John Byron Kuhner

This was New York: a hunger to be the best, a desire for excellence. The next night the Mets went out and beat the Reds again. Continue Reading »

The most-promoted, most-assigned books, all of which represent the dominant ideology, end up on the “banned” lists. Continue Reading »

Our customers want tried-and-true classics. They know there is a whole world of great literature to explore, and they’d like to start sooner rather than later.  Continue Reading »

Marlene Dietrich's life is a parable about growing old and being famous.  Continue Reading »

You can tell it is a real bookshop because a cat lives there, classical music plays on the radio, and it is haunted. Continue Reading »

My grandfather died before I was born, and he remains to me a mostly mysterious figure. As is true of many people born poor who are committed to bettering their lot, his hours were taken up with work, family, and church; not much was left for that luxury item we call personality. A big man with paws . . . . Continue Reading »

Sinéad O’Connor, the troubled Irish singer-­songwriter, died in July at age fifty-six. No cause of death has been announced, but it is fair to note that at times she both predicted and welcomed her own demise. Her son Shane committed suicide in 2022. Not long after, she vowed, “I’ve decided . . . . Continue Reading »

On days when the world to me is desolation; when I cannot sit in my seat, or do any productive labor; when I have a terrible desire to be free, and my responsibilities seem not worth the effort, I console myself by walking in Central Park. As I enter by the Lagoon at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue and . . . . Continue Reading »

As archbishop, Weakland courted not only lovers but controversy. Continue Reading »

Fr. Reginald Thomas Foster, O.C.D., inspired thousands to love and study Latin.  
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