There's been quite a bit of book activity in my lobby recently. I'll start with this classic nugget, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, about Packingtown, the center of Chicago's meatpacking industry in the early 20th century. We know the horrors of how meat gets processed in 2009--imagine what it was like a hundred years ago. Gag. The cover photo of this edition tells it all.
If you don't feel like reading the book (I mean, it's long, and old, and full of ideas--it's like having to watch Battleship Potemkin for school) then check out SparkNotes. It's like Cliffs Notes ("The fastest way to learn") for the Internet, with a chapter-by-chapter synopsis, a page of historical context, and a character breakdown. Brought to you by the people who already make most of America's book buying decisions: Barnes & Noble.
Don't forget your homework:
4 comments:
Dell -- Strong stuff for early morning. That scene from "Potemkin" is still powerful almost 100 years later. I remember watching it in a college film class. Thanks for sharing! Our book swap at work seems to feature romance novels and out-of-date travel guides. We need something new.
Hey, what's wrong with romance novels?? ;)
I think what Robin meant was that she's already read those romance novels.
Actually, out-of-date travel books are probably entertaining, especially if you know the area: "Boston's Big Dig project keeps you on your toes while you maneuver the wonderful and challenging maze of detours and one-way streets..."
Oops -- Sorry to talk down romance novels, Cindy! I just meant it would be nice to see more variety in the reading choices at work:)
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