Acclaimed poet Wystan Hugh Auden was born on 21 February 1907.
W.H. Auden by Carl Van Vechten, 1939.
“Poetry might be defined as the clear expression of mixed feelings.”-W.H. Auden
Hey There, W.H. Auden! It’s Your Birthday!
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Monthly Archives: February 2014
Happy Birthday, André Breton!
André Breton, poet, writer, and father of Surrealism, was born on 19 February 1896.
André Breton, 1924.
“Let us not mince words…the marvelous is always beautiful, anything marvelous is beautiful, in fact only the marvelous is beautiful.”-André Breton
Jane Austen Cookie Cutter!
This is entirely unnecessary. No one in the world needs a Jane Austen cookie cutter. However, I give not one fig about practicality. I want one. I want one, like yesterday. Yes, please!
Curious? Go here to see it for yourself.
[Book Nerd Links] Three Fun Links for Your Reading Pleasure
- The 10 unhappiest marriages in fiction [courtesy The Telegraph]
- How to Make Ernest Hemingway’s Favorite Burger [courtesy People]
- LEGO literature [courtesy Waterstones.com]
Yours truly on fiction
Daily Diversion #193: Snow is Not an Instant Glamorizer
Real life snow looks nothing like pristine painting snow…at least not when you live in my neighborhood.
Snow is not an instant glamorizer.
Writers in Art: Leo Tolstoy Barefoot by Ilya Repin, 1901
Leo Tolstoy Barefoot by Ilya Repin, 1901.
Leo Tolstoy Barefoot by Ilya Repin, 1901.
Once Upon a Time: Late Nineteenth Century Children’s Book Illustrations
Children’s books from the late nineteenth century have the best illustrations. Here’s why:
They are charming.
From Round the Hearth [and other verses], 1889.
They are nonsensical.
From Lilliput Lyrics. Illustrated by Chas. Robinson, 1899.
[Forgotten Gems] Free e-books Edition: Reminiscences of Tolstoy, by His Son
There are many amazing, often obscure works of literature available as free e-books: small slices of earthly and intellectual paradise waiting to be uncovered. Finding dusty old gems can take a bit of work and patience, but this exercise is my kind of fun. I thought it would be nice to share my discoveries with you on a regular basis. First up:
Reminiscences of Tolstoy, by His Son by Graf Ilia Lvovich Tolstoi [Project Gutenberg]
Leo’s son Ilia as an older man.
[Book Nerd Links] If Famous Writers Sent Valentines
If Famous Writers Sent Valentines [courtesy BuzzFeed]
A big thanks goes out to Michelle of MamaMickTerry for showing me this funny literary post.
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 