Podcasts about rare books

In this episode of Crazy Wisdom, Stewart Alsop sits down with Charlie D. Becker, a second-generation bookseller whose family runs Houston's largest used and rare bookstore, to unpack the viral tweet that had people convinced AI companies were secretly buying up used books to train their models. Charlie walks through what he actually found in his own warehouse orders, why the more likely explanation is old-fashioned reseller arbitrage and FBA "bookjacking" rather than AI training data, and how that story connects to the real, well-documented case of Anthropic scanning and destroying physical books for legal reasons. From there the conversation moves into the difference between rare and valuable books, the discoverability problem in the used book market, historical parallels like palimpsests and lost texts, his own AI tool for used bookstores, and broader questions about wealthy patronage funding independent research and passion projects. For more, check out Charlie's personal site at charliedbecker.com and his Substack at charliebecker.substack.com.Timestamps00:00 Stewart introduces Charlie D. Becker, a second generation bookseller building an AI tool for used bookstores and discusses Anthropic's controversial book acquisition practices05:00 Charlie explains how Anthropic legally destroyed physical books by slicing spines to scan them, avoiding copyright violations while building training datasets for AI models10:00 Charlie describes receiving bizarre bulk book orders through non-Amazon platforms, initially suspecting AI companies but discovering evidence of sophisticated book arbitrage operations instead15:00 Discussion of the banal explanation for mysterious orders: algorithmic resellers buying cheap books from obscure platforms to flip on Amazon through FBA warehouses20:00 Stewart and Charlie explore historical parallels between the printing press era and today's digital transition, discussing the loss of archival records and palimpsests25:00 Charlie emphasizes the discoverability problem for rare obscure books and how profit-driven algorithms prevent people from finding books unless they know exactly what to search for30:00 Detailed explanation of Charlie's AI cataloging tool that creates bibliographic profiles from photos of pre-1970 books lacking ISBNs, addressing the hard problem of metadata creation35:00 Discussion of the technical challenges solved: archival-safe removable stickers, RFID systems, and creating canonical records that become definitive sources for rare books40:00 Charlie describes building copy-level databases beyond edition-level records, creating VIN numbers for books, and designing knowledge graphs linking works to editions and translations45:00 Vision for navigable work-edition hierarchies allowing researchers to explore translation genealogies and linguistic families, solving problems Amazon has no incentive to address50:00 Stewart raises the possibility of returning to gentleman's science and aristocratic private libraries in an age of AI abundance and accessible three-d printing technology55:00 Charlie reflects on supporting idiosyncratic passion projects regardless of profit, his fellowship from Jim O'Shaughnessy, and navigating economic inequality while promoting eccentric research pursuitsKey Insights1. Charlie D. Becker is a second generation bookseller whose family runs Houston's largest used and rare bookstore, and he is currently building an AI tool specifically designed for used bookstores. He became widely known after a tweet he wrote about AI companies potentially purchasing books went viral with approximately one and a half million impressions, though he emphasizes the importance of being careful about distinguishing between what he has directly observed, what is on public record, and what is his intuition or speculation about these events.2. The controversy around Anthropic and book destruction centers on how AI companies acquire training data from physical books. Court documents revealed that Anthropic acquired physical books in mass quantities to scan them, and they were industrially slicing the spines off to make scanning faster and easier. The legal justification for this practice was that because they destroyed the original physical book after scanning it, they were not violating copyright law since no duplicate copy existed alongside the original. A judge ruled this was technically legal, even though it appeared problematic to many observers, because the destruction of the original meant they were not running afoul of copyright provisions about making copies for distribution.3. Becker received unusual bulk orders for obscure books through a non-Amazon platform in late April, which led him to investigate whether AI companies were responsible for these purchases. However, after analyzing the pattern of purchases and where the books were being shipped, he concluded that a more mundane explanation was likely at work: sophisticated book arbitrage operations. These operations identify books selling cheaply on one platform that could be listed for higher prices on Amazon through Fulfillment by Amazon warehouses, and books that do not sell eventually get recycled or liquidated anyway, meaning rare books are being destroyed through normal commercial operations regardless of whether AI companies are involved.4. The main technical challenge Becker is solving with his AI tool relates to books printed before 1970, which lack ISBNs or International Standard Book Numbers. Modern book cataloging systems are built around ISBNs, which makes it extremely difficult and time-consuming to catalog older books for online sale since there is no automated way to populate bibliographic data for pre-1970 books. His tool uses computer vision and AI to analyze photographs of book covers, title pages, and copyright pages to automatically generate rich bibliographic metadata, and he has partnered with a PhD AI computer vision specialist to develop this technology over the past year.5. A surprising discovery during the development of this cataloging tool was that the existing data for many older books is extremely poor, inconsistent, or completely absent from major databases. For approximately a quarter of the books they process, the only existing records might be an incomplete eBay listing from years ago or a sparse entry in WorldCat, the interlibrary database. This means that rather than simply aggregating existing data, they are actually creating canonical records for many books that will become the authoritative source that others reference, essentially building new infrastructure for book metadata rather than just accessing what already exists.6. Becker advocates strongly for the preservation of obscure and seemingly unimportant books because while they may not have obvious value today, future researchers, tinkerers, or engineers might need them to solve problems we have not yet encountered. He compares this to historical palimpsests where important ancient texts were accidentally preserved when medieval scribes wrote over them, noting that the internet functions more like a palimpsest than an archive since we constantly overwrite and lose information rather than truly preserving it. The current system for deciding which books get preserved or destroyed is essentially random and driven purely by short-term profit motives rather than any thoughtful consideration of potential future value or historical significance.7. The long-term vision for the project extends beyond simple cataloging to creating a comprehensive knowledge graph that distinguishes between works, editions, and individual copies of books in ways that current commercial platforms do not adequately address. Unlike Goodreads which treats all editions of a book as a single work, or platforms like eBay that only show individual edition listings, Becker envisions a system where users can navigate between different organizational levels and explore the genealogy of works across translations, editions, and languages. The project also aims to create copy-level records similar to what libraries maintain, which would track provenance and availability of specific individual copies rather than just edition-level information, something no commercial platform currently does at scale.

This week, we learned that OpenAI had stopped training new artificial intelligence models while the company reviewed its security measures. Will this encourage other labs to hit the brakes too? Then, the historian Jill Lepore joins to discuss her new book about the artificial state — or, as she describes it, “the rule of humans by machines manufactured by corporations.” And finally, why is Google buying up the data of the defunct Spirit Airlines? It's time for our new segment “Train of Thought.” Guests: Jill Lepore, professor of history and law at Harvard University, staff writer at The New Yorker and author of the new book “The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State.” Additional Reading: OpenAI Slows Model Training to Bolster Security After Hugging Face Hack A Government for the People, but Not by People Google to Buy Spirit Airlines Business Data for $10 Million A.I.'s New Training Data: Your Old Work Slacks and Emails We Tracked a Shipment of Rare Books. It Ended at an Amazon A.I. Training Facility. We want to hear from you. Email us at hardfork@nytimes.com. Find “Hard Fork” on YouTube and TikTok. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Support the show on Patreon! - https://patreon.com/gogOther ways to support the show! - https://gog.show/donateJoin our Discord! - https://discord.gg/r4ZmSHBBuy some merch! - https://shop.gog.show/Meta is facing a $1.4 trillion legal ass-whupping over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately engineered to be addictive and harmful to kids, while OpenAI appears to be doing the exact opposite of what you might expect from a company selling "safe" AI: reportedly sidelining its catastrophic-risk preparedness team just as its models are learning to go rogue. Then, in a move straight out of the "let's have the robots write the laws" file, members of Congress are apparently using ChatGPT and Claude to draft legislation so badly that House lawyers have to clean up the mess, and some staffers aren't even learning the issues their bills are supposed to address. Meanwhile, Amazon may be dismantling physical books and scanning them into AI training datasets, because apparently the future of literature is being fed into a wood chipper.And then there's the surveillance and privacy edition of Tech Hell™. Comcast can now turn compatible Wi-Fi routers into motion sensors that detect movement in your home through radio signals, Kalshi is getting smacked down by a Washington judge who says its sports contracts are just gambling wearing a tiny financial-services mustache, and Tesla is finally recalling 20,000 cars over headlights that have been too damn bright since 2024. Plus, the AI industry continues discovering that “autonomous” means “capable of doing something catastrophically stupid without asking permission.”Elsewhere, we investigate why young people apparently trust AI CEOs about as much as Gen X trusted record-company executives, Peter Thiel gets a Gandalf-themed welcome in Argentina, and we dig into the increasingly uncomfortable intersection of AI, surveillance, pornography, politics, and billionaire bullshit. We also get into the mobile podcasting rig, Sonos finally remembers the iPhone has a Lock Screen, internet-connected pet feeders remind us why cats should never depend on the cloud. Media Candy brings Widow's Bay, Silo, Ted Lasso, It: Welcome to Derry, Kitchen Undercover and enough Spider-Man to make us all desperately crave something that doesn't involve a fucking multiverse.Sponsors:Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.com/grumpyDeleteMe - Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use promo code GOG at checkout.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/759Watch on YouTube at https://youtu.be/RMhCndozH-0SHOW NOTESMeta faces a $1.4 trillion reckoning in latest trial over social media addictionPornhub's Parent Company to Pay $120 Million to Settle Child Sexual Abuse LawsuitsOpenAI reportedly disbanded its preparedness team as part of a 'streamlining' processOpenAI denies disbanding its preparedness teamOpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens, promising a more age-appropriate chatbotYoung People Hate AI CEOs So Passionately That It's Almost Hard to BelieveAI-generated bills are reportedly causing problems in the CapitolProtestors Dressed as Gandalf Demand Peter Thiel Leave Argentina, Go Back to the AbyssTesla Has to Fix 20,000 Vehicles With Too-Bright Headlights It's Known About Since 2024We Tracked a Shipment of Rare Books. It Ended at an Amazon AI Training FacilityState Judge to Kalshi: Your Sports Betting Is Obviously IllegalDario Amodei's Wife Is Closely Linked to Jeffrey EpsteinComcast just turned millions of Xfinity routers into motion sensorsBONTEC Mobile Standing Desk, Pneumatic Lift, Rolling Laptop CartMOALLIA N86 360 Rotating Laptop Stand for Desk with Locking Knobs, BlackNEEWER Basics 7"" Desk Ring Light for Video Recording, 10W Dimmable, R06TROND Desk Clamp Power Bar Surge Protector with PD 20W USB, 6 Outlets, 10ftSonos just launched Live Activities on iPhoneInternet-Connected Pet Feeders Go Down, Leaving Kitties HungryWidow's BaySlow Horses — Season 6 Official Trailer | Apple TVKitchen UndercoverHBO Has Finally Made ‘It: Welcome to Derry' Season 2 OfficialCertainty: A Novel by John Twelve HawksLockstep by Karl SchroederA Gift of Time by Jerry MerrittSilicon Valley Dreams of AuthoritarianismThe Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy by Gil DuránDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingNorthern ExposureSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET joins the show to talk about her review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Meta's smart glasses are slowly becoming a concern in the workplace, and Amazon is destroying rare books & utilizing them as AI training data. Abrar Al-Heeti shares her review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, noting how foldables have become nearly indistinguishable in size from standard phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and shares a look at its camera, battery, and new software features like Pause Point. Mikah shares an article published by The Verge that looks into how retail workers, tourism employees, and comedians describe being secretly recorded by Meta Ray-Ban wearers on the job. And 404 Media's Emanuel Maiberg joins the show to share his investigation into Amazon buying and shredding rare, out-of-print books to scan them as AI training data, and how a legal ruling in Anthropic's book-piracy case made destroying the originals advantageous. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guest: Emanuel Maiberg Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: box.com/AI cirasync.com/TNW

Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET joins the show to talk about her review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Meta's smart glasses are slowly becoming a concern in the workplace, and Amazon is destroying rare books & utilizing them as AI training data. Abrar Al-Heeti shares her review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, noting how foldables have become nearly indistinguishable in size from standard phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and shares a look at its camera, battery, and new software features like Pause Point. Mikah shares an article published by The Verge that looks into how retail workers, tourism employees, and comedians describe being secretly recorded by Meta Ray-Ban wearers on the job. And 404 Media's Emanuel Maiberg joins the show to share his investigation into Amazon buying and shredding rare, out-of-print books to scan them as AI training data, and how a legal ruling in Anthropic's book-piracy case made destroying the originals advantageous. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guest: Emanuel Maiberg Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: box.com/AI cirasync.com/TNW

Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET joins the show to talk about her review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Meta's smart glasses are slowly becoming a concern in the workplace, and Amazon is destroying rare books & utilizing them as AI training data. Abrar Al-Heeti shares her review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, noting how foldables have become nearly indistinguishable in size from standard phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and shares a look at its camera, battery, and new software features like Pause Point. Mikah shares an article published by The Verge that looks into how retail workers, tourism employees, and comedians describe being secretly recorded by Meta Ray-Ban wearers on the job. And 404 Media's Emanuel Maiberg joins the show to share his investigation into Amazon buying and shredding rare, out-of-print books to scan them as AI training data, and how a legal ruling in Anthropic's book-piracy case made destroying the originals advantageous. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guest: Emanuel Maiberg Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: box.com/AI cirasync.com/TNW

Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET joins the show to talk about her review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Meta's smart glasses are slowly becoming a concern in the workplace, and Amazon is destroying rare books & utilizing them as AI training data. Abrar Al-Heeti shares her review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, noting how foldables have become nearly indistinguishable in size from standard phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and shares a look at its camera, battery, and new software features like Pause Point. Mikah shares an article published by The Verge that looks into how retail workers, tourism employees, and comedians describe being secretly recorded by Meta Ray-Ban wearers on the job. And 404 Media's Emanuel Maiberg joins the show to share his investigation into Amazon buying and shredding rare, out-of-print books to scan them as AI training data, and how a legal ruling in Anthropic's book-piracy case made destroying the originals advantageous. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guest: Emanuel Maiberg Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: box.com/AI cirasync.com/TNW

A fire tore through two beloved Arts District businesses this week. We dig into what Raw Remedies and Analog Dope mean to the Arts District and how you can help them get back on their feet. Then, we get into the debate on AI regulation after an investigative report alleges that Amazon has been buying and destroying rare books at a facility in North Las Vegas for AI training data. Finally, Cirque du Soleil's "Mad Apple" is closing permanently at New York-New York on Sept. 5, so we look at what's next for Cirque on the Strip, plus we offer up our take on the best Cirque shows in town. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with Nevada Current reporter MJ Lyle and artist Vogue Robinson. As mentioned in today's episode, if you feel compelled to support Raw Remedies and/or Analog Dope in their efforts to recover from the fire you can do so at the links below:  Raw Remedies GoFundMe Online Bookshop for Analog Dope Cashapp: $analogdopellc Zelle: business@analogdope.com PayPal: business@analogdope.com Venmo: AnalogDope3000 If you enjoyed this interview with IS LUXURY's, Luxury Real Estate Advisor, Holly Erker learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, August 20th episode: Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Take control of your data footprint risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Go tohttps://incogni.com/404Mediaand use code 404MEDIA for 60% off an annual plan. That's code 404MEDIA athttps://incogni.com/404Media We start this week with Emanuel's big story about Amazon buying, and destroying, masses of books to train AI. After the break we talk about a couple of wild cases where people are using AI. In the subscribers-only section, we talk about Meta's new smart glasses patent and research into how perverts are using them.  We Tracked a Shipment of Rare Books. It Ended at an Amazon AI Training Facility ‘Show How 3M Is 0% at Fault:' Expert Witness Used ChatGPT to Write Report Defending Company in Deadly Explosion Lawsuit Person Hides Prompt Injection in Legal Filing Telling AI to Side With Them Meta Patents AI Glasses to Use Facial Recognition to Identify People, Make Highlight Reels of Your Dinner Party Researchers Show How Meta's 'Pervert Glasses' Are Used to Harass Women YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/_sf2VoKvxBk Subscribe at 404media.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Project Anchor turned out to be yet another failed, click-bait conspiracy prediction. The world did not lose gravity on the 12th of August for enough time for people and things to levitate. However, there was a solar eclipse that occurred on that day. But won't stop the next round of Internet rumors, lies, and scams. The Internet is awash in time traveler stories, futuristic predictions, and conspiracies that are so insane they discredit legitimate conspiracies.  Sure, people have been killed for knowing too much about something they shouldn't, but every death is not a conspiracy. Take Max Spiers, who overdosed on a generic version of Xanax while engaged to a legitimately insane, and seriously overweight, woman named Sarah Adams who claims to be a healer and psychic. Or take David Wilcock, a man suffering from self-made financial issues, self-delusions about his life, and a lifetime of depression that led to him taking his own life. But his fans couldn't let him rest; in a bout of hysteria similar to Wilcock's own delusion, his supporters created every possible scenario to justify an argument that he was still alive and working on secret technology. HIs family and friends begged them to stop. The same thing even happened after legendary radio personality Art Bell died of COPD, and Jim Marrs of kidney issues.  Recently, it's the death of Joe Felz, a van life influencer who made videos of rare books, is the center of attention. Joe was reportedly killed by dark forces that wanted to suppress his book, some of which are free online to read. HIs girlfriend, however, says to leave him and his family alone as they grieve. If dark forces wanted to suppress information though, they would control it on the Internet, perhaps buying up rare books, scanning them, and destroying the original. This is precisely what AI companies are being accused of at the moment. Perhaps the story of Felz is cover for the latter? Or maybe, as is supposed, he was suicidal. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, subscribe below. 

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This week on Without A Country, Corinne Fisher covers host of topics including the primary races that are splitting the democratic party in half, AI companies signing NDA's to take rare books out of print and destroy them for training purposes because thats how the laws are written, the reports of protesters murdered in Iran reaching new eyes thanks to reporting from Amnesty International and more, why Fox New's ad based business model is more welcoming to the every man, listener emails pertaining to last weeks story on Lindsay Clancy's trial, A God Watch on Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lindell BOTH being the top candidates for a governership despite both having ties to an Anti-LGBTQ Christian group, Lab Monkeys going for twice the rate as China ramps up biotech, why people can't stop talking about Ariana Grande's body and so much more!GLASGOW, SCOTLAND! 14 Aug https://punchlinepromotions.co.uk/event/corinne-fisher-live-in-glasgow/LOS ANGELES! Get your tickets to GASH October 25: https://events.leapevents.com/event/gash-2026SUBSCRIBE TO THE PATREON:https://patreon.com/WithoutACountry?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkFOLLOW WITHOUT A COUNTRY ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/withoutacountrypodcast/FOLLOW CORINNE ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/philanthropygalFOLLOW MIKE ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/themharrington/FOLLOW ALONG:Why Democratic Socialism Appeals to Young Votershttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/07/31/why-democratic-socialism-appeals-young-voters/GOD WATCH Clergy confessions stay in the church?https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/03/arizona-clergy-child-abuse-confessions-courtMike Lindell and Amy Klobucharhttps://jonathanlarsen.substack.com/p/klobuchar-and-lindell-a-family-feud?utm_source=substack%2Csubstack&utm_medium=email%2Cemail&utm_campaign=email-restack-comment&r=6ki7zm&triedRedirect=trueMAIN STORIESWhy Abdul El-Sayed Wonhttps://www.thefp.com/p/abdul-el-sayed-wins-michigan-senate-primary?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=emailhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/2/how-much-has-aipac-spent-against-michigans-abdul-el-sayed-and-whyMURDERING PROTESTORS IN IRANhttps://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/07/iran-end-escalating-campaign-of-arbitrary-executions-and-death-sentences-against-protesters/AI Rare Bookshttps://www.404media.co/ai-companies-are-buying-tons-of-old-books-because-theyre-free-of-ai-slop/GUUUURLPerez Hilton https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-says-moderator-error-kept-perez-hilton-livestream-on-platform/Ariana Grande https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/03/entertainment/ariana-grande-weight-body-cecSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are proud to present a special recording of an event from Melbourne Rare Book Week.Georgina Chadderton is an Australian cartoonist. Her work has been featured in outlets including The Nib and Voiceworks magazine. They are a cofounder of Papercuts Comics Festival, an independent annual celebration of graphic novels held in Adelaide. When they're not drawing, Georgina enjoys eating pizza and playing roller derby. In this event recorded at Melbourne City Libraries, part of Melbourne Rare Book Week, Georgina talks in depth about Oh Brother and the ten year process of making her first graphic novel.00:00 James Baker's intro for the episode01:14 Georgina introduction and talks about Oh Brother09:14 Georgina discusses the process of making Oh Brother32:45 Questions and answersFor more from Georgina check out her website: https://www.georgerexcomics.comTo stay up to date with Melbourne Rare Book Week: https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/ To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are proud to present a special recording of an event from Melbourne Rare Book Week.The comic book form is used as a narrative medium by creators to tackle social, historical and personal histories: protesting about the Vietnam War in Mirranda Burton's Underground; Napoleon Bonaparte's Tasmanian imprisonment in Jamie Clennett's The Diemenois; and growing up with an autistic sibling in Gina Chadderton's Oh Brother. These creators present illustrated readings from their work, then engage in a discussion about comics and the real world, and how their books have enabled the two to converge and converse.Chaired by Bernard Caleo, this is a recording of a Melbourne Rare Book Week presented in partnership with the Melbourne Athenaeum Library and ALIA Graphic Novels and Comics on Thursday July 30, 2026.00:20 Welcome and acknowledgement of country01:20 Bernard Caleo introduces the night and discusses comics and the real world13:11 Mirranda Burton reads from Underground18:49 Mirranda in conversation with Bernard22:59 Jamie Clennett reads from The Diemenois30:17 Jamie Clennett in conversation with Bernard33:51 Georgina introduces Oh Brother38:50 Georgina reads from Oh Brother43:34 Georgina in conversation with Bernard47:44 Mirranda, Jamie and Georgina in conversation with BernardTo stay up to date with Melbourne Rare Book Week: https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/To stay up to date with the Melbourne Athenaeum Library: https://melbourneathenaeum.org.au/library/To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's Headlines: Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued Mitch McConnell an ultimatum — prove you can serve or resign — pointing out that if Mitch can chat with Scott Jennings for 20 minutes he can call into a Kentucky news station. Lindsey Graham's memorial service at the Capitol brought together an unlikely guest list including Zelensky and Netanyahu, both of whom used the funeral as an opportunity for behind-closed-doors Trump meetings — Netanyahu called it "one of the best conversations I've had with Trump, and Zelensky said it was "good" and they discussed Patriot missiles and Ukraine diplomacy. In other Trump adjacent news, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced plans to sell a $20 billion stake in the World Cup to private investors led by Thrive Capital, owned by Jared Kushner's brother Joshua Kushner and his wife Karlie Kloss, because of course it is, with reactions from FIFA's 211 member associations being nearly universally negative. On the AI beat, AI companies are now buying rare books in bulk and destroying them to scan the pages for model training, because they've run out of internet content that isn't their own slop. Additionally, Elon Musk is suing the state of Minnesota over its ban on AI nudification, arguing that generating non-consensual sexual images of people without their knowledge is "free speech." Finally, ICE agents are going undercover at at least 15 airports nationwide to arrest foreign nationals with expired visas while traveling — including spouses of American citizens — using airline data shared through TSA, and the administration simultaneously created a new rule channeling nearly half a million asylum seekers directly into deportation proceedings without a hearing, because due process is apparently optional now. Resources/Articles mentioned: Axios: Speak or resign: Beshear ups demand for McConnell health status AP News: Lindsey Graham eulogized as an 'American original' with global reach CNBC:Netanyahu, Zelenskyy come to DC for Graham's funeral, meetings with Trump amid wars WSJ: FIFA Explores Stake Sale in New $20 Billion Entity Futurism: AI Companies Are Buying Antique Books, Ingesting Their Contents to Train Models, and Then Destroying Them at Incredible Scale KARE 11: Elon Musk's X.AI sues to block Minnesota's AI nudification ban, calling it a 'ban on free speech' NYT: ICE Arrests Surge at Airports, Opening New Front in Deportation Drive WaPo: Asylum seekers could be sent directly to deportation court under new rule Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Michael and Tom discuss the theivery of a rare book from the warehouse and then balance it out by remembering the finer members of humanity with whom we've shared our time. The guys then look back at 30 years of online bookselling. 

Learn how Jane Austen's bookshelf can enrich your literary journey. Explore the overlooked women writers who inspired her and why they matter today. In this book club chat, we discuss with author Rebecca Romney the literary influences that shaped Jane Austen's work. Why had we never even heard of these marvelous writers?! You'll discover the importance of recognizing these authors and how to incorporate their works into your reading list. Join us in this conversation and understand Austen's real influencers. About Rebecca Romney Rebecca Romney is a rare book dealer and co-founder of Type Punch Matrix, a rare book company based in Washington, DC. She is also a specialist featured on the History Channel's *Pawn Stars* and has contributed to the documentary *The Book Sellers*. With her extensive knowledge and passion for literature, Rebecca is uniquely positioned to shed light on the forgotten voices of women in literature. Learn more about her here. The Underappreciation of Women Writers Many readers today may find themselves unaware of the significant contributions made by women writers in Jane Austen's time. The problem often lies in the literary canon, which has historically prioritized male authors. It's time to challenge this narrative and explore the remarkable works of writers like Frances Burney and Anne Radcliffe, who were pivotal to Austen's literary landscape. Why Were These Writers Overlooked? Rebecca's exploration reveals that many great female authors have been overshadowed by their male counterparts. The reasons range from societal biases to the lack of preservation of their works. As readers, we must question why these voices have been neglected and actively seek them out. The Impact of Austen's Reading Choices Austen's reading was diverse, and her admiration for women writers is a testament to their talent. By revisiting these books, we can gain a deeper understanding of Austen's influences and the broader context of women's writing in the 18th and 19th centuries. Key Takeaways - Jane Austen was influenced by a range of women writers whose works deserve recognition. - The literary world is richer when we explore diverse voices, particularly those that have been historically marginalized. - Engaging with these authors can enhance your understanding of classic literature and inspire contemporary discussions around gender and writing. Conclusion In revisiting Jane Austen's bookshelf, we not only uncover the hidden gems of women's literature but also enrich our reading experience. As readers and literary enthusiasts, it's our responsibility to explore these works and celebrate the diverse voices that have shaped literary history. So, pick up a book by Frances Burney or Anne Radcliffe and join the conversation about the essential contributions of women writers. Frequently Asked Questions What books should I start with to explore women writers? Consider starting with Frances Burney's *Evelina* or Anne Radcliffe's *The Mysteries of Udolpho*. These texts provide a great entry point into the world of women's literature that influenced Austen. Why should we read these women writers today? Reading these authors offers a more comprehensive understanding of literary history and highlights the importance of diverse voices in literature. Their works are not only historically significant but also resonate with contemporary themes. https://www.rebeccaromney.com/

AMERICA 250 IN WNY: Rare book curator at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Heather Gring on Mark Twain's contributions to Buffalo and how it shaped his future as an author full 799 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:30:00 +0000 QtZ8hTGJZteJBl9ybVeTD9RHNF5OgVIN buffalo,news,western new york,wben,buffalo and erie county public library,mark twain,america 250 WBEN Extras buffalo,news,western new york,wben,buffalo and erie county public library,mark twain,america 250 AMERICA 250 IN WNY: Rare book curator at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Heather Gring on Mark Twain's contributions to Buffalo and how it shaped his future as an author Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc.

Started this week discussing the riots over in Ireland over the migrant trying to cut someone's head off, and then talked about a potential Iran deal that may soon be signed. Plus the SpaceX IPO, Venezuela gang drone strike, Wyoming hunts for coyote torturer, and a Vietnam guy needed surgery to remove a 20 cm caulk tube from his rectum.

