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upworthy

This renowned online bookstore lets you unearth hidden literary gems from across the ages

AbeBooks is a treasure trove of collectible and out-of-print finds.

This renowned online bookstore lets you unearth hidden literary gems from across the ages

In a world of digital screens, the allure of physical books remains timeless. There’s something special about the scent of old paper, the touch of a well-worn cover, and the sight of ancient ink evoke nostalgia. This joy is magnified when the book in question is a hidden gem, a rare piece of literature waiting to be discovered. The quest for such literary treasures is not just about owning a book; it's about holding a piece of history, a fragment of the bygone era.

Now, imagine a place where the quest for such literary gems ends, a place that houses books you thought you'd never find. Enter AbeBooks, an acclaimed bookstore that's a treasure trove for book lovers.

AbeBooks isn't your everyday bookstore; it's a marketplace that brings together sellers of rare, collectible, and out-of-print books from around the globe. This means a world filled with hidden literary gems is just a click away. It's a place where every book has a story beyond the tale inked on its pages.

The AbeBooks Experience

AbeBooks is much more than just a bookstore. It's a treasure chest filled with rare, collectible, and out-of-print books. It’s like a big library where booksellers from around the world offer their rare finds. Some of these books are old friends; some are new discoveries waiting to happen. But every visit to AbeBooks is a new adventure, a new opportunity to discover hidden literary gems.

Since 1996, AbeBooks has been a trusted name for book lovers. It stands out in the crowd for its unique collection of hard-to-find books. It's not just about selling books; it’s about keeping the love for rare and collectible books alive. AbeBooks is where the past meets the present, where every book lover can find something special. It’s a place that cherishes the joy of discovering and owning a piece of literary history.

A Vast Selection

Using AbeBooks is like entering a giant treasure hunt, but with a map that makes finding treasure a breeze. The website is designed in a way that's easy to navigate, so you don't have to be a tech wizard to find your way around. Whether you know exactly what you're looking for or just want to browse, AbeBooks guides you through a journey of literary discovery. There are curated collections which are like themed treasure chests.

Are you into mysteries? There's a collection for that. Love historical tales? There's a collection for that, too. It's like having a friendly guide in a vast land of stories.

AbeBooks’ selection is vast, covering everything from centuries-old classics to modern first editions. The range of books available is a testament to the rich tapestry of human experience and thought. Whether you’re into Shakespeare or J.K. Rowling, AbeBooks has a seat for every author at the table. It's a place where the old and the new come together, offering a rich blend of different ideas, styles, and stories.

Rare Finds

And then there’s the Rare Book Room. It’s where you’ll find books with stories etched into their spines. These books have seen life, traveled through time, and landed in this room, waiting for their next adventure. The Rare Book Room is more than just a category on a website; it’s a doorway to a different time. It’s where the books wait patiently to be discovered, loved again, and find a new home.

Owning a rare or collectible book is different from owning a regular book. It’s an experience that goes beyond just reading. When you own a rare book, you’re conversing with the past. It’s a whisper from history, a chance to touch and feel the essence of a different era. And AbeBooks understands this magical connection. It’s not just about buying a book; it’s about the joy of owning a piece of history.

Some books here have seen more of the world than most of us. Imagine finding a first edition of "The Great Gatsby" or a signed copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird." These aren’t just books; they are artifacts carrying the essence of the era they come from. Every now and then, you’ll come across listings that are nothing short of hidden treasures. It could be a book that has long been out of print or a rare manuscript that holds the scribbles of a famous author. The joy of stumbling upon such a gem is unparalleled.

Legacy Of Literary Love

AbeBooks isn’t just a bookstore. It’s a place that understands the heartbeats of bibliophiles, the thrill of discovering a long-lost title, and the joy of owning a piece of literary history. When you step into the world of AbeBooks, you’re joining a vibrant community of people who appreciate the value of a good book. It’s like being part of a big book club, where every member shares a love for the printed word.

