by Susan Olasky
Post Date:
November 7, 2013

Web Reads: The Hobbit, modern-day piracy, and apps for traveling abroad

Name: WORLD
Price range: $

This week’s selection of interesting reads from around the web:

Read to me. J.R.R. Tolkien fans can listen to eight free lectures on The Hobbit and even hear Tolkien read excerpts from his famous story.

Pirates. The Economist examines the complex economics behind modern-day piracy, focusing on pirates and their financiers, businesses in near-by harbors, and even qat (narcotic plant) dealers.

Just 16 games? Now that the baseball season is over, one fan ponders what the sport would look like if a season was only 16 games long.

Calvinism and liberalism. The American Conservative features a profile of novelist Marilynne Robinson focusing on her Calvinism and liberal politics. The actual email interview appears here.

Technology. Mashable highlights 10 good apps for people traveling abroad. The apps help travelers locate essentials like restrooms and doctors, and cope with tasks like converting currency and translating languages.

Susan Olasky

Susan is a former WORLD book reviewer, story coach, feature writer, and editor. She has authored eight historical novels for children and resides with her husband, Marvin, in Austin, Texas.

@susanolasky