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Chasing Kepler: A Tale of Bookstore Bonds and Dreams Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-06-04-22-34-01-nl Story Transcript:Nl: Het was een typische lentedag in Amsterdam.En: It was a typical spring day in Amsterdam.Nl: De zon scheen helder door de ramen van de sfeervolle boekwinkel, gelegen in een kleine hoek van de stad.En: The sun shone brightly through the windows of the cozy bookstore, located in a small corner of the city.Nl: De winkel was gevuld met het warme aroma van oude boeken en het zachte geluid van omgeslagen pagina's.En: The store was filled with the warm aroma of old books and the soft sound of turning pages.Nl: Binnen stond Sven, een gepassioneerde verzamelaar van zeldzame boeken.En: Inside stood Sven, a passionate collector of rare books.Nl: Zijn ogen glinsterden van verwachting.En: His eyes glistened with anticipation.Nl: Marijke, de winkelmedewerker, stond achter de toonbank.En: Marijke, the store employee, stood behind the counter.Nl: Haar liefde voor boeken deed haar altijd dromen van een eigen boekwinkel.En: Her love for books always made her dream of owning her own bookstore.Nl: Ze kende iedere boekrug in de winkel als haar broekzak.En: She knew every book spine in the shop like the back of her hand.Nl: Sven, een vaste klant, liep direct naar haar toe.En: Sven, a regular customer, walked straight over to her.Nl: "Goedemorgen, Marijke," groette hij vriendelijk.En: "Good morning, Marijke," he greeted her kindly.Nl: "Ik ben weer op zoek naar dat ene boek, Astronomia Nova van Kepler.En: "I'm looking for that one book again, Astronomia Nova by Kepler.Nl: Heb je misschien iets gehoord?"En: Have you heard anything?"Nl: Marijke glimlachte begrijpend.En: Marijke smiled understandingly.Nl: "Het is lastig te vinden, Sven.En: "It's difficult to find, Sven.Nl: Maar ik heb een paar contacten gebeld.En: But I have called a few contacts.Nl: Het kan nog even duren."En: It might take a while."Nl: Sven zuchtte, wikkelde zijn jas strakker om zich heen.En: Sven sighed, wrapping his coat tighter around himself.Nl: Hij wist dat geduld een deugd was, maar dit boek was zijn witte walvis.En: He knew that patience was a virtue, but this book was his white whale.Nl: "Ik heb gehoord dat een andere verzamelaar interesse heeft.En: "I've heard that another collector is interested.Nl: Dat maakt me ongerust."En: That makes me uneasy."Nl: Een paar klanten liepen langs, op zoek naar hun eigen schatten.En: A few customers walked by, searching for their own treasures.Nl: Maar Sven had alleen oog voor Marijke en haar mogelijke hulp.En: But Sven only had eyes for Marijke and her potential help.Nl: "Ik hoorde," begon Marijke enigszins aarzelend, "dat we misschien een exemplaar binnenkrijgen.En: "I heard," began Marijke somewhat hesitantly, "that we might get a copy in.Nl: Maar de prijs is behoorlijk hoog."En: But the price is rather high."Nl: Sven fronste.En: Sven frowned.Nl: Zijn spaarpot was niet onbeperkt.En: His savings piggy bank wasn't unlimited.Nl: "Hoe hoog praten we?"En: "How high are we talking?"Nl: Marijke noemde een getal dat Sven deed slikken.En: Marijke mentioned a number that made Sven swallow hard.Nl: "Wow, dat is meer dan ik had verwacht," gaf hij toe.En: "Wow, that's more than I expected," he admitted.Nl: Marijke keek even om zich heen en boog zich toen dichter naar hem toe.En: Marijke glanced around and then leaned in closer to him.Nl: "Misschien kunnen we een ruilovereenkomst bedenken.En: "Maybe we can come up with a trade agreement.Nl: Je hebt zelf toch ook een indrukwekkende collectie?"En: You have an impressive collection yourself, don't you?"Nl: Sven dacht na.En: Sven thought about it.Nl: Hij had boeken die zeldzaam waren, maar dit werk van Kepler was zijn droom.En: He had books that were rare, but this work by Kepler was his dream.Nl: "Je bedoelt ruilen in plaats van kopen?"En: "You mean trading instead of buying?"Nl: "Ja," knikte Marijke enthousiast.En: "Yes," Marijke nodded enthusiastically.Nl: "Ik kan je helpen contact te leggen met iemand die geïnteresseerd kan zijn in jouw boeken.En: "I can help you make contact with someone who might be interested in your books.Nl: Zo kunnen we de prijs wat drukken."En: That way, we can lower the price a bit."Nl: Het was een slimme oplossing.En: It was a smart solution.Nl: Sven glimlachte dankbaar.En: Sven smiled gratefully.Nl: "Dat klinkt als een plan.En: "That sounds like a plan.Nl: Ik waardeer je hulp, Marijke."En: I appreciate your help, Marijke."Nl: Ze knikte tevreden, blij dat ze Sven een stap dichter bij zijn droom kon brengen.En: She nodded contentedly, happy that she could bring Sven one step closer to his dream.Nl: "Laten we het regelen.En: "Let's make it happen.Nl: Samen komen we er wel."En: Together we'll manage."Nl: En zo leerde Sven dat de wereld van zeldzame boeken niet alleen om geld draaide, maar ook om vriendschap en samenwerking.En: And so Sven learned that the world of rare books wasn't just about money, but also about friendship and collaboration.Nl: Met Marijke aan zijn zijde, voelde hij zich vol vertrouwen dat het boek spoedig van hem zou zijn.En: With Marijke by his side, he felt confident that the book would soon be his.Nl: En misschien kreeg Marijke op een dag ook haar droomwinkel, zodat deze verhalen nog jarenlang konden doorgaan.En: And maybe Marijke would one day get her dream store, so these stories could continue for many years to come. Vocabulary Words:typical: typischespring: lentewindows: ramencozy: sfeervollecollector: verzamelaarrare: zeldzameanticipation: verwachtingemployee: winkelmedewerkercounter: toonbankspine: boekrugunderstandingly: begrijpendcontacts: contactenvirtue: deugduneasy: ongerusthesitantly: aarzelendsavings: spaarpotswallow hard: slikkenimpressive: indrukwekkendetrading: ruilenenthusiastically: enthousiastlower: drukkensolution: oplossingcontentedly: tevredencollaboration: samenwerkingconfident: vol vertrouwendream: droomsigh: zuchttepotential: mogelijkeappreciate: waardeerown: eigen

In this episode, Brooke is interviewed by Adrienne Raptis at the iconic Raptis Rare Bookstore in Palm Beach, sharing her inspiring journey of merging faith and business. Brooke opens up about how her cancer diagnosis sparked the birth of the Live Out Loud movement, highlighting the power of using your voice, declaring truth, and activating what God has placed inside of you. She dives into her signature activation system—faith, network, habits, skills, and business—and the importance of surrounding yourself with women who build each other up. With practical wisdom on leaving a legacy, the irreplaceable value of in-person connection, and speaking life over yourself and others, this episode encourages listeners to boldly pursue their purpose and let faith lead the way in every area of life. Key Moments & Timestamps 00:12 – Faith in Business: Making God the CEO and integrating faith into work. 01:49 – Live Out Loud Origin: Brooke shares her cancer survival story and how it sparked her mission. 05:08 – Power of Declarations: Using spoken truth and biblical affirmations to break fear and spark healing. 09:23 – Speaking Life: The importance of building up women and choosing positive words over discouragement. 16:06 – Activation System: Outlining faith, habits, network, skills, and business as the core to growth. 21:43 – Value of Connection: Brooke emphasizes irreplaceable power of in-person gatherings for women.   Resources: Building at a high level but craving deeper alignment? The Elite Mastermind is a 12-month, faith-fueled business mastermind for high-achieving women who refuse to choose between business excellence and their faith. Join Kingdom-minded leaders for luxury in-person retreats, monthly coaching with Brooke Thomas, and a powerful network that will expand your vision, revenue, and impact. When you lead with God as your CEO, anything is possible.  Apply at https://brookethomas.com/mastermind/    Feel Like Yourself Again, From The Inside Out If you've been navigating low energy, hormone shifts, or feeling off in your body, this is the wellness stack Brooke personally uses and recommends. Designed to support inflammation, hormones, energy, and overall vitality, this is what helped her feel strong, clear, and aligned again. Explore the stack at https://brookethomas.com/stack    Find Your People. Build With Purpose.  Activate Your Impact is where faith-driven women stop building alone and start building together. Access monthly teaching, live coaching, and a network of women who are moving in the same direction you are. This is what keeps you plugged in, growing, and activated between the big moments. Join today at https://brookethomas.com/activate    Activate Your Impact! There's a version of you God is waiting to activate. This book will show you how to step boldly into your calling with unshakable faith and build a life and business that honors Him.  Get your copy and special bonuses at https://brookethomas.com/book 

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: A Historian's Quest: Unveiling Monastery Hymns Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2026-05-11-22-34-01-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Мирис свежег пролећног цвећа испуњавао је двориште манастира Жича, где је стари камени зид стајао као чувар вековне историје.En: The scent of fresh spring flowers filled the courtyard of the manastir Žiča, where the old stone wall stood as a guardian of centuries-old history.Sr: Тог јутра, Милан је стигао у манастир с одређеним циљем.En: That morning, Milan arrived at the monastery with a specific goal.Sr: Он је био тих, повучен историчар, али његова страст према музици сакривала се испод учене фасаде.En: He was a quiet, reserved historian, but his passion for music lay hidden beneath a scholarly facade.Sr: У дворишту манастира одржавао се локални пазар.En: In the monastery courtyard, a local market was being held.Sr: Столова је било на десетине, испуњених локалним занатима, храном и књигама.En: There were dozens of tables filled with local crafts, food, and books.Sr: Милан је чуо за једног путујућег продавца који је наводно продавао ретке књиге с изгубљеним манастирским химнама, и његово срце закуцало је брже на ту мисао.En: Milan had heard about a traveling vendor who was supposedly selling rare books with lost monastery hymns, and his heart beat faster at the thought.Sr: Иако је пијаца била живахна и пуна људи, Милан је морао да превазиђе свој урођени стид.En: Although the market was lively and crowded with people, Milan had to overcome his innate shyness.Sr: Затражио је упутства од једне љубазне госпође која је продавала домаћи мед.En: He asked for directions from a kind lady who was selling homemade honey.Sr: Њена упутства су му помогла да се пробије кроз гужву, а на путу је морао одолети многим занимљивим стварима, од мириса свежег хлеба до погледа на лепе ручне радове.En: Her directions helped him navigate through the crowd, and along the way, he had to resist many tempting things, from the smell of fresh bread to the sight of beautiful handmade items.Sr: Када је најзад стигао до места где се продавао материјал, пронашао је продавца.En: When he finally reached the spot where the materials were sold, he found the vendor.Sr: Али баш у том тренутку, небо се нагло затамнело и киша је почела да пљушти.En: But just at that moment, the sky suddenly darkened, and rain began to pour down.Sr: Продавац је изгледао спреман да покупи своје ствари и оде.En: The vendor looked ready to pack up his things and leave.Sr: Милан није имао времена за губљење.En: Milan had no time to lose.Sr: Уз дубок удах, пријавио је своју намеру и молио продавца да остане још мало.En: Taking a deep breath, he stated his intention and pleaded with the vendor to stay a bit longer.Sr: Уз мало убеђивања, продавац је пристао да причека.En: With a little persuasion, the vendor agreed to wait.Sr: Како је киша лагано јењавала, Милан је успео да купи ретку књигу.En: As the rain slowly subsided, Milan managed to buy the rare book.Sr: Са књигом у рукама и осмехом на лицу, схватио је једну важну ствар: вреди изаћи из властитог света и упознавати друге, јер изазови често воде до најдрагоценијих открића.En: With the book in his hands and a smile on his face, he realized something important: it is worth stepping out of one's world and meeting others, because challenges often lead to the most precious discoveries.Sr: Милан је отишао одатле не само с књигом, већ и с отворенијим срцем.En: Milan left not only with a book, but also with a more open heart. Vocabulary Words:scent: мирисcourtyard: двориштеguardian: чуварcenturies-old: вековнеreserved: повученscholarly: ученеfacade: фасадеvendor: продавацinnate: урођениshyness: стидhomemade: домаћиnavigate: пробитиtempting: занимљивимitems: стваримаdarkened: затамнелоpleaded: молиоpersuasion: убеђивањаsubsided: јењавалаopen heart: отворенијим срцемdiscoveries: открићаlively: живахнаovercome: превазиђеdirections: упутстваcrowd: гужвуresist: одолетиhandmade: ручнеmanaged: успеоhymns: химнамаprecious: најдрагоценијихrare: ретке

