If I weren’t involved with books or publishing, I’d be a decorator/interior designer (not sure I have the artistic skills for it, but I would try). I love putting a room together and my tastes are highly eclectic–everything from Gothic Revival and Art Nouveau to Amélie’s apartment and the Gryffindor common room. I’m drawn to spaces that are comfortable, warm, colourful, and with some whimsy. In my own home, most rooms need to include books too. Minimalism? No thanks. (The only books for my donate pile are the ones that tell me to get rid of my other books.) I thought I’d share some pictures of home libraries I find inspiring. I love the cozy feel of Vita Sackville-West’s library. Bookcase art, flowers, and comfy couch inspiration here: Floor-to-ceiling books and an old-fashioned library ladder–these are my goals. So many books… This is just the definition of cozy.
Happy colours, orchids, and built-in shelves. Cozy and comfortable. Everything about this. Can’t get enough books? *Blood Magic. Mara. As we head into the holiday season, it seems like a good time to post something fun. I snagged this from A.M. Molvik’s Ramblings. Feel free to share on your own blog (leave me a comment to let me know if you do). Enjoy… 1. Unfortunately, yes. 2. James Joyce. 3. This is a bizarre question, like asking someone to choose between ice cream or a painting of Elvis on black velvet. I’m going with Harry Potter, but since HP needs no defending, here are 3 reasons why everyone should forget about Twilight already: 1. 2. 3. UPDATE: My opinion on Twilight hasn’t changed, but my opinion of Harry Potter sure has, thanks to JK Rowling’s horrible anti-trans rantings. 4. If I bring a book along, I usually just hold it (unless it’s small enough to fit in my purse). 5. Not really; I think I’m immune to book smell.
UPDATE: I finally get book smell! 6. Illustrations are always fun, but not necessary. 7. A lot of books I read as a kid. 8. The really funny part might be that I still have it. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 30 November: Night of the Vampires. 30 November is the Feast Day of Saint Andrew, which is generally associated with winter festivals, school holidays, divination, and religious ceremonies. In Romania, the day is also associated with vampires and other malevolent forces.
St. Andrew is the patron saint of Romania (and elsewhere), and his day there is both honoured and feared. It marks the beginning of winter, and because of the saint’s association with wolves, there’s a belief that wolves are particularly strong and bloodthirsty on this night. Another belief is that the veil between life and death is thin on 30 November, and the spirits of the dead can slip into this world. To protect themselves, people use garlic (something else associated with St. In the cities, where people tend to be a little more cynical, the “night of the vampires” (the 29th to the 30th), is treated similarly to Hallowe’en (in fact, St, Andrew’s Eve is sometimes called the Romanian Hallowe’en), and is spent at parties.
Love Lies Bleeding Bleeding Heart. §. Another tag snagged from the lovely blog A.M. Molvik’s Ramblings If you’ve ever wondered about what it’s like to be a writer (or what I do), this post is for you. 1. What type of writing do you do? Over the years I’ve written pretty much everything, from magazine articles to poetry to blog posts to novels. 2. My writing is a mix of literary fiction, gothic fiction, and fantasy, with hints of horror and magical realism. 3. I started when I was about six and never really stopped (although there were a few long breaks). 4. Yes! 5. The first story I wrote (when I was around six) was a tale of woe about a flower that doomed anyone (in this case, Mary, Queen of Scots, although I have no idea how I knew about her) who picked it. 6. I don’t feel I have much of a choice. 7. You find time for the things that are important to you. 8.
For me, the best times are in the morning and late at night. 9. It used to be iced coffee; unfortunately I’ve had to cut it out. 10. Silence. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Happy World Dracula Day! Today we celebrate the anniversary of the first publication of Bram Stoker’s vampire standard Dracula. And how better to celebrate than by sharing some of my favourite versions of the classic character? I have to start with the original, Stoker’s Count.
Although Stoker wasn’t the first to write about vampires, his character (and book) started an ongoing obsession with vampires, inspiring countless variations over the decades, including dozens of versions of Dracula alone. Many of what we now consider essential characteristics of vampires: aversion to sunlight and garlic, lack of reflection, supernatural powers, vulnerable to a stake through the heart–all came from Dracula. A few have been discarded over the years too–how many modern vampires have hairy palms or need to keep the soil of their homeland handy? Nosferatu is an early, unauthorized, movie based on Dracula. Here’s the entire scene if you want some context: What’s your favourite version of Dracula?
(4405) “True” Stories of REAL Life VAMPIRE SLAYINGS. From the start, women writers have had to endure an unending slew of sexist attitudes and commentary. Pick a writer and she’ll tell you about comments claiming women aren’t serious writers, that they don’t write “important” works, and aren’t worthy of awards or acclaim. Women writers can tell you about how there is a constant assumption that they must write romance or “chick lit,” that they don’t write anything a man would want to read, that they can’t write certain genres, or that women’s fiction is fluffy and sentimental.
We can tell you about how we’re questioned in a way male authors never are about work-life balance, how we can possibly work and take care of our children and homes and partners. The list goes on. And when we dare complain about any of it, we’re accused of being “whiny” and “privileged.” On this International Women’s Day, I’m sharing a few of the sexist remarks said to, or of, women authors: Sci-fi author Gérard Klein about Ursula K. Author V.S. N.S. Find Out More: