Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: It’s not just for kids!

Whether or not you decide to attend your high school reunion, a harrowing prospect depending on the current status of your high school ex, you should consider having a “reunion” with a few of the works you were forced to read at age 15.

Why, you may ask, shuddering as you recall a monotone voice reading aloud scenes from Moby Dick to your junior year English class?

Well, it’s hard to fully appreciate some of the world’s greatest literature at 16, and it’s rare that we enjoy something we “have” to read more than something we “opt” to read. So pick up dusty copies of these classics or snag them back from your teens:

1)     The Great Gatsby- As an English PhD student, I have not been formally taught The Great Gatsby since high school, mostly because professors assume everyone has already read it. While this may be true, there is much to be appreciated in this novel as an adult. Also, consider that there is a current obsession with literary figures in the jazz age, seen with Midnight in Paris and the current production of The Great Gatsby being made with Leonardo Dicaprio!

2)     Any Jane Austen novel- I have a soft spot for Jane Austen fiction, as it remains some of the only literature I read that has a consistently happy ending. There is something in Austen’s novels that transcends her times, even as it immerses you in her world, and it is both this relatability and escapism that continues to capture reader’s imaginations, and certainly allows it to transcend the confines of your high school lit class.

3)     Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God- Whether you read this in high school or not, this moving read about a young black woman who attempts to find her voice in a post-slavery, rural Southern landscape deserves attention. It is also entrancing for how Hurston, an ethnographer in her own right, captures the voices of a community. Read it, reread it, and enjoy one of the best novels in American literature!

4)     Frankenstein by Mary Shelley- This has got to be one of my favorite all time novels, because it not only tells a tale that has been implanted in our popular culture, but because it speaks to some of the most classic ethical debates in our society. Not to mention it’s really fun to read this novel and immediately follow that reading by watching Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein.

5)     John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath- This is a novel that I was supposed to read in high school, but in actuality I skimmed through the novel, losing interest and finding it difficult to get through. Yet upon revisiting this novel recently I have to say it was worth the effort and the wait. Steinbeck’s vivid and wrenching depiction of the Great Depression is both a literary and historical masterpiece and speaks to how society comes together and struggles in times of economic hardship, something that continues to resonate with readers to this day.

6)     Shakespeare- So I have to include the famous bard because he is one of the best storytellers of all time, and his works deserve to be enjoyed past their mandatory readings in classroom settings.  I’d also add that they are best enjoyed in the form they were intended for, on the stage! It isn’t too hard to find Shakespeare productions out there, just waiting to be enjoyed. As for what plays to revisit, I’d say you really can’t go wrong, but my favorites usually found on school curriculums are King Henry V, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Hamlet!

This is of course just a partial list and based on my opinion only, so I would love to hear your thoughts as well!  What would you like to reread from high school….or not?  Respond by commenting below!

P.S.  CHECK OUT OUR NEW LIST OF OUR BEST SELLING GIFTS FOR BOOK LOVERS!

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve posted on the GoneReading blog.  It’s only because we’ve been so extraordinarily busy expanding our global reach.

We’ve formed new partnerships with some major online players, philanthropies and other bookish websites.  We also continue to expand our product line… in short, everything is growing, and that’s a good thing!

Global Shipping Destinations

As part of our global expansion, we’ve increased our shipping destinations to include several countries around the world.  In addition to shipping across the United States and its Protectorates, we now ship to the entire list of countries below:

More Coming Soon!

The list of countries above was determined based on our website traffic; these are the countries which have attracted the most interest from shoppers overseas.  Is your country not listed above?  Contact Us and let us know just how much you want GoneReading products in your home country, and we’ll add you to our list of expansion markets for the future.

Thanks, and Happy Reading!

It’s Memorial Day Weekend here in the United States, and that has got us thinking about our Armed Forces serving abroad.  As a small token to honor their service,  we’ve updated our shipping policies so that all orders sent to APO/FPO addresses now earn free shipping.  No minimums, no maximums, just free and forever.

When placing your order, select “United States” as your destination country, then under “State” select your destination as “Armed Forces” and either AA, AE or AP.

