Read by the August Moon

Tags

1800s, 19th Century, 2014, Literature, Novel, Pre-Reads, Steampunk, Victorian

Young Girl Reading by Otto Scholderer, 1883

The Pre-Reads are here! As the last Wednesday of the month, it is time to reveal 16 new and up-coming titles that are 19th century in nature. The books may be historical fiction, biographies, non-fiction, or even steampunk. All titles below are newly published or not yet published. Consequently, I have not read any of the titles listed below so I cannot recommend any particular one. Likewise, I am not paid to endorse any of these titles. The fiction titles have been reviewed by Library Journal, Kirkus Review, Publisher’s Weekly and the synopsizes are taken directly from the Baker and Taylor website. If the summary is pithy, I have copied from Amazon. If you have no idea what I just said, it is quite okay. The bottom line is . . . books! Lots of them! Set during our favorite time period! Take a gander below and let me know which one(s) you plan on pestering your local librarian to purchase.

Fiction

The Vintner’s Daughter by Kristen Harnisch

Loire Valley, 1895. When seventeen-year-old Sara Thibault’s father is killed in a mudslide, her mother sells their vineyard to a rival family whose eldest son marries Sara’s sister, Lydia. But a violent tragedy compels Sara and her sister to flee to New York, forcing Sara to put aside her dream to follow in her father’s footsteps as a master winemaker. Meanwhile, Philippe Lemieux has arrived in California with the ambition of owning the largest vineyard in Napa by 1900. When he receives word of his brother’s death in France, he resolves to bring the killer to justice. Sara has travelled to California in hopes of making her own way in the winemaking world. When she encounters Philippe in a Napa vineyard, they are instantly drawn to one another, but Sara knows he is the one man who could return her family’s vineyard to her, or send her straight to the guillotine.

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Happy Birthday, Dear Prince!

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1800s, 19th Century, Birthday, Prince Albert, Royalty, Victorian

The Young Prince

If he had lived, Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, would be turning 195 years old today. Alas, the over-worked monarch died at the young age of 42 years. His demise was incredibly unfortunate for humanity and his death pivoted the image of the Victorian era forever.

You see, Albert, was a gentle, industrious soul who never abused the hero worship put on him by the Queen. As a consort, he was extremely limited by his initial role capacity and was deeply hurt his wife did not trust him with Monarchal duties. However, she relented to the man who was her rock and allowed him to slowly become involved in the politics of the crown. Once Victoria gave Albert permission, he flourished!

He was deeply affected by the wealth strata and ushered in social reform, from sanitation to improving the slums and quality of life. Do keep in mind, that he could never issue a direct order and had to work through the Queen, whom in turn, was becoming more of a figurehead and could not issue a decree without approval of Parliament. Yet, Albert worked his angles. He even fought and argued with Victoria on some of these points. He would get into such a snit and storm off, which frightened the Queen and she almost always relented. He rarely pulled these “tantrums” but he did so on the issues he was most passionate about.

He influenced Victoria with the idea of honesty and simplicity. Considering all the previous Monarchs, the Victorian Royal Family was down right “normal.” They did not drain the entire coffers of the kingdom. They did not have wild indiscretions flaunted around the press (in fact, as far as we know there were no affairs!) They ate simple English meals, relatively speaking. They were even economical with their candles! They both did not like attending or hosting large court parties, but did so on occasion out of a sense of obligation.–They sound kinda boring actually.

Mute Monday-It Runs in the Family

Tags

1800s, 19th Century, Czar Nicholas II, Edwardian, King George V, Photography, Royalty, Victorian

Czar Nicholas II of Russia and his cousin, King George V of the United Kingdom, whom would later betray/turn a blind eye to Nicholas in his greatest hour of peril.

A Brisk Promenade

Tags

1800s, 19th Century, 2014, Fitness, Society, Victorian, Women

In my goal to obtain my ideal healthy figure, I have been working out. . . a wee bit. Trying different things. So many of these exercises require too much effort *whine whine*whimper whimper* My aim is to create a plan of the least possible effort for the maximum results. Basically, I cut back on salt and use my pedometer to obtain 11,000 steps. Since the inception of this little plan, I have lost one pound a week for the past two weeks. Nothing terribly remarkable, but I’ll take it! I also have a sinking feeling I will need to increase both physical and gastronomical regime in a week or two when I plateau. I still have a few weeks before attending the wedding (any excuse will do) and a week after that is my birthday (a much better excuse)!

The Victorians also love to amble about. Although it was not for fitness; that is so pedestrian. If they wanted to look a certain way, they would mold their mode of dress with underpinnings and the like. No, the Victorians took to the promenade for vanity; to see and be seen. It was also a pleasant and socially acceptable way to meet people (although there are strict rules on public decorum, etiquette, and a dictionary’s worth of slights and cuts that I shall not get into). Walking showed off one’s dress and one’s figure; which could never fully be achieved riding in a carriage. In the Country, it was considered a wonderful pastime to take in nature and perhaps to be a bit rambunctious. Lastly and more practically, walking was a means of travel.

Ad Girls Club

Tags

2014, Advertising, Business, Friends of the Library, Librarianship, Work

Life is getting extremely busy of late. Perhaps because school has resumed? Along with classes, there are sports; and by sports, I mean one in particular: Football. Yes, sir, my temporary widowhood is in full effect. I am back to scheduling my one hour a week cuddle time with My Suitor and planning our monthly movie date . . . , it leaves much time on my hands. Contrary to popular belief, I love it! Not, missing My Suitor part (in modern parlance, “That just sucks.”), but having Me Time!

I am no stranger to keeping myself entertained, perhaps it’s a hold over from being the youngest child and being banned from the big kids’ play. Regardless of the reason, I relish my six months of “singlehood.” I was pondering the idea of auditing a course at the local college, attending community classes, joining a club, or generally taking over the world (That is always on my list of things to do.–In fact, a co-worker likened me to Pinky and the Brain yesterday. Although, she did amend her comment saