
Rapper-actor-all around hyphen hog, Common, has just launched a new website --
The Corner Book Club. While the C.B.C.'s obvious goal is to get kids reading, it's also attempting to alter the negative stereotypes (
nerds!) and connotations (
homework!) kids normally associate with putting pupils to page. So how does it plan to do this? By choosing one book per month for online discussion and dissection (this month's choice:
War Child by Emmanuel Jal), as well as having different artists and musicians stop by the website to talk about their favorite books. While awkwardly phrased slang like, "Take a look around, chill out with us, and get your read on!" may induce unintended giggles and groans, the site as a whole is easy to navigate and a damned good jump-off point for something special. Here's hoping it works.
Go, look:
The Corner Book Club