Category Archives: Interesting

R U OK @ Rting?

The House of Why Posted on by 1

Why are we allowing our writing skills to diminish? My boyfriend’s mother recently received a handwritten thank you card in the mail.  With e-mailing, texting, and printing, any handwritten note today is something special.  It shows that someone actually took the time to write, putting a little of oneself into every pen stroke on paper.  Handwritten notes are meaningful and personal, attracting a bit of attention nowadays.  However, what also got the attention of my boyfriend’s mother was in addition … Continue reading →

Fifty Shades of Hype

The House of Why Posted on by  

Why do we so often buy into trends? There’s a book that’s been big on the radar lately.  Perhaps you’ve heard of Fifty Shades of Grey?  I first heard of it a short while back on The Today Show.  Women especially seem to be excited about this book, buying up copies in bookstores and holding book club discussions.  They talk of its sexiness, claiming it’s so steamy and appealing that you can’t put it down.  Being a librarian, I try … Continue reading →

An American Jubilee

The House of Why Posted on by 3

Why do Americans have a love affair with the British Royal Family? In modern times, a large number of Americans seem to love the Royal Family of Britain.  Queen Victoria was the namesake of the Victorian Period that stretched its styles and values across the Atlantic to America.  A twice-divorced American woman, Wallis Simpson, was so enthralled by British royalty that she married King Edward VIII (you know, the one who had to abdicate his throne for marrying a divorcee).  … Continue reading →

Storytime

The House of Why Posted on by 2

Why do some adults, regardless of whether they have children, read children’s books? Mea culpa.  I confess.  I’m an adult with a guilty passion–I read children’s books.  And I indulge in this passion.  Everyday.  And I don’t even have any kids.  Wanna know what’s scarier?  I’m not the only adult who has this passion. Working in a library, I’m naturally surrounded by all kinds of books, so I probably see as many if not more children’s books than the average … Continue reading →

Owning Your John Hancock

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Why is cursive handwriting falling by the wayside? Once upon a time, during the Middle Ages, books were expensive.  Like, crazy expensive.  That’s because monks copied manuscripts by hand, and in order for monks to copy manuscripts, they needed to have good penmanship.  After all, who wanted a book with sloppy handwriting that couldn’t be deciphered? Then along came the Gutenberg Press, which unemployed a lot of religious scribes, but made books easily publishable, cheaper, and more accessible.  However, people … Continue reading →