Book Nooks (7)



Book Nooks
*Every weekend*
Show us something pretty!




Commentary: Secluded but open to the sky, luxurious but casual - this charming spot is an appealing study in contradictions.

It's hard to pick the most welcoming thing about this particular spot; it could be the luminous quality of light, the expansive view, or the soothing greenery. It might just the fact that lots of small details have been anticipated and attended to with minimal fuss, in order to make the visitor feel at ease.

The space is cozy without being cluttered. The sturdy teak table is a good choice, wide enough to hold a few books and maybe a serving tray, low enough to be within easy reach. The metal frames of the matching couches don't look particularly comfortable, but the cushions make up for it, in addition to pillows for a lazy afternoon, or light blanket for chilly evenings. 

There's sunshine for reading during the day, with candles provided to provide enough illumination to read just one more page...

The only thing that might be missing is a rug to offset the scrape of those metal couch legs against the wood grain. It's definitely a consideration if those are slats and those couch legs are narrow enough that they'll tip into one of the spaces between - someone's going to wake up with a jolt, one day.  

In any case, a rug would just enhance the feeling of seclusion and quiet walking, talking - and, of course, reading. This charming spot has quite a few of the things that signal a top-notch reading nook; seclusion and peace, bright light, sturdy tables close at hand, and a focus on tranquility and comfort. Bella.

Details: Location unknown, photographer is Mikkel Vang. Part of slideshow in HouseBeautiful.com featuring cozy places, slide #45 of 46. 
The description given is: There's no reason why outdoor furniture shouldn't be as comfortable as indoor furniture. The inviting daybeds on this upstairs balcony are from the Amalfi collection by Janus et Cie and are covered in outdoor fabric from Kravet. The starry print on two of the pillows is Smith's Star Atlantico in Ocean, from Jasper. Teak coffee table and side tables from Sutherland. Glass hurricane lamps from Home Art.

Quizlet

Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat! (Oct. 23-31) - 2012


Hi! Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat! The first blog hop was a Bookie Brunch special event for Halloween, and it was a lot of fun, so we're just continuing the tradition.


On each blog stop from now through Halloween, a blogger or vlogger will have a handpicked Halloween treat to share with you - it might be a video clip, or a feature about great spooky films, a playlist of great, creepy songs, a recipe for treats, or a gallery of witches.


It might be anything! But it's sure to be something fun, so feel free to drop by each day from October 23-31, to pick up some cute treats to put you in the Halloween mood. All the treats will be added into the linky at the end of this post, so feel free to browse.


My treat for you is: (What is the treat)

(Explain what the treat is and why you picked it)
(Question, or giveaway, or invitation to discuss something, for readers)
(linky)

About Bookie Brunch: Bookie Brunch was a weekly book discussion founded by Sasha Soren, the author of Random Magic. Browse archive


***** Sidebar (if wanted for your sidebar) *****




***** Informal schedule *****
Here are the other nice folks joining you to come up with fun treats. :-)

Oct. 23

Reviews from my First Reads Shelf  (Aimee)
Twitter: @AimeeLaValle
- Topic TBA

Assortments (Manisha)
Twitter: @Chumbwa
- Gallery (topic TBA)


Oct. 24

Tina's Book Reviews (Tina)
Twitter: @BooksAtTinas
- Favorite spooky read(s)
- Including a giveaway


Oct. 25

Splash of our Worlds (Yiota)

Twitter: @SplashOOWorlds
Topic TBA

Unconventional Librarian (Pam)

Twitter: @Pamlovesbooks
Topic TBA

Oct. 26

Snowdrop Dreams of Books (Chrystal)
Twitter: @SnowdropDreams
- Video, campfire story
- Books that spark her Halloween spirit
- Including a giveaway



Story Wings (Amanda)

