[Book Nerd Miscellany] The Penguin Book Truck

Yes, please. Yes, a million times over. You know how I feel about Penguin books. This is enough to make me a groupie. “Hey, which band are you following this summer?” “Oh, PBT. You’ve probably never heard of them. Trust me, though, they are about to hit the big time.”

THE PENGUIN BOOK TRUCK

 

Happy Birthday Allen Ginsberg, You Fresh-Faced Cutie

Allen Ginsberg was born 87 years ago today. Here he is, looking all fresh-faced yet intense.

Allen Ginsberg

Allen Ginsberg

QUOTE: “Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.”

SOME WORKS: Howl and Other Poems; Kaddish and Other Poems; Reality Sandwiches; The Yage Letters; Mind Breaths; Deliberate Prose

A KEEPSAKE:

Allen Ginsberg Pencils by the big harumph

Allen Ginsberg Quote Pencils by the big harumph. $10.00

Hey There, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, You Natty Gent! It’s Your Birthday!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born on this day in 1859. In addition to being a physician and wildly famous author, he was quite the fashion plate.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1890

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1890.

QUOTE: “I have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of parents by studying their children.”

SOME WORKS: The Sherlock Holmes books; The Stark Munro Letters; The Maracot Deep; The Lost World; dozens of short stories.

A KEEPSAKE:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle print by Pemberley Pond

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle print by Pemberley Pond. $19.92

[R]evolving Incarnations: A Questionnaire for Passionate Readers-Let’s Review

[R]evolving Incarnations: A Questionnaire For Passionate Readers is an interview series done in classic Q&A format. Each entry features one intrepid writer/blogger/artist/creative mastermind as they take on the same 40 reading-themed questions and scenarios.

So far we’ve featured 3 amazing bloggers. If you missed any of their interviews, now is a great time to catch up!

INTRO

JENNIFER

CASSIE

R.A.

[R]evolving Incarnations: A Questionnaire for Passionate Readers-Featuring R.A. Kerr of Silver Screenings

[R]evolving Incarnations: A Questionnaire For Passionate Readers is an interview series done in classic Q&A format. Each entry features one intrepid writer/blogger/artist/creative mastermind as they take on the same 40 reading-themed questions and scenarios. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section!

R.A. KERR

R.A. Kerr is the writer behind the amazing classic movie blog, Silver Screenings.

  • What book have you always wanted to read, but haven’t? Why? The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer. Once I start it, I know I’ll do nothing else until I finish. No blogging, no socializing, no tooth-brushing. That’s quite a commitment. 
  • What is your favourite line or passage from a book? “The mystery of wood is not that it burns, but that it floats.”-from “Fugitive Pieces” by Anne Michaels. In a novel full of mystery, this single line reminded me that there is mystery in the ordinary. We only need to look.
  • Who do you think is the most underrated author? Ray Robertson, author of “What Happened Later.” Genius.
  • What is your pick for the most underrated book? “A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City” by Anonymous. This is the true, gut-wrenching account of how one woman survived the Russian occupation of Berlin in the waning days of WWII.
  • If you could make everyone in the world read one book, what would it be? “A Fair Country” by John Raulston Saul. To me, this book best explains the elusive “Canadian Identity.” 
  • Is there a book you wish you had written? “How to Make an American Quilt” by Whitney Otto. There were times I couldn’t breathe for the beauty and cleverness of her writing. Continue reading