Local author and former teacher launches podcast to help kids
March is National Reading Month and we met local author, mom, and now podcast host Lauren Piland. She stopped by with her recommendations for books that will help parents start difficult but important conversations with their kids. Her podcast "The Blooming Books Podcast" is a good place to start!
Katy ISD is adjusting its book ban policy: Hereโs why
Katy Independent School Districtโs school board voted to unanimously update and adjust the districtโs current book removal policy after several childrenโs classics, including Dr. Seussโ โWacky Wednesdayโ and โNo, David!โ by David Shannon were put on the districtโs removal list because of nudity.
From exotic dancing to PhD.: Houston-area author debuts new book on overcoming your past and pursuing your future
Educator, speaker, host, author, wife and mother: Those are just some of the titles belonging to Tyra Hodge, PhD., supervisor and social-emotional learning coordinator at one of the fastest growing districts in the greater Houston area.
Ken Lindnerโs โAspire higherโ promises to motivate you to elevate your life
As the founder of the Positive Life Choice Psychology, he has studied the art of decision-making for years, and now in his new book, โASPIRE HIGHER, How to Find the Love, Positivity, and Purpose to Elevate Your Life and the World,โ author Ken Lindner offers his formula to help you raise your self-esteem and self-confidence.
Katy ISD parents demand answers from the district after finding books in campus libraries that contain โvulgar and explicit materialโ
Several Katy ISD parents are upset over certain books that are on the shelves at their kidโs schools. The parents said the books are obscene and sexually explicit in nature.
VYPE Media's Week 2 Plays of the Week
Another week of High School Football in the books, means another week of VYPE Live's top plays of the week! We've got it all this week. Offensive firepower, defensive TDs, and even some special teams! So take a look and come back Monday as we let YOU the fans vote on what play should be crowned as Play of the Week!!!!
โHometown Boyโ author shares inspiration and next steps for the shelf
A rainy day is a perfect time to curl up on the sofa with a good book, and if you like a sweet, feel-good, small-town romance then โHometown Boyโ is the book for you. Author and blogger Audrey McClelland shares what inspired her to write this novel, as well as her plans to pen more in the future.
Get your body ready for summer with the โFast Burnโ program
New York Times bestselling author and host of the syndicated television show The DoctorsโโIan K. Smith, M.D has a unique intermittent fasting plan that combines the power of time-restricted eating with an easy-to-follow detailed program.
Local singer Bill Nash gets candid about writing songs for country music legends
HOUSTON โ He has penned songs for country stars such as Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Diamond Rio, and Larry Gatlin. Now singer-songwriter, Bill Nash, looks back at his extraordinary career in music in his newly released autobiography, Saint Sinner Singer: An Unexpected, Redirected, Resurrected Life. Bill Nash and Kris Kristofferson in 1974 on the Phil Everly show (Bill Nash)The song is called โFor the Good Times,โ and you can see both artists performing the song in the video below. Bill and Kim Nash with country singer Reba McEntire (Bill Nash)โThere were 5,000 songs that Reba listened to for two slots on that greatest hits album and ours was just picked at random. AdNashโs memoir, Saint Sinner Singer: An Unexpected, Redirected, Resurrected Life, is available now for sale.
Bellaire teacher Jennifer Mathieu on how her book became a Netflix film directed by Amy Poehler
HOUSTON โ The new Netflix film โMoxieโ is a coming-of-age story that highlights the importance of female empowerment. The film is based on a book by the same name, written by local author and Bellaire High School teacher, Jennifer Mathieu. She shared with Houston Life her excitement after her novel got the Hollywood treatment by renowned comedian Amy Poehler. Nico Hiraga as Seth, Amy Poehler as Lisa/Director/Producer, Hadley Robinson as Vivian in Moxie. Jennifer Mathieu and Amy Poehler on the set of 'Moxie" (Jennifer Mathieu)โVisiting the set was so fun.
Houston Rockets, Reliant and Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation hosting annual book drive
HOUSTON โ Throughout the month of March, the Houston Rockets and the Rockets Womenโs Organization are partnering up with Reliant for the fifth annual โHTX Reads Book Drive,โ benefiting the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. This year Houstonians can support childhood literacy virtually by texting โBookDriveโ to 91999, or visiting bushhoustonliteracy.org/bookdrive. In addition to donating money or books, Houstonians are encouraged to celebrate National Read Aloud Month by making reading with their children a daily habit and using #HTXReads when sharing photos on social media. Watch as Lauren Kelly chats with Julie Baker Finck, President, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Felicia Stone, Houston Rockets Womenโs Organization, and Leanne Schneider, Director Of Community Relations at Reliant about how you can support this wonderful event.
17 picture books youโve never heard of, but that your kids will love
Who doesnโt love โBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?โ (And the polar bear version. And the panda edition!) Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle definitely have that formula down to a science. And well, the classics are the classics for a reason, and most parents can probably agree there will be room for those books on any shelf.
โDonโt give upโ: Houston author fulfills dreams of publishing first book at the age of 77
At the age of 77, Ellen Richardson had her first novel published after overcoming numerous obstacles. She shared her journey writing and publishing her book, Murder and the Talk Show Diva, and why itโs important to persevere and never give up. โI want to have a book published. Iโve been writing for so long, and so finally my dream came true.โHouston author Ellen Richardson shares her journey writing and publishing her first book, Murder and the Talk Show Diva. The two of them together solve the murder.โHouston author Ellen Richardson shares her journey writing and publishing her first book, Murder and the Talk Show Diva.
How growing up in Third Ward inspired a Houston teacher to become a successful author
HOUSTON โ A former teacher found inspiration in her Third Ward upbringing to create new a fantasy novel set in Houston. The book is called Wings of Ebony and the author, J. Elle, chatted with Houston Life about her impressive story that landed her a six-figure book deal. Houston author J. Elle (Chris Spicks Photography)โI wanted to get into the profession, but I didnโt have any formal training. Wings of Ebony is out now and it debuted on the New York Times young adult bestseller list. To connect with J. Elle, click here.
Houston author J. Elle hopes to โinspire a movementโ in new YA Fantasy novel inspired by Third Ward
HOUSTON โ A Houston-native author is tackling racism, privilege and empowerment in her new, debut novel. Author J. Elle spoke to KPRC 2 about her book described as the 2018 film โThe Hate U Giveโ meets DCโs โWonder Womanโ taking place in a โBlack Pantherโ world. Elle said she hopes her book can โinspire a movement and plant the seeds of change.โFrom inspiration to publishingElle told KPRC 2 an image rooted in her mind brought her to the keyboard. AdโWriting is like exercise, like I just sat there (at my desk) one morning and started drafting what came to mind,โ she told KPRC 2. My neighborhood lives in the pages of this book,โ she told KPRC 2.
10 Texas books that defined 2020
None of us will forget the year 2020, but hopefully a part of these memories will be of books we read for solace and comfort during these strange times. Below are a handful of recommendationsโeach with a Texas connectionโfor holiday gifts or for your own to-read list. Two nonfiction books shed the proverbial spotlight on one of the stateโs favorite actors, Matthew McConaughey, while other titles introduce fresh perspectives and voices that explore Texas landscapes and identities in new and unexpected ways. Nights When Nothing Happened by Simon Han (Riverhead)Hanโs debut novel animates the struggles of an immigrant family from Tianjin, China, living in the Dallas-area suburb of Plano. Simon the Fiddler follows Boudlinโs adventures and missteps throughout South and East Texas during the late 19th century, amid the chaos and turmoil of Reconstruction.
Trump could ink book deal worth $100M
HOUSTON โ In the last four years, books about President Donald Trump have been in-demand, and that isnโt expected to slow down anytime soon. A few book publishers are considering a new tone on Trump. According to Page Six, one source familiar with the president said: โTrump is being bombarded with book and TV deals that could be worth a staggering $100 million.โ Trump is also reportedly being courted by some conservative TV outlets. However, the source told Page Six the book and television deals are plan-B โif he doesnโt win the vote war.โIt is also unclear which publisher will ink a deal with Trump, but he published his most recent book, โCrippled America,โ with Simon & Schuster. This discussion comes as former President Barack Obama is set to release a new book, โA Promised Land.โ Obama and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, agreed to a reported $65 million deal with Crown in 2017, according to the Associated Press.
Deshawn Watsons new book Pass It On is out now
HOUSTON Deshaun Watson is now an author. The Houston Texans quarterback released his new book, Pass It On: Work Hard, Serve Others ... Repeat," on Tuesday. It talks about succeeding as a leader in seven elements. A statement from the team about the book said Watson writes about everything from his experience as a Texans QB, to nursing his mom through cancer to his journey as a leader while attending Clemson. You can catch Watson and the rest of the Houston Texans play against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night on KPRC 2.
5 childrenโs books that celebrate diversity and inclusion
Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop in West Houston, shared her picks for best books to educate your kids about diversity and kindness, starting at age 3. You may have different color skin, different kind of hair, or have different kinds of food in your lunch box. All Are Welcomeby Alexandra Penfold (Knopf Books for Young Readers)All are welcome ( Knopf Books for Young Readers) (Blue Willow Bookshop)Join all the students at school where all are welcome. Sulweby Lupita Nyongโo (Simon & Schuster Books)Sulwe (Simon & Schuster Books) (Blue Willow Bookshop)Sulwe has very dark skin, darker than anyone in her family. The Undefeatedby Kwame Alexander (Versify Books, a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)(Versify Books, a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) (Blue Willow Bookshop)A powerful ode to the endurance of African Americans throughout our countryโs history.
You can listen to Daniel Radcliffe read chapter one of โHarry Potter and the Sorcererโs Stoneโ
Having Harry Potter himself read them to you, of course! J.K. Rowling is gathering up some of her famous muggle friends to bring fans the ultimate Harry Potter quarantine entertainment. The entire first book in Rowlingโs wizarding series, โHarry Potter and the Sorcererโs Stoneโ will be available for fans to listen to, and each chapter will be read by a different celebrity once a week, starting off with Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter. The site is full of puzzles, quizzes and articles that focus on everything Harry Potter and Hogwarts. You can watch a video of Radcliffe reading chapter one of the book here, or listen to it on Spotify.
13-year-old bullied by classmates for his love of books now has 230,000 Instagram followers
"Can't believe how awful kids are," Ellis Landreth, 24, wrote on Friday, explaining that her little brother was being bullied for setting up an Instagram account to review his favorite books. At the time of writing, Callum's Instagram account had more than 230,000 followers. Numerous people replied to Landreth's tweets with their own experiences of being bullied, or to express their own love of books. English novelist Matt Haig sent Callum a collection of books, adding: "Hey let's all follow Cals Book Account on Instagram and show him some support." Callum set up his Instagram account last month, posting his first review of Stephen King's "The Shining" on February 23.