Mary Akers

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • A few words about forgiveness and culpability

    And I’m speaking of the Viswanathan publishing scandal, which I am finding especially troubling. I know she did wrong, no question. But can’t we (meaning the people in the business of publishing) examine this a little more closely? Can’t we take a minute to wonder if maybe we bear some responsibility for this happening in…

  • Freak Magnet

    Myfanwy Collins’ interview about her short story collection, Freak Magnet, can be read here,

  • Other Voices Blog

    I’ve known about OV for quite some time, but I just found this link via a friend’s blog. Clickety. Thanks, Kat!

  • Finally, some national press…

    Last summer, the Caribbean experienced a major bleaching event of its stony corals believed to be a direct result of warming water temperatures. Colonies of Elkhorn corals were some of the worst hit, but all stony corals suffered. In some places, 40% of the corals died. Since this occurs underwater, many people never see or…

  • On-line Love

    Some of you may know this about me, others may not: I met my husband on the Internet. Now, in the 21st century, this is not a source of shame. In the 1990’s, when we first met, it was. I still feel a little embarassed admitting it. The Internet was new, it had a seedy…

  • Over the Edge

    This is a great book, especially if you are a hiker and have ever considered hiking in the Grand Canyon. It describes all the recorded deaths in the canyon, their causes, how they might have been prevented, and what can be learned from them. It’s a fascinating read and I guarantee you will learn something.…

  • Grand Canyon, The

    Our trip to the Grand Canyon was amazing. Backpacking in the canyon is a completely different experience from standing at the edge and snapping pictures. As grand as it is from the rim, you still can’t imagine the true vastness of the place until you have hiked down inside it…spent the night under an equally…

  • Doreen Baingana

    I met Doreen last year at Bread Loaf and found her to be a delightful conversationist (and beautiful, as well). Her recent book Tropical Fish: Stories Out of Entebbe is a fabulous read and one I highly recommend. The Monitor has a profile of Doreen here.

  • Laila’s a Fulbright Fellow!

    Over at moorishgirl.com my good friend Laila Lalami has just learned that a) she’s won a Fulbright Fellowship to live and study in Casablanca and b) the new paperback cover art for Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits is done. Good news all around–the cover is beautiful!!

  • Abide with Me

    Elizabeth Strout’s newest book Abide with Me is such a wonderful, redemptive read. When I finished it, I was sad to see my time with the characters end, so real had they become to me. I highly recommend it.

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