." reminds everyone that all it takes is one person to make a difference. In Horton Hears a Who (1954), Horton says, 'A person's a person, no matter how small,' underscoring how everyone is equally important, whatever their physical stature. What Are Great Quotes From Biographies? Biographies tell the stories of great people whose legacies endure. Here are two excellent quotes from a pair of bestselling biographies: Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken (2010) quotes Olympian and former prisoner of war Louis Zamperini as saying, 'That's one thing you learn in sports. You don't give up; you fight to the finish," which he certainly did in his races and in life. Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton (2005) sums up the reason for the success of the American Revolution nicely: 'The American Revolution was to succeed because it was undertaken by skeptical men who knew that the same passions that toppled tyrannies could be applied to destructive ends.' What Are Great Quotes From Romance Novels? A bon mot that perfectly captures true love—that's what the greatest quotes from romance novels accomplish, including these two: In Nicholas Sparks's The Notebook (1996), Allie tells Noah, 'You are, and always have been, my dream.' Nothing else matters, in other words—only love. In Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights (1847), Cathy says of the brooding Heathcliff, "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." She doesn't know the science of it, but she knows her heart's desire.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
Author Ann Hood joins Todos Santos Writers Workshop faculty for 2026 Baja creative writing retreat
TODOS SANTOS, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Aug. 4, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Bestselling author Ann Hood has joined the faculty of the Todos Santos Writers Workshop (TSWW) for the 13th annual Winter Session, January 31 – February 7, 2026. Hood's international bestsellers include 'The Knitting Circle,' 'The Obituary Writer,' and 'The Book That Matters Most.' Her most recent book is the novel 'The Stolen Child.' Hood joins Christopher Merrill (poetry), Karen Karbo (memoir), Jeanne McCulloch (memoir), and Rex Weiner (storytelling strategies) to lead the fiction class in the acclaimed Baja creative writing retreat's 2026 teaching lineup. 'I have always been a huge fan of Ann's singular narrative finesse,' says TSWW co-founder and co-director Jeanne McCulloch, 'Her work is a clarion call, delivered in finely chiseled, unforgettable prose, teaching us about love, courage, and the will to overcome unparalleled grief – a celebration of life in all of its quirky, mysterious forms. Her students over the years have been blessed by her care, contagious good humor, and the many lessons she has to teach. She is a truly special addition to TSWW, and we are delighted to welcome her and her husband, the celebrated writer Michaell Ruhlman, to our workshop family.' 'I'm so excited to be part of the Todos Santos Writers Workshop faculty with the ever-fabulous Jeanne McCulloch, Christopher Merrill, Karen Karbo, and Rex Weiner. Looking forward to meeting our writers in this magical place and sharing time together.' About Ann Hood: Author of over a dozen novels, Hood has also written five memoirs, including 'Fly Girl,' about her days as a TWA flight attendant in the 1970s and 80s; and 'Comfort: A Journey Through Grief,' the story of her five-year-old daughter Grace's sudden death from a virulent form of strep in 2002, a NYT Editors' Choice and one of Entertainment Weekly's 2008 top ten non-fiction books. She is the winner of two Pushcart Prizes, two Best American Food Writing awards, a Best American Travel Writing award, and a Best American Spiritual Writing award. Her essays and short stories have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Food and Wine, Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, The Paris Review, The Atlantic, and many more. More info: About Todos Santos Writers Workshop: The Todos Santos Writers Workshop, founded in 2014, is a center for creative writing based in the historic pueblo mágico of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. TSWW's annual winter session offers workshops for writers at all levels in fiction, memoir, poetry, and storytelling strategies. Classes are limited to eight participants to ensure maximum individual attention. Todos Paris, the annual spring session in Paris, France, focuses on memoir and fiction writing. More info: Winter Session Information: RELATED LINKS: MUILTIMEDIA: Photo link for media: Photo caption: Bestselling Author Ann Hood. NEWS SOURCE: Todos Santos Writers Workshop Keywords: Creative Writing and Poetry, Bestselling author Ann Hood, Todos Santos Writers Workshop TSWW, Baja creative writing retreat, literary, educational, arts, political, creative writing, creative writing workshop, creative writing retreat, fiction, author, TODOS SANTOS, Baja California Sur, Mexico This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Todos Santos Writers Workshop) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P128198 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
