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There are so many books I wish I could read again for the first time. Re-reading them is never quite the same. For this week’s Top 10 Tuesday, I’ve come up with a list of ten books that were really important to me as a kid.

Whether you are looking for stories and poems about your favorite mammals, or a Tumblr hosted bash, you’re sure to find some great events in the roundup this week. Come out to celebrate debuts by Sarah Gerard and Nicole Haroutunian at Housing Works and Powerhouse Arena, or learn about the business side of writing at Lillian Vernon House. Best of all, every event featured this week is totally free. 

Music gives the less writerly-insane parts of our brains something to do while we're putting words on a screen, and soundtracks are an excellent choice. Personally, I used to write to movie soundtracks (the TRON Legacy soundtrack is proof the universe wants me to be happy), but those can be tricky. John Williams' Star Wars soundtracks are amazing achievements but you're working away and here's the Imperial March and now you have to go march around your house like you're Darth Vader.

So for the past few years, I've switched to game soundtracks. Not the Tetris music (can you imagine? I would lose my mind), but the gorgeous and symphonic soundtracks with atmospheres. See, game music has recognizable themes, but also ambient background music, for those less exciting bits when you're running across a vast landscape or staring blankly at a jumping puzzle. This means you get wonderful ambient mood-music drifting through the background.

Want to try some videogame soundtracks out? Here's some suggestions.

The universe is freaky tonight: a solar eclipse, a supermoon, the equinox; we’re half expecting (and half prepared for) an extraterrestrial invasion. Happy equinox! Happy spring! We suggest you sew some flowers into your hair, put on some purple lipstick, and bring your new Neptunian bestie to one (or all!) of these weekly lit events:

I know what you’re thinking: why would I read the book versions of these comics when I can get them for free on the internet? Trust me, I thought that, too. But the reasons are: 

A.) Books are awesome! You can hold them in your hands and cuddle them and sit them with you at the breakfast table and argue with them about finances and…

B.) The creators frequently put comics into the books that are not available online, so you can ONLY read them if you get the books. And…

C.) Supporting artists by purchasing their books and merchandise is great! It feels awesome! It feels like tummy rubs and cheesy popcorn! You should do it sometimes, is what I’m saying.

I played the flute when I was a kid. It was an illustrious career. We held concerts for our parents, and gathered at the local train station to serenade commuters during the Christmas holidays.

My entire musical education was garnered through my public school. The music teacher taught me how to read notes, tap my foot, follow the conductor, and it was all free. And while my career might have been short-lived, for many kids, it’s life saving. This is why Music in Our Schools Month is so important. And to celebrate the holiday this March, why not enjoy some YA novels that demonstrate just how important music is for teenagers (and everyone else).