Gugs Mhlungu chats to Doron Locketz, Owner of Book Dealers of Melville, the bookstore’s new location in Melville, its range of genres, and the inviting reading atmosphere created by its setting next to a coffee shop, as well as the changing landscape of book retail and how independent bookstores are navigating the impact of the digital age compared to a decade ago. Gugs Mhlungu gets you ready for the weekend each Saturday and Sunday morning on 702. She is your weekend wake-up companion, with all you need to know for your weekend. The topics Gugs covers range from lifestyle, family, health, and fitness to books, motoring, cooking, culture, and what is happening on the weekend in 702land. Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu. Listen live on Primedia+ on Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 and 10:00 (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/u3Sf7Zy or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BIXS7AL Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a rare book library is also a working machine shop? This week, Ann sits down with the formidable Amelia Hugill-Fontanel, Associate Curator at the Cary Graphic Arts Collection at RIT. Amelia isn't just a keeper of history; she's a "press fixer" who maintains a fleet of functional 19th-century printing presses. We dive into the incredible legacy of Melbert B. Cary Jr., the intersection of historical type and 3D-printing innovation, and the inspiring rise of women in the traditionally "macho" world of iron hand presses. Whether you're a letterpress obsessive or a curious novice, Amelia's journey to curator and mechanic is a masterclass in keeping the history of the graphic arts alive and spinning. One print at a time. Show me the images !! https://www.rit.edu/carycollection/ @ameliafont1 @ritcarycollection Cover image: Jiageng Lin

Russia's war on Ukraine is now in its fourth year, and while the rest of the world learns about the conflict through the media, Ukrainians continue to navigate daily life during wartime, including pursuing education. Some of the country's leading pedagogues say education in Ukraine must meet the needs of the state and match the trends of the modern world. That, they argue, will be the basis for rebuilding the country when the war ends. Our guests include Eduard Balashov, rector of the National University of Ostroh Academy in Ukraine. He is in Rochester as a guest of Nazareth University and the University of Rochester. He joins us, along with some of his Rochester-based colleagues, to discuss the role of the university during wartime and the value of international education partnerships. Our guests: Eduard Balashov, Ph.D., professor and rector of the National University of Ostroh Academy in Ostroh, Ukraine Olena Prokopovych, Ph. D., associate professor of political science and director of the Political Science Undergraduate Program in History, Politics, and Law at Nazareth University Timothy Kneeland, Ph.D., professor and director of the Museums, Archives, and Public History Program; and director of the Center for Public History at Nazareth University Eric Ensley, Ph.D., MLS,  director of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation at the University of Rochester River Campus Libraries ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

In this special edition, we revisit three conversations with Shakespeare and Company rare book dealer Ben Brown, originally recorded in 2022. Across these episodes, Ben guides us into the fascinating, often mysterious world of book collecting.We begin with the basics: what makes a first edition and how collectors identify them. Ben shares insights into the thrill of the hunt and the appeal of owning a first edition. Next, we explore the extraordinary publishing history of Ulysses, from censorship battles to rare early editions, revealing how controversy shaped its legacy. Finally, we turn to signed books, unpacking why an author's signature adds emotional and monetary value—and how provenance can transform an object into a story.Discover our rare books collection here: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/lists/rare-books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Charles Boustany, a retired cardiovascular surgeon who served as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's Third Congressional District from 2005 to 2017. Most recently, he earned a Master's degree in history from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dr. Boustany was honored with the Richard G. Neiheisel (Phi Beta Kappa) Graduate Award, recognizing the graduate student with the highest academic accomplishment in a classical arts and sciences degree. Dr. Boustany reflects on a life that has bridged medicine, public service, and now scholarship, and what lifelong learning means at every stage. Growing Up in Lafayette — Medicine and Mentorship “I grew up here in Lafayette and went to the old Cathedral Carmel, which was 1st through 12th grade,” he shares, recalling his early education before attending USL (now UL Lafayette) for pre-med studies. Following in his father's footsteps, he completed medical school and surgical training at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, an experience he describes as legendary in its rigor and reputation. A formative influence on his life and career was Dr. John Ochsner. “John taught me not only the techniques and things you learn as a heart surgeon. He taught me how to be a surgeon, how to be a doctor. He was an amazing individual and a lifelong friend.” After additional cardiovascular surgery training in Rochester, New York, Dr. Boustany returned home, practicing for 14 years before an unexpected health challenge changed his trajectory. Dr. Boustany speaks with pride about his family's immigrant story and how it shaped his view of opportunity, responsibility, and community. “For me, the oldest of ten kids, a doctor, a mom who believed in community service… thinking about the fact that my grandparents all came from Lebanon. They had nothing. They came to this country and the opportunities were there if you took advantage of them.” He describes that journey as something bigger than one person's career: “It's just one of many great American stories.” He ties his family's arrival and the immigrant fabric of Lafayette to what makes the community distinct: “That's what makes Lafayette so unique for a city its size. It's got a very diverse population, and it has a population that has an international outlook, which creates all kinds of opportunities.” And he adds a personal glimpse into the household that raised ten children: “My mother had a lot of energy and she kept us all in line, amazingly.” A Turning Point — Health Care and Public Service At age 48, after developing severe cervical spine issues that forced him to retire from surgery, Dr. Boustany faced a crossroads. That moment coincided with a deeply personal family health crisis in 2001: “This was a very distinctive point in time for me. I was at the peak of my career in my surgical practice. But 2001 was this horrible year for me, my wife and our kids. Both kids had different life threatening conditions that cost a ton of money out of pocket over and beyond what insurance could pay. It was a huge, huge struggle. Navigating the health care system is a disaster. It was hard for me. I wondered, “What are people doing? How are they managing this?” The experience stayed with him. As he watched national debates over health care and foreign policy unfold, he felt called to act. “Honey, I gotta make a difference,” he told his wife Bridget one early morning before announcing his decision to run for Congress. Dr. Charles Boustany pictured while serving in Congress. Photo credit: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News In Congress — Katrina, Rita, and “Rita Amnesia” Dr. Boustany's first year in Congress was defined by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While national attention centered on New Orleans, much of Southwest Louisiana was devastated by Rita. “I had to get all of it amended to include Rita. And that’s when I coined the term ‘Rita Amnesia.'” He recalls warning a national reporter: “My fear is that we’re going to have Rita amnesia.” The phrase stuck and became part of the legislative fight to ensure Southwest Louisiana was not forgotten. He also recounts a pivotal moment after Katrina, when First Lady Laura Bush spent the day touring Lafayette with him. “I was told initially she’s going to be on the ground for about 45 minutes. So I arranged to take her to the Cajun Dome and then Acadian Ambulances’ communication center to see what was going on. Well, she ended up spending the whole day with me. When I took her back to the airport, she thanked me and said, what else do you need? I said, I need 15 minutes on the phone with your husband. Sure enough, Sunday morning at 6 a.m., my cell phone rings and it’s President Bush. He called me Doc. You know, he had nicknames for everybody. He said, Doc, I heard Laura had a good trip down there. What’s going on? What do you need? I said, bottom line is the state doesn’t have the capacity to deal with the magnitude of what we have. We need federal assets down here to help out in New Orleans. He said, ‘I’ll talk to the staff. You get the delegation to Baton Rouge at 9:00 tomorrow morning. Monday. The governor is going to be there. I’m coming in with my team, and we’re going to have a powwow, and we’re going to talk about this and organize it.’ And that’s when everything changed. That’s when he brought in General Honore.” That conversation helped catalyze greater federal coordination and response. Reflecting on those chaotic days, he credits his surgical training: “My career as a surgeon dealing with really dire, immediate emergencies, I just sort of methodically figured out, okay, this is what I can do. This is what I’m going to do. And I didn’t panic.” How a Surgeon Approaches Congress Dr. Boustany explains how medicine shaped his legislative style: “As a surgeon, I had to deal with people from all walks of life. It could be a grandmother or the CEO of a prominent company. It could be a farmer, or somebody who has no insurance and is poor. I had to learn to be able to communicate with the full spectrum of humanity. I think that gave me an advantage, as a doctor, but also as a surgeon, because I had to gain the trust of these people. You know, I’m going to operate on your heart, stop your heart and do all this stuff. So, being able to present yourself in a way and communicate with people from all walks of life, different levels of education and earn their trust was a big asset for me when I traveled the district and tried to find support. That training, that background was very helpful.” He approached Congress with humility, seeking advice from senior members in both parties. One piece of counsel stood out: “One of the most prominent ones was don’t be a know it all. Pick a few subjects and learn everything there is about it. Once you start to speak about these things, people will quickly see that you know what you’re talking about and then they’ll respect you. But if you go down there and spout off on every issue, people see through that pretty quickly.” He developed expertise in health care, foreign policy, energy policy, and international trade, areas that later informed his graduate studies in European history and international affairs. Returning to the Classroom After leaving Congress and later retiring from consulting, Dr. Boustany found himself restless. A seminar course at UL Lafayette rekindled a lifelong passion for history. “The more I’m thinking about this, I really love this history stuff. I don’t want to just be a consumer of history. I don’t want to just read about it. I want to maybe I can contribute to the field.” His master's research took him to Columbia University's Rare Books and Manuscripts division, where he spent a week combing through primary source documents to complete his thesis. Receiving the Neiheisel Award was especially meaningful: “It was thrilling for me when I finished this master’s program to get the Richard Neuheisel Award, because my very first semester at USL in 1974, I took a world Civilization class with him, and I was told he’s a really hard, demanding teacher. And other students, when they asked me what I had signed up for and I told them, they said, you need to drop that class. He’s a really tough professor. You don’t want to take it with him. And I said, oh, that’s the kind of guy I want to take it with. And I did. And you know, I got an A in his class and he and I subsequently became friends. I’d go sit and talk in his office. We’d just talk about history.” Dr. Charles Boustany on UL – Lafayette campus. He was awarded the Richard G. Neiheisel Phi Beta Kappa Graduate Award, named in honor of the professor who ignited his passion for the subject more than five decades ago. The Neiheisel award is presented to a graduating master's student each fall and spring for the highest academic accomplishments in a classical arts and science degree. Dr. Boustany has now been accepted into the PhD program in history at Louisiana State University, where he plans to study modern European history beginning in 1500 — research that will require time in European archives. Health Care Philosophy — “Information, Choice and Control” When asked what still matters in health policy, Dr. Boustany reduces it to six words. “Information, choice and control.” “People want clear information about their health condition and their options… They want that to be between them and the doctor.” And equally important:“Affordability, accountability and quality.” “Quality is critically important. If you put quality first, I think the cost will come in line.” Lifelong Learning and Adaptability Dr. Boustany closes with a reflection that defines this next chapter: “I repeat a quote from Louis Pasteur, who was a famous scientist, and he was once asked, what’s the key to all this amazing stuff you’ve discovered? He said, it’s simple. Chance favors the prepared mind. You prepare your mind for whatever’s going to happen. And one of the keys in getting older and being able to deal with challenges in life is adaptability and education, and preparing your mind for what you know, to be able to pivot, to be adaptable is critically important for anybody going through life. And we also see that we will survive. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it.” From the operating room to the halls of Congress to the archives of Columbia, and now toward a PhD, Dr. Charles Boustany's journey is a testament to resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a lifelong commitment to service. He is even considering expanding his master's thesis into a book, and perhaps, one day, a memoir. For Lafayette, it is another reminder that some of the most compelling American stories begin right here at home.

