Good day, readers. Today is September 21st, the 265th day of the year 2024, with 101 days remaining.
So many books, so little time.
Frank Zappa
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” was published. This beloved fantasy novel has enchanted readers for generations and laid the groundwork for Tolkien’s epic “The Lord of the Rings” series.
Notable Birthdays:
H.G. Wells, born on September 21, 1866, was an English writer known as one of the pioneers of science fiction. His works, including “The War of the Worlds” and “The Time Machine,” have had a lasting influence on the genre and continue to be widely read and adapted.
Today’s Readings:
From “The War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells: “No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man’s and yet as mortal as his own.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On September 21st, 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor was confirmed by the Senate as the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. This historic event has been explored in numerous biographies and works on legal and social history.
Advice for Writers:
Frank Zappa’s quote humorously captures the eternal dilemma of avid readers and writers alike. In your writing, embrace the abundance of inspiration around you, but also focus on your current projects with dedication and passion.
Wishing you a day of inspired reading and creative writing, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary endeavors be as rich and fulfilling as the endless books waiting to be discovered.
Hard to believe that a book written in 1937 is still read by so many today. I love The Hobbit. And the best War of the Worlds had to be that Orson Welles broadcast where people didn’t realize it was fiction and it started a panic!
George Carlin once said, “Tell people there’s an invisible man in the sky who created the universe, and the vast majority will believe you. Tell them the paint is wet, and they have to touch it to be sure.”
I think that there’s a lesson there that people can be led to believe anything through the power of speech.