They may be a little young to absorb the complexities of narrative and cinematographic techniques, but your children can definitely learn about the impact of good films simply by watching them. A great film can change the way a child sees the world. Most importantly, sharing a nice film with your kids helps you build a more intimate relationship with each other and creates a lot of fun.

Here is a selection of classical films which have stood the test of time and are highly recommended for parents and children.

Modern Times (1936)

Very few comedies today can remain amusing for such a long time like those of Charlie Chaplin, and no other comedians are as socially and politically influential as Chaplin. Set in the background of the Great Depression, the film features Chaplin’s iconic Little Tramp character who struggles to survive in the industrialized modern society.

There are too many memorable scenes in the film, such as Chaplin trying to keep up with an assembly line and falling victim to the broken feeding machine. In Modern Times Chaplin proved again that he was the most brilliant actors of the silent screen and the most eloquent master of mime. Enjoy this all-time classic with your kids, introducing them to the master of silent cinema and preparing to laugh.

Wizard of Oz (1939)

This fantasy masterpiece of MGM starring Judy Garland takes viewers on a magical journey into the Land of Oz. Based on the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, the film is a tale of the adventurous journey of Dorothy and her friends, during which they all find what they have been looking for: the Scarecrow demonstrates his intelligence, the Tin Man acquires a heart, the Lion picks up his courage, and Dorothy’s ruby slipper finally takes her home. This is an evergreen classic which summons nostalgia in audiences of all ages and proves what Dorothy says in the end of the film – there is no place like home.

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

A Christmas is incomplete without Frank Capra’s tale of a man who discovers that life really is worth living. The film begins with a man (James Stewart) whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve is intervened by his guardian angel, who shows him all the lives he has touched and how different the world would be without him. Sweet and a little sappy, the film is nevertheless an inspirational and heart-warming story to watch with the whole family.

Singin’ In the Rain (1952)

The scene of Gene Kelly hopping on a street lamp with an umbrella may be one of the most memorable moments on the screen. As one of the most famous and loved musicals of all time from MGM, the film is a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood during the transition from silent films to talkies.

It is a witty and joyous film surrounded by a wonderful cynicism with everybody either mocking themselves or pretending to be someone they are not. Moreover, it contains some wonderful musicals like O’Connor’s brilliantly acrobatic “Make ‘em Laugh”, Kelly’s “”Broadway Ballet” and of course the title song. Having your kids enjoy this big-screen musical with their parents may be one of the best and most affordable school holiday activities. Next time, you may even be able to re-enact your favorite movie scene with your kids in a rainy day.

Sound of Music (1965)

Based on the Broadway musical with the same name, the film tells the story of Maria, a novice in a strict Salzburg Abbey who is sent to Captain von Trapp’s villa to act as a governess for his seven children. When the film was released in 1965, it took the world by storm and earned 5 Oscars. It is a rare combination of a moving story, glorious songs and breathtaking scenery of the mountains in Austria. It contains a number of songs, including “Edelweiss”, “My Favorite Things” and “Do-Re-Mi” which remain timeless through generations.

Parents may find this film rich in character, music and story, as well as filled with positive messages. This is also an appropriate moment to talk about history: everyone in Austria has to make a choice when the Nazis arrive. Parents may explain to their older kids why this was such a tense time and why the Von Trapps made the painful decision to flee the country they love.

Yuan Liu is freelancer who loves everything old. She likes vintage movies and yearns for the good old days when she could simply enjoy school holiday activities with friends. 

After you are done with reading that perfect book, you find yourself asking, “what should I read next.” Your mind is craving something that is same as or even better than your previous book. Finding a good book to read is probably a headache for most avid book readers out there. This article attempts to make your search for the next book to read an interesting and easier task by looking into several steps you can take to find that next book you so badly need.

Book Websites

There are hundreds if not thousands of websites on the internet that help book readers to find a book they want or even suggest what book they should read basing on their tastes and preferences. You should check them out as most have excellent facilities and the experience they leave you with is amazing. Some websites that help readers in finding their next book are whichbook.net, lazy library, keep reading, Library Thing and What should I read next just to mention a few of them. Try them out.

