Around the Web: A Reading Study, the Locus List, the Indie Writers' Deathmatch, and an Instagram
Happy Friday and happy first day of February, friends. It’s been a busy week for the CDP team as we got ready for two of our authors, David Cole and Kat Hawthorne, to attend the OLA Super Conference. If you were also busy closing out the month, I hope you get some time to relax this weekend.
To that end, I’ve got your weekly dose of bookish links. This week I’m sharing a new study on reading, the Locus reading list, a short story competition, and a social media activity to take part in this month.
Enjoy!
Reading and Empathy
Studies have shown a connection between reading and empathy before, but that connection has been debated. Now a new meta-analysis has reviewed previews studies and confirmed that reading fiction produces an improvement in “social-cognitive performance.” So there you have it, reading is good for you. For more information, check out what Inc. has to say about the study.
Locus Reading List
Locus magazine just released its reading list and it’s got lots of good SFF books on it. Check it out if you’re looking to add to your TBR list and consider voting for the 2019 Locus awards.
Indie Writers’ Deathmatch
Speaking of voting… Broken Pencil’s Indie Writers’ Deathmatch has begun. This is a short story competition in which the stories compete head-to-head for votes. Authors can participate via comment boards and are allowed to hype their own writing and trash-talk their opponents. The stories with the least votes get eliminated until one winner remains.
Looking to get creative this February? Enjoy Instagram and Bookstagram? Then check out Book Riot’s February #RiotGrams challenge. They’ve got a list of prompts to inspire you to take bookish photos to post on Instagram. If you’re experiencing winter weather and feeling a isolated, this might be a good chance to feel connected with fellow bibliophiles.
