Eggplant.place

1y

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

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

Introducing Beatrix Potter.Beatrix Potter remains one of the world's best-selling and best-loved children's authors. She wrote and illustrated 28 books, including her 23 Tales which have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. In her later years, she became a farmer and sheep breeder and helped protect thousands of acres of land in the Lake District.<a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/introducing-beatrix-potter" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.vam.ac.uk/articles/introducing-beatrix-potter">https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/introducing-beatrix-potter</a> Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943)<a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a>

Beatrix Potter with a border terrier at Lingholm, Keswick, by Rupert Potter, 3 October 1897, albumen photograph, given by Joan Duke. Museum no. E.765-2005. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

In the photograph, Beatrix Potter is seen seated, accompanied by a border terrier. The dog is sitting attentively beside her, adding a touch of warmth and companionship to the scene.

Beatrix is dressed in typical late 19th-century attire, wearing a long dress with a high collar and possibly a shawl or jacket. Her clothing is modest and practical, reflecting her love for the countryside and outdoor activities.

The photograph is taken outdoors at Lingholm, a country estate near Keswick in the Lake District.

Rupert Potter, Beatrix's father, was an amateur photographer who often captured images of his family and their life in the Lake District.

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167d

📚 Wonder by: R. J. PalacioI 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...<a href="https://bookblabla.com/book/wonder" rel="nofollow">https://bookblabla.com/book/wonder</a><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@bookstodon</a><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>

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

<a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1886.The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is signed. The treaty provides authors, musicians, poets, painters, and other creators with the means to control how their works are used, by whom, and on what terms.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berne_Convention" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berne_Convention">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berne_Convention</a><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/art/" rel="tag">#art</a> <a href="/tags/copyright/" rel="tag">#copyright</a>

The Pirate Publisher—An International Burlesque that has the Longest Run on Record by Joseph Ferdinand Keppler, published as a centrefold in Puck, v. 18, no. 468 (1886 February 24). A commentary on the state of copyright laws that, prior to a 1911 treaty, generally offered no protection to foreign authors and works. In the cartoon, hordes of German, Norwegian, French, English, and American authors surround a publisher who republishes their newly-created works without attribution or royalties in a foreign country, as international law then allowed. Of note is W. S. Gilbert, fifth from the right in the front row, as the many unauthorised or "pirate" productions of H.M.S. Pinafore caused him and Arthur Sullivan to première The Pirates of Penzance in America, to at least gain the initial profits there before anyone else could exploit it, and the title and subject of The Pirates of Penzance is sometimes - although somewhat dubiously in my opinion - considered to partially be a reference to the issue of pirate productions of their works. Other authors shown include Mark Twain, Tennyson, Robert Browning, F. C. Burnand, Émile Zola, Jules Verne, Victorien Sardou, Wilkie Collins, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., as well as many others.

Original artist: Joseph Ferdinand Keppler (1838-1894) Restoration: Adam Cuerden - https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2011661385/ by way of http://adamcuerden.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d5onmxh

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1y

English-born Australian novelist, journalist, and poet Marcus Clarke died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1881.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. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Clarke" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Clarke">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Clarke</a>Books by Marcus Clarke at PG: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1193" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1193">https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1193</a><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a>

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.

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🎉 August Queer Romance Club book pick - Dionysus in Wisconsin by EH Lupton 🎉By a Mastodon author, <a href="https://romancelandia.club/@pretensesoup" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@pretensesoup</a>, it’s been shortlisted for the 2024 Lamba Literary Award in Gay Romance and the 2024 Midwest Book Award for fantasy.Available on <a href="/tags/hoopla/" rel="tag">#Hoopla</a>, <a href="/tags/koboplus/" rel="tag">#KoboPlus</a>, all ebookstores and perhaps your library, or EH has kindly offered copies if access is difficult for you (DM her if so).QRC is open to all, read at your own pace over the month and post about it under <a href="/tags/queerromanceclub/" rel="tag">#QueerRomanceClub</a> and @queerromanceclub — CW for spoilers if going into details but general observations can be open.No rules: let’s hear reactions, theories, reviews, favourite quotes etc.Please also feel free to tag EH in to your QRC post this month, and she’s open to Author Q&A so throw your questions her way.<a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/gayromance/" rel="tag">#GayRomance</a> @gayromance @bookstodon <a href="/tags/bookclub/" rel="tag">#BookClub</a> <a href="/tags/authorsofmastodon/" rel="tag">#AuthorsOfMastodon</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#IndieAuthor</a>

Cover of Dionysus in Wisconsin. Two figures in the style of Greek urn paintings, one seated with a cup of wine, one standing before the first with a hand on his shoulder. They’re in black, the background and title are in shades of orange, the only other colour is the green wreaths they each wear .

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31d

A Review of Refuge: <a href="https://lydiaschoch.com/a-review-of-refuge/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="lydiaschoch.com/a-review-of-refuge/">https://lydiaschoch.com/a-review-of-refuge/</a><a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#ScienceFiction</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#Books</a> <a href="/tags/bookreview/" rel="tag">#BookReview</a> <a href="/tags/fivestars/" rel="tag">#FiveStars</a> <a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@bookstodon</a>

Book cover for Refuge by N.A. Ratnayake. Image on cover is a drawing of a pink cloud that looks like a humanoid face. It is in the dark blue sky and peering down at a green humanoid face floating in an ocean. The green face has a pink flower in its mouth.