Twitter: @StoryWings

- Love spell
- Including a giveaway


vvb32reads (Velvet)
Twitter: @vvb32reads
- Topic TBA

Oct. 27
Maat's Feather of Truth (Sami)
Twitter: @SamanthaYoung6
Topic TBA

Oct. 28

Elbit Blog (Meri)

Twitter: @MeriGreenleaf
Topic TBA

Beyond Strange New Words (Pepca)

Twitter: @StrangeNewWords
- Halloween shows (TV) and related books

Oct. 29

Songs and Stories (Natalie)
Twitter: @LiederMadchen
Topic TBA

Oct. 30
The Fluidity of Time (Jo)

Twitter: N/A
- Topic TBA

Random Magic Tour (RMT)

Twitter: @RandomMagicTour
- Topic TBA (most likely audio book, ghosts, or creature feature)

Oct. 31

Story Wings (Amanda)
Twitter: @StoryWings

- Topic TBA
- Giveaway rollover (from Oct. 26)





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Women Reading (Dec. 28)



Women Reading (weekly)
*Every Wednesday*
Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)
Here's what's news!
Edition: Dec. 28-Jan. 3, 2011
Update: Series has wrapped.

Art and Quotes





Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people, citizens of distant epochs, who never knew each other. Books break the shackles of time, proof that humans can work magic. - Carl Sagan, Cosmos 

Discussions and Book Chats




Bookie Brunch question: What do you think of seasonally-themed books? 
Join this discussion


Events and Parties



January, 2012: Visit or Sign upHost A Literary Odyssey invites you to get down your dusty volumes of the Bard of Avon, and join her for a month of reading the works of William ShakespeareVisit or Sign up

By the way, William Shakespeare does put in an appearance in Random Magic, by Sasha Soren. At a party held among the clouds. With some pals like Lord Byron and Mark Twain. Thrown by a celestial muse who can't stop falling into fountains overflowing with vodka tonics. There's also a nine-dimensional cat. It all gets a bit complicated. Yes, slightly skewed version of Shakespeare, granted - ah, the secret life of William 'Shakes' Shakespeare...




January 22, 2012: Visit or Sign up: Host Sarah Says Read (@SarahSaysRead) invites you to take part in a 12-hour read-a-thon. Includes challenges and goodies. Visit or Sign up

Memes and Features
(Incl. reading challenges) 



Jan. 1- Dec. 31, 2012: Visit or Sign upThe Greek Classics reading challenge arrives in 2012. From the host: Take a look at the roots of Western civilization and ponder the great questions of existence by reading some ancient Greek literature. Participants will be reading from one to 12 classics of Greek literature. Host is Jean of Howling Frog Books and Musings of a Bookworm, no contact info available. Visit or Sign up



Weekly: Begins January 2012: Visit or Sign up: Host Snowdrop Dreams of Books (@snowdropdreams) invites authors and bloggers to share their must-haves for a stay on a desert island, in Deserted Island. Visit or Sign up



Jan. 1- Dec. 31, 2012: Visit or Sign upHost Tiffany from For Those About to Read (@AboutToRead) invites you to indulge yourself in up to 10 tales of myths and legends, in the Mythology Challenge, with focus on teen fiction (also called young adult fiction, or YA). The book list for the challenge is already up for browsing, so check it out, if you like: Book List
Random Magic by Sasha Soren is on the book list and counts for this challenge. 
Visit or Sign up for the challenge.




Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2011: Visit or Sign up: Host Melissa of Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf (@myeclecticbooks) invites you to grab your broomstick and join her for all manner of witchy things, in her Witches and Witchcraft reading challenge. 
Random Magic by Sasha Soren is on the book list and counts for this challenge. 
Visit or Sign up


Weekly: Every weekend (Fri. thru Sun.): VisitRandom Magic Tour (@RandomMagicTour) invites you to find and share a beautiful book nook every weekend - posts include a badge collection of all the pretty libraries, coffee shops or various reading rooms. Every weekend through Dec. 31, 2011. Visit or Participate


Videos and Vloggers

Shown above: Liddy of TheeBookMonster shares some of the titles she's acquired recently.



