Topic: Arts & Literature

In this tongue and cheek look at the Harry Potter phenomenon the question is asked: why find evil and darkness lurking in what is, essentially, children's literature?

While the Harry Potter juggernaut bulldozes merrily along, just about everybody has stepped into the cauldron of hot, churning action. And that includes drug dealers no less! Heck, they know a good thing when they see it!

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A Rockefeller University scientist and a colleague from Argentina believe they have found astronomical references in Homer’s "Odyssey" that provide corroborating evidence Odysseus returns home to experience a total solar eclipse.

Among countless other debates about Homer's Odyssey - not the least of which is whether the entire poem can be attributed to Homer himself - is whether Odysseus returns home to experience a total solar eclipse. But a Rockefeller University scientist and a colleague from Argentina believe they have found astronomical references in the Odyssey that provide corroborating evidence of this celestial event. The finding is reported in this week's online early edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

It's often been noted that sometimes we miss out on the incredible beauty of the journey by focusing on reaching our destination. Kaya McLaren illustrates this point beautifully.

I love to paint, to feel the creamy goo under my brush. I spread it out like butter across canvas. I turn the music up loud and almost dance with my brush. I paint about simple things that make me happy, or simple things I find beautiful. Georgia O’Keefe is my hero for that reason - for taking the simple beauty of a flower and using paint to make it obvious to even the busiest and most distracted person, for using paint to help everyone see the beautiful colors of dirt. I love how paint allows the painter to editorialize her perception.

"Hafiz: The Voice of God" is a unique modern translation of the poetry of Hafiz and its deep roots in Persian culture.

Hafiz: The Voice of God--A Hundred Odes is Khalid Hameed Shaida's intricate and introspective translation of the 14th century poet's romance and mysticism, preserving the rhyme, rhythm, and flow of the original language and culture.

Amber Kingston's first book is nominated for Benjamin Franklin Children's Award while the author is abroad visiting German school children.

First-time author Amber T. Kingston not only received a glowing review from a Disney Imagineer, her book Laura and the Leprechauns was recently nominated for the Benjamin Franklin Award in the following category: Interior Design, Children¹s/Young Adult. The 2008 Benjamin Franklin Award winner will be chosen from one of the three finalists and will receive the Benjamin Franklin Award during a ceremony on Thursday evening, May 29, 2008 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, located at 930 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California.

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Strong Celtic women and video game influenced fantasy are a winning combination.

Oregon fantasy author and video game advocate Jayel Gibson is joining the entertainment trend that promotes a new era of fantasy from an uncompromisingly feminine point of view, and it seems to be working. The first two books of her "Ancient Mirrors" series, Dragon Queen and The Wrekening, have received USA Book News '2007 Best Books' Finalist Awards, and the third book, Damselflies, reached #1 and remained on Amazon's Top 100 Celtic Mythology Bestseller List for seven weeks.

A case is made that Huxley drew upon his knowledge of ancient India for some of his background in "Brave New World."

Aldous Huxley was a great story teller and author of the highly acclaimed novel, Brave New World. Widely read, it came as no surprise to analyse his novel and conclude that perhaps, he was influenced by some ideas and theories depicted in Hindu Mythology. In particular, there are two things that this novel, Brave New World and Hindu Mythology have in common - the caste system and soma.

Stan Lee is accustomed to writing comic books, but on this day at the Hollywood studios of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, he helped record one for students who struggle with reading.

Stan Lee, world-famous creator of Spider-Man, Iron Man, X-Men and The Incredible Hulk, is accustomed to writing comic books, but on this day at the Hollywood studios of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), he helped record one for students who struggle with reading because of a visual impairment or learning disability such as dyslexia.

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Stan Lee and Feedback together again.

"Arthur's ideas have sent silent engines into space to speak in tongues. His fabulous communications satellite ricocheted about in his head long before it leaped over the mountains and flatlands of the Earth," said Ray Bradbury of Clarke in 1992.

British expatriate science fiction author, futurist, and visionary Arthur C. Clarke died on Wednesday in a hospital in his adopted hometown of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He was 90 years old.

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Arthur C. Clarke, science fiction author, meeting with fans, at his home office in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2005.

Author promotes “Sci-fi Chick Lit” in latest novel in adventure series.

Today, as more female writers enter the world of science fiction and fantasy, multi-faceted heroines and relationship-based storylines in novels are attracting a whole new audience to the genre. Women who have previously read historical fiction and romance are now flocking to science fiction, as evidenced by the highly successful futuristic In Death series by J.D. Robb, aka bestselling author Nora Roberts. Science fiction and gaming conventions, once famous for luring Dungeons and Dragons players out of their hobbit holes, are now playing host to female fans drawn in by their favorite leading ladies. These heroines are saving ancient universes, fighting off evil warlords and setting the standard for strength and femininity.