Sleep is good, books are better
Ralph Waldo Emerson died 134 years ago today (b. 25 May 1803 - d. 27 April 1882). Emerson was an American poet, essayist and lecturer. If you've become cynical and dejected about life, his little books may help reawaken your sense of wonder. Here are 10 of my favourite Emerson quotes: 10. “I dream of... Continue Reading →
Ripping yarn of scary beasts & iconic characters at pleasingly manic pace
Life in the Long Nineteenth Century Photograph #1 1913: The family of Mervyn O'Gorman, an enthusiastic amateur photographer. A picnic in Dorset, England. Early colour Autochrome Lumière. The long exposure time required may explain the slightly bored looks. For context the following were published in 1913: Fiction Arnold Bennett – The Regent Algernon Blackwood –... Continue Reading →
Readers reading #5 The Poor Poet (1839) – By Carl Spitzweg (1808 –1885). Neue Pinakothek (New Pinakothek), Munich, Germany. There's a man who has the right priorities. Little furniture, but plenty of books. Leaky roof, but no matter as he has an umbrellor. A poet? Not much new quality written that year. For some context... Continue Reading →
Survey: Classic books British people have read or would like to read Life's too short to read classic books for any other reason than it's something we love to do. Once read they become part of us - part of our mental furniture - friends and companions for the rest of our lives. With that... Continue Reading →
Today is the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare. The Early Modern period is too early for this little blog, besides I'm sure there will be oceans written today about the great man. Instead I shall write about the anniversary of the death of another writer – Rupert Brooke. The myth and the man.... Continue Reading →
No. 4. Madeline Bray and Arthur Gride from Nicholas Nickleby (Charles Dickens) Spoiler alert! The only reason this marriage doesn't happen is that Madeline's father dies one hour before the ceremony is due to begin. But imagine if it had. She is a sweet-natured 18 year old beauty, while he is a 75 year old... Continue Reading →
I admit it. I'm a bit of a list fiend. I'm attracted to them like a cat to catnip. So I was particularly interested to find this list while browsing the Times Lit blog. It's a '100 Best Novels' list. There are many of these lists about - the only difference is this was one... Continue Reading →
Mark Twain died 106 years ago todayHere are 10 of my favourite quotes attributed to the great man. 10. “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write 'very;’ your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.” 9. “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” 8.... Continue Reading →
Happy birthday Charlotte Brontë! Born 200 yrs ago today. Born: 21 April 1816 – Died: 31 March 1855. In today’s papers: Why we should be celebrating Charlotte Brontë The secret history of Jane Eyre: Charlotte Brontë’s private fantasy stories (Guardian) Charlotte Brontë quiz (Telegraph) Charlotte Brontë quiz (Guardian) Charlotte Brontë quiz (Daily Mirror) Bronte Parsonage... Continue Reading →
The Long Victorian 