The community aspect of AbeBooks goes beyond just buying and selling. It’s about forming connections, sharing discoveries, and celebrating the love for rare and collectible books. It’s a space that bridges the gap between the past and the present through a shared passion for reading.

Through forums and discussions, literary enthusiasts can share their finds, discuss their favorite authors, and even help each other in the quest for a particular book. It’s not just a marketplace; it’s a gathering spot for those whose hearts beat for the stories waiting to be discovered in the pages of a rare book. AbeBooks fosters a sense of belonging among book lovers, creating a warm and welcoming environment for exploring endless literary horizons.

Begin Your Journey

Now that you've had a peek into the marvelous world of AbeBooks, why not dive in and start your own adventure? The treasure trove of rare, collectible, and out-of-print books is just a click away. It's not every day you come across a place that offers a journey back in time through the pages of a book.

Getting started on AbeBooks is as easy as pie. You can browse the curated collections, dive into the Rare Book Room, or simply type in the name of the book or author you're looking for.

So, what are you waiting for? Click here to explore AbeBooks. Your next favorite book is waiting for you!

Family

A 6-year-old designed a custom t-shirt for his first day of school and it's seriously the best

Thank you, Blake, for bringing some much-needed sunshine into our day.

Unfading adornments

When 6-year-old Blake Rajahn shows up to his first grade classroom on Monday, he will arrive bearing an uplifting a message for his fellow students.

Blake's mother, Nikki Rajahn, runs a custom personalization business in Fayette County, Georgia, and she asked her son what kind of t-shirt he wanted for his first day of school. He could have chosen anything—his favorite sports star's number, a cool dragon, a witty saying—anything he wanted, she could make.

Blake chose something unexpected—an orange t-shirt with a simple, sweet message for the other kids at his school to see. Five little words that might just mean the world to someone who reads them.

"I will be your friend."

Ouch. My heart.

Rajahn shared the story on her business Facebook page:

"I have to brag on my son. I told him that as a back to school gift, I will make him any shirt he would like. It could have anything—a basketball theme, football, etc. which are all his favorites. He thought a while and said, 'will you please make me a shirt that says "I will be your friend" for all the kids who need a friend to know that I am here for them?' Never underestimate your kid's heart for others! I love my sweet Blake! #stopbullying"







Apparently, such a gesture is typical of Blake. "He has always had a heart for others and is very genuine," his mother told Upworthy. She said she's donating part of the proceeds of her t-shirt sales to the Real Life Center, a non-profit that helps families in need in Tyrone, Georgia, all because of Blake.

"During the summer we had a vacation Bible school that he went to," she said, "and they did a toothbrush and toothpaste drive for the Real Life Center. He came home saying we needed to go to the Dollar Store to get some that night. We told him we would go the next day, but he had to use his money for it. He said that was fine, so we asked how much he would like to spend. He said, 'It's for people who don't have any, right?' We said yes, so he very matter-of-fact said, 'Well all of it!' And he did!"

Rajahn said everyone has been very encouraging and people are starting to order their own version of the t-shirt with "#blakesfriends" added to it.

She also shared Blake's reaction to hearing that his shirt idea was starting to spread on Facebook—and again, it's just the sweetest darn thing.

"Ever since I posted about my son and his shirt, I have sold some and told Blake about it. He said, "Oh good! Now more and more people are going to have more and more friends!" He is just so flattered so many want to be his twin too 😊"

Sometimes all a person needs is one friend so they won't feel alone, and Blake going out of his way to make sure kids feel welcomed by him is an example even adults can learn from. If we all reached out to people who might be shy or who might feel excluded, and let them know in some small way that we are open to being friends, what a better world we could build.

Thank you, Blake, for bringing some much-needed sunshine into our day.


This article originally appeared on 8.2.19

bullying
Family

Did this woman drop the greatest breastfeeding response of all time?

Another woman was attempting to publicly shame her.

Photo cropped from Facebook page.

Everyone eats sexualized or not.

When it comes to breasts, Americans really have it twisted. We've sexualized them to such a point we no longer see them for their main purpose: feeding babies.

