Buzz Words: Episode 2: Ranking the Classics

Our second episode is all about the classics. What makes a classic, and where do they rank? There is a lot of dissention with the placement of some of the books. None of us agree on all of them. There were even books we didn't know, which is rare. What were some of the omissions from the lists? Listen and find out where your favorite classic ranks.

Buzz Words Episode 1: In the Beginning There Was Chaos

We're back with an all-new podcast. We present to you...Buzz Words...a podcast that talks about books and reading while we sip on some of our favorite libations. It's our first episode and we are all over the place as we try to find our voices for this new endeavor. We talk about how and what we read in today's modern world. The three of us all have quite different approaches to reading. We have some cool ideas for the future, including having authors on the show.

The Dads Must Be Crazy Ep. 14: School Supplies & Reading Lists

In this week's episode, we talk about those school supply lists and what our kids are reading at various ages throughout the year. What were some of the supplies that you absolutely had to have when you were back in school? Did you have a real metal lunchbox? Or did you have one of those plastic things or purse things? When it comes to reading, we wonder if there's a way to include contemporary fiction to juxtapose against the classics?

On the Homefront: Where Does the Time Go?

Today is June 30 (well, the day I'm finishing this is June 30. I started working on it about 2 weeks ago. Unsurprisingly, not much has changed.) and it is also the halfway point of the reading goal I set for myself this year. The goal was 52 books, or a book a week. By the end of the weekend, to be on pace, I would have had to have finished 26 books. Unfortunately, I am in the first third of only book 23.

There are a plethora of reasons for having fallen behind.

Driven to Try: The Reading Olypmics

For any of our faithful readers lately, it’s been easy to figure out that Howie has been on a reading mission for the year. He has a goal of reading one book a week for a full year, ultimately reading at least 52 books over the course of 2018. His last three articles have been book reviews, of a sort. He prefers to write about what the book means to him rather than the mechanics of the book generally found in a review. One of the side effects of Howie going on a reading binge totally affects me.

Thinking Out Loud on the Homefront: Keeping an Open Mind

As I wrote in this space last time, I've challenged myself to read 52 books this calendar year. Since last time, I have completed two and a half books, which means my pace slowed a bit. Part of that was because I was sick, and part of that was because I spent some recuperating time at home at the same time as my kids were on mid-winter break. That led to less time spent on pages.

Reminiscing: Encyclopedia Bacon

When some of us got in trouble as kids, we’d get grounded. Our “timeouts” were much fiercer than standing or sitting in the corner for as many minutes as our ages. We’d be sent to our rooms to think about whatever stupidity we had done. These were the days before cell phones, computers, or tablets. Sitting for the day or evening could be tortuous for many of us, especially if we were just a bit high strung.

On the Homefront: Make a Teacher's Day & It Will Make Yours

I called one of my sixth-grade teachers Friday morning....

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Maniac Magee's favorite food is one detail I will always remember. It was ingrained in my mind in an embarrassing moment 25 springs ago. Because of that moment, I have never forgotten that Jerry Spinelli's fictional hero loved butterscotch krimpets.

REMINISCING: A Day at the Cottage

I’m going to ride the Lake Ontario wave for this week’s “Reminiscing.” No pun intended. Well, maybe just a little bit. My waves will not be nearly as destructive as the waves on the lake right now, though. No, I thought I might talk just a little bit about some of those days I spent on the lake as a kid.

These Old Walkin' Shoes: All You Need is Love

Some of you may have been wondering, “What’s going on with Bacon?” Yes, I have been fairly lax in posting new material since the first of the year, but soon that will be changing. I hope it will, anyway. As I’ve stated before, I go through moments of writing block. This may be one of those times, or it may be something different.

For the Love of Books, Books, and More Books

For those of you who love to read my book reviews and look forward to them each Tuesday, I promise you they will be back next week. The new year will bring some changes to the Watercooler. Some will be gradual, while others will be much more drastic. Please give us a chance to show off the new Watercooler in 2017. Expect to see much more George Root in the new year -- even if I have to continuously post photos of him. In the meantime, I want to talk about the Lockport Library and my reading habits.