Books on the Wall blog posts covering classic literature, classical authors, and everything in between.
Stuck wondering what your next book should be? We’ve all been there! But instead of asking yourself what you should read next, try asking yourself: Where do I want to go? Check out our infographic for a few recommendations for your next book, based on where each novel or play takes place. We chose a random assortment of novels and plays set around the world; this is definitely not a comprehensive or “best of” list. Just some ideas for your next reading adventure! For those viewing on mobile, you can find the text contents of the infographic below along with […]
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Happy 2016! For so many of us, the new year represents the start of a new chapter, the perfect time to acknowledge the past and consider the future. As our celebratory spirit recedes and 2016 creeps on, we’ve been reflecting on the symbolism of this time of year, basking in the mix of nostalgia and forward motion that January evokes. And what better way to capture these feelings than by reading a perfectly suited book? We’ve made a list of books that embody just a few of our many feelings about the new year—books about change and determination, about setting off on […]
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We’re excited to announce our latest product, a Don Quijote book poster! This 18″x24″ book poster features partial text from the Spanish language version of El Ingenioso Hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, by Miguel Cervantes de Saavedra.
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This quote comes from Charlotte Bronte’s beloved novel, Jane Eyre, which follows the titular character’s journey from an abusive and lonely childhood to her eventual betrothal to Mr. Rochester, master of Thornfield Hall. Jane is beloved by audiences for her independent will, fierce determination and commitment to upholding her values. “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.” Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
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This quote is spoken by Helena from William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, believed to have been written in the 1590s. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is set during the festive wedding weekend of the duke of Athens and the queen of the Amazons, and the play follows the love triangle (better said, love square?) between the four main characters: Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia and Helena. Hermia’s father wants her to marry Demetrius, who loves her, but Hermia loves Lysander. Helena, who is Hermia’s friend, still loves Demetrius, her ex. The lovers run into the forest to sneak away, but end […]
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This quote comes from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Published in 1960, the novel follows two young children, Scout and Jem, and their lawyer father, Atticus Finch, as he defends a wrongfully accused black man in Depression era-Alabama. To Kill a Mockingbird met instant critical acclaim and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. To Kill a Mockingbird was long Harper Lee’s only published work. However, in 2015, she released Go Set a Watchman, a sequel of sorts to her previous work. Regardless of the literary quality of the novel, many critics felt that Lee—now 89 years old, deaf, and […]
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Our newest book poster features Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island! This 18″x24″ Treasure Island book poster features the full text of the novel in a crisp 2.63 Helvetica font. Here, the Hispaniola sets her first sights on fabled Treasure Island, where mutineers and crew alike hope to find Captain Flint’s buried treasure. Head over to our Treasure Island book poster product page to see more.
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In the spirit of Christmas, today we’re delving into Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, one of the most beloved holiday stories of all time. For those who aren’t familiar with the prolific British author, we’ll also give a brief biography of Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Facts Title: A Christmas Carol Author: Charles Dickens Publication date and place: December 1843, London (Chapman & Hall) Word count: 28,944 Genre: Victorian literary fiction, morality tale Plot Summary One of Dickens’ shorter works, A Christmas Carol is divided into five chapters, or “staves” (meaning a song stanza). The novella follows Ebenezer […]
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These are the last words of Hemingway’s 1926 novel, The Sun Also Rises. Loosely based on Ernest Hemingway’s real-life group of friends, the novel follows American expatriate Jake Barnes and his love interest, Englishwoman Brett Ashley. Often considered Hemingway’s finest novel, The Sun Also Rises captures readers with its depiction of glitzy Parisian cafes, excessive drinking, women’s sexual liberation and the tragic seduction of Pamplona bullfighting. Beyond a single work, though, Ernest Hemingway is remembered for writing about the Lost Generation and for his distinctly sparse, action-driven prose. (His unique writing style has even inspired an eponymous editing app.) “Isn’t it […]
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This quote is spoken by Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has become Austen’s most famous work, due in no small part to the BBC mini-series and 2005 movie of the same name. Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates British society’s (and her family’s) expectations for marriage, manners and morals. “What are men to rocks and mountains?” Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
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