We all have those small errands to run from time to time that take up more time (and effort) than we either want or expect. Maybe it’s a visit to the doctor, a long bus commute to work, or that seemingly endless line at the post office. In these inevitable times of queue-induced despair, it’s tempting to pull out your smartphone and waste some time catching up on Instagram or Facebook. And hey, no judgement here; we’ve all been there. No matter how long it takes, the time never seems quite long enough to really do anything. But that’s exactly why […]
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Today’s Words Wednesday quote comes from Charles Dickens’ Little Dorrit, published between 1855 and 1857. Like most of Dickens’ work, Little Dorrit explores themes of poverty, class, and expectations in Victorian England. “Looking back upon his own poor story, she was its vanishing-point. Every thing in its perspective led to her innocent figure. He had travelled thousands of miles towards it; previous unquiet hopes and doubts had worked themselves out before it; it was the centre of the interest of his life; it was the termination of everything that was good and pleasant in it; beyond, there was nothing but […]
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This quote comes from William Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Believed to have been written in the late 1500s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows the adventures of four young Athenians as they fall in and out of love in a remote forest controlled by fairies. This text is spoken by Lysander to Hermia, describing the travails of impossible love. “Or, if there were a sympathy in choice, War, death, or sickness, did lay siege to it, Making it momentary as a sound, Swift as a shadow, short as any dream; Brief as the lightning in the collied night That, […]
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Getting into Dickens When was the last time you read Charles Dickens? Until a few months ago, I hadn’t read any of his work since we were forced to read Great Expectations in the seventh grade. Unlike most of my classmates, I mostly liked Great Expectations—but apparently not enough to give Dickens another go any time in the last decade. For no real reason, Dickens has always been one of those Authors I Should Read and never one I did. It’s also telling that the only factoid about Dickens that has ever really stuck in my mind is that he […]
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This quote comes from Leo Tolstoy’s famous novel, Anna Karenina, which was published in installments over four years, from 1873 to 1877. Anna Karenina follows the life of the titular character, an upperclass woman in feudalist Russia. Acclaimed for its themes of love, family, marriage, and society, Anna Karenina is commonly named among the most important written works of all time. “All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow.” Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
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This quote comes from Flannery O’Connor’s acclaimed novel, Wise Blood. Published in 1952, Wise Blood, like so many of O’Connor’s work, explores dark themes of life, death, and religion in the American South. Wise Blood was Flannery O’Connor’s first novel and was comprised of several previously written short stories, including her master’s thesis. “In yourself right now is the only place you’ve got.” Flannery O’Connor, Wise Blood
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Books are the best way to visit a new place when you can’t actually go anywhere. Check out our infographic with a book recommendation for every state in the USA. Which state will you visit next? What are your recommendations for books set across the United States? — For those who prefer text, here’s a text list of our book recommendations for every state in the USA. 50 States of Books Alabama Boy’s Life (1991) Robert McCammon Alaska The Yiddish Policemen’s Union (2007) Michael Chabon Arizona Animal Dreams (1990) Barbara Kingsolver Arkansas I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969) Maya […]
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Published in 1818 when Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was only 20 years old, Frankenstein follows the young scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein as he mysteriously and miraculously creates life. The resulting monster is often called Frankenstein, though in the novel, he actually no name. Frankenstein is considered to be among the first science fiction novels, blending elements of Romantic and Gothic writing with science and technology. Check out our full-text Frankenstein poster here or at the Books on the Wall Etsy shop! “Beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful.” Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein
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We’re happy to announce our newest product, a Velveteen Rabbit book poster! This poster measures 11″x17″ and contains the full text of Margery Williams’ classic children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit (or How Toys Become Real). First published in 1922, The Velveteen Rabbit follows a stuffed rabbit who wishes to become real. The Velveteen Rabbit is often considered one the best children’s books of all time. Check out our Velveteen Rabbit book poster here or at the Books on the Wall Etsy shop, and read the full text of The Velveteen Rabbit at Project Gutenberg.
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This quote comes from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun. Published in 2006, Half of a Yellow Sun follows two Igbo sisters, Olanna and Kainene, as their lives change before, during, and after the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). The novel is named after the design on the flag of Biafra, the region that seceded from Nigeria. In 2007, Half of a Yellow Sun won the Orange Prize for Fiction.
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