We kick things off in FOLLOW UP with the ongoing "nuclear war" between Automattic and WP Engine, where discovery has revealed Matt Mullenweg's alleged hit list of competitors and a desperate attempt to bully payment processors—because nothing says "open source" like an eight-percent royalty shakedown. Meanwhile, the Harvard Business Review confirmed what we already knew: AI isn't reducing our work; it's just compressing it until we're all working through lunch and burning out faster while Polymarket turns our collective brain rot into a literal "attention market" where you can bet on Elon's mindshare.Transitioning to IN THE NEWS, Elon has officially pivoted SpaceX from Mars to the Moon, presumably because building a "self-growing lunar city" is easier than admitting the Red Planet is hard, though his xAI all-hands rant about "ancient alien catapults" suggests he's been staring at the sun too long. Between X allegedly taking blue-check lunch money from sanctioned Iranian leaders, Meta facing trials for creating "predator-friendly hunting grounds," and Russia finally pulling the plug on WhatsApp, the internet is looking more like a digital dumpster fire than ever. Add in Discord leaking 70,000 government IDs, OpenAI shoving ads into ChatGPT while safety researchers flee the building like it's on fire, and a "cognitive debt" crisis eroding our ability to think, and you've got a recipe for a tech-induced psychosis that even crypto-funded human trafficking can't outpace.In MEDIA CANDY, we're wondering about the soft-core porn intro in the latest Star Trek: Starfleet Academy while Apple buys the total rights to Severance for seventy million dollars—because in-house production is the only way to keep those ballooning budgets under control. Super Bowl trailer season gave us a glimpse of The Mandalorian and Grogu and a Project Hail Mary teaser, while Babylon 5 has finally landed on YouTube for free, proving that even 90s serialized sci-fi eventually finds its way to the clearance bin.Over in APPS & DOODADS, Meta Quest is nagging us for our birthdays like a needy relative, while Roblox had to scrub a mass-shooting simulator—because "AI plus human safety teams" is apparently just code for "we missed it until it hit the forums." Ring's Super Bowl ad for "Search Party" accidentally terrified everyone by revealing a mass surveillance network for pets that's a slippery slope toward a police state, and Waymo is now paying DoorDashers ten bucks just to walk over and close the car doors that autonomous tech still can't figure out.Wrapping up with THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE, we dive into the Mandalorian Hasbro reveal where Sigourney Weaver's action figure comes with no accessories because her existence is enough of a flex. We explore the grim reality of "RentAHuman," where humans are paid pittance to pretend AI agents are actually doing work, and look at "Trash Talk Audio," which sells a $125 microphone made out of a literal old telephone for that authentic Gen-X "get off the line, I'm expecting a call" aesthetic. From Marcia Lucas finally venting about the prequels and a rare book catalog specifically for our aging generation, we're reminded that while the future is a chaotic mess of "GeoSpy" AI and corporate reshuffling at Disney, at least we still have our cynical memories and some free versions of Roller Coaster Tycoon to keep us from losing it completely.Sponsors:CleanMyMac - Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use code OLDGEEKS for 20% off at clnmy.com/OLDGEEKSDeleteMe - Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use promo code GOG at checkout.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/733FOLLOW UPAutomattic planned to target 10 competitors with royalty fees, WP Engine claims in new filingAI Doesn't Reduce Work—It Intensifies ItPolymarket To Offer Attention Markets In Partnership With Kaito AIIsrael Arrests Members of Military for Placing Polymarket Bets Using Inside Information on Upcoming StrikesIN THE NEWSUnable to Reach Mars, Musk Does the Most Musk Thing PossibleWe'll Find the Remnants of Ancient Alien Civilizations': Read Musk's Gibberish Rant from His xAI All-Hands MeetingElon Musk's X Appears to Be Violating US Sanctions by Selling Premium Accounts to Iranian LeadersMeta Faces Two Key Trials That Could Change Social Media ForeverWhatsApp is now fully blocked in RussiaRussia is restricting access to Telegram, one of its most popular social media apps. Here's what we knowDOJ may face investigation for pressuring Apple, Google to remove apps for tracking ICE agentsDiscord Launches Teen-by-Default Settings GloballyDiscord says hackers stole government IDs of 70,000 usersFree Tool Says it Can Bypass Discord's Age Verification Check With a 3D ModelTesting ads in ChatGPTOpenAI Researcher Quits, Warns Its Unprecedented ‘Archive of Human Candor' Is DangerousOpenAI Fires Top Safety Exec Who Opposed ChatGPT's “Adult Mode”Anthropic AI Safety Researcher Warns Of World ‘In Peril' In ResignationMusk's xAI loses second co-founder in two daysAmerica Isn't Ready for What AI Will Do to JobsMonologue: No, Something Big Isn't ComingThe Scientist Who Predicted AI Psychosis Has a Grim Forecast of What's Going to Happen NextCrypto-Funded Human Trafficking Is ExplodingMEDIA CANDYShrinkingStar Trek: Starfleet AcademyPoor ThingsProject Hail Mary | Final TrailerMinions & Monsters | Official TrailerDisclosure Day | Big Game SpotThe Mandalorian and Grogu | A New Journey Begins | In Theaters May 22Babylon 5 Is Now Free to Watch On YouTubeApple acquires all rights to ‘Severance,' will produce future seasons in-houseOptimizing your TVAPPS & DOODADSTumbler Ridge Shooter Created Mall Shooting Simulator in RobloxHere's how to disable Ring's creepy Search Party featureWaymo Is Getting DoorDashers to Close Doors on Self Driving CarsTikTok US launches a local feed that leverages a user's exact locationApple just released iOS 26.3 alongside updates for the Mac, iPad and Apple WatchTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingWe Call It ImagineeringYour First Look at Hasbro's 'Mandalorian and Grogu' Figures Is Here (Exclusive)I Tried RentAHuman, Where AI Agents Hired Me to Hype Their AI StartupsTrash Talk AudioRoger Reacts to Star Wars - A New HopeMarcia Lucas Finally Speaks Out | Icons Unearthed: Unplugged (FULL INTERVIEW)What's wrong with the prequels?Rare Books, Gen X editionGeoSpyCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSRobert Tinney, who painted iconic Byte magazine covers, RIPBud CortSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 15 of Book Brothers is all about "name dropping" as Michael and Tom recount their interactions with various celebrities and luminaries in their respective fields. Stephen King, Drew Carey, Philip Glass, Dennis McNally (author and Grateful Dead publicist) are among some of the names that the Zubals have had the good fortune to meet and work with. 

Rare books return to monastery library in Votice. Why the ice on the Lipno reservoir has turned green. Michal Smetana on Trump, Greenland and the future of European security.  