Best Seller lists

Check out the best seller lists on books. There are several bestseller lists but the most prominent ones include the New York best seller lists, The Guardian best seller list and amazon best seller list. They provide great information on the bestselling books on all genres.

Online Book Stores

Online book stores are also a good option worth trying out. There are a wide variety of online bookstores to choose from. A search for bookstores on most search engines should give a list of popular online bookstores. In addition, try searching on sites that are tailored to specific authors and publishers.

Libraries

You can also check out your local library and look around in your favorite genre section. Local libraries and librarians are an excellent source of information when in the look for a new book. They also offer first-hand information about recent and classic releases so ask them for advice about certain books, authors and recommended readings.

Online Book Video Trailers

It may also be worth checking out the book video trailers online. They are not available for all books but a majority of books have them. They offer an author’s preview of what the book really is about plus with visual presentation.

Book Blogs

There are several book blogs that list many great novels. Do not forget to also read publisher websites searching for new books. Book blogs often have lists written like, “What Should I Read Next” that offer a great idea of the types of books that would interest you.

Asking Around

There is a chance that if you like a book there is bound to be others around you who like them too so asking around can prove helpful.

There are millions of great books out there on the market and many are being published on a daily basis. Finding the exact book to read next can be a challenge but following the above tips on doing so can ease the challenge. Now you have the tips at your fingers and all that is standing between you and finding that great book is to put those tips into use. Try them and hope you will find this article more useful and share it with other avid book readers.

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•  License: Creative Commons image source

William Yatscoff is the founder and editor of Bookkaholic Book Magazine. The magazine was launched in March 2013 and continues to grow strongly offering book reviews, book help, book quotes, book trailers, and other great book information. So come and ask, “What should I read next.”

Many of you came to my launch party at the Barnes&Noble in Orem, UT. It was a great turn out! Over one hundred people came and I was signing books for two hours straight! Well, I did take a small break so we could film the Harlem Shake, but besides that, I was signing books the whole time. So I suppose that should count as my first ever book signing, but I don’t feel like it was a true book signing experience.

However, the other day, I was at the Barnes&Noble in Layton, UT, and that felt like my real first book signing. You might be confused about why I feel this way. The explanation is simple: At the launch party, most of the people who came were people that I knew who were excited to buy my novel and celebrate with me. (Something I’m definitely not complaining about here!) At the book signing in Layton, I knew two people who came to support me. The rest of the time, I got to use my friendly smile and try to engage people in conversation. That was quite different from the launch party.

It was a great experience. I actually love getting to know people from all different walks of life, and now it’s part of my job to harass people who enter the store while I’ve got a signing scheduled. 🙂 I only lured maybe twenty people over to my table to talk to them. The rest had various reactions to my friendliness. Some would not look at me when I gave them salutation, but would nod their head to acknowledge me. Others ignored me completely, and some were very courteous and asked how I was doing. Maybe it’s the writer in me, but I was fascinated by the different responses people gave when I said hi and asked how they were doing. It was like being front and center to a people watching experiment. And (in true writer fashion) I started making up stories for those people depending on how they reacted to me. (I know- kind of nerdy, but totally entertaining!)

From this experience, I just wanted to relay a simple message to all readers out there: We authors are not trying to make you feel awkward. Nor are we trying to put pressure on you to buy our books. If you see us sitting at a table at Costco, Barnes&Noble, or any other bookstore, feel free to come and talk to us.

One person approached me and asked questions about my book. She was very friendly and we had a great chat about her work and family. When she saw my book was about vampires, she simply wasn’t interested. I was totally fine with that. No hard feelings – vampires aren’t for everyone. I’m still glad that she came over and we got to have a little chit chat.

I’m looking forward to my next book signing and getting to know more people It’s such a fun opportunity and I’m glad it’s a part of my job description now.

Happy reading!

Competition is huge for almost any business and industry out there. Whatever line of work you are in, it’s always better to sell more than your competitor, right?

That’s true enough for the big publishing houses in the writing industry, as well as book stores. However, for authors themselves, it’s a very different atmosphere.

This thought came to me at the latest writers conference I attended this year. I realized that a lot of authors who came, bought each others books. Any time I told another author that my debut novel came out just that week, they would get excited for me and ask about the book so they could get online and order it. What other industry does that?

If you were to attend a medical conference, a marketing conference, or a sales conference, everyone would be nice and cordial to each other. After all, those conferences are there so you can socialize, network, and seek out new opportunities. However, they wouldn’t necessarily be jumping at the chance to buy your latest product. Chances are, they’d be trying to figure out a way to create a similar product and sell it for a cheaper price. That’s just the way business works in most cases.

But as an author, I want my fellow authors to succeed. I am thrilled for those who have been a sensation, mourn for those who’s book sales haven’t done well, and encourage those who are involved in trying to get published. But why are we authors so different from other people in different businesses?

I think the biggest thing is that most authors are also readers. One of the most elemental tips to give a writer is to read, read, read. The more you read, the better you understand simple things like plot points, characterization, and dialogue. As you read, you figure out what style fits you best as a writer and what type of genre you want to break out into. And really, if you want to be a writer, that passion usually stems from a love of books in the first place. (If it doesn’t, you may want to rethink your career path. Being a writer is like being a teacher; you aren’t in it for the money.)

Another point is that there’s always room for more books! If you’re trying to sell something like a dishwasher, one household will only need to buy one of those. So it’s no wonder that you would be competing to present your dishwasher before the other dishwasher sales people. (I hope you guys are laughing at my comparison here! Dishwasher sales people…) But one household can buy an indefinite number of books and will continue to buy more in the future. It’s a never ending sales process.

So, in short, us authors don’t need to compete with each other. I love sitting down with my associates to see how they’re doing. I love that we all are so open to dish out advice to each other and really want each other to do well in the writing industry. It’s so great that when I attend a writers conference, it’s like sitting in a huge support group for a few days!

So, best of luck to all of you writers out there. And readers, happy reading!

When you are a bookaholic, getting your hands on the latest book news around the world is imperative. There is much more to being a bookaholic than just reading the actual books. There is a whole other process of looking for the ideal book and finding out what everyone has to say about it. This is why any self-respecting book fanatic will need to get a website that provides them with all this and more.

What to Expect

So, what should you expect from a really good book site? To begin with, you will want to get a site that is up to date on your favorite books. Certain book websites dedicate themselves to specific genres of writing although there are a few sites that are all encompassing. Depending on what kind of books you like, you will be able to narrow down your search for the perfect site to satisfy your bookaholic tendencies. You might find yourself having to check out a couple of different sites before you settle on just one.

Bookaholic Fan Interaction

The second thing you will be looking for in your book website of choice is interaction with like-minded fans. Apart from just reading a book, you want to share your thoughts and pick the brains of other people who have read the book too. That is why you will be looking for a site that lets fellow bookaholics write reviews, blurbs and chat on the books they are currently reading. This is a great way of finding out other books you might be interested in and new releases that you might have been ignorant about.

Author News

Author news is also another important feature in your search for the perfect bookaholismsite. As a fan of a specific author, you are naturally curious to find out what drives them and about the books they might be planning to release in your future. Instead of having to independently look for such information, a great book website should be in a position to provide you with that. That way, you will be instantly aware of new books, author tours and soon by just visiting your favorite site.

Getting Some Freebies

Another great reason to affiliate you with a high quality book website would be the freebies that come with that affiliation. You are informed of when your favorite books are on sale or about any fun competitions that might get you signed copies of books and other fun gifts from your favorite authors. Blog hops are another fun way of getting to find more books and gifts and if you have a bookaholic website to keep you informed, you should have many exciting activities to indulge in.

As a dedicated bookaholic, you want to be in a position where you can find all the information you need under one site. That way you can dedicate the rest if your time to doing what you love; devouring books. Therefore, investing your time in the search of the perfect fit of a website for you would be a truly worthy cause.

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•  License: Creative Commons image source

William Yatscoff is the editor and marketing manager for Bookkaholic Magazine; a place where all the bookaholics can get together to read, talk, and learn more about the books they read everyday. The magazine features the columns: Help me, Bookaholic; What We Are Reading; Book Trailers; Book Blurbs; Book Quotes; Fresh Ink; Book Giveaways and Book Reviews.