books

167d

<p>📚 Wonder by: R. J. Palacio</p><p>I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.</p><p>August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get...</p><p><a href="https://bookblabla.com/book/wonder" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>bookblabla.com/book/wonder</a></p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/reading/" rel="tag">#reading</a> <a href="/tags/libraries/" rel="tag">#libraries</a> <a href="/tags/juvenilefiction/" rel="tag">#juvenilefiction</a> <a href="/tags/disabilities/" rel="tag">#disabilities</a></p>

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.

R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME. Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face—who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available

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1y

<p>"Zum Hassen oder Lieben<br> Ist alle Welt getrieben,<br> Es bleibet keine Wahl,<br> der Teufel ist neutral." </p><p>"To hate or to love<br>All the world is driven,<br>There is no choice,<br>the devil is neutral." </p><p>~Clemens Brentano (9 September 1778 – 28 July 1842)</p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/poetry/" rel="tag">#poetry</a></p>

Portrait by Emilie Linder, painted in 1835; printed in from Meyer's Encyclopedia, 1906
Emilie Linder - Zeitschrift: Damals, Jg. 45, Ausgabe 5/2013, Artikel: "Volkspoesie" aus Grimm’scher Feder

In the portrait, Clemens Brentano is depicted with a reflective expression, gazing slightly to the side. His face is characterized by thoughtful eyes and a contemplative demeanor, suggesting a deep engagement with his inner thoughts or creative processes.

Brentano is dressed in formal 19th-century attire, which includes a dark coat, a high-collared shirt, and a cravat. His clothing reflects the fashion of the period and his status as a respected literary figure.

Emilie Linder’s painting style is meticulous and realistic, capturing both the physical features of Brentano and a sense of his personality. The detailed rendering of his facial features, including his hair and the slight furrow of his brow, conveys a sense of his introspective nature.

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1y

<p>English-born Australian novelist, journalist, and poet Marcus Clarke died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1881.</p><p>He is best known for his 1874 novel For the Term of His Natural Life, about the convict system in Australia, and widely regarded as a classic of Australian literature. The novel is based on historical facts and it was originally serialized in the Australian Journal before being published as a book. </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Clarke" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Clarke"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_C</span><span class="invisible">larke</span></a></p><p>Books by Marcus Clarke at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1193" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1193"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/1193</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Australian author Marcus Clarke, albumen silver photograph.
Unknown author - State Library of Victoria.

Clarke is posed in a formal, seated position, which was customary for portraits of notable figures during this era.

He is dressed in formal Victorian attire, likely a dark suit with a waistcoat and a tie, reflecting his status as a respected literary figure.

Clarke's face is captured in clear detail, showing his full beard and mustache, which were typical of his appearance. His expression is serious and contemplative, perhaps indicating his deep engagement with his work and the serious themes he explored in his writing.

Edited 1y ago

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1y

<p>The Lost Art of Handwriting</p><p>A new book provides a glimpse into how some of the most resoundingly famous writers actually, you know, wrote.</p><p>By Sarah Rose Sharp via @hyperallergic</p><p><a href="https://hyperallergic.com/928594/the-lost-art-of-handwriting-lesley-smith/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="hyperallergic.com/928594/the-lost-art-of-handwriting-lesley-smith/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">hyperallergic.com/928594/the-l</span><span class="invisible">ost-art-of-handwriting-lesley-smith/</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/handwriting/" rel="tag">#handwriting</a></p>

Esther Inglis, excerpt from Proverbs of Solomon (1599) (all images courtesy the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford)

Inglis' calligraphy is meticulous and ornate, featuring a variety of styles. The text of the Proverbs is often written in a flowing, elegant script, possibly a form of Italic or Secretary hand.

Created in 1599, this manuscript represents the intersection of art, literature, and devotion during the late Renaissance period.

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167d

<p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://wandering.shop/@adriabailton" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>adriabailton</span></a></span> thanks for hosting <a href="/tags/writephant/" rel="tag">#writephant</a> 😊 </p><p><a href="/tags/selfpromo/" rel="tag">#SelfPromo</a> </p><p>My next book, Grace & Favour, releases on Sunday, and is a friends-to-lovers gay romance:</p><p>“Leo Sweetwater keeps three closely-guarded secrets: his affections lie with men, he's in love with his best friend, and he's been haunted since childhood by the ghosts of Hampton Court Palace. When an ill-advised fling threatens all three secrets, Leo must contend with malign forces, and not just those from beyond the veil…“</p><p>Look for it on preorder at your favourite retailer, or on <a href="/tags/koboplus/" rel="tag">#KoboPlus</a>, <a href="/tags/everand/" rel="tag">#Everand</a> and <a href="/tags/hoopla/" rel="tag">#Hoopla</a>, and you can always ask for it at your library.</p><p>Or you can get it right now directly from me: <a href="https://payhip.com/b/A3P2i" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>payhip.com/b/A3P2i</a><br>And receive a bonus 2026 calendar featuring public-domain nineteenth-century artworks illustrating relevant book quotes.</p><p>Read about all my books here: <a href="https://wendypalmer.au/" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>wendypalmer.au/</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/reading/" rel="tag">#reading</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/gayromance/" rel="tag">#gayRomance</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieAuthor</a> <a href="/tags/historicals/" rel="tag">#historicals</a> <a href="/tags/readingcommunity/" rel="tag">#ReadingCommunity</a> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span></p>

Grace and Favour written in fancy font above a daguerreotype-style portrait of two men and a dog. One man is dark skinned and well dressed in a top hat, that’s love interest Cole. The other man is a bit more casually dressed, is blond, and has a stopwatch that’s main character Leo. The dog’s a big white Maremma. that’s Max. There’s the faint figure of a woman in the background. Very faint. Almost ghostly…

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1y

<p>In August 1869.</p><p>Ambrose Bierce, writing a satirical column for the San Francisco News Letter, begins to produce the cynical definitions which will eventually become The Devil's Dictionary.</p><p>Bierce's witty definitions were imitated & plagiarized for years before he gathered them into books, first as The Cynic's Word Book in 1906 & then in a more complete version as The Devil's Dictionary in 1911.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil%27s_Dictionary" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil%27s_Dictionary"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devi</span><span class="invisible">l%27s_Dictionary</span></a></p><p>The Devil's Dictionary at PG:<br><a href="https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/972" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>gutenberg.org/ebooks/972</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

The first "The Demon's Dictionary" column by Ambrose Bierce, from The San Francisco Newsletter and California Advertiser, 11 December 1875, page 13.

The Demon's Dictionary eventually because the Devil's Dictionary and was re-published in the 1900s.

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1y

<p>"Heaven did not seem to be my home; and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth; and the angels were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke sobbing for joy."</p><p>Wuthering Heights (ed. 1858)</p><p>~Emily Brontë (30 July 1818 – 19 December 1848)</p><p>Books by Emily Brontë at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/405" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/405"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/405</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

The only undisputed portrait of Brontë, from a group portrait by her brother Branwell, c. 1834.

The portrait is part of a larger group painting that includes her siblings, Emily, Anne, and Branwell Brontë himself. The setting is likely indoors, possibly in a domestic or studio environment reflective of their home at the Parsonage in Haworth.

Emily's expression is serene and introspective, suggesting her thoughtful nature.

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167d

<p>A Fierce Devotion to the “Empress of Hell”</p><p>Medieval dramatizations of the confrontation between the Virgin Mary and King Herod offered a symbolic resistance to tyranny.</p><p>By: H.M.A. Leow </p><p><a href="https://daily.jstor.org/a-fierce-devotion-to-the-empress-of-hell/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="daily.jstor.org/a-fierce-devotion-to-the-empress-of-hell/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">daily.jstor.org/a-fierce-devot</span><span class="invisible">ion-to-the-empress-of-hell/</span></a></p><p>Theater history at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/subjects/search/?query=theater+history" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/subjects/search/?query=theater+history"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/subje</span><span class="invisible">cts/search/?query=theater+history</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

In an attempt to thwart the prophecy about Christ's rise to power, King Herod orders his soldiers to kill all the male infants under the age of two living in Bethlehem. They do this with ruthless efficiency.

Bartolo's color scheme uses naturalistic details to enhance the drama of the scene. Note the contrast between the rosy coloring of the infants who are still alive and the green pallor of those already dead.

This painting, which is beautifully preserved, was part of a monumental altarpiece commissioned for the Church of San Agostino in San Gimignano and was placed atop a large painting of the Presentation in the Temple now in the Louvre Museum, Paris.

