The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power.—Toni Morrison, “Black Matters,” in Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination (1992) Writer … Continue reading Toni Morrison Night Thread

Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812. Some people hate his works by way of being forced to study them in high school (or other school levels); but enough people love his works that they’ve been adapted and readapted. … Continue reading Charles Dickens Night Thread

Writer and activist James Mercer Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902. He was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance and was of the first writers of “jazz poetry.” Here’s one of his poems: Dreams Hold fast to dreamsFor … Continue reading Langston Hughes Night Thread

Are you a taphophile (someone who is interested in graves and cemeteries)? Are you interested in stories about historic Hollywood? Do you just need a YouTube video to help you “chill out” for a while? WELL, do I have the … Continue reading Hollywood Graveyard Night Thread

James Earl Jones turns 90 today! He has one of the most recognizable voices out there. He is an EGOT award-winner, as long as you count honorary Oscars (and Jones got his for “Lifetime Achievement,” so I think we should). … Continue reading James Earl Jones Night Thread

On January 4, 1960, John Michael Stipe was born. Twenty years later, while attending the University of Georgia (in Athens), Michael met Peter Buck at Wuxtry Records. Bill Berry and Mike Mills then joined Michael and Peter to form a … Continue reading Michael Stipe Night Thread

Leah Johnson is an author who wrote my absolute favorite book of the year, You Should See Me In A Crown. It’s a Young Adult book with lesbian love, black representation, and an empowering message. Here’s the book summary from … Continue reading Leah Johnson Night Thread (12/30)

Happy Birthday to Jane Austen, born on this day in 1775! She wrote some novels you might be familiar with… Austen’s novels have also been interpreted and reinterpreted over the years: So now, argue about whether Captain Wentworth or Mr. … Continue reading Jane Austen Night Thread

William Francis Nighy was born on December 12, 1949. You may remember him as Davy Jones from various Pirates of the Carribean movies, Mr. Woodhouse from the 2020 version of Emma, or one of his other bajillion film and TV … Continue reading Bill Nighy(t) Thread

Ioan Gruffudd was born on October 6, 1973 in Wales (in case you couldn’t tell by the name). Coolest Wikipedia fact about Ioan is that he is a druid in Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain (the Bardic Order of Great Britain). You may … Continue reading Ioan Gruffudd Night Thread

Ali Stroker is a bisexual Broadway actress who uses a wheelchair. In 2015 she made history by becoming the first actress who uses a wheelchair to appear on a Broadway stage. She won a Tony in 2019 for her performance … Continue reading Ali Stroker Night Thread

Kenneth “Chi” McBride was born on September 23, 1961. His nickname is pronounced “Shy,” and comes from the city where he was born, Chicago. I absolutely loved Chi as Emerson Cod, the grumpy detective with a good heart on Pushing … Continue reading Chi McBride Night Thread

Composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918. He is best known for writing the music for the Broadway musical, later turned film, West Side Story. His works include three symphonies, Chichester Psalms, Serenade after Plato’s “Symposium”, … Continue reading Leonard Bernstein Night Thread

Actress Cristin Milioti was born on August 16, 1985. She is probably most famous for playing the titular Mother (Tracy McConnell) on How I Met Your Mother. She was also in the enjoyable time-loop rom-com Palm Springs with Andy Samberg: Continue reading Your Mother’s Night Thread

Anna Kendrick was born on August 9, 1985. Among various other roles, she starred in the hit film (later franchise) about an a capella singing group, Pitch Perfect. This woman can sing. Continue reading Anna Kendrick Night Thread (8/9)