Articles from the Blog

Raymond Carver: What We Talk About When We Talk About Love

AuthorsContemporary Literature
Raymond Carver quote graphic by Books on the Wall

We’ve all seen the supermarket flowers, the balloons, the heart-shaped chocolate boxes and giant overfluffed plush animals. Yep, it’s almost Valentine’s Day! We thought we’d celebrate the upcoming holiday with a fitting title from one of America’s most renowned short story writers, Raymond Carver’s “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.” “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” Though the title makes this story sound like an obvious choice for Valentine’s Day, the reality of the text is a little more complex. The prose is clean and direct (like most of Carver’s work) and its setting and characters […]

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Words Wednesday: Louisa May Alcott

Classic LiteratureQuotesWords Wednesday
Louisa May Alcott quote graphic by Books on the Wall

This quote comes from Louisa May Alcott’s most popular novel, Little Women. Published in 1868 and 1869, Little Women follows the four March sisters—Amy, Beth, Jo and Meg—as they grow up in America during the Civil War. Little Women is also featured on our newest product, a 24″x18″ poster featuring text until Chapter 18 of Little Women. “Love is a great beautifier.” Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

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NEW! Huckleberry Finn Book Poster

AnnouncementsClassic Literature
Huckleberry Finn book poster by Books on the Wall

This 24″x18″ poster displays up to Chapter 28 of the The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one of the most critically acclaimed American novels of all time. Here, Huck and Jim sail down the Mississippi River on their handmade raft. See full details on the Huckleberry Finn book poster product page.

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5 Memorable Isabel Allende Quotes [Quote Graphic]

AuthorsContemporary LiteratureQuotes
Isabel Allende quotes graphic by Books on the Wall

Chilean-American author and journalist Isabel Allende has written many popular novels, including The House of the Spirits, City of the Beasts and Eva Luna. Born in Peru, Allende’s father was the cousin of Salvador Allende, the Chilean president from 1970 to 1973. After a coup overthrew Allende and installed Augusto Pinochet as head of the military junta, Isabel Allende fled for her life to Venezuela, where she lived for 13 years. In Venezuela, Allende worked as a journalist for a prominent national newspaper. Allende’s most well-regarded novel is probably The House of the Spirits, which has been compared with Gabriel Garcia […]

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Around the World: Recommendations for Your Next Book [Infographic]

Classic LiteratureContemporary LiteratureInfographic
Recommendations for your next book banner by Books on the Wall

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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Words Wednesday: Haruki Murakami

Contemporary LiteratureQuotesWords Wednesday
Haruki Murakami quote, graphic by Books on the Wall

This quote comes from Murakami’s best-selling novel Kafka on the Shore. One of Murakami’s most beloved works, Kafka on the Shore follows 15-year-old Kafka and 60-something Nakata, two men whose lives become tied together by dreamlike blackouts, a mythical stone, an infamous murder, a reclusive library manager and an old song entitled “Kafka on the Shore.” “If you remember me, then I don’t care if everyone else forgets.” Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

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Books to Read for 2016

Classic LiteratureContemporary Literature
Books for the new year banner, graphic by Books on the Wall

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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NEW! Don Quijote Book Poster

AnnouncementsClassic Literature
Don Quijote by Miguel Cervantes book poster by Books on the Wall

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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Words Wednesday: Charlotte Bronte

Classic LiteratureQuotesWords Wednesday
Charlotte Bronte quote, Jane Eyre, graphic by Boooks on the Wall

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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Happy Birthday, Ernest Gaines

AuthorsContemporary Literature
Happy birthday, Ernest Gaines!

Today, celebrated American author Ernest Gaines turns 83. To celebrate, let’s take a look at Gaines’ life, his writing, and his many achievements and awards. Life of Ernest Gaines The oldest of 12 children, Ernest James Gaines was born on January 15, 1933, on a sugar plantation in rural Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. Gaines was raised primarily by his great-aunt Augusteen Jefferson on the same land where his ancestors were once held as slaves. From the age of 9, Gaines worked in the fields with his family, only attending school for half the year in a one-room schoolhouse at the local […]

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