A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.

Not just a blog, a philosophy

Seven Years Later…

Posted on April 11, 2014 by maedez

…you are still missed.

Kurt Vonnegut in his U.S. Army days

“A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved.”-Kurt Vonnegut, The Sirens of Titan

11 April: John O’Hara

Posted on April 11, 2014 by maedez

John O’Hara died on 11 April 1970.

John O’Hara, 1945

“They say great themes make great novels…but what these young writers don’t understand is that there is no greater theme than men and women.”-John O’Hara

[Book Nerd News] Peter Matthiessen is Dead

Posted on April 9, 2014 by maedez

Peter Matthiessen, 1927-2014 [courtesy the Paris Review]

Quote

Posted on April 5, 2014 by maedez

Allen Ginsberg Quote

[Book Nerd News] Arthur Conan Doyle/Edgar Allan Poe

Posted on April 4, 2014 by maedez

AN UPDATE ON SAVE UNDERSHAW: Arthur Conan Doyle’s house to be converted into special school [courtesy The Guardian]
Boston’s Edgar Allan Poe Statue Will Be Unveiled in October [courtesy Boston Magazine]

Happy 100th Birthday, Marguerite Duras!

Posted on April 4, 2014 by maedez

Marguerite Duras was born on 4 April 1914.

“She had lived her early years as though she were waiting for something she might, but never did, become.”-Marguerite Duras, The Ravishing of Lol Stein

The tomb of Marguerite Duras

3 April 1783: Washington Irving, American Dreamboat

Posted on April 3, 2014 by maedez

Washington Irving, a titan in the annals of American Literature, was born on 3 April 1783.

“There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.”-Washington Irving

Surprisingly, the father of Ichabod and Rip was something of a dreamboat as a young man.

Washington Irving at 22.

Portrait of Washington Irving by John Wesley Jarvis, 1809.

Washington Irving in 1820.

26 March 1874: Robert Frost

Posted on March 26, 2014 by maedez

Robert Frost, great American poet, was born on 26 March 1874.

Robert Frost

“I am not a teacher, but an awakener.”-Robert Frost

[Book Nerd Links] 25 Essential Books About Americans in Paris

Posted on March 25, 2014 by maedez

25 Essential Books About Americans in Paris [courtesy Flavorwire]

They left out one of my favourite books on the subject, Being Geniuses Together by Robert McAlmon and Kay Boyle( revised edition). What would you add to the list?

Writers in Art: Vladimir Solovyov by Ivan Kramskoy, 1885

Posted on March 21, 2014 by maedez

Vladimir Solovyov by Ivan Kramskoy, 1885

R.I.P. Norman Lloyd (1914-2021)

Norman Lloyd, long a personal favorite of mine, was a fascinating man and performer. Norman Lloyd Dead [THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER]

Geoffrey Scott was from a younger generation than the performers I normally write about, but his handsome presence was ubiquitous during my 1980s childhood. From Dynasty to The Love Boat, Night Court, and Battle of the Network Stars, his charisma and acting ability lit up the small screen for decades. He will be missed. Geoffrey […]

Kirk Douglas: 1916-2020

[2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon] But Baby Think of Me Once in Awhile: On Andy Travis as Television’s Best (and Hunkiest) Boss

Welcome to the 2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon! Baby, If You’ve Ever Wondered: It still seems like yesterday that the idea for RI popped in my head. It was actually in December 2015, while in a hotel room getting ready for a holiday party, when it occurred to me that there was a gap in the classic […]

Announcing the 2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon!

This is one of my favorite events of the year, and not just because I’m the co-hostess. It’s simply that good. And fun. Oh, so much fun! Here’s my original announcement. ANNOUNCING THE 2019 REEL INFATUATION BLOGATHON I hope you’ll join us!