Photographs of famous meals, literary plots and presidential book lists are just a few of our exciting humanities finds of the week. Dive in!

Leah Nahmias, director of programs and community engagement:

• An artist is creating beautiful photographs of famous meals from books. I wish he’d tackle Anne Shirley’s infamous tea party and cordial disaster from Anne of Green Gables. Check it out!
• IU Press and Bloom Magazine are hosting the first-ever Quarry Festival of Books in Bloomington on September 3. The line-up looks amazing and it’s a great chance to do some early holiday shopping (everyone I know will be getting IU adult coloring books). See you there!

George Hanlin, director of grants:

• Want to add a couple of years to your life? Pick up a book!
• As the Underground Railroad roars forth once more into our popular consciousness (in novels and TV series, for example), the latest issue of the New Yorker examines its history and offers fresh perspective.

Kristen Fuhs Wells, director of communications and development:

• Calling all aspiring writers who don’t know where to start their great American novel. Check out Vulture’s rundown of EVERY possible literary plot, with examples. It might just spark an idea (or spoil the plot of a book that you’ve had on your list).
• A new documentary by WFYI premiered this week on Crispus Attucks (the film received a Humanities Initiative Grant in 2015). Showcasing the groundbreaking basketball team, and also the inspiring graduates who influenced music, medicine, law, politics, the military and more, the film. Here’s an informative and thoughtful article by Dan Wakefield in NUVO about the significance of that Attucks state championship on the city and nation.

Jacqueline Cromleigh, communications and community relations manager:

• Are you taking one final vacation this summer? Be sure to check out The New York Times reading recommendations before hitting the road. “Of Thee I Read: The United States in Literature” features a list of books that help visitors and locals understand the history and culture of American cities and regions.
• School is back in session – and it has me wishing I could transport myself back into Mr. Fox’s AP Literature class to read and discuss Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Crime and Punishment for the first time. When is the last time you dusted off those old required classics? Here are a few of the “Best High School Reading Books” to add to your list!

Claire Mauschbaugh, communications intern:

• The millennial beloved series, The Baby-Sitters Club has just had its 30^th anniversary! In honor of the series, which I still own to this day, Huffington Post has compiled 31 BSC quotes. Oh so nostalgic!
• President Obama has released his summer reading list! Check out what books POTUS is keeping on his nightstand.

Keira Amstutz, president and CEO:

• This “very royal history of garden design” has me diving even deeper into my love of gardens. A brilliant post!
• Mark your calendar for this powerful event. Our friends at the Christian Theological Seminary are hosting “Poverty, equality and opportunity: What’s a community got to do?” as part of The Faith & Action Project on Sept. 29. David Brooks and Tavis Smiley will provide the keynote address at Clowes Memorial Hall. Grab your ticket.

Do you have any humanities highlights from your week? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below.