My 8 year old loves to draw, but she wants to "draw better." I just bought her
one of these. What's the best book out there to help her improve her abilities? This would be a book that she could largely read/use herself with occasional help from me.
posted by gwint
on Dec 14, 2012 -
18 answers
I just started watching Fringe. I'm only about three-quarters of the way through Season 2, so please no spoilers. What I'm looking for is companion reading material.
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posted by duckus
on Dec 14, 2012 -
14 answers
I would like to read some non-linear books. Could you recommend titles and authors to me?
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posted by tnygard
on Dec 13, 2012 -
28 answers
My book queue is empty, and my brain craves fiction! Could you please recommend some books? Favorites include : DeLillo, Murakami, Pynchon, Bolaño, Lethem, Barthleme, Franzen, Chabon, DFW, Bulgakov, Rushdie, David Mitchell, Gabriel García Márquez, Mark Z. Danielewski, Philip K. Dick, Stephen King, George Saunders, Joe Hill, and Raymond Chandler
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posted by Afroblanco
on Dec 12, 2012 -
70 answers
I'm looking for your favorite books on early modern European history (~1550-1750 ish) to inform my reading of the Baroque cycle by Neal Stephenson. I usually rely on Amazon ratings to pick good books, but they are coming up short. History buffs of AskMeFi, please help!
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posted by permiechickie
on Dec 11, 2012 -
12 answers
What one book should an atheist recommend to a fundamentalist that will open their mind to atheism but is not focused on the debate about whether god exists?
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posted by underwater
on Dec 10, 2012 -
36 answers
I work at a university library and one of our professors has requested we purchase 2 books that were only published in Finland. I have tried all of my usual book vendors and none of them have these books. Does anyone have any idea who I could contact in Finland to see if these books are still available there? Any ideas would be welcomed. I am all searched out...
posted by libraryleah
on Dec 10, 2012 -
13 answers
What's this novel? I just got a reference request to identify the book/series that has vampires and "bats with big bladders under their bellies". Vampire books are not my forte. Complete question inside. Help?
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posted by gillyflower
on Dec 10, 2012 -
2 answers
All my books are assembling in one house. Help me figure out what is a reasonable amount of books to keep, and which books I should stoop. Also, how to emotionally handle letting go of lots and lots of books.
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posted by corb
on Dec 9, 2012 -
45 answers
Looking for good, critical books and resources on martial arts and fighting. I prefer them to be academic enough to have survived peer review, but will take what I can get. Anything martial arts related would do, I'm interested in understanding martial arts and fighting in a more general sense.
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posted by Stagger Lee
on Dec 8, 2012 -
10 answers
I would like access to a supplemental resource for a textbook that I purchased, for non-school-related use, but only instructors for a course can have access.
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posted by zeek321
on Dec 6, 2012 -
3 answers
I remember this illustrated children's book from the 1970's, a vaguely Arthurian fantasy with anthropomorphic pigs. I think the main character was named "Hamlet" and there were other pig themed puns. He had an Excaliber-like sword that was all rusty and bent up. Please help me find it again.
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posted by wobh
on Dec 4, 2012 -
4 answers
I'm looking for specific book recommendations for high school exchange students.
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posted by trueluk
on Dec 4, 2012 -
3 answers
Seeking recommendations for (non-American/British) crime novels that also serve as interesting social commentary
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posted by 1901gunner
on Dec 2, 2012 -
17 answers
There's a particular sort of humor writer I like. Can you recommend more books in this style? Mid-century, writing about domestic matters, female, personal.
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posted by The corpse in the library
on Nov 30, 2012 -
15 answers
My Mom is interested in reconnecting with her Finnish roots (her parents were the last generation to speak the language, though she grew up with elements of the culture). She is planning on going on a trip for a milestone birthday in a few years, but in the meantime I'd like to find her some wonderful books about Finland. A gorgeous coffee table book with great photos and lots of information would be ideal. Not looking for guidebooks.
posted by eliina
on Nov 29, 2012 -
6 answers
I am moving to Sweden and want to read up on the country before I do. Recommend me good books related to Sweden!
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 28, 2012 -
9 answers
Ok bookworms, anybody know the titles of these two books?
One is a young adult science fiction novel about a kid who writes a computer program universe that starts creating life within the program.
The second is a picture book with very cool illustrations of animals (or monsters) in the forest, possibly hiding, somewhat in the art style of Where the Wild Things Are, possibly having to do with a magical machine of some sort, or a magician or salesman.
posted by mediamelt
on Nov 26, 2012 -
15 answers
Please help me design & figure out how to build a "good enough" storage shed for my personal library. What with all the librarians lurking on MetaFilter, I figure that you guys should know the answer (or at least be able to bless me with an abundance of opinions), right? :)
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posted by Jacqueline
on Nov 23, 2012 -
13 answers
So, I would like to start reading some books lying down in my bed at night. The biggest problem I have with it is holding the book properly. I usually hold it in one hand using my fingers to constantly to hold the pages from collapsing or applying pressure to sides of the book to keep it open. It is super annoying as some of you traditional book readers must have faced. I am not sure if this is a problem for e-book readers but I can imagine it to be lot more convenient. So I am looking for a small light weight book stand that is operated with ONE HAND. Please suggest any. Thanks!
posted by SoltanG
on Nov 20, 2012 -
13 answers
When I was 9 or 10 I read a book that truly scared me. I don't remember much about it now, but I'd love to find it. Please help me!
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posted by GilvearSt
on Nov 19, 2012 -
4 answers
Please recommend a good, short business biography! Preferably one about an entrepreneur.
posted by shotgunbooty
on Nov 17, 2012 -
5 answers
Expecting our first baby in about 2 months now. I have been so consumed with reading up on this pregnancy & labor that I have neglected to learn about what to do AFTER that. You know, when the little homunculus is actually out of my belly and chilling in our living room. Please share your best book recommendations for newborns. Humorous and serious alike. Telling me not to read and let instincts take over is also acceptable with anecdotes.
posted by MayNicholas
on Nov 17, 2012 -
36 answers
Can you help me identify a 25+ year-old short story that describes someone unable to cross a city street?
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posted by argonauta
on Nov 13, 2012 -
10 answers
Help me remember this relatively recent story (movie? book?) a friend recommended to me. Vague details ahead!
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posted by rhiannonstone
on Nov 13, 2012 -
2 answers
I'm looking for comic books that are age-appropriate for a 9-year-old boy...
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posted by dfm500
on Nov 13, 2012 -
23 answers
When I was a kid, I had this book I remember I loved very much. It was a large hardbound book with colorful illustrations of construction projects. I remember there were ones about building a large dam, building a Saturn V-style rocket, and one about building a skyscraper. There were probably others which I don't remember. The pictures were colorful and cartoonish but had lots of details. Anyone know what book this is?
posted by nohat
on Nov 12, 2012 -
9 answers
What are your favourite books for children with activities that they can do with minimal supervision? So far on the list, I have The Silver Spoon for Children (cooking), the Ed Emberley books (drawing), maybe Wreck This Journal or How to Be an Explorer of the World (random creative activities)?
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posted by AnnaRat
on Nov 8, 2012 -
11 answers
Looking for specific book recommendations that are
superb and by female authors/female authors of color.
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posted by jsturgill
on Nov 8, 2012 -
53 answers