About Amanda Braitman

Amanda began her illustrious writing career at the tender age of seven with a beautiful debut titled Flowers, illustrated by the author herself, who is by no means, as they say, “une artiste.” She went on to co-author a book in the third grade about why people with curly hair want straight hair, and why people with straight hair want curly hair—the work was an instant success and sold millions. Amanda has taken a hiatus from novel writing for the last nine years, supposedly to “concentrate on schoolwork,” as she said in an interview with the Paris Review. However, sources tell us that she’s secretly been compiling stories for a massive anthology. We’ll see. Amanda currently resides in Hillsborough, California with her mother and her hyperactive dog, and sometimes she tries to feed the cat who lives next door, but the cat isn’t very friendly.

Bay Area Independent Bookstores Stand Strong

The Northern California Independent Booksellers Association defines what it means to be an independent bookstore: “Independent booksellers talk with our customers directly and enjoy fulfilling—even exceeding—their expectations, whether its recommending a great book we’ve just read, or helping you discover new … Read More

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With Selma, Brilliant Film Director Challenges Hollywood’s Ways

Selma. The name, heavy with meaning during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s, has reclaimed much of its significance with director Ava DuVernay’s recent film. DuVernay has directed eleven previous films, making Selma the twelfth. In 2012, she became … Read More

County in West Virginia Falls in Love with Young Politician

It seems that politicians are getting younger and younger every day—at least, that’s the case in West Virginia (and an episode of Parks and Recreation). 18-year old Saira Blair, a freshman at West Virginia University, set precedents in elections last … Read More

Keystone XL Pipeline: An Oily Dilemma

The Obama administration is currently in a tricky situation regarding the prospective completion of the Keystone pipeline by TransCanada, an energy company based in Calgary, Alberta. Most of the pipeline already exists, linking Canadian tar sands in the province of … Read More

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Trophy Hunting: Animal Cruelty or Conservation Tool?

Melissa Bachman, an avid huntress and television personality, posted a controversial photo on Twitter in early November. Some would call it shocking, horrifying, even; others would say it is just a part of life. The photo features Bachman and a … Read More