From fashion trends to crime rates, why do major changes in society seem to happen so suddenly? What is it that pushes a brand into the limelight, or causes crime rates to plummet? Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, compares these changes to an outbreak of…
Category: Non-Fiction November
Social Media & Your Job: Where’s the Line?
Earlier this month, post-Presidential election, a 22 year-old—Ms. Helms—was fired by her employer, Cold Stone Creamery, after she used Twitter to say some incredibly offensive things about President Obama. Many people are applauding the employer’s decision, but for me the situation isn’t as cut-and-dry. Helms did wrong Although I’m sure there were many tweets around…
“First Position”
Every year thousands of dancers gather to compete at the Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest ballet competition; kids from 8-19 years old compete for medals, scholarships, and contracts with the world’s best dance companies. First Position follows six dancers from different countries as they prepare for the semi-finals and finals. Every dancer is…
Give Me the Banjo
It’s a common statement in my family that listening to bluegrass music “brings out our hillbilly blood.” There’s something about its rawness and close ties to folk music that makes us nostalgic and gets our toes tapping and our blood pumping. And of course wherever bluegrass is found, the banjo is sure to be at…
Non-Fiction November 2012
2012 marks the third anniversary of Non-fiction November here at Bookzilla — a time when I put away the YA and fantastical tales and focus instead on true stories. Non-fiction has never been my favorite, but it’s at least one half of literature, so it shouldn’t be ignored. You can check out my reviews from…