This disconnect is so extreme that when women breastfeed their children in public they are often met with scorn or shame.

Florida mom and anti-circumcision advocate, Ashley Kaidel, isn't having it anymore.

Facebook, viral photo, motherhood, babies

Not having it.

media1.giphy.com


Kaidel was breastfeeding in an unnamed restaurant when another diner gave her the stink-eye, just for feeding her child in public.

So Kaidel took a photo of herself staring right back at the shamer and posted it to Facebook. The photo quickly went viral, receiving over 420,000 likes.

In her post, she explained why she had such a stern look on her face.

"In the picture, it appears I'm staring off into the distance. In reality, I'm staring into the eyes of a woman staring at me. She is looking at me with disgust and shaking her head with judgement in an attempt to shame me and indirectly tell me without words that I am wrong and need to cover myself.”

Kaidel says she breastfeeds in public to reduce the stigma surrounding it.

"I do this for the person that has the mentality 'Boobs are to be covered. They're for your husbands eyes only. They're intimate. It's a personal/private thing to feed your baby. Cover up out of respect. My kids don't need to see that. Walk out of the room' and any other derogatory, close-minded comments and sentiments alike.”

Then, she cut through all the nonsense surrounding breasts to explain their real purpose.

"[B]reasts were made to sustain your baby's life before they were made to bring pleasure to any other man, woman, partner or spouse. Their sole purpose is to make food and dispense it straight into a baby's mouth. There is nothing weird about this and there's no difference in me feeding my baby with my breast than you feeding yourself with a spoon.

Finally, Kaidel had some strong words for the next person who attempts to shame her for breastfeeding in public.

"No person should be isolated and shunned because they're eating, especially when you yourself are eating while ridiculing how someone else is eating. Is it not certainly easier to avert your eyes from a displeasing sight rather than suggest or demand a mother and child remove themselves from your presence? How pompous and selfish is this? Just look away. It's simple to do so. No harm done at all."

via GIPHY

This article originally appeared on 11.24.15

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breastfeeding
Education & Information

A boy with dwarfism struggled to get his lunch. So a cafeteria worker made him a souped-up cart.

He went from struggling to stylish.

via Beaverton School District

Julian Worsham gets a new cart.

Six-year-old Julian Worsham of Beaverton, Oregon is like a lot of other first-graders: he loves Super Mario and Taekwondo. But he has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, and goes to a school that wasn't built for kids his height.

"He's born into a world that just, in some ways, is not built for him," Julian's father, Brett, told WHAS11.

His mother did a walk-through before his first day at school to make sure he wouldn't run into any problems because of his height but forgot to check the cafeteria. [We] "noticed that where the food was, was right at his head," Heather told the Beaverton School District. Then, to make things more of a struggle, he had to carry his tray outside to the lunch benches.

The school made him a makeshift cart out of an upside-down milk crate on wheels to help him transport his lunch from the cafeteria to the benches.

"When I saw it I thought, 'Wow,'" said Enedelia Mottram, who's served lunch for the school district for 18 years. "I just wanted to help Julian, because I mean his head barely reaches the lunch line. He can't see anything."

Julian's first cart wasn't cutting the mustard.

via Beaverton School District

That night, she talked to her husband, James, a metalworker, to see if he could come up with something better. He got his team together at Wright Manufacturing in Portland to create a new cart that allowed Julian to transport his lunch tray and see over the counter.

James told the Beaverton School District that he wanted to make something that Julian would be "proud to push around."

James and his team put together a badass cart with adjustable, handlebar grips just like a motorcycle that has a stool inside so he can reach the countertop. It is adorned with flames and a personalized license plate that says, "JULIAN."

Julian's parents were blown away by the care and creativity that was put into creating his cart.

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"They took the time to get those license plates with his name, which is just like, they just really put a lot of heart into it. So when I saw it, the first thing I saw was actually a picture of James and his team who made the cart and I cried. It's just such a sweet thing," Heather said.

Julian loves the license plate and the flames and is now able to grab his lunch and get out to the benches in style.