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

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

<a href="https://wandering.shop/@adriabailton" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@adriabailton</a> thanks for hosting <a href="/tags/writephant/" rel="tag">#writephant</a> 😊 <a href="/tags/selfpromo/" rel="tag">#SelfPromo</a> My next book, Grace & Favour, releases on Sunday, and is a friends-to-lovers gay romance:“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…“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.Or you can get it right now directly from me: <a href="https://payhip.com/b/A3P2i" rel="nofollow">https://payhip.com/b/A3P2i</a> And receive a bonus 2026 calendar featuring public-domain nineteenth-century artworks illustrating relevant book quotes.Read about all my books here: <a href="https://wendypalmer.au/" rel="nofollow">https://wendypalmer.au/</a><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> <a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@bookstodon</a>

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

"It Shouldn't Be Printed At All. It Should Be Burnt" — 23 Books Writers Regret Writing The author of 'Little Women' wrote in her journal that she "never liked girls or knew many."by Amy Glover via ⁦<a href="https://mastodon.social/@buzzfeed" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@buzzfeed</a><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/aglover/books-writers-regret-writing" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.buzzfeed.com/aglover/books-writers-regret-writing">https://www.buzzfeed.com/aglover/books-writers-regret-writing</a><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a>

Louisa May Alcott wrote that she "Never liked girls or knew many except my sisters" in her diary when asked to write Little Women.

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive / Penguin Clothbound Classics

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Irish mathematician, astronomer & physicist William Rowan Hamilton was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1805.Hamilton made his discovery of the algebra of quaternions in 1843. His work is fundamental to modern theoretical physics, particularly his reformulation of Newtonian mechanics. Hamiltonian mechanics including its Hamilitonian function are now central both to electromagnetism & quantum mechanics.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rowan_Hamilton" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rowan_Hamilton">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rowan_Hamilton</a>Books about William Rowan Hamilton at PG: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=William+Rowan+Hamilton&submit_search=Go%21" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=William+Rowan+Hamilton&submit_search=Go%21">https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=William+Rowan+Hamilton&submit_search=Go%21</a><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/mathematics/" rel="tag">#mathematics</a>

William Rowan Hamilton portrait oval combined.

The portrait is oval-shaped, a common style for the period, which lends a classical and elegant touch to the depiction.
Hamilton is shown from the chest up, focusing on his facial features and upper body.

Hamilton is typically portrayed wearing formal 19th-century attire, including a dark coat, waistcoat, and a white shirt with a high collar, which was fashionable at the time.

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German poet Sibylla Schwarz died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1638.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. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibylla_Schwarz" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibylla_Schwarz">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibylla_Schwarz</a><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/poetry/" rel="tag">#poetry</a>

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

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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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167d

I’ve enjoyed all of her other books, but Michelle Obama’s “The Look” was a DNF for me because fashion isn’t something I find interesting other than making sure my clothes and shoes are neat, clean, and comfortable to wear. If you do like that topic, there are plenty of pictures of the fancy outfits she’s worn over the years in it. There is something to be said for trying new stuff sometimes, though. <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#Books</a> <a href="/tags/fashion/" rel="tag">#Fashion</a> <a href="/tags/michelleobama/" rel="tag">#MichelleObama</a><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@bookstodon</a>

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167d

finished reading <a href="https://eggplant.place/search?r=1&q=https://reviewdb.app/book/5vHoPnEKgpwQNlrqpN033y" rel="nofollow">The Art of Uncertainty: How to Navigate Chance, Ignorance, Risk and Luck</a> 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 by David Spiegelhalter.A fairly readable overview of probability & uncertainty, from the straightforward games of chance through to the deep uncertainty of future risks such as climate change & AI. Not sure who it's aimed at: some of it is too complex for the layman, but not deep enough for the technically minded. Has some good examples, especially from covid. Would have liked some worked examples of how to apply its principles to real life decision-making.<a href="/tags/bookreview/" rel="tag">#BookReview</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#Books</a> <a href="/tags/bookstodon/" rel="tag">#Bookstodon</a> <a href="/tags/nonfiction/" rel="tag">#Nonfiction</a> <a href="/tags/statistics/" rel="tag">#Statistics</a><a href="https://aus.social/@wildwoila" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@WildWoila</a> @wildwoila@wyrms.de

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1y

"I am no bird, and no net ensnares me,..."Between 7-24 August 1847.Charlotte Brontë completes Jane Eyre at Haworth and sends the manuscript to her publisher, who has rejected The Professor.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.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre</a>Jane Eyre at PG: <a href="https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/1260" rel="nofollow">https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/1260</a><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a>

