Blogging
Blogging
When I worked for Half Price Books, everyone in marketing was invited to contribute to the HPB blog. Turns out I enjoyed writing about books, music and movies almost as much as buying books, movies and music.
Fifty years of R-E-S-P-E-C-T: find out what it means
Fifty years of R-E-S-P-E-C-T: find out what it means
Fifty years ago, on April 29, 1967, the world first heard the horn blasts and guitar twangs that mark the opening of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” What followed were two and a half remarkable minutes of pop music that would come to capture an era and define one of the preeminent voices of our time. What makes it so great? We’ll take a cue from the Queen of Soul and spell it out for you.
Fifty years ago, on April 29, 1967, the world first heard the horn blasts and guitar twangs that mark the opening of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” What followed were two and a half remarkable minutes of pop music that would come to capture an era and define one of the preeminent voices of our time. What makes it so great? We’ll take a cue from the Queen of Soul and spell it out for you.
Tree-mendous books, movies and music for Arbor Day
Tree-mendous books, movies and music for Arbor Day
Arbor Day is April 27, and we’re going out on a limb to highlight a few of our favorite trees in literature, film and even music. There’s no shortage of choices, given that humans have coexisted with and been fascinated by trees — sometimes even worshipping them — for all of history.
Arbor Day is April 27, and we’re going out on a limb to highlight a few of our favorite trees in literature, film and even music. There’s no shortage of choices, given that humans have coexisted with and been fascinated by trees — sometimes even worshipping them — for all of history.
Holiday albums you love — and others you should
Holiday albums you love — and others you should
Now that it’s December, it’s time to dust off those records that live in the back of your collection, the ones that only get played one month out of the year: Christmas albums. In this post I’m taking a look at some of the albums on Billboard’s list of the 10 top-selling Holiday albums of all time. Chances are you own some of them, and maybe you can’t imagine Christmas without them. But the thing about traditions is, you have to add new ones from time to time. In that spirit, I’m offering some alternative Holiday albums that might be less familiar and a little fresher to your ears.
Now that it’s December, it’s time to dust off those records that live in the back of your collection, the ones that only get played one month out of the year: Christmas albums. In this post I’m taking a look at some of the albums on Billboard’s list of the 10 top-selling Holiday albums of all time. Chances are you own some of them, and maybe you can’t imagine Christmas without them. But the thing about traditions is, you have to add new ones from time to time. In that spirit, I’m offering some alternative Holiday albums that might be less familiar and a little fresher to your ears.
Leap into a book on Leap Day
Leap into a book on Leap Day
For complicated reasons involving the Sun, the Earth, Julius Caesar and I’m pretty sure the calendar industry, the concept of leap year was invented way back in 46 B.C. Ever since, we’ve been adding an extra day every four years in order to keep our calendars synced up with nature.
For complicated reasons involving the Sun, the Earth, Julius Caesar and I’m pretty sure the calendar industry, the concept of leap year was invented way back in 46 B.C. Ever since, we’ve been adding an extra day every four years in order to keep our calendars synced up with nature.
“Space Oddity” and other oddities on the 50th anniversary of the moonwalk
“Space Oddity” and other oddities on the 50th anniversary of the moonwalk
This July will mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, when a transfixed world watched American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first people to walk on the moon — that we know of.
This July will mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, when a transfixed world watched American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first people to walk on the moon — that we know of.
Smart patriotic sounds for July 4
Smart patriotic sounds for July 4
Independence Day is fast upon us, and if you’re like me, that means you’re planning what patriotic American music to play at your cookout or family gathering. I mean, I’m not literally doing a cookout, because I live in Texas and it’s a bazillion degrees out. But I do enjoy making a good themed playlist.
Independence Day is fast upon us, and if you’re like me, that means you’re planning what patriotic American music to play at your cookout or family gathering. I mean, I’m not literally doing a cookout, because I live in Texas and it’s a bazillion degrees out. But I do enjoy making a good themed playlist.
The Christmas Song: a deep dive into a holiday chestnut
The Christmas Song: a deep dive into a holiday chestnut
This year our Holiday theme at Half Price Books is “Make the Season Bright.” Those four words appear in one of the most ubiquitous and aptly-named Christmas songs ever written, “The Christmas Song.” You might know it better by its opening lyrics: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.”
This year our Holiday theme at Half Price Books is “Make the Season Bright.” Those four words appear in one of the most ubiquitous and aptly-named Christmas songs ever written, “The Christmas Song.” You might know it better by its opening lyrics: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.”