The I Needed a Little Bling Weekly Link Round-Up

 

Another rather lazy week here at Casa Kittling, and it's been hot enough that I appreciate staying indoors with my tea, books, and air conditioning. Part of me does want to get out and about, but my lazy side is turning a deaf ear. 

Next week, I have the ultrasound on my leg to see if the veins are working properly. Today, Denis had his epidural. The epidural went well, and Denis said that he could feel it all the way down to his toes. We're both hoping that it does provide some relief for his chronic pain. Yuck-- enough with the health problems!

I decided to splash out a few dollars for a couple of gizmos that I've had my eye on for a few years. I always wondered if they actually worked. I happened to see a couple with bling, and my arthritic thumb persuaded me to make the purchase. What in the world am I talking about?

That sparkly thumb thingy that helps you keep your book open, that's what! And it works! I also know some of you are going to be taking a closer look at the photo to see what I've been reading... Michael Bennett's Return to Blood. In fact, you can also see another of my necessities for reading physical books: magnetic bookmarks. They stay put and don't fall out.

Here's hoping that you're all in good health, staying cool, and reading some good books. Enjoy the links!

►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄

• The return of full services at Seattle libraries is still weeks or months away.
• How the Kindle became a must-have accessory (again).
• The strange case of posthumously published books.
• How a trove of whaling logbooks will help scientists understand our changing climate.
• Authors in the U.S. are seeking help to plug their own books after cuts by their publishers.
• How the rise of the camera launched a fight to protect Gilded Age Americans' privacy.
• From The Guardian: "Reading's in danger": Frank Cottrell-Boyce on books, kids-- and the explosive power of Heidi.
• How celebrity book clubs actually work.

 

►Book Banning & Censorship◄

• A judge has ruled that the Escambia (Florida) School board and its superintendent can't be shielded over their book removals.
• An Alabama children's book event was canceled amid "escalating" anti-LGBTQ+ threats.
• Kids marched at South Carolina State University to protest book bans and to honor history.
• The Mentor (Ohio) school board approved a new policy amid a controversial book debate.
• A California school district voted out board members who banned Pride flags in schools.
• The Lodi (California) Unified School District faces the next chapter in a book ban controversy.
• On a new website, a Seaside (Oregon) city councilor provides a detailed response to a recall over potential library restrictions.
• The Harford County (Maryland) school board decided to revive an AP African American Studies course it had previously axed for next year.
• At this California high school, the library is for everything but books.
• Libraries can help end the culture wars. That's why they're under attack.

 

►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄

• Chinese archaeological work in Uzbekistan helps "fill a gap in the history" of an ancient Silk Road empire.
• A 1,600-year-old coin discovered in the Channel Islands features a Roman emperor killed by invading Goths.
• A medieval warrior woman was buried alongside 23 Spanish monks, and no one knows why.
• A 2,000-year-old Roman military sandal with nails for traction was found in Germany.
• A buried ancient Egyptian port reveals the hidden connections between distant civilizations.
• This Rubens painting vanished during World War II. Now, it's returning home to a castle in Germany.
• An "exceptional" discovery reveals more than 30 ancient Egyptian tombs built into a hillside.
• Ancient Egyptian scribes were worked to the bone.

 

►Channeling My Inner Elly May Clampett◄

• Eight birds that people used to eat (but would be a Federal crime to eat now).
• Take a look at this jaw-dropping photo of a bobcat leaping up to snatch a blue heron out of the sky.
• Sea cucumber crime is a thing, and this is where it's happening. (Sometimes I wonder about Chinese cuisine...)
• Ancient DNA unravels the mysteries of the dingo, Australia's wild dog.
• This island is inhabited by more koalas than humans.
• Two lions made a record-breaking swim for "female affection."
• An entire pod of 89 pilot whales died on a Scottish beach in a freak mass stranding.
• Nesting shorebirds are mobbing drones on New York City beaches.

 

►The Wanderer◄

• Why descendants are returning to the plantations where their ancestors were enslaved.
• You can now visit France's first-ever cheese museum.
• NASA captures 160°F. sidewalks in Phoenix. (I told you it's been hot...)
• Turin: The dark and foggy crimes of the Po Valley.
• Fifteen places where borders get a little strange.
• Copenhagen is rewarding tourists for good behavior.
• Nine real-life sunken cities.
• The loneliest road in every state in America.

 

►Fascinating Folk◄

• The "Mexican-Hindus" of rural California.
• Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America's pioneering sex therapist, died at the age of 96.
• Chris Whitaker: The stories of my life. And... Chris Whitaker on writing an American epic as an Englishman.
  
• Jason Epstein, the man who created the trade paperback.
• Lai Teck, international man of mystery.
• Barry Bremen, the man who pretended to be an MLB, NBA, and NFL All-Star.
• Black sailors were finally exonerated 80 years after a deadly World War II disaster.
• Patricia Highsmith: learn more about the creator of Thomas Ripley.

 

►I ♥ Lists◄

• Ten strange creatures the prowl the pages of medieval bestiaries.
• Eleven moments of movie foreshadowing you might have missed.
• Ten never-before-seen paintings by Winston Churchill.
• Psychological thrillers in which houses have secrets of their own.
• Scene-stealing sidekicks.
• 100 of the greatest posters of celebrities urging you to read.
• Six famous guitarists who lost their instruments (and sometimes got them back).
• Author Lisa Scottoline's book recommendations.

That's all for this week! Don't forget to stop by next Friday when I'll be sharing a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure.

No matter how busy you may be, don't forget that quality Me Time curled up with a good book!