1149. This week, we look at the life and legacy of Samuel Johnson, the man behind the 1755 Dictionary of the English Language. We talk with John Overholt, curator at Harvard's Houghton Library, about Johnson's eclectic career. We also look at what it's like to manage a collection of 4,000 rare books and why even the most "unremarkable" items deserve a home in a library.Find John Overholt on Mastodon.Houghton Library's websiteLinks to Get One Month Free of the Grammar Girl Patreon (different links for different levels)Order of the Snail ($1/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/687E4Order of the Aardvark ($5/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/07205Keeper of the Commas ($10/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/50A0BGuardian of the Grammary ($25/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/949F7

THE LEGACY OF THE AMATEUR SPIES Colleague Charles Spicer. Graham Christie and Philip Conwell-Evanscompiled a rare book titled None So Blind, printing only 100 copies to document their warnings to the Britishgovernment about the Nazi threat. Their efforts went largely unrecognized until historian Martin Gilbert began to correct the record, moving beyond the simplistic "Guilty Men" narrative to acknowledge that appeasement was a widely supported strategy at the time. The protagonists met modest ends: Ernest Tennant's memoir was overlooked, Conwell-Evans lived quietly in Notting Hill, and the heroic Christie died by suicide in his nineties, leaving behind only a small plaque in St. Paul's Cathedral. The Travelers Club remains one of the few places where their story—and the history of these attempts to civilize the Nazis—is remembered. NUMBER 16 1945-46 GORING AT NUREMBERG

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: New Beginnings: An Unlikely Library Encounter in Amsterdam Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-01-01-23-34-02-nl Story Transcript:Nl: De witbesneeuwde stad Amsterdam was stil op de ochtend van Nieuwjaarsdag.En: The white snow-covered city of Amsterdam was quiet on the morning of New Year's Day.Nl: Binnen in de Centrale Bibliotheek was het echter levendig.En: Inside the Centrale Bibliotheek, however, it was lively.Nl: Het warme licht vulde de ruimte terwijl de lezers zich verspreidden over de verschillende verdiepingen.En: The warm light filled the space as the readers spread out over the different floors.Nl: Bij de zeldzame boekenhoek verscheen Maarten, een stille grafisch ontwerper die op zoek was naar nieuwe inspiratie.En: In the rare books section appeared Maarten, a quiet graphic designer looking for new inspiration.Nl: Terwijl hij door de rijen liep, zag hij Sanne.En: As he walked through the rows, he saw Sanne.Nl: Zij stond met haar neus diep begraven in een boek over de geschiedenis van Nederland.En: She was deeply buried in a book about the history of Nederland.Nl: Sanne studeerde literatuur en hoopte een bijzondere invalshoek voor haar scriptie te vinden.En: Sanne was studying literature and hoped to find a unique angle for her thesis.Nl: Beiden waren verzonken in hun wereld, maar hun ogen kruisten toen ze toevallig naar hetzelfde zeldzame boek reikten.En: Both were absorbed in their worlds, but their eyes met when they coincidentally reached for the same rare book.Nl: Maarten glimlachte verlegen.En: Maarten smiled shyly.Nl: "Houd je ook van oude boeken?"En: "Do you also love old books?"Nl: vroeg hij, zijn stem zachtjes.En: he asked, his voice soft.Nl: Sanne knikte enthousiast.En: Sanne nodded enthusiastically.Nl: "Ja, ik ben altijd op zoek naar iets bijzonders."En: "Yes, I'm always looking for something special."Nl: Er was een aarzeling in hun stemmen, een onzekerheid.En: There was hesitation in their voices, an uncertainty.Nl: Beide hadden negatieve ervaringen gehad met vreemden, en die maakten hen terughoudend.En: Both had had negative experiences with strangers, which made them cautious.Nl: "Ik ben Maarten," zei hij uiteindelijk.En: "I'm Maarten," he finally said.Nl: "Ik zoek wat inspiratie voor mijn werk."En: "I'm looking for some inspiration for my work."Nl: Sanne stelde zich ook voor: "Ik ben Sanne.En: Sanne introduced herself too: "I'm Sanne.Nl: Voor mijn scriptie heb ik iets speciaals nodig over de Nederlandse geschiedenis."En: For my thesis, I need something special about Dutch history."Nl: Ze begonnen te praten over het boek in hun handen en ontdekten dat ze jaren geleden hetzelfde obscure college hadden bijgewoond.En: They started talking about the book in their hands and discovered that they had attended the same obscure college class years ago.Nl: De herinnering daaraan brak het ijs.En: The memory of that broke the ice.Nl: Er volgde een levendige discussie.En: A lively discussion followed.Nl: Maarten en Sanne deelden ideeën, lachten en voelden zich ineens minder alleen.En: Maarten and Sanne shared ideas, laughed, and suddenly felt less alone.Nl: De tijd vloog voorbij.En: Time flew by.Nl: Toen de zonnestralen door de ramen begonnen te vervagen, beseften ze dat ze de hele middag hadden gepraat.En: When the sun's rays began to fade through the windows, they realized they had been talking all afternoon.Nl: Ze stapten de bibliotheek uit, de koude lucht begroette hen.En: They stepped out of the library, greeted by the cold air.Nl: "Misschien kunnen we samen koffie drinken en verder praten?"En: "Perhaps we can have coffee together and continue talking?"Nl: stelde Maarten voor.En: Maarten suggested.Nl: Sanne glimlachte.En: Sanne smiled.Nl: "Dat lijkt me fijn.En: "That sounds nice.Nl: Het is lang geleden dat ik zo open over mijn werk kon zijn."En: It's been a long time since I could be so open about my work."Nl: Terwijl ze de straat op liepen, verdween stukje bij beetje de schroom die ze aan het begin van de dag hadden gevoeld.En: As they walked down the street, the reserve they felt at the beginning of the day slowly disappeared.Nl: Ze merkten op dat ze meer zelfvertrouwen hadden nu ze wisten dat er iemand was die hun passie deelde.En: They noticed they felt more confident now that they knew there was someone who shared their passion.Nl: Op deze ijskoude Nieuwjaarsdag begon er iets speciaals tussen Maarten en Sanne – een nieuw jaar en een nieuwe vriendschap beloofden veel goeds.En: On this icy New Year's Day, something special began between Maarten and Sanne—a new year and a new friendship promised many good things. Vocabulary Words:snow-covered: witbesneeuwdeinspiration: inspiratiegraphic designer: grafisch ontwerperrare: zeldzamecoincidentally: toevalligshyly: verlegenenthusiastically: enthousiasthesitation: aarzelinguncertainty: onzekerheidstrangers: vreemdenobscure: obscurebroke the ice: brak het ijslively discussion: levendige discussieabsorbed: verzonkenconfidence: zelfvertrouwencautious: terughoudendgreeted: begroettereserve: schroompassion: passiepromise: beloofdenunique: bijzondereliterature: literatuurthesis: scriptiesun's rays: zonnestralenfilled: vuldecold air: koude luchtattended: bijgewoondwalked: liepdisappeared: verdweenpromised: beloofden

None So Blind: The Legacy of the Amateur Spies: Colleague Charles Spicer discusses None So Blind, a rare book compiled by Christie and Conwell-Evans documenting their ignored warnings to the British government, tracing the later lives of the protagonists: Tennant died in 1962 leaving a memoir, Conwell-Evans lived modestly while advising prime ministers, and the heroic Graham Christie committed suicide at age 91; the Travelers Club remains a physical legacy of their efforts, and Spicer concludes that while their mission failed, these courageous figures' story was largely lost until historian Martin Gilbert and Spicer himself recovered the records. 1945 berlin

Welcome to Weird Web Radio! This episode features Nevermore Aries! Nevermore is my absolute favorite creator in the land of WitchTok. She always has engaging stories, interesting ideas and approaches to magic, and she's an amazing human overall. I invited her to be a guest to dig in deeper into all she does, and she did not disappoint. This is one of my favorite episodes. It's full of laughter, insights, and the tables get turned on me at times too. That was fun! We get into Hauntings, Ghosts, Folk Witchcraft, Rare Book Collecting, Tarot, and so much more! Nevermore Aries BIO: Nevermore Aries is a folk witch and tarot reader with three decades of experience in the world of magic. She approaches folklore, magic, and spirituality with an academic lens, while honoring the nuance of belief and the uniqueness of each path. Blending scholarship with poetry, philosophy, and a dash of sass for balance, she is certain that words remain the most powerful magic of all. Enjoy the show! Stay Weird! Want to know what Nevermore and I Talk about in the bonus portion?! Join us and find out! Join here! It's time to sport a new look? Hell yes! Check out the Official Weird Web Radio Store for Shirts, Hoodies, Hats, and more! You can also come join the Facebook discussion group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weirdwebradio/ New Instagram for Weird Web Radio! Follow for unique content and videos! https://www.instagram.com/weirdwebradio/ You can make a One-Time Donation to help support the show and show some love! Is this show worth a dollar to you? How about five dollars? Help support this podcast! That gets you into the Weird Web Radio membership where the extra goodies appear! Join the membership at patreon.com/weirdwebradio or at weirdwebradio.com and click Join the Membership! SHOW NOTES: SUBSCRIBE ON Apple Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, and Spotify! Also streaming on mobile apps for podcasts! Intro voice over by Lothar Tuppan. Outro voice over by Lonnie Scott Intro & Outro Music by Nine Inch Nails on the album '7', song title 'Ghost', under Creative Commons License.

Today – Step into a world of magic and imagination as a new bookstore brings whimsy to downtown Mansfield. Read more: https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/11/23/step-into-a-world-of-magic-rose-circle-rare-books-opens-nov-29/ Support the show: https://richlandsource.com/membersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between 2022 and 2023, as many as 170 rare and valuable editions of Russian classics were stolen from libraries across Europe. Were the thieves merely low-level opportunists, or were bigger forces at work? By Philip Oltermann. Read by Daniela Denby Ashe. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