The Massacre of the Innocents might have been executed by both Bartolo and Andrea di Bartolo (active 1389-1428), working collaboratively as a father and son team.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Massacre_of_the_Innocents.jpg

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1y

<p>German poet Sibylla Schwarz died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1638.</p><p>Her verse reflects the difficult times in the middle of the Thirty Years' War, of which she saw neither the beginning nor the end. Her verse was published posthumously in 1650 by her teacher Samuel Gerlach under the title Deutsche Poëtische Gedichte in two parts containing over 100 poems. She was famous as the "Pomeranian Sappho", but her work fell into oblivion in the 18th century. </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibylla_Schwarz" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibylla_Schwarz"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibylla_</span><span class="invisible">Schwarz</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/poetry/" rel="tag">#poetry</a></p>

Sibylla Schwarz (1621–1638), image from Deutsche Poëtische Gedichte. 1650

Sibÿllen Schwarzin German Poëtic Poems (title page, 1650).

Sibyllen Schwarzin/ Vohn Greiffswald aus Pommern/ Deutsche Poëtische Gedichte/ Nuhn Zum ersten mahl/ auß ihren eignen Handschrifften/ herauß gegeben und verleget Durch M. Samuel Gerlach/ auß dem Herzogtuhm Würtemberg. und in Dantzig Gedrukt/ bey seel. Georg Rheten Witwen/ im M.DC.L. Jahr.

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1y

<p>"I am no bird, and no net ensnares me,..."</p><p>Between 7-24 August 1847.</p><p>Charlotte Brontë completes Jane Eyre at Haworth and sends the manuscript to her publisher, who has rejected The Professor.</p><p>It was published under her pen name "Currer Bell" on 19 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London. The first American edition was published the following year by Harper & Brothers of New York.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyr</span><span class="invisible">e</span></a></p><p>Jane Eyre at PG:<br><a href="https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/1260" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>gutenberg.org/ebooks/1260</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

"I am no bird, and no net ensnares me," declares Jane in this manuscript copy of Jane Eyre in Brontë's handwriting. The British Library Board

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168d

Entry Stephen King book for a kid?

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135d

<p>Book Review: Babylonia by Constanza Casati<br>Imagining the life of a historical figure whose life has been imagined and reimagined far more than the actual historical facts about her: Semiramis.<br><span class="h-card"><a href="https://wandering.shop/@Princejvstin" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>Princejvstin</span></a></span> has the review at the NOAF blog<br><a href="http://www.nerds-feather.com/2025/12/book-review-babylonia-by-constanza.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.nerds-feather.com/2025/12/book-review-babylonia-by-constanza.html"><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.nerds-feather.com/2025/12/</span><span class="invisible">book-review-babylonia-by-constanza.html</span></a></p><p>@bookstodon <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/review/" rel="tag">#review</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a></p>

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167d

<p>Did Odysseus Really Travel All Around the Mediterranean?</p><p>"The traditional view of the Odyssey is that Odysseus traveled all over the Mediterranean. Is that really what Homer described?"</p><p><a href="https://www.thecollector.com/odysseus-travels-mediterranean/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.thecollector.com/odysseus-travels-mediterranean/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.thecollector.com/odysseus-</span><span class="invisible">travels-mediterranean/</span></a></p><p>The Odyssey at PG:</p><p><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1727" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1727</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/poetry/" rel="tag">#poetry</a></p>

" ODYSSEUS LOOKED DOWN AT THE WOODS AND THE SEA." - picryl.com

Edited 167d ago

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1y

<p>British writer George Griffith was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1857.</p><p>He was active mainly in the science fiction genre—or as it was known at the time, scientific romance—in particular writing many future-war stories and playing a significant role in shaping that emerging subgenre. He was a contemporary of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, and his works contributed to the development of the science fiction genre.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Griffith" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Griffith"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_G</span><span class="invisible">riffith</span></a></p><p>Books by George Griffith at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/8557" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/8557"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/8557</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Griffith pictured on the frontispiece of his book In an Unknown Prison Land (1901)

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170d

<p>David G. Wells’ “The Penguin dictionary of curious and interesting…” books are excellent and have been great source of inspiration for me.</p><p>They are now are almost 30 years old. </p><p>What new entries would you put in these books—either because they’re new after publication, or could have (should have) been included at the time? </p><p><a href="/tags/mathematics/" rel="tag">#mathematics</a> <a href="/tags/geometry/" rel="tag">#geometry</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/bookstodon/" rel="tag">#bookstodon</a> <a href="/tags/askfedi/" rel="tag">#askfedi</a></p>

The Penguin dictionary of curious and interesting numbers. Revised edition.
The cover uses green and blue text on white. The lower third of the cover has a various green numbers on a blue backgroup.

