It’s October, and that means Halloween is approaching! When I was a kid I focused my energy on trading candy with my friends, but more recently I’ve been reading spooky books in order to get into the Halloween spirit. Here are a few of my favorites: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. This classic of horror literature invites its readers to explore the distinction between [...]
Want to start a new book but can’t find the inspiration to actually sit down and read it? Would it help if you knew there was scientific evidence that said reading is beneficial to your health and wellbeing? Reading is an excellent brain workout. It has been proven to not only increase intelligence, but can also prevent neurological disease and slow mental decline [...]
In 1945, Han van Meegeren was arrested for selling priceless artwork to a high-up Nazi official. His only defense was that he had actually sold a forgery painted so well that the police didn’t even believe him. Johannes Vermeer was one of the most celebrated painters of the seventeenth century, well known for his painting the Girl with a Pearl Earring. Unexplained gaps [...]
Has the colder weather left you in a reading slump? I’ve found that the best way to get out of a literary drought is to pick up a well-written book. One of the best books I’ve read recently was Paper Towns by John Green; I loved Green’s characters! Here are some suggestions for your next read from the PSG staff: Annette: Scythe by [...]
If you’re a writer, you might have always thought that your mind works in a unique way. Well, science may have proved that to be true. In 2014, German scientist Martin Lotze and his team of researchers studied the brain activity of writers and non-writers as they wrote to compare their brain functions. With the help of fMRI scanners to see which parts [...]
The end of Shakespeare’s King Lear finds its characters situated atop the striking cliffs of Dover, England, a setting suitably dramatic for the climax of one of drama’s great tragedies. The blinded Earl of Gloucester asks his son, Edgar, to bring him to the edge of the cliffs saying, “There is a cliff, whose high and bending head /Looks fearfully in the confined [...]
If you’re looking to time travel and are intrigued by all things Renaissance, then look no further than King Richard’s Faire! The Faire is located in Carver, Massachusetts, just under two hours from Boston and is running until October 21. I recently attended this annual Renaissance-style fair, and it has attractions for all ages, including the following: Shows/Entertainment singing performances jousting mud show [...]
Growing up in New England makes it easy to take for granted that the leaves change colors in the fall. It was only recently that I began to fully appreciate the ephemeral beauty of the yellows, reds and oranges that decorated my neighborhood each fall. Many people travel to New England to witness the beauty of peak foliage season, which ranges from mid-September [...]
When you ask non-readers why they don’t like to read, you can get a variety of answers. Maybe they can’t find anything interesting to read. Or maybe they do have something to read, but they just can’t find the right spot to read. Well, I’m here to solve this problem! Here are some suggestions for convenient places to open a book: Outside Make [...]
Hamilton has come to Boston! And some PSG staff members have already been lucky enough to see the hit musical since its opening. Nora’s verdict: “Hamilton was amazing! My brother cried the whole time, so it’s definitely an emotional musical!” Annette shares Nora’s (and her brother’s) enthusiasm: “The talent of the touring cast is second only to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s brilliant writing. It was [...]