"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

This week's <a href="/tags/newbooks/" rel="tag">#NewBooks</a> at the library: - a damaged copy of Positive Tipping Points: How to Fix the Climate Crisis - a second-hand copy of the 1982 classic Lamarck the Mythical Precursor: A Study of the Relations Between Science and Ideology published by <a href="https://mastodon.mit.edu/@themitpress" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@themitpress</a> (there aren't that many books on Lamarck) - a former library copy of The Environmental Consequences of War: Legal, Economic and Scientific Perspectives. This one came from the holdings of the JSCSC (Joint Services Command and Staff College)'s Hobson Library, one of the UK's largest military libraries (!), probably the most unusual provenance for any of the books I have.<a href="/tags/climatechange/" rel="tag">#ClimateChange</a> <a href="/tags/historyofscience/" rel="tag">#HistoryOfScience</a> <a href="/tags/sciencehistory/" rel="tag">#ScienceHistory</a> <a href="/tags/histsci/" rel="tag">#HistSci</a> <a href="/tags/history/" rel="tag">#History</a> <a href="/tags/environmentalhistory/" rel="tag">#EnvironmentalHistory</a> <a href="/tags/warfare/" rel="tag">#Warfare</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#Books</a> <a href="/tags/scicomm/" rel="tag">#Scicomm</a> <a href="/tags/bookstodon/" rel="tag">#Bookstodon</a> <a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@bookstodon</a>

A photo of three books standing on a small, brown, wooden table. The out-of-focus background shows black shelves full of books, part of the beech-coloured laminate floor, and a red curtain hanging from a door.

On the left, Positive Tipping Points, showing a light blue hardback with an abstract graphic of a white cone with its tip facing upwards. Balanced on the tip is a white curved bar, curving upwards like a smile. At the top right, impossibly balanced, is a marble-sized miniature planet Earth.

In the middle, Lamarck the Mythical Precursor, showing a small moss-green hardback with several botanical line-drawings in darker green of flower and plant parts.

On the right, The Environmental Consequences of War, showing a photo of a large column of smoke rising from something that is on fire, though it is hard to make out what. The bottom half of the photo is rendered in a bright orange, the top half in grey. The whole photo is rendered hard to decipher by having been printed in coarse screentone (the pattern of dots you will recognise from how photos were printed in newspapers).

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Entry Stephen King book for a kid?

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168d

📚 Run for the Hills by: Kevin WilsonEver since her dad left them twenty years ago, it’s been just Madeline Hill and her mom on their farm in Coalfield, Tennessee. While it’s a bit lonely, she sometimes admits, and a less exciting life than what she imagined for herself, it’s mostly okay. Mostly.Then one...<a href="https://bookblabla.com/book/run-for-the-hills" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bookblabla.com/book/run-for-the-hills">https://bookblabla.com/book/run-for-the-hills</a><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@bookstodon</a><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/literaryfiction/" rel="tag">#literaryfiction</a> <a href="/tags/southernfiction/" rel="tag">#southernfiction</a> <a href="/tags/familylife/" rel="tag">#familylife</a> <a href="/tags/generalfiction/" rel="tag">#generalfiction</a>

Ever since her dad left them twenty years ago, it’s been just Madeline Hill and her mom on their farm in Coalfield, Tennessee. While it’s a bit lonely, she sometimes admits, and a less exciting life than what she imagined for herself, it’s mostly okay. Mostly.

Then one day Reuben Hill pulls up in a PT Cruiser and informs Madeline that he believes she’s his half sister. Reuben—left behind by their dad thirty years ago—has hired a detective to track down their father and a string of other half siblings. And he wants Mad to leave her home and join him for the craziest kind of road trip imaginable to find them all.
As Mad and Rube—and eventually the others—share stories of their father, who behaved so differently in each life he created, they begin to question what he was looking for with every new incarnation. Who are they to one another? What kind of man will they find? And how will these new relationships change Mad’s previously solitary life on the farm?

A touching and generous romp of a novel... Wilson makes a bold and convincing case that every real family is one you have to find and, at some point, choose, even if it’s the one you’re born into. New York Times Book Review.

An unexpected road trip across America brings a family together, in this raucous and moving new novel from the bestselling author of Nothing to See Here.

Infused with deadpan wit, zany hijinks, and enormous heart, Run for the Hills is a sibling story like no other—a

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

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167d

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

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

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Edited 167d ago

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1y

British writer George Griffith was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1857.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.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Griffith" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Griffith">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Griffith</a>Books by George Griffith at PG: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/8557" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/8557">https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/8557</a><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a>

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

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170d

David G. Wells’ “The Penguin dictionary of curious and interesting…” books are excellent and have been great source of inspiration for me.They are now are almost 30 years old. 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? <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>

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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1y

English painter and illustrator John Everett Millais died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1896.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).Books about John Everett Millais at PG: <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">https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=John+Everett+Millais&submit_search=Go%21</a><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/art/" rel="tag">#art</a> <a href="/tags/painting/" rel="tag">#painting</a>

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.

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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.

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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

Giving Up is Unforgivable – A Manual for Keeping Democracy (Highly Recommended)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><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/">https://bookreviewsintenwords.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/giving-up-is-unforgivable-a-manual-for-keeping-democracy-highly-recommended/</a>

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111d

<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): <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">https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/2093-the-bolivarian-revolution</a><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> <a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@bookstodon</a>

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