If you love old books – if you love how they smell, if you love imagining their journeys through the world into your hands, if you can't pass by a used bookstore without popping inside – then you'll love today's episode. Our guest is Fr. Michael Suarez, SJ, a Jesuit priest and the director of the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia. The Rare Book School runs courses for students and practitioners from all disciplines on the history of written, printed and digital materials with leading scholars and professionals in the field. Fr. Suarez is also an English professor and an honorary curator of UVA's special collections. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked him about the work of the Rare Book School and why he is fascinated by books (and all matter of printed material) as cultural objects. They also discussed how Fr. Suarez's work has deep connections to his faith, and how the Jesuits through the centuries have often been at the forefront of writing and making books around the world. Fr. Suarez is so clearly passionate about his work and teaching that it'll make you want to travel to Charlottesville, Virginia, to check out all the fascinating stuff housed in the special collections at the university. Rare Book School: https://rarebookschool.org/ Fr. Michael Suarez, SJ: https://rarebookschool.org/faculty/general/michael-suarez/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Welcome to Episode 246! We recap some fun Biblioadventures in this episode. Emily got to see Mel Rosenthal in conversation with Virginia Evans about her debut novel The Correspondent at an event hosted by RJ Julia Booksellers. Chris had a research visit to Columbia University's Rare Book and Manuscript Library, where she enjoyed their book arts exhibit and admired the mantel in front of which Edgar Allan Poe wrote “The Raven.” She also had an impromptu browse at New Haven's used bookstore, Grey Matter Books. We also had some Couch Biblioadventures. Because we recently read Daphne Du Maurier's excellent short story, “The Birds,” we thought we'd also watch Alfred Hitchcock's movie of the same name, which was inspired by the written word. Spoiler alert: the movie is nothing like the short story. PSA: the birds are LOUD. Other literary-related movies we watched include The Turn of the Screw, starring Michelle Dockery and Dan Stephens. Emily made an exciting discovery about A Star is Born—did you know some famous writers penned the screenplays for various incarnations of this classic story? Some of the books we discuss include: – All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley – Amelia Bloomer: Journalist, Suffragist, Anti-Fashion Icon by Sara Catterall – Death at the Door: A Ruby and Cordelia Mystery by Olivia Blacke – A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhurst And we discuss our second-to-last ghost story from The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories: From Elizabeth Gaskell to Ambrose Bierce: “The Readjustment” by Mary Austin. Chris has finished, and Emily is currently reading our Q4 readalong book, How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix. The Zoom conversation is on Sunday, November 9th, at 7 pm ET. It is free and open to all, but registration is required. We still have a few spots available, so email us if you're interested (bookcougars@gmail.com). Special thanks to this episode's sponsors: Epic and Lovely by Mo Daviau and Paper Roses by Debby Show. Happy Listening and Happy Reading! https://www.bookcougars.com/blog-1/2025/episode246

Author Bio: Ashley Rose Young is the American History Curator in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division at the Library of Congress. She is also a Smithsonian Research Associate and was formerly the Historian of the Smithsonian Food History Project at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. A curator and public historian, she has written for the New York Times and and Washington Post, among other outlets.Website: https://ashleyroseyoung.com/Nourishing Networks https://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Networks-Public-Culture-Orleans/dp/0197794033Cookbook lovers, this one's for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library. Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your BooksPerfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.Go to the link https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONEDIf you follow my podcast and enjoy it, I'm on @buymeacoffee. If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee and share your thoughts

Step into the world of rare books with Reid Moon, a collector whose passion for history has taken him from Provo to the halls of Oxford and beyond. In this episode, Mr. Moon shares stories of faith, discovery, and integrity — and the lessons he's learned from a lifetime spent preserving the past.

Asia Bookroom exhibits their most precious items at rare and antiquarian book fairs in Melbourne, Sydney, and Hong Kong. Look for them at the Sydney Rare Book Fair from Oct. 23-25. In this podcast we discuss some of the items on offer at the Sydney Rare Book Fair:The Disputed Islands Controversial Japanese Map by Hayashi Shihei from around 1790. This is a manuscript copy (written by hand), and includes the Takeshima/Dokdo islands indicating they belong to Korea.A silk sample book from the 1950sA Japanese policeman's notebook from shortly after Japan took over Taiwan. It details experiences with indigenous people of Taiwan.Materials from Communist ChinaBooks:The Tokyo Higher Normal School: Life of the Japanese Women of Today (from 1937)Samurai Tales: Manuscript Writing's on Revenge Killings and LoyaltyBooks mentioned in the podcast:The Shortest History of Japan, by Lesley Downer, China Running Dog by Mark Kitto, Samurai and Silk, by Haru Matsukata Reischauer.Books recommended by Sally Burdon:Myself a Mandarin by Austin Coates, about Hong Kong,Country Driving by Peter HestingsGhosts of the Tsunami by Richard Lloyd ParryYou can visit Asia Bookroom online at https://www.asiabookroom.com/      The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press. Podcast host Amy Chavez is author of The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. and Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan.The Books on Asia website posts book reviews, podcast episodes and episode Show Notes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service. Subscribe to the Books on Asia newsletter to receive news of the latest new book releases, reviews and podcast episodes.

We're revisiting one of our most popular episodes: a 2023 conversation with rare bookseller Tom Ayling. Tom shares insights into the world of rare and antiquarian books — from the thrill of uncovering forgotten first editions to the evolving market for collectors.Now running his own business in Oxfordshire, Tom offers a behind-the-scenes look at book collecting, the history of the trade, and the enduring appeal of physical books. Perfect for anyone curious about rare books, literary history, and the stories hidden on library shelves.Find Jonkers Rare Books: https://www.jonkers.co.uk/Follow me @litwithcharles for more book reviews and recommendations!

This week, we discuss a series of "intellectual crimes" in which the stolen objects were more valuable for their history and status than for their resale price.  And stick around for an artsy "Last Thing Before We Go". Thank you to this week's sponsors! Help your liver and save 25% on your first month of subscription by going to dosedaily.co/MOMS or entering MOMS at checkout. Get organized now, with Skylight! Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15-inch Calendars by going to SkylightCal.com/MOMS. Download the free Rakuten App or go to Rakuten.com to start saving today.  And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products—including the sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% text MOMS to 64000.  Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. The Boston Public Library's "Lost" Art: We dive into the bizarre case of two priceless artworks—an Albrecht Dürer engraving and a Rembrandt van Rijn etching—that went missing from one of the country's most prestigious libraries. The disappearance caused a media uproar and led to the resignation of the library's president . But in a twist, the art was never stolen; it was just in the wrong spot for an entire year.  The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: We explore the story of John Charles Gilkey, a man driven by intellectual vanity who used stolen credit card numbers to amass a collection of rare books worth over $200,000. Gilkey wasn't in it for the money; he simply wanted to appear to be a sophisticated intellectual . His obsessive "bibliokleptomania" forced the rare book community to tighten security and share information on thefts.  The Notorious Map Thief: Next, we cover Edward Forbes Smiley III, a charming and respected rare map dealer whose financial troubles led him to a life of crime. Using an X-Acto blade, he would carefully slice rare maps out of centuries-old atlases from institutions like Yale and Harvard. We reveal how a single misplaced blade led to his downfall, exposing his theft of nearly 100 maps . The Notorious Map Thief: Next, we cover Edward Forbes Smiley III, a charming and respected rare map dealer whose financial troubles led him to a life of crime. Using an X-Acto blade, he would carefully slice rare maps out of centuries-old atlases from institutions like Yale and Harvard. We reveal how a single misplaced blade led to his downfall, exposing his theft of nearly 100 maps. Check-out bonus episodes up on Spotify and Apple podcast now! Get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus chat episodes, at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast .    To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast.    Listen and subscribe to Melissa's other podcast, Criminality!! It's the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality    Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more.     

The University library in Tartu, in Estonia, is a large brutalist complex, surrounded by concrete water fountains and futuristic steel sculptures. But inside this unassuming building lies a hidden treasure: rare books worth thousands. In April 2022, some of these books were stolen, including historic editions by Alexander Pushkin. According to Europol, the European law enforcement agency, this theft was part of a criminal operation that targeted national libraries in 12 countries, including the Baltic states, Poland, Finland, Germany and France. It's been described as Europe's largest book heist since War World Two. Who was behind it? My colleague Nina Nazarova from BBC Russian has been investigating this story. Plus, 7-year-old Nigerian online musical sensation Emmanuel plays keyboards and drums, and has been captivating audiences online, as BBC Pidgin's Adesola Ikulajolu reports. This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world. This is an EcoAudio certified production. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

This episode of The PVDcast features the fearless leader of the Columbus Cartoon Coalition (C3), Sydney Kit joining me to talk about her role in a new C3 anthology. The theme of this anthology is learning and Sydney introduces us to two topics: Margaret Armstrong and the Rare Books and Manuscript Library at Ohio State University. Learn about the trailblazing art of Margaret and how her art helped to inspire other women. You will also hear about the Rare Books and Manuscript Library, which has thousands of rare books in their collection. Sydney explains the Crowdfunder campaign and shares some details on her behind the scenes work to make the anthology a reality. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the show & new episodes of The PVDcast drop every Thursday!

D&P Highlight: Desperate humans do unspeakable things in a rare book RDNW. full 360 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:55:00 +0000 oaJJPfmLclZ4s8KtY83w767RXuYaTYiH news The Dana & Parks Podcast news D&P Highlight: Desperate humans do unspeakable things in a rare book RDNW. You wanted it... Now here it is! Listen to each hour of the Dana & Parks Show whenever and wherever you want! © 2025 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amp

This story is four interviews, with neighbors and friends, about the current political situation in the United States. I was feeling fairly frazzled and wanted to talk to other people about how they felt, so I started close to home.The photo above is an original silk screen by Leia Bell, for sale at Ken Sanders' Rare Books in Salt Lake City, Utah.I plan to keep posting stories for a while, so if you'd like to donate please press this button: Donate

The Bible is widely said to be the most published book of all time. Despite this, many older versions of the Bible are still sought after. This is because, as Tom Ayling tells Damian Thompson on this episode of Holy Smoke, there is a great deal of diversity amongst the editions precisely because it has been so widely published. Tom, a young antiquarian bookseller who set up his own business, joins the podcast to talk about the risks and rewards behind collecting rare books.Tom explains why, for him, books are ‘most than just a text'; takes us through the various religious books in his collection, from old editions of the Holy Bible to the Book of Common Prayer; and reveals some of the more amusing mistakes he has come across. For more from Tom, go to: www.tomwayling.co.ukProduced by Patrick Gibbons. Photo credit: Tom Rowland (Tom W. Ayling Ltd).

The Bible is widely said to be the most published book of all time. Despite this, many older versions of the Bible are still sought after. This is because, as Tom Ayling tells Damian Thompson on this episode of Holy Smoke, there is a great deal of diversity amongst the editions precisely because it has been so widely published. Tom, a young antiquarian bookseller who set up his own business, joins the podcast to talk about the risks and rewards behind collecting rare books.Tom explains why, for him, books are ‘most than just a text'; takes us through the various religious books in his collection, from old editions of the Holy Bible to the Book of Common Prayer; and reveals some of the more amusing mistakes he has come across. For more from Tom, go to: www.tomwayling.co.ukProduced by Patrick Gibbons. Photo credit: Tom Rowland (Tom W. Ayling Ltd).Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk