Your Key to Being the Most Cultured Person at the Party

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S. Zainab considers herself to be someone who writes passionately, specializing in fantasy and horror genres. She is currently holding onto a manuscript in the darkness. You can connect with her on Twitter: @sainabwilliams. View all contributions by S. Zainab Williams.

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Memorize a Poem by Heart
Similar to a sophisticated socialite who effortlessly plays the piano at a gathering of intellectuals, you can impress as a cultured party-goer without needing to learn a new instrument. Simply memorize a poem and find the right moment to recite it during a conversation. The New York Times recently featured a week-long exercise to help you memorize a poem. Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Recuerdo” with its refrain “We were very tired, we were very merry” is a perfect choice for such occasions. Memorizing poems can be a delightful mental exercise and a soothing distraction from everyday worries. This practice can be enriching, especially when reading poetry collections like “The Magpie at Night: The Complete Poems of Li Qingzhao” translated by Wendy Chen.

Do We Require More Male Novelists?
Ella Creamer poses this question in a piece for The Guardian. Conduit Books, a new independent publishing house, aims to focus on releasing literary fiction and memoirs by male writers. However, Creamer argues that male authors are not necessarily overlooked in the publishing world, given the evolving landscape that addresses past male dominance and toxic masculinity in literature. The article highlights data on male novelists’ publishing rates and success, suggesting that men read fewer novels compared to women. To delve deeper into this topic, check out the full article on The Guardian for insights from authors and publishing professionals.

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Satirizing a Nostalgic Favorite
A humorous take on old classics can be quite enjoyable, especially when it involves a beloved childhood series. McSweeney’s recently featured a satirical piece on Choose Your Own Adventure books, offering alternative endings that match the intense scenarios kids faced in those stories. For a dose of clown-related, oxen, and dysentery humor, this satire provides a unique twist on nostalgic favorites.

Stressed About Mother’s Day Gifts?
If you’re still unsure about what to gift the motherly figure in your life for Mother’s Day, especially if they enjoy reading, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a guide to last-minute bookish gifts for Mother’s Day.

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