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looking for well-written, compelling books about historical women [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 12:04 PM - 40 answers

Can you help me remember the title of a YA novel that has a character in it who may or may not be imaginary who only speaks in song quotes? He quotes CSNY's line "we are stardust / we are golden / we are billion year old carbon" and I think something from REM's Shiny Happy People. [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 7:20 PM - 14 answers

What are the best in-person classroom programs for adult Chinese language students in San Francisco and the Peninsula (preferably north of San Mateo)? [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 3:34 PM - 1 answers

What do people call the 00s as a decade, now that they're part of the historical record? [more inside]
posted by zebrabananafish at 11:26 AM - 40 answers

I've been studying Hanja for only a few days, and I'm trying to learn the jargon from the start. Several of the books and webpages I've consulted mentioned that there are 'parts' other than radicals, but don't give examples, and I'm not familiar enough with radicals — yet — to recognize them 100% of the time. For instance, the book The Chinese Character Decomposition Guidance says, 'Strokes other than radicals are not shown in the decomposition table.
posted by Chasuk at 6:09 AM - 4 answers

"Tell a dream, lose a reader" is a popular quote about writing universally attributed to Henry James. Do you know the original source for it? [more inside]
posted by otio at 10:29 AM - 7 answers

Different planet, perfectly manicured self sustaining houses, if you enter them, all the robot vacuums and appliances attack you. The inhabitants think they are houses for Gods, but in fact they were designed for planet’s people, but because of genetic drift the houses don’t think they’re human any more. Any ideas?
posted by leotrotsky at 4:25 PM - 5 answers

I took four years of Latin in high school using the hilarious, wry Cambridge Latin Course textbooks, then a few different Ovid and Catullus texts for students. Twenty years later I've forgotten just about everything. As a slacker student, what's the most engaging way to re-learn Latin over the next year? I'd especially love an all-in-one textbook, and one that pays attention to poetic devices and linguistic oddities would be especially welcome -- but so would any anecdotes, advice for dilettantes, or tales of your own Latin re/learning. Spero me?
posted by tapir-whorf at 12:31 PM - 9 answers

I'd like to pay to have two recorded songs in Ladino transcribed and translated to English. Unsurprisingly, given the status of the language, I've had trouble finding any professional translators. Does anyone know someone or know where I might be able to find someone who could do this?
posted by oftheheights at 7:59 PM - 7 answers

My workplace is holding an event and one of our service users will be reading a poem about the struggle with mental health challenges. Do you have any suggestions please? [more inside]
posted by billiebee at 5:20 AM - 14 answers

So, today my husband informed me that while I was out of town he bought a new type of household cleaner. This elicited a response from me that was less than kind. When he asked what the deal was, I tried to explain but the word that I know exists to describe my feeling completely eluded me. What was the word? [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras at 6:59 PM - 40 answers

My deep-thinking 17yo is struggling with the big questions: what is the point of life in the face of certain death, how can one live and be happy with all the suffering in the world, and so on. I'd like to offer them some readings on the subject, and would like suggestions. [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 11:36 AM - 39 answers

I just finished listening to Caroline Alexander's translation of the Iliad, read by Dominic Keating. I loved it. Which translation and reading of the Odyssey should I listen to? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:43 AM - 9 answers

Can you think of wrestling puns to entertain my (30-something, academic, nerdy, understands-wrestling-is-ridiculous) boyfriend on a road trip to see some wrestlers? [more inside]
posted by shortyJBot at 2:43 PM - 6 answers

I am going to Mexico City and Cabo San Lucas (Baja Peninsula) for a couple weeks, and I would love to read books written and set in Mexico while I'm there! Please recommend some to me. [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 6:49 AM - 10 answers

The time has come to knuckle down and write my novel. The problem is I have 3 in mind, can you help me choose a project? [more inside]
posted by Willow251 at 5:53 AM - 12 answers

My friend and I (both Americans), have a bet regarding how British people would describe the specific English accent being spoken in this video. British people (and please, only British people), watch the first 30 seconds or so of the interview and tell me the name that you would give to this accent. Cheers!
posted by Chuck Barris at 5:12 PM - 32 answers

I'm trying to find out if any actual Russian has heard the supposedly Russian saying "The church is near, but the road is icy/slippery. The tavern is far, but I will walk carefully." [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:04 AM - 10 answers

As inspired by this post on the main, please rec me gems of fanfiction. [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 11:21 AM - 44 answers

My daughter is looking for her next book to read! Sci Fi she really likes: Douglas Adams, Dr. Who, Stranger Things and Welcome to Night Vale. We’re looking for more science fiction writing, preferably with a humorous element (dark humor is totally fine), and of course anything with a female protagonist would be a bonus. Series or standalone, novel or short story, as long as it’s a rewarding read! Thanks for your help!
posted by ericbop at 1:31 PM - 30 answers