My Library/Day 86: Topper: A Ribald Adventure by Thorne Smith

Posted on April 3, 2024 by maedez

DAY 86:

Never a Dull Day in Biographyville

Posted on June 7, 2021 by maedez

I cannot believe that it has been a month since my last post! We have been extremely busy at the family business AND most of what little spare time (ha!) that I have goes to book research.

I promise to post more frequently in June (not that that would be hard!). In the meantime, here is the most recent post from Alternative Muses, wherein I briefly catch you up on an unexpected turn-of-events in Biographyville.

NEVER A DULL DAY IN BIOGRAPHYVILLE

ISSUE FIVE-[R]evolving Research: A Flurry of Reading

Posted on November 24, 2020 by maedez

Some weeks involve direct research about J or her family; other weeks are devoted to general history reading. I’m currently in a flurry of the latter activity. I learn a lot during these times, just not about J. It’s all necessary and enjoyable work. Time well spent.

After I’ve finished my current book (see below) the pendulum will likely swing back the other way. I love history, but I might just love J even more. That is saying something.

RESEARCH NOTES WEEK 7:

VICTORY: Waking up every day and doing the thing regardless of what the days threw at me.
HAPPY DISCOVERY: None. I’m okay with that because I learned tremendous amounts of historical information.
FRUSTRATION: Also none. That’s a win.
CURRENTLY READING: A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression by Jane Ziegelman and Andrew Coe
HOURS SPENT ON RESEARCH: 7

Until next time!

[Alternative Muses] Writerly Style: Ngaio Marsh

Posted on April 23, 2020 by maedez

“Elegance is elimination.”–Balenciaga

Ngaio Marsh by Henry Herbert Clifford (1935).

This 85-year-old photograph of New Zealand writer Ngaio Marsh proves that elegance, coziness, and individuality can be as stylish as anything out of the pages of a 21st-century fashion magazine.

Embellishments are minimal: an eccentric shoulder, a few buttons, an indifferently tilted hat, a bit of pattern and texture here or there.

Clean lines. Confidence.

She is, more than anything, mysterious.

How appropriate.

Feelin’ This Frida Kahlo Photo

Posted on March 22, 2019 by maedez

I’ve always loved this photo of Frida Kahlo (which was taken by her dad), but I’m especially digging it today. She looks how I feel.

Frida Kahlo by Guillermo Kahlo (1932)

A Bookstore is Gone, Long Live the Books! Part 8-The Film Till Now

Posted on May 15, 2018 by maedez

A local used bookstore recently closed after 25 years. They had a fantastic going-out-of-business sale. While part of me feels “guilty” for taking advantage of their sad circumstances, the rest (and logical) part of me knows that they needed to sell as many books as possible. Through these books, a bit of their entrepreneurial and intellectual spirit will live on. With that idea in mind, I’m doing a limited-run series where I’ll spotlight each of the volumes I “adopted” from this sweet little shop. Shine on, you bookish gems!

Today’s selection? The Film Till Now by Paul Rotha.

The Film Till Now

DETAILS:

TITLE: THE FILM TILL NOW
AUTHOR: PAUL ROTHA
REPRINTED IN 1931/FIRST PUBLISHED 1930
PUBLISHED BY: JONATHAN CAPE & HARRISON SMITH

Stylish endpapers

WHY I BOUGHT IT:

The Film Till Now has been on my TBR list for more years than I care to count. My laziness in never actively looking for a copy truly paid off, as this edition dates to just a year after the book was first published. It is in wonderful shape for its age (87 years!).

Thanks for reading! I hope you’re enjoying the series. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.