Interesting Around the Web – August 2019

Hello readers, I have rounded up some interesting articles and posts from around the web!

I’ve been taking it easy after a trip to a museum totally wiped me out for a week, so it’s been fun to discover interesting reads online to keep me occupied. I also got to contribute a quote to another blogger about how important to advocate for yourself when doctors are dismissive or misdiagnose you (one time a doctor told me I didn’t have asthma… when I clearly do and have since birth!) I was also delighted to discover that another blogger read my latest My List of Little Joys posts and was inspired to write a post of her own on that theme.

I hope you all enjoy these links and have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

• Libraries are fighting to preserve your right to borrow e-books (CNN)

This was a major issue several years ago (when I was working at a library) and the fact that publishers are still trying to “blame” libraries for earning their authors a readership is kind of mind boggling, bordering on ridiculous. This article sums up the issue. The fact is, I only check out e-books right now because of my health—it’s something I can do on my own without needing transportation to a library, and that’s true for a lot of people with chronic conditions. I’ll be watching to see what my local libraries need from customers to let publishers know that e-books are an important service they shouldn’t be arbitrarily restricting. Read more>

 

• Know Your Stuff – ‘Top 10’ Guide to Coping with Chronic Illness (The Kiwi Spoonie)

Glad I could contribute in a small way to this great post on self-advocacy! It’s a real problem when doctors don’t take patients seriously.
“The thing is – once you know you have a problem that’s not going away – your own knowledge really can make all the difference. There is a point at which your knowledge and persistence will force them to listen.” Read more>

 

• Why You Procrastinate (It Has Nothing to Do With Self-Control) (The New York Times)

I hate procrastinating, and it wasn’t that much of an issue for me until my chronic illnesses spiraled out of control. This article proposes an interesting reason why that could be.
“Dr. Hershfield’s research has shown that, on a neural level, we perceive our “future selves” more like strangers than as parts of ourselves. When we procrastinate, parts of our brains actually think that the tasks we’re putting off — and the accompanying negative feelings that await us on the other side — are somebody else’s problem.” Read more>

 

• Why I Don’t Read All My Books (Lit Hub)

I was all ready to dismiss this article’s premise, because if I own a book, that means I intend to read it. Then I came to this paragraph:
“Perhaps in some cases it has actually meant more to me to possess a book than to read it, because as long as its contents remain unknown to me, it retains its mystery. The unread book is a provocation, a promise of something that might dissipate if I slogged my way through the text.” Read more>

 

• Weekly Inspiration: Grateful People Are Joyful People (Live with CFS)

I really enjoyed this post inspired by my most recent Little Joys!
“Cassie’s post made me realize I am drifting into negative thinking and forgetting to be grateful in a larger sense, even if I take a few moments each day to think about it. So, inspired by Cassie’s post, here are some of my own Small Joys from this summer so far.” Read more>

 

• Was Shakespeare a Woman? (The Atlantic)

I’m not sure I agree with the Shakespeare conspiracy theories, but they sure are fascinating. I enjoyed reading this well-presented argument, and learning about literary figures I haven’t heard of before. Adding some names to my TBR list… Read more>

 

• Meet the Guardian of Grammar Who Wants to Help You Be a Better Writer (The New York Times)

If you love nerding out about grammar, you’ll enjoy this article!
One of my favorite quotes? “If you’re going to have a house style, try not to have a house style visible from space.” Read more>

 

Which of these articles did you find most interesting? Share what you learned in the comments!