For most Medaille students, winter break is in full swing, and what better way to pass the time than to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book?

In the past week or so I’ve dug into the depths of my basement and found books to keep me occupied. The Writer’s Strike in Hollywood has meant that the television offerings in the evening are crappy, to put it mildly. Instead of rotting my brain with the boob tube, I work my brain with books.

I’m on a biography kick now, having plowed through Mary, Queen of Scots, and now moving on to Isak Dineson. I could go on and on about the books I’d like to read, but my point is this: as I’ve been consistently reading for fun, really, I’ve noticed how much more fluidly I’m writing. My vocabulary feels bigger, and I’m not searching for words as fitfully as I was just a month ago.

With no classes, tests or assignments until January 22, consider hitting up your local library, or Santa Claus, for a book or three.

As an aside, I was in a job interview once where I was asked “what was the last book you read for fun?” I fear most college students today would stutter at the question, but I had an honest, entertaining answer: Mauve. It (well, purple) is my favorite color, and the book was memorable enough to talk about at length. Would you have an answer if that question was asked of you?

Amazon introduced the Kindle last month, a wireless reading device whose future iterations may eliminate print books. You may disagree, but it wouldn’t be the first time that a new technology supplanted another. Who sends telegrams anymore? Or uses a ditto machine? Or for that matter, when was the last time you used a pay phone?

Here’s something to think about. Most communication majors are going to go into a career field where writing is a vital component of their job responsibilities. Unless you can understand how wireless technologies are going to affect the creation, delivery and reception of text, you’re going to be left out in the cold.

A Kindle will set you back $399 + tax, but don’t plan on getting this from Santa this year. As of today, they’re out of stock.

Don Imus is back on the airwaves. Is he doing the right thing? Has he really learned from his mistake? Tell us what you think!!

A teacher was charged (and now released) for allowing her students to name a teddy bear “Mohammed”. Clearly someone needs their priorities straightened out.

There’s a lot of discussion in business news about Americans cutting back on spending this holiday season: on gifts, food, travel, etc.  I have found myself cutting back on who gets a gift and how much I plan on spending. How have the increases in prices effected your life?