If you have any questions, simply Contact Us.

Happy Memorial Day, and Happy Reading!

Host A Library Fundraiser with GoneReading!

One of the most exciting new opportunities now available at GoneReading is our library fundraiser program.    An extension of our philanthropic mission to fund libraries in the developing world, we now offer a fundraiser model – the only one of its kind – to directly benefit public libraries here in the United States.

As written in a recent issue of American Libraries Magazine “The economic downturn increased the strain on public libraries at the very time that demand for services is growing.”  Our new library fundraiser program was launched to help address that problem.

Part of the beauty of our library fundraiser program, however, is that it will actually increase our profile and our customer base here in the United States, ultimately increasing our ability to fund libraries in the developing world.  It’s a clear win-win for all parties.

If you represent a public library in the United States, check out the link below and Contact Us to discuss such a library fundraiser.  If you love our products, then you’ll understand that book lovers and readers really want to buy them.  Put our merchandise to work for your library!

5 Reasons to Host A Library Fundraiser with GoneReading

Click the link above to learn more about our library fundraiser model, and how it can benefit your own public library.

Happy Reading!

I’m just so pleased to announce that GoneReading and Ethiopia Reads have further cemented our relationship with the recent signing of a fundraising partnership.  In addition to our commitment to help fund this incredible organization through continued donations, this new partnership will generate additional funding for its work.

Through the partnership, Ethiopia Reads will use its relationships and resources to promote GoneReading.com and drive shoppers to our website.  In return, GoneReading will share a large portion of the sales generated back with Ethiopia Reads.  A true win-win situation!

The First of Many Such Fundraising Partnerships

This is just the first in a series of fundraising partnerships that GoneReading has under development, including those with online retailers, public libraries and a variety of reading-related non-profit organizations.  We’re exploring several different fundraising models, with reciprocal benefits to both GoneReading and the partnering organizations.

I will certainly keep you appraised of these new partnerships as they become finalized.

Attention Libraries & Reading-Related Non-Profits

Do you represent just such a library or reading-related non-profit, with a focus in the U.S. or the developing world?  Contact us today (or comment below) and let’s discuss such a partnership for your organization!

Happy Reading!

Wondering What Gift to Give Mom for Mother’s Day?

Because we all love our Moms so much, GoneReading wants to make sure you treat your Mom – especially those Moms who love to read – to some fantastic gifts from GoneReading.

And it doesn’t hurt that each purchase from GoneReading supports our philanthropic mission to fund libraries and reading-related charities.

As we count down the days to Mother’s Day on May 13th, GoneReading will be making gift suggestions for Moms who love to read.  Every 2-3 days we will highlight a different product below.  Perhaps some of our bestsellers, or maybe some suggestions you’ve never even seen before!

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to follow along!

Win $100 in Gifts from GoneReading, plus $25 from Amazon!

To make it really interesting, GoneReading will give away $100 in merchandise from our store, plus a $25 giftcard from Amazon.  Simply fill out the form at the far bottom of this post to enter the giveaway.  As you will see on the entry form, you can earn multiple entries by:

• Opting-in to our Preferred Customer Email List
• Sharing the giveaway on Facebook & Twitter
• Following us on Facebook and Twitter
• Pinning your favorite GoneReading products on Pinterest!

Whether you want the prize for yourself or an amazing Mom in your life, register below (see the entry form at the far bottom of this post)!

A Month’s Worth of Gift Ideas for Mom

Follow along below as we reveal a unique selection of bookish gift ideas for Mom.  New gift ideas will appear every 2-3 days between now and Mother’s Day (May 13, 2012)!

 Gift Idea #1 – “Paradise Found” T-Shirt

One of our most popular gifts for readers is this simple t-shirt with a simple message.  Click the image for details!

Gift Idea #2 – “The Reading Woman” Boxed Notecards

Elegant notecards, featuring paintings of women reading, all from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Gift Idea #3 – Scented Candles & Diffusers

A unique collection of scents and delights, inspired by the literary greats. Choose this Jane Austen gift, or others inspired by Edgar Allan Poe or Oscar Wilde!