The Penguin dictionary of curious and interesting geometry (illustrated by John Sharp)
The cover is dominated by an old monochrome stock photograph of a man pulling a face and pointing at a lightbulb that has ‘v + f = e + 2’ written on it.

The Penguin book of curious and interesting puzzles.
The cover uses green text on white. The lower third of the cover has a various puzzles drawn in white outline on a blue backgroup, e.g. a cubic trefoil knot and a Chinese magic knot.

$The Penguin book of curious and interesting mathematics. The cover uses green and yellow text on white. The lower third of the cover has a various geometric figures in yellow outline on a blue background, e.g. Dudeney’s square to triangle dissection and a fractal figure.$

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1y

<p>English painter and illustrator John Everett Millais died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1896.</p><p>He was one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He became the most famous exponent of the style, his painting Christ in the House of His Parents (1849–50) generating considerable controversy, and he produced a picture that could serve as the embodiment of the historical & naturalist focus of the group, Ophelia (1851–52).</p><p>Books about John Everett Millais at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=John+Everett+Millais&submit_search=Go%21" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=John+Everett+Millais&submit_search=Go%21"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/searc</span><span class="invisible">h/?query=John+Everett+Millais&submit_search=Go%21</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/art/" rel="tag">#art</a> <a href="/tags/painting/" rel="tag">#painting</a></p>

Ophelia (1852)
John Everett Millais

"Ophelia" (1852) by John Everett Millais is a captivating portrayal of the tragic character from Shakespeare's "Hamlet." The painting depicts Ophelia floating in a river, surrounded by flowers and lush greenery. Her face, serene and pale, contrasts with the vibrant and detailed natural setting. Millais captures the moment of her madness and impending death, her body partially submerged in the water, her hands delicately holding flowers. The meticulous attention to botanical detail and the luminous quality of the water create a hauntingly beautiful and melancholic scene, evoking a sense of loss and innocence.

The Princes in the Tower (1878)
John Everett Millais

"The Princes in the Tower" (1878) by John Everett Millais portrays the young Edward V and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury, who were famously imprisoned in the Tower of London. The painting captures the brothers' vulnerability and the foreboding atmosphere of their confinement. The boys are depicted huddled together on a bed, dressed in richly detailed clothing, with expressions of innocence and concern. The dimly lit room and the shadowy background emphasize the ominous fate that awaited them. Millais' use of light and shadow enhances the emotional intensity of the scene, highlighting the tragic historical narrative.

An Idyll of 1745. The three female artists models on the right were the sisters Lily Pettigrew [1870-1920]; Hetty Pettigrew [1867-1953] and Rose Pettigrew [1872-1905]

"An Idyll of 1745" by John Everett Millais captures a charming, serene scene with three women as the focal point. The painting features the Pettigrew sisters, Lily, Hetty, and Rose, elegantly posed on the right side. The women are depicted in period clothing, their dresses detailed and indicative of 18th-century fashion. Millais' attention to the sisters' expressions and interactions adds a sense of intimacy and connection between them. The lush, pastoral background enhances the idyllic and tranquil atmosphere, making the painting a beautiful portrayal of the elegance and grace of the era.

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175d

<p>Giving Up is Unforgivable – A Manual for Keeping Democracy (Highly Recommended)</p><p>Giving Up is Unforgiveable by Joyce Vance. Cuts through noise to power we still have, and responsibilities. Note: Could be the most important book you and your friends, family, and red-hat American relatives ever read. <a href="/tags/bookstodon/" rel="tag">#bookstodon</a> <a href="/tags/booklovers/" rel="tag">#booklovers</a> <a href="/tags/bookreviews/" rel="tag">#bookreviews</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a></p><p><a href="https://bookreviewsintenwords.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/giving-up-is-unforgivable-a-manual-for-keeping-democracy-highly-recommended/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bookreviewsintenwords.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/giving-up-is-unforgivable-a-manual-for-keeping-democracy-highly-recommended/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bookreviewsintenwords.wordpres</span><span class="invisible">s.com/2025/11/02/giving-up-is-unforgivable-a-manual-for-keeping-democracy-highly-recommended/</span></a></p>

