Ashley Bowen

Ashley Bowen earned a PhD in American Studies and Public Humanities in December 2016. Her research focuses on the history of health, medicine, and social services in the period from the American Civil War to World War I. When she isn't feeling existential angst about finishing her dissertation, she works as a part-time bookseller and plans adventures as a field agent for Atlas Obscura. A Texas native now living in Washington, DC, she has been known to travel long distances for a proper breakfast taco and Dr. Pepper. Her writing appears on Book Riot, Atlas Obscura, museum blogs, and in various "serious" academic journals. Twitter: @aebowenPhD

Favorite Under-the-Radar Books of 2017

Six of our favorite under-the-radar books of 2017 that should've gotten more buzz.

Beautiful Children’s Book Illustrations From 100 Years Ago

Fall in love with these beautiful children's book illustrations available to view online.

Tinder Profiles of Dead Authors

Looking for your perfect match--someone who loves books as much as you do? Look no further than the Tinder profiles of these bygone authors (or swipe left).

On Divorce, Nuclear Bombs, and Continuity

What do you read after experiencing something as traumatic as divorce? This reader found comfort in a book about preparation for nuclear bombing.

Consider This Permission to Keep All Your Books

Let's talk about the life-changing magic of keeping all your books and not caring what anyone thinks of it.

Reading LEAVES OF GRASS as a Self-Help Book

Having a sh*t sandwich of a week/month/year? Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass to the rescue!

Stunning Photographs of FSA Libraries in the 1940s

Fascinating vintage eye candy for library lovers--from Farm Security Administration!

My Partner Doesn’t Use Bookmarks and It Stresses Me Out

It puts the bookmark in its book...

Revising Your Cringe-Worthy Book Reviews

A reader revisits her Goodreads review of The Help, seven years later.

Dream President-Novelist Collaborations

Inspired by the James Patterson and Bill Clinton novel collaboration, here are ten dream pairings of presidents and novelists alive at the same time.