Gift Idea #4 – Classic, Decorative Bookplates

Bookish Moms love the idea of adorning her most cherished books, and labeling them as her own, with these beautiful bookplates.  Choose from nine designs!

Gift Idea #5 – “GoneReading at the Beach” T-Shirt

Our most popular t-shirt for women!  Whether headed to the beach with a stack of reads, or just wishing to do so, bookish Moms love this bookish t-shirt.

Gift Idea #6 – “Books I’ve Read” Book Journal

Our most popular book journal, it includes specific notations and reminders for book lovers to record her thoughts about her favorite books.

Gift Idea #7 – Bookish Wine Charms

Perfect for the Mom who loves a little wine with her books (or is it the other way around?)…

Gift Idea #8 – “Read. Nap. Repeat.” T-Shirt

Relish the thought of a book-induced nap with one of our most popular t-shirts.

Gift Idea #9 – Donate to Ethiopia Reads!

It’s too late for us to guarantee shipment by Mother’s Day, so how about making a donation in Mom’s name?

Gift Idea #10 – Donate to READ Global!

It’s too late for us to guarantee shipment by Mother’s Day, so how about making a donation in Mom’s name?

Enter the “Month of Mom” Giveaway by filling out the form below!

Winner can reside anywhere that GoneReading already ships to: U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia

Read more →

For the first time since the relaunch of our website in February we’re now carrying t-shirts for kids.  By popular demand we’ve taken two of our most popular t-shirt designs and turned them into t-shirts for kids!

Each of the shirts is available in five sizes for kids, ranging from X-Small to X-Large (Size 2-20), and feature the same, high-quality, heavyweight, 100% shirts you love.

Summer is almost here.  Make sure your kids looks as cool as you do with their book shirts from GoneReading!

Click here to view the kids shirts!

Take Me To Your Reader -Book Shirts for Kids

Read. Nap. Repeat. – Book Shirts for Kids

Shopping for yourself?  Check out our Book Shirts for Adults!

Happy Reading!

Let me start this post by saying that no one loves the printed book more than myself.  But as I’ve said before, what really matters is the writing, regardless of the format on which it is presented.

I’ve been reading Dracula, the original by Bram Stoker, over the last couple of weeks on my Kindle.  I’ve enjoyed it so much that it occurred to me that I need to read more of the classics, and for some reason Charles Dickens popped into my head.

Over the course of the next minute and a half I visited the Kindle store, searched for Dickens, read a quick review of David Copperfield, and downloaded it for free.  All of that in just 90 seconds, and for no cost.

Now I certainly could have bought David Copperfield in any format.  I didn’t need it right away, and I could easily afford to pay full price for the latest edition by whatever publisher.

But think about the less fortunate reader, possibly someone living in a remote area, with limited means.  Whatever upheaval the digital revolution is causing for publishers and others in developed society, it can have a radical effect on the impoverished reader.

Instant access to the classics, all of them, free of charge, for everyone in the world, at any time or place.  That’s pretty powerful stuff.  Chalk one up for eBooks.

As always, please share your comments below…

Happy Reading!

Due to popular demand our book journal collection has grown again, this time adding the three colorful book journals you see below.  Who knew that keeping a book journal would be so popular?

By the strictest definition, these new additions are technically just journals, not specifically designed for writing about your books.  But they are beautiful, functional, and we hope you enjoy them.

Click to View Our Book Journal Collection

The Garden Blossoms Flexi book journal

The Wise Red Owl book journal

The Evolve Eco book journal

Happy Reading!

When I first saw The Reading Woman collection I knew it was perfect for GoneReading.  It had never occurred to me just how many famous artists over the centuries have painted women in the act of reading.  We feature a few in our collection of prints and posters of books, but The Reading Woman takes it to a new level.

Works by Monet, Degas, Renoir and others adorn useful products for the bookish home: address books, notecards, postcard sets and calendars.  The Reading Woman will surround you with literary images, nurturing your love of reading to new heights.

Check out the new collection, and please let me know what you think.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE READING WOMAN COLLECTION

Happy Reading!