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111d

<p><a href="/tags/thebolivarianrevolution/" rel="tag">#TheBolivarianRevolution</a>, a collection of writings by <a href="/tags/símonbolívar/" rel="tag">#SímonBolívar</a> with an introduction by <a href="/tags/hugochávez/" rel="tag">#HugoChávez</a>, is now available in free ebook format via <a href="/tags/versobooks/" rel="tag">#VersoBooks</a>. (NB that the posted price for the ebook is discounted to zero once it's placed in the cart. It costs nothing to set up a Verso account): </p><p><a href="https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/2093-the-bolivarian-revolution" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/2093-the-bolivarian-revolution"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.versobooks.com/en-gb/produ</span><span class="invisible">cts/2093-the-bolivarian-revolution</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/venezuela/" rel="tag">#Venezuela</a> <a href="/tags/latinamericanhistory/" rel="tag">#LatinAmericanHistory</a> <a href="/tags/bolívar/" rel="tag">#Bolívar</a> <a href="/tags/bolivarianrevolution/" rel="tag">#BolivarianRevolution</a> <a href="/tags/revolutions/" rel="tag">#revolutions</a> <a href="/tags/historyoftheamericas/" rel="tag">#historyOfTheAmericas</a> <a href="/tags/decolonialstruggles/" rel="tag">#decolonialStruggles</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span></p>

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135d

<p>📚 The Names by: Florence Knapp</p><p>It is 1987, and in the aftermath of a great storm, Cora sets out with her nine-year-old daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and call the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates. ...</p><p><a href="https://bookblabla.com/book/the-names" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>bookblabla.com/book/the-names</a></p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/reading/" rel="tag">#reading</a> <a href="/tags/libraries/" rel="tag">#libraries</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/generalfiction/" rel="tag">#generalfiction</a> <a href="/tags/familylife/" rel="tag">#familylife</a> <a href="/tags/multigenerationalfiction/" rel="tag">#multigenerationalfiction</a> <a href="/tags/worldliterature/" rel="tag">#worldliterature</a></p>

It is 1987, and in the aftermath of a great storm, Cora sets out with her nine-year-old daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and call the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates. Going against his wishes is a risk that will have consequences, but is it right for her child to inherit his name from generations of domineering men? The choice she makes in this moment will shape the course of their lives.

Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister, and one that will prove as cataclysmic as the storm from which it emerged. Or he is Julian, the name his mother set her heart on, believing it will enable him to become his own person. Or he is Gordon, named after his father and raised in his cruel image - but is there still a chance to break the mould?

Powerfully moving and full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. It is the story of one family, and love's endless capacity to endure, no matter what fate has in store.

********

A once-in-a-generation debut from a major new talent, The Names is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark.
'I've just been blown away by the best debut novel in years... A genius idea for a book'
Sunday Times

'Wildly original and emotionally profound'
O

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1y

<p>British writer and soldier Sapper died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1937.</p><p>"Sapper" was the pen name of Herman Cyril McNeile, known primarily for his popular series of adventure novels featuring the character Bulldog Drummond. He began his writing career by contributing stories to magazines and newspapers while still in the army. After the war, he adopted the pseudonym "Sapper," derived from his service in the Royal Engineers. </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._C._McNeile" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._C._McNeile"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._C._Mc</span><span class="invisible">Neile</span></a></p><p>H.C. McNeile at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/26827" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/26827"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/26827</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

McNeile, 1930s Portrait by Howard Coster.

The 1930s portrait of Herman Cyril McNeile, better known by his pen name "Sapper," was taken by renowned photographer Howard Coster. In the portrait, McNeile is presented in a formal and composed manner, reflecting the dignified style of the era. He is typically depicted wearing a suit, possibly with a tie, indicative of his professional stature as a popular British writer. The lighting and composition are characteristic of Coster's style, focusing on the subject's facial features and expression to convey depth and character. The backdrop is minimalistic, drawing attention to McNeile's presence and his thoughtful gaze, embodying the persona of a respected and influential literary figure of his time.

First US edition cover of No Man's Land, published in the US in 1917.

The first U.S. edition cover of "No Man's Land," published in 1917, features a design typical of early 20th-century wartime literature. The cover likely displays the book's title prominently at the top, with the author's name, Sapper (H.C. McNeile), positioned below or above the title. The artwork might include a somber or dramatic depiction of a battlefield or soldiers, resonating with the themes of the Great War. The colors used are generally muted, reflecting the grim and serious nature of the content, with emphasis on earthy tones like browns, grays, or dark greens. The overall design conveys the gravity and intensity of the wartime experience depicted within the book.