Shown above: Daisy of Between the Pages (@DBetweenPages) shares her take on the question of whether or not she reads seasonally-themed titles. Part of Bookie Brunch, hosted this week by Jennie (@joaniefontana) of Jennie's Corner.



Shown above: Liddy of TheeBookMonster shares her take on seasonal reads. Part of Bookie Brunch, hosted this week by Jennie (@joaniefontana) of Jennie's Corner.



Shown above: The Book Bunny (@The_BookBunny) gives a quick update on reads finished and coming up, puts herself on a book-buying ban and then promptly breaks her own rule (update in comments).

Book Adaptations and Media Marvels
(Incl. movies, music, games, tech, publishing news, other.)

Goodies and Giveaways


Prize pack item: Multi-title DVD (Region 1)



Prize pack item: Blank notebook



Prize pack item: Book and card set



Prize pack item: Quirky tote bag, folds up to fit on key clip

Win: Enter: Through January 15, 2011: Adorable prize pack at Bookie Brunch, hosted by The Fluidity of Time. Prize pack includes multi-title DVD, book, blank journals, chocolate and other goodies and a book tote. Tote, DVD, book and blank notebook shown above. Sponsored by The Fluidity of Time and Random Magic Tour. 

Win: Enter: Through January 3, 2011: Gift card for Uncommon Goods, purveyor of colorful and slightly offbeat items.



Win: Enter: Through January 3, 2011: Gift certificate for ProFlowers. Large selection of seasonal greenery. Sample bouquet shown above. Note: Offer not made or sponsored by Random Magic Tour.

Win: Enter: Through January 1, 2012: Enter to win a Kindle Fire e-reader. (More)


WIN: Enter: Through December 31, 2011: Now you won't have to wonder if the movie is as good as the book or not - win this classic novel and matching movie version. This set features a paperback edition of The Age of Innocence with a new, beautifully designed cover and a DVD of the feature film, nestled together in a sturdy case. This could be a nice treat to keep for a rainy weekend. Sponsor: Random Magic Tour. Win this cute book and DVD set

Grapevine, Last-Minute News and Misc. 

Grapevine: Lieder Madchen (@LiederMadchen) of Songs and Stories is sharing her invite to a review community for up to five fellow book bloggers who'd like to win a free book. Reply

Grapevine: Eleni of La Femme Readers (@LaFemmeReaders) would like to hear from anyone who might have a lead on a reliable and talented graphic designer who might be able to give a bit of a design lift to her book blogReply


Shown above: Christina at I Love Books (@Booklover_622) gives a quick update and puts out an open call out for book-loving vloggers who'd like to be part of her project. Reply

Upcoming



January 22, 2012: Visit or Sign up: Host Sarah Says Read (@SarahSaysRead) invites you to take part in a 12-hour read-a-thon. Includes challenges and goodies. Visit or Sign up

Book Nooks



Source: Random Magic Tour on Pinterest
More places: Book Nooks (weekly)

Participate in Women Reading
(Weekly, every Wednesday - or every Sunday, for weekend edition)
Update: Series has wrapped - December 2011
Notes
Header image: The Blue Pool (1911) by Augustus John

Talk to Us
Are you planning something cool for your blog, or have you heard about something great that we might have missed this week? Tell us about it!: @RandomMagicTour





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Book Nooks (6)

Book Nooks
*Every weekend*
Show us something pretty!

Commentary: 'Darling, I'm just going to step into this little nook in my insanely outlandish, yet strangely beautiful castle.' 'Oh, all right.'

The person who dreamed this castle up was popularly called the Fairy Tale King, the Swan King - and the Mad King of Bavaria. But you were probably guessing something along those lines, anyway...

Whether it's your point of view that this fellow, Ludwig II, was a misunderstood dreamer or shy eccentric, or a madman with an expensive hobby - NICE CASTLE! 



