Anythink blog

Two people sit watching a movie in a theater while eating popcorn and drinking soda.

The Fourth Annual Retroactive Academy Awards

Mar 31 2022
Well, that's one way to get people watching the Oscars again. The cultural importance of the Academy Awards had ...
Photo of soup and grilled cheese

The Comfort Foods That Make a Home

Dec 20 2021
Truth be told, my mother’s tuna casserole is not fancy or sophisticated. Yet whenever I think of it, my stomach growls and my heart swells. It is my comfort food.  Comfort foods are those dishes that make us feel safe. As the name implies, they can bring comfort and a sense of home. When I think...
A photo of a snowy white mountain peak.

My Mountaineering Disaster Niche

Dec 13 2021
Do you have a niche book or movie niche interest? Through interacting with readers and patrons at Anythink, I’ve found that most people have a strange genre of stories that doesn’t fit into their normal patterns of reading and watching - a topic that even they are surprised to love. After asking...
Finger Heart, a common expression used amongst K-pop fans to show love.

The Global Impact of K-pop

Dec 8 2021
In this day and age, if you haven’t heard of K-pop, you are probably living under a rock. On top of its global success as a genre, there is this underlying, almost “behind-the-scenes” movement that...

A Wes Anderson Primer

Dec 2 2021
The most common criticism of Wes Anderson’s movies goes something like: “yada yada style over substance yada.” When the style is as whimsical and sumptuous as his, that’s hardly a criticism. He has created a film aesthetic all his own. There isn’t a single frame in any of his work that could be...

Colorado Authors You Should Know

Nov 30 2021
While Colorado might not be the literary hub that New York or Washington are, we we have our fair share of literary greats right here in the Centennial State. Denver boasts a vivid literary history filled with novelists, poets and journalists. Some were born and raised here, while others came...
A forest of dark green pine trees.

Of trees and wonder, self and other

Nov 22 2021
In the presence of trees, I am often filled with a sense of wonder. Observing them, I appreciate their poetry. At the same time, I wonder about the science of trees — I am curious about how exactly the trees I see are living in this place, in this season and in relationship to others. For others...
A sculpture of the Disney princess Cinderella. Background is a pink, green and yellow castle wall.

The Reign of Cinderella

Nov 15 2021
Everyone knows the classic fairytale story, “Cinderella.” She’s an orphan with an evil stepfamily who serendipitously goes to a ball, meets a prince and loses a shoe. There is also some romance, magic and music tossed into the mix before Cinderella and her prince live happily ever after. It’s a...
A worn chapter book on the ground covered in fall leaves.

Life In Four Novels

Nov 11 2021
The first book I read by the great Ann Patchett was “Bel Canto,” and I remember the experience so vividly. I was newly married...
A coffee table with a book, phone and cup of coffee

Book Sounds: A reflection on reading and music

Nov 9 2021
"That by listening to some music, by reading some books, by looking at paintings, and most important by hanging out with one another – by collaborating with one another and creating your own network ­– you can achieve something that is much better than what is out there." - David Amram What is...
A girl dressed in a witch costume sitting by a black cauldron.

The Joy of Homemade Halloween Costumes

Oct 25 2021
One of my favorite Halloween costumes when I was little was a homemade witch. My mom cut up black fabric and hastily sewed it together (as no one in our family knew how to sew). She decorated the fabric by drizzling neon green puffy paint all over it before hacking a jagged hole out of the top to...
A dark corridor with two open doors on left reflecting blue light on white walls.

So You Love James Patterson...

Sep 27 2021
There is not a section in our library that doesn't include James Patterson. He's shelved in the adult thriller section, where his books fill three entire shelves. He’s a minor note in the teen section with a handful of novels (...

Stuck on fairytales

Sep 27 2021
Fairytales have this certain comforting charm to them – you have heard them multiple times and yet they don't get old. Needing some comfort myself, I decided to dive head first into fairytales and found that there are still some truths to be had with in the age-old tales. Truths such as kindness is...
An image of a pink, purple galaxy with bright white stars. Black sky background.

For the Love of "Saga" Graphic Novels

Aug 23 2021
I was brand new to the world of graphic novels when our wonderful adult guide Maria dressed up as a character from “Saga” for Halloween. In...
A black and white photo of two young girls laughing.

All Pooped Out - The Lasting Appeal of Potty Books

Aug 18 2021
Wanna hear a poop joke? Nah, they always stink.  I have a 7-year-old son, and I would say that at least 30% of our conversations these days begin with him laughing about poop. This has surprised me; I grew up in a family of four girls, and talking about bathroom habits was not something we did on...
A photo of brightly colored pool floaties in a bright blue pool. Floaties include a pink flamingo, neon green inner tube, hot pink lounge floaty and aqua lounge floaty.

The Summer Songs Playlist

Aug 18 2021
As adults, upon entering the working world, the joy of summer wanes somewhat. Suddenly, without solid months of vacation, summer flows with other seasons, only with longer days and hotter steering wheels. But there is still much to enjoy, including swimming pools, barbecues, water fights and...

Zen and the Art of Val Kilmer

Aug 13 2021
It's been a Val Kilmer kind of week for me, which has me in an early-90s state of mind. That was the time when my mom and I discovered our shared interest in Mr. Kilmer, after viewing "...
A photo of a woman sitting at a wood table and reading a large book with a orange cocktail and a iPhone in front of her. She is wearing a white t-shirt. The drink is in a tropical cocktail glass with a straw, swirled garnish and citrus fruit slice garnish.The photo shows her neck and torso.

Summer Cocktails and Book Pairings for Every Taste

Aug 4 2021
There is something about long summer nights – taking their time to stretch across the sky – that makes me want to lie back, open a good book and enjoy a well-concocted drink. We can all enjoy a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) during this time of the year.   Like wine and cheese, cocktails and...

Your Summer Soundtrack

Jul 23 2021
This summer is looking like it’s going to be a real summer after all, so we plan to make the most of it! Here at Anythink, we are gearing up with our spirit nest workshops and community build days with artist Jayson Fann and summer...
A artistic, flowing yellow, gold flame against a deep black background.

Discovering "Avatar" as a New Fan – and the Elements

Jun 30 2021
For the past ten years, I saw "Avatar" ("Avatar: The Last Airbender," not the James Cameron movie) floating around various pop culture outlets and heavily represented at Comic-Cons. I associated it as a...

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