Opinion

Sweet Crush, Thy Name is History

Wallace Yovetich

Staff Writer

Wallace Yovetich grew up in a home where reading was preferred to TV, playing outside was actually fun, and she was thrilled when her older brothers weren’t home so she could have a turn on the Atari. Now-a-days she watches a bit more TV, and considers sitting on the porch swing (with her laptop) “playing outside”. She still thinks reading is preferable to most things, though she’d really like to find out where her mom put that old Atari (Frogger addicts die hard). She runs a series of Read-a-Longs throughout the year (as well as posting fun bookish tidbits throughout the week) on her blog, Unputdownables. After teaching for seven years, Wallace is now an aspiring writer. Blog: Unputdownables Twitter: @WallaceYovetich

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Dear Diary,

I have a new crush. Its name is Exploring History and it’s published by National Geographic! It’s the new kid in the stacks… this month is its premier issue. It features a young Abraham Lincoln on the cover and I swear (seriously this time, I’m not exaggerating) he’s looking right at me. I’m pretty sure I know what that means. It wants me to read the magazine! I know! I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet, I mean, we just met. However, it did boast that it has a list of FIFTEEN books, apps, etc. inside its covers. I know size isn’t supposed to be important, but come on… I couldn’t resist. So, it’s true – I read the magazine. You’re the only one I can tell, Diary. If I tell my friends they’ll all be like, “FIFTEEN?! Are you serious? I have to have a look!” And then my super-secret romance will be over and everyone will know about its attention to detail in the articles (no rushing here… it takes it sweet time like a real magazine should), and that it even keeps its promises. It’s been so long since I’ve been with a magazine that’s kept its promises (they all tell you that they’ll give you the secret to shiny hair and then never follow through — bastards). Not Exploring History. No. At the end of this premier issue — there it was, the spread I was promised… a list of history books, TV specials, websites, exhibits, and apps. And, oh Diary, I almost lost control when it lovingly whispered a secret in my ear… there is an app for the British Library*. Not only can you see Shakespeare’s first folio, Charles Dicken’s handwritten draft of Nicholas Nickleby and Jane Austen’s teenage writing, but much, much more!

Oh Diary, I am in love. In LOVE. I just had to tell someone. I’ll write more later — I’m off to spend more time with my new crush.

xoxo,
Wallace

*This app is officially called British Library: Treasures and is available on Android and iPhone for $3.99.