We’re back with our regular installment of our “Friday Faves” this week. Interested in something a bit more festive? Be sure to check out last week’s Humanities Gift Guide.

Leah Nahmias, director of programs:

• In need of gift ideas for your crafty friend? Sign them up for a workshop at Muncie’s Book Arts Collaborative! This incredible printmaking and bookbinding workshop was dreamed up by a Ball State English professor and shares space with the nation’s oldest continuously running analog print shop.
• My mind was blown by this idea from Chicago to create a reading residency. The idea is that those who work for social change need special time for reading and self-care to reflect and hatch new ideas. Like any other residency program, it’s juried and gives you space as well as a budget for books and food.
• We were excited to learn this week that our 5×5: Read Indy winners, Phyllis Boyd and LaShawnda Crowe Storm, were selected to win one of ArtPlace America’s 2016 National Creative Placemaking grants! The ladies were the only Indiana winners and one of 29 projects selected nationwide. You can read more about their project here.

Jacqueline Cromleigh, communications and community relations manager:

• Are you a lover of big ideas? This innovative book list is for you.
• Hotels that double as literary meccas…booking my dream trip now!
• Today, we celebrate Meredith Nicholson’s 150th Birthday. Our offices are located in the Hoosier author’s historic home in Indianapolis. I encourage you to learn more about the author and his residence on our website.

George Hanlin, director of grants:

• Happy 200th birthday, Indiana! This Sunday, December 11, the great Hoosier state celebrates its bicentennial, and we have so much to celebrate about this place. As Indiana Humanities’ director of grants, I have the good fortune to travel across the state meeting people and learning about their communities, and gives me an even greater appreciation for our home. I could feature many Hoosier highlights for this edition of Friday Faves, but I’ll focus on my most recent visit, to the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site in Fountain City. The Coffins are the best that Indiana has to offer—people who saw injustice (in this case slavery) and were willing to risk their well-being to stand up for their beliefs and improve their world. This weekend the Coffin site opens a new interpretive center, and I can’t think of a better way to mark 200 years of statehood than by honoring the ideals of these great Hoosiers.

Kristen Fuhs Wells, director of communications and development:

• Ever find yourself explaining to a child what a common phrase means? (Here’s one of my favorites: “You snooze, you lose.”) I have. That’s why I love this piece on “15 sayings from around the world what are sure to refresh your vocabulary.” Love the insight it brings into a different culture’s food, geography and values.
• This time of year is always good for looking back or looking ahead. Here are Fast Company’s top tech trends of 2017. Notice any humanities-crossover in how to use or make sense of the technology?

Bronwen Fetters, executive assistant and program associate:

• As the owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, popular author Ann Patchett shares a guide to her favorite bookstores across the country in this New York Times article. Where’s your favorite bookstore? Mine’s Indy Reads Books here in Indianapolis!
• When I was a little girl, I used to dream about living in the library. This guy actually did!

Keira Amstutz, president and CEO:

• Here’s a great way for men to make an impact on the reading habits of young people.  Volunteer to help Indianapolis Public Schools with the Real Men Read program. The program encourages male role models to foster a love of reading.  Once you sign up, maybe you could read a selection from the Andrew Luck Book Club!
• I was inspired by the Get Lit curriculum.  Students read classic poetry and then create their own spoken word responses.  What a great way to bring the classics to life.

What are your favorite highlights from the week? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below.