The Wake Up Call – 31 October 2012
Like the smell of strong coffee wafting down the hall, we offer a few book-related thoughts and stories to jumpstart your day…
Today is Halloween, and it is oddly appropriate that this date marks the death of illusionist Harry Houdini (1926).
“My professional life has been a constant record of disillusion, and many things that seem wonderful to most men are the every-day commonplaces of my business.” – Harry Houdini.
“I want, of course, peace, grace, and beauty. How do you do that? You work for it.” – Journalist Studs Terkel, who died on this day in 2008. [ Read excerpts from 2 of his most famous books ]
Today is also the birthday of Brent Laytham. Be sure to check out his excellent, brand new book iPod, YouTube, WiiPlay: Theological Engagements with Entertainment (Cascade 2012). Watch for our review in the near future!
Poem of the Day: Thing of Beauty by John Keats, who was born on this day in 1795.
Book (and Television) News:
- What’s it like inside the head of Neil Young? The LA Review of Books reviews the musician’s new memoir.
- Slow Church: ERB editor Chris Smith on the atrocity of the Discovery Channel’s show Jungle Gold
Thanks be to God for this new day, may it be full of beauty and grace!
The Wake Up Call image via WikiMedia Commons…
C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com

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