"He's independent now," said Mottram. "Before, a staff member [would] have to be there to help him," she said.

Heather hopes that the story will inspire others to reach out and help other people in need.

"There's just wonderful people in this world that, you know, they have their eyes open. They're seeing needs that need to be met and they're meeting them. So I hope that other kids can get their needs met through this," she said.


This article originally appeared on 11.3.21

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Joy

It's here: A website that uses an algorithm to match you with the perfect dog for your personality

Not sure what kind of dog is perfect for you? This website kinda is.

via Pinterest

What dog is best for you?


PawsLikeMe might know you better than you know yourself.

Hello from the other siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!!! I'm a dog and I love youuuuuuuu!!!

Because PawsLikeMe knows about your dreams.

Your DOG dreams, that is.

How? A dog-human personality quiz!

A sophisticated one, too! From their website:

"The personality assessment is based on 4 core personality traits that influence the human-canine bond; energy, focus, confidence, and independence."

It also takes into account environmental factors and other special circumstances as well.

It's not uncommon for dogs that are adopted to be returned because they just aren't compatible with their owner's life.


PawsLikeMe aims to stop dog-owner mismatch by playing dog matchmaker! Its goal is to help people find the right dog for them.

Need a dog that's friendly with kids but loves learning tricks and is also house-trained? DONE. Have other specific requirements? DONE!

Ya got options.

When you go on the website, you can opt to just answer the four most important questions in a dog owner's life:

1. What's your energy level?

2. What kind of parties do you like?

3. What kind of dog personality do you want?

4. What is your personality like?

After those four questions, you can begin searching for a doggie match.

Or you can opt for the full questionnaire (you should) ... and basically feel very, VERY understood.

I took the full PawsLikeMe quiz, and when I saw the results I was kindof taken aback:


PawsLikeMe GETS ME!

Then I was the whisked away to dogs who are just ready to love me.

Listen. My apartment in NYC doesn't allow dogs. But if it did? I'd be 91% ready to adopt Carli. She's perfect, and I love her. CUE ADELE and her songs of lost opportunities to love!

With all the 80 gajillion personality quizzes out there in the world, this one is hands down THE BEST.

Take it for yourself! You won't regret it.


This article originally appeared on 11.06.15


From Your Site Articles
dogs
Innovation

A student accidentally created a rechargeable battery that could last 400 years

"This thing has been cycling 10,000 cycles and it’s still going." ⚡️⚡️

Steve Zylius/University of California, Irvine.

There's an old saying that luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.

There's no better example of that than a 2016 discovery at the University of California, Irvine, by doctoral student Mya Le Thai. After playing around in the lab, she made a discovery that could lead to a rechargeable battery that could last up to 400 years. That means longer-lasting laptops and smartphones and fewer lithium ion batteries piling up in landfills.

A team of researchers at UCI had been experimenting with nanowires for potential use in batteries, but found that over time the thin, fragile wires would break down and crack after too many charging cycles. A charge cycle is when a battery goes from completely full to completely empty and back to full again.

But one day, on a whim, Thai coated a set of gold nanowires in manganese dioxide and a Plexiglas-like electrolyte gel.

"She started to cycle these gel capacitors, and that's when we got the surprise," said Reginald Penner, chair of the university's chemistry department. "She said, 'this thing has been cycling 10,000 cycles and it's still going.' She came back a few days later and said 'it's been cycling for 30,000 cycles.' That kept going on for a month."

This discovery is mind-blowing because the average laptop battery lasts 300 to 500 charge cycles. The nanobattery developed at UCI made it though 200,000 cycles in three months. That would extend the life of the average laptop battery by about 400 years. The rest of the device would have probably gone kaput decades before the battery, but the implications for a battery that that lasts hundreds of years are pretty startling.

Batteries being recycled at WRWA, London. Nov ‘21Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash

"The big picture is that there may be a very simple way to stabilize nanowires of the type that we studied," Penner said. "If this turns out to be generally true, it would be a great advance for the community." Not bad for just fooling around in the laboratory.


This article originally appeared 12.22.22

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