Shown above: Video tour of the castle, courtesy of World Site Guides
Visit World Site Guides' video channel: Browse videos


By the way, the Swan King appears briefly as a character in Random Magic, by Sasha Soren. More images of the castle here (SĂ€ngerhalle, or singer's hall), here (drawing room) and here (study). Additional images: Throne roomdining room.
Details: Bedroom, Schloss Neuschwanstein, Bavaria

Virtual Advent Tour: Indie songs for the season (Dec. 22)


Hi! Welcome to Random Magic Tour - The Coven, the official site for Sasha Soren, author of Random Magic.

Random Magic is an indie title, and so we thought it'd be fun to celebrate some other independent projects. What could be nicer than to enjoy some songs for the season!

What's more, these are all tunes you might not have heard, yet - all the selections are by indie artists. We hope you enjoy them all, and if you'd like to support the artist by downloading their tracks, a link has been provided for each.

Have fun, and hope you find at least one wonderful winter tune that you just love!


Shown above: Live performance, The Atheist Christmas Carol
Title: The Atheist Christmas Carol
Indie artist: Vienna Teng
Find this track: Amazon
More Vienna Teng: Blog | YouTube | Twitter


Shown above: Live performance, Thanks for the Roses
Title: Thanks for the Roses
Indie artist: Antje Duvekot
Watch official video: Thanks for the Roses
More Antje Duvekot: Blog | YouTube | Twitter


Shown above: Slideshow, Snow
Title: Snow
Indie artist: Loreena McKennitt
Find this track: Amazon
More Loreena McKennitt: Blog | Bio


Shown above: Lyrics, Angel
Title: Angel
Indie artist: Grey Eye Glances
Find this track: Amazon
More Grey Eye Glances: Blog


Shown above: Cover art for album that includes Sol Invictus
Title: Sol Invictus
Indie artist: Thea Gilmore
Find this track: Amazon
More Thea Gilmore: Blog


Listen to: Awake the Voice
Shown above: Promo still, Krista Detor
Title: Awake the Voice
Indie artist: Krista Detor
Find this track: Amazon
More Krista Detor: Site | Blog | YouTube | Twitter
Image source (promo photo)

We hope you've had a nice time here, and you're welcome to find out more about Random Magic by browsing any of the links below:

Find Random Magic: Print | Kindle
Explore Random Magic: YouTube | Tumblr | Twitter

You're also quite welcome to visit Songs of the Season, a fun music hop organized by @RandomMagicTour and featuring cool bloggers from all over the world:


Songs of the Season
Dec. 10-25, 2011
Visit: Songs of the Season

If you're dropping by from the Virtual Advent tour, please feel free to leave a souvenir badge to your post in the collection below. If you're not part of the tour but have a related winter post to include, you're welcome to add something nice.

Thanks for stopping by!
Advent Tour 2011 schedule is here: Find more posts
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Women Reading (Dec. 21-27, 2011)


Women Reading (weekly)
*Every Wednesday*
Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)
Here's what's news!
Edition: December 21-27, 2011

Art and Quotes


A well-composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter any other way. - Caroline Gordon

Discussions and Book Chats



Bookie Brunch question: If you could invite three authors to dinner, who would be on your guest list, and why? 

Note: We're not including quoted Bookie Brunch commentary in this space, as would be the usual content for this space - in the interest of not blurting out spoilers for this particular discussion. But there are lots of intriguing picks, feel free to drop by to add in some of your own.


***** Join this discussion *****

Events and Parties



Dec. 10-25, 2011: Visit: Feel free to join a group of great bloggers for a virtual round of caroling, with Songs of the Season, a fun and quirky music hop. From Dec. 10-25, discover new songs handpicked by each host, along with other fun things to enjoy each day. Browse schedule

Memes and Features
(Incl. reading challenges) 

Weekly: Every weekend (Fri. thru Sun.): VisitRandom Magic Tour (@RandomMagicTour) invites you to find and share a beautiful book nook every weekend - posts include a badge collection of all the pretty libraries, coffee shops or various reading rooms. Every weekend through Dec. 31, 2011. Visit or Participate

Videos and Vloggers


Shown above: Vlogger SableCaught (@Shinabu) is a guest at weekly book discussion Bookie Brunch this week, and gives her take on the question, 'Which three authors would you love to invite to dinner?'



Shown above: Vlogger SableCaught (@Shinabu) takes you along with her on a visit to Venice, Italy. Note: The Floating City in Random Magic (Sasha Soren) would probably be appreciated by anyone who loves Venice, Italy, too.



Shown above: (Part 1 of 2) The Book Bunny (@The_BookBunny) shares what's on her shelves. 



Shown above: (Part 2 of 2) The Book Bunny (@The_BookBunny) shares what's on her shelves.



Shown above: Vlogger Jennie (@JoanieFontana) of Jennie's Corner blog and video channel shares some of the titles she's acquired recently. 



Shown above: Vloggers Rachel Superbook (RachelSuperBook) and The Book Monster (styled TheeBookMonster) team up to do a Best Friends Book Haul, sharing titles they've acquired recently.



Shown above: Vlogger Rachel Superbook is doing a vlog countdown as part of her December Vlogathon - Christmas Countdown, co-hosted by Liddy of The Book Monster (Liddy spells it as TheeBookMonster). If you've missed the first set of December Vlogathon videos, you can find them in this edition of Women Reading: First part of December Vlogathon (Videos 1-11)
Title: Day 16 - December Vlogathon - Liddy Returns
Channel: RachelVlogSpot



(Special bonus video: Part of Songs of the Season music hop, Dec. 10-25, production by Random Magic Tour. Special guest in this video is Liddy, of Thee, Book Monster video channel.)



(Regular video for December Vlogathon)

Shown above: Vlogger Rachel Superbook is doing a vlog countdown as part of her December Vlogathon - Christmas Countdown, co-hosted by Liddy of The Book Monster (Liddy spells it as TheeBookMonster). If you've missed the first set of December Vlogathon videos, you can find them in this edition of Women Reading: First part of December Vlogathon (Videos 1-11)
Title: Day 15 - December Vlogathon
Bonus video: Songs of the Season video
Channel: RachelVlogSpot



Shown above: Vlogger Rachel Superbook is doing a vlog countdown as part of her December Vlogathon - Christmas Countdown, co-hosted by Liddy of The Book Monster (Liddy spells it as TheeBookMonster). If you've missed the first set of December Vlogathon videos, you can find them in this edition of Women Reading: First part of December Vlogathon (Videos 1-11)
Title: Day 14 - December Vlogathon
Channel: RachelVlogSpot



Shown above: Vlogger Rachel Superbook is doing a vlog countdown as part of her December Vlogathon - Christmas Countdown, co-hosted by Liddy of The Book Monster (Liddy spells it as TheeBookMonster). If you've missed the first set of December Vlogathon videos, you can find them in this edition of Women Reading: First part of December Vlogathon (Videos 1-11)
Title: Day 13 - December Vlogathon
Channel: RachelVlogSpot



Shown above: Vlogger Rachel Superbook is doing a vlog countdown as part of her December Vlogathon - Christmas Countdown, co-hosted by Liddy of The Book Monster (Liddy spells it as TheeBookMonster). If you've missed the first set of December Vlogathon videos, you can find them in this edition of Women Reading: First part of December Vlogathon (Videos 1-11)
Title: Day 12 - December Vlogathon - Christmas Tree!
Channel: RachelVlogSpot

Book Adaptations and Media Marvels
(Incl. movies, music, games, tech, publishing news, other.)



Shown above: Fan-made video for Admiral, featuring the song, Once Upon a December
Movies featuring writers: Admiral

About this film:  Mainly a biopic about Alexander Kolchak, a Vice-Admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy and leader of the anti-communist White Movement during the Russian Civil War, but a major part of the film also covers the enduring but tragic love story of Kolchak and poet Anna Vasilyevna Timiryova.

The real-life Anna worked as a translator for the Department of the Business Service of the Council of Ministers in 1918-1919. This was an agency attached to Kolchak's anti-communist White Movement in Siberia. After Kolchak's arrest, Anna approached the Bolsheviks and asked to share the same fate as her partner, saying, 'Arrest me. I cannot live without him.' Her life was spared but she was was imprisoned in Irkutsk until after Kolchak's execution in October, 1920.

In the years following the execution of her beloved Alexander, Anna Timiryova composed many poems dedicated to his memory. The new Soviet regime persecuted Anna with numerous imprisonments and other difficulties; the official charges leading to various arrests were always vague, including 'concealment of the past,' or 'accused of undesirable connections with foreigners and former White officers.'

Anna's son Vladimir, an artist and explorer, also suffered due to his connection with former stepfather Kolchak; he was arrested by the Soviet secret police, NKVD in 1938, and executed.

In her later years, and with her history largely unknown or obliterated, she was able to find a humble position working as a props manager behind the scenes at Rybinsk drama theater. Still secretly considered a potential threat to the Soviet regime, Anna was imprisoned again, on suspicion of spreading anti-Soviet propaganda. 


She was released in 1949, and returned to Rybinsk drama theater. The quiet props manager was by this time not a startling beauty but a dignified and well-mannered woman with grey hair and bright lively eyes, and the one great love that'd made her a target of vilification and persecution for the rest of her life had happened nearly 30 years prior.

Nobody in the drama theatre knew much about Anna Timiryova or her tragic love story, buried by time - but to the surprise of others in the theater, every time the director (a man of noble birth) saw Timiryova, he kissed her hand. 



Shown above: Trailer, Admiral. The main track on the OST is called Anna. Performed by Victoria Dayneko, composition by Igor Matvienko. The poem itself was written by Anna, in memory of Alexander Kolchak.

Actress Elizaveta Boyarskaya said of her character, Anna Timiryova, 'She was a woman of such force, of such will, with such magnanimity...When I read script, I was even a bit scared...'

After being asked about another costume drama, Doctor Zhivago, Elizaveta simply commented, 'The only thing that these two films share consists in the love which the Russian woman can carry; it is a topic approached by many novels. They love up to the last drop of blood, 'til the most dreadful end - to the death.'

Goodies and Giveaways


Prize pack item: Multi-title DVD (Region 1)



Prize pack item: Blank notebook



Prize pack item: Book and card set



Prize pack item: Quirky tote bag, folds up to fit on key clip

Win: Enter: Through January 15, 2011: Adorable prize pack at Bookie Brunch, hosted by The Fluidity of Time. Prize pack includes multi-title DVD, book, blank journals, chocolate and other goodies and a book tote. Tote, DVD, book and blank notebook shown above. Sponsored by The Fluidity of Time and Random Magic Tour. 

Win: Enter: Through January 3, 2011: Gift card for Uncommon Goods, purveyor of colorful and slightly offbeat items.



Win: Enter: Through January 3, 2011: Gift certificate for ProFlowers. Large selection of seasonal greenery. Sample bouquet shown above. Note: Offer not made or sponsored by Random Magic Tour.

Win: Enter: Through January 1, 2012: Enter to win a Kindle Fire e-reader. (More)


WIN: Enter: Through December 31, 2011: Now you won't have to wonder if the movie is as good as the book or not - win this classic novel and matching movie version. This set features a paperback edition of The Age of Innocence with a new, beautifully designed cover and a DVD of the feature film, nestled together in a sturdy case. This could be a nice treat to keep for a rainy weekend. Sponsor: Random Magic Tour. Win this cute book and DVD set




Win: Enter: Through December 27, 2011: Gift card for offbeat wall decal of choice from Urban Walls. Sample shown above. Note: Offer not made or sponsored by Random Magic Tour.




Win: Enter: Through December 26, 2011: Win a blog design makeover from Lady Jane Designs. (More)




Win: Enter: Through December 22, 2011: Win a Sony Vaio laptop (shown above). Offer via brand ambassador for Windows 7. (More)

Grapevine, Last-Minute News and Misc. 


Shown above: Atypyk Bravo flipbook, for spontaneous applause anywhere.


There're these two design guys in Paris who come up with little everyday items with quirky little twists. 



Shown above: Pause and play bookmark

The catalog and online shop is called Atypyk (atypical).



Shown above: Tinsel tape

So droll. Mixed in between the text here are one or two items picked out at random, just for amusement. The rest of their products are available here.


Source: Not on the High Street

Grapevine: Lieder Madchen (@LiederMadchen) of Songs and Stories is sharing her invite to a review community for up to five fellow book bloggers who'd like to win a free book. Reply

Grapevine: Eleni of La Femme Readers (@LaFemmeReaders) would like to hear from anyone who might have a lead on a reliable and talented graphic designer who might be able to give a bit of a design lift to her book blog. Reply

Upcoming

Weekly: Begins January 2012: Visit or Sign up: Host Snowdrop Dreams of Books (@snowdropdreams) invites authors and bloggers to share their must-haves for a stay on a desert island, in Deserted Island. Visit or Sign up



Jan. 1- Dec. 31, 2012: Visit or Sign upHost Tiffany from For Those About to Read (@AboutToRead) invites you to indulge yourself in up to 10 tales of myths and legends, in the Mythology Challenge, with focus on teen fiction (also called young adult fiction, or YA). The book list for the challenge is already up for browsing, so check it out, if you like: Book List
Visit or Sign up for the challenge.




January, 2012: Visit or Sign upHost A Literary Odyssey invites you to get down your dusty volumes of the Bard of Avon, and join her for a month of reading the works of William ShakespeareVisit or Sign up

By the way, William Shakespeare does put in an appearance in Random Magic, by Sasha Soren. At a party held among the clouds. With some pals like Lord Byron and Mark Twain. Thrown by a celestial muse who can't stop falling into fountains overflowing with vodka tonics. There's also a nine-dimensional cat. It all gets a bit complicated. Yes, slightly skewed version of Shakespeare, granted - ah, the secret life of William 'Shakes' Shakespeare...



Jan. 1- Dec. 31, 2012: Visit or Sign upThe Greek Classics reading challenge arrives in 2012. From the host: Take a look at the roots of Western civilization and ponder the great questions of existence by reading some ancient Greek literature. Participants will be reading from one to 12 classics of Greek literature. Host is Jean of Howling Frog Books and Musings of a Bookworm, no contact info available. Visit or Sign up



January 22, 2012: Visit or Sign up: Host Sarah Says Read (@SarahSaysRead) invites you to take part in a 12-hour read-a-thon. Includes challenges and goodies. Visit or Sign up

Book Nooks

Source: LindaPlaisted.com
More places: Book Nooks (weekly)

Participate in Women Reading
(Weekly, every Wednesday - or every Sunday, for weekend edition)

Notes
Header image: Juliet (1931), Alfred Lambart
Header image source and info: Laing Art Gallery, Culture Shock, BBC
Additional works by this artist: NMSI 
Header quote source: How to Read a Novel, Caroline Gordon
About Caroline Gordon: Bio
Sources, Admiral story: Actor quotes, actor quote (video), Anna Timiryova bio notes, film notes

Talk to Us
Are you planning something cool for your blog, or have you heard about something great that we might have missed this week? Tell us about it!: @RandomMagicTour
get the InLinkz code