Edited 1y ago

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1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1857</p><p>Performances of Wilkie Collins' drama The Frozen Deep at the Free Trade Hall for the benefit of the widow of writer Douglas W. Jerrold, during which Charles Dickens, becomes infatuated with the professional actress Ellen Ternan.</p><p>Dickens's hand was so prominent—beside acting in the play for several performances, he added a preface, altered lines, & attended to most of the props and sets.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frozen_Deep" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frozen_Deep"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Froz</span><span class="invisible">en_Deep</span></a></p><p>The Frozen Deep at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1625" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1625</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Cover of play "The Frozen Deep" by Wilkie Collins & Charles Dickens.

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1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1939.</p><p>The Wizard of Oz premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, California.</p><p>It stars Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke and Margaret Hamilton. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, while others made uncredited contributions.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wiza</span><span class="invisible">rd_of_Oz</span></a></p><p>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/movies/" rel="tag">#movies</a></p>

Wizard of OZ movie poster.

The movie poster for "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) is a vibrant and iconic piece of film memorabilia. The poster typically features the main characters—Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion—walking down the Yellow Brick Road towards the distant, glowing Emerald City. Dorothy, often depicted in her blue gingham dress and red ruby slippers, is at the forefront, holding Toto, her small black dog. The background showcases a fantastical landscape with bright, lush colors, underscoring the movie's transition from black and white to Technicolor. The title, "The Wizard of Oz," is prominently displayed, often in bold, stylized lettering. Additionally, the poster may include the names of the film's stars, such as Judy Garland, and the tagline emphasizing the wonder and adventure of the movie. The overall design captures the magical and timeless essence of this beloved classic.

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1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1819.</p><p>The Peterloo Massacre takes place in England, inspiring Percy B. Shelley, in Italy, who, like Keats, has one of his most productive years. After hearing the news on September 5 he writes The Masque of Anarchy and sends it to a newspaper, also writing the political sonnet England in 1819, Ode to the West Wind, The Cenci: A Tragedy, in Five Acts & Julian and Maddalo and beginning his prose work A Philosophical View of Reform.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_By</span><span class="invisible">sshe_Shelley</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1529" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1529"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/1529</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a></p>

Percy Bysshe Shelley, by Alfred Clint (died 1883).

The painting "Percy Bysshe Shelley" by Alfred Clint portrays the celebrated Romantic poet, Shelley. In this depiction, Shelley is likely presented in a traditional portrait style, emphasizing his delicate features and contemplative expression, characteristic of the Romantic era. He is often shown with his head tilted slightly, eyes gazing upward or into the distance, symbolizing his visionary and philosophical nature. The clothing would reflect the early 19th-century fashion, with a high-collared shirt, a cravat, and a coat.

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167d

Book light recommendations?

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168d

<p>📚 Small Boat by: Vincent Delecroix</p><p>November 2021: an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants from France to the UK capsizes in the Channel, causing the deaths of 27 people on board. How and why did it happen?</p><p>Despite receiving numerous calls for help, the French authorities wrongly told the migrants they were in British water...</p><p><a href="https://bookblabla.com/book/small-boat" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>bookblabla.com/book/small-boat</a></p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/reading/" rel="tag">#reading</a> <a href="/tags/libraries/" rel="tag">#libraries</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/generalfiction/" rel="tag">#generalfiction</a> <a href="/tags/literaryfiction/" rel="tag">#literaryfiction</a> <a href="/tags/worldliterature/" rel="tag">#worldliterature</a> <a href="/tags/france/" rel="tag">#france</a></p>

November 2021: an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants from France to the UK capsizes in the Channel, causing the deaths of 27 people on board. How and why did it happen?

Despite receiving numerous calls for help, the French authorities wrongly told the migrants they were in British waters and had to call the British authorities for help. By the time rescue vessels arrived on the scene, all but two of the migrants had died.

The narrator of Delecroix’s fictional account of the events is the woman who took the calls. Accused of failing in her duty, she refuses to be held more responsible than others for this disaster. Why should she be more responsible than the sea, than the war, than the crises behind these tragedies?

A shocking, moral tale of our times, Small Boat reminds us of the power of fiction to illuminate our darkest crimes.
Source: Publisher

The narrator of Delecroix’s fictional account of the events is the woman who took the calls. Accused of failing in her duty, she refuses to be held more responsible than others for this disaster. Why should she be more responsible than the sea, than the war, than the crises behind these tragedies?

A shocking, moral tale of our times, Small Boat reminds us of the power of fiction to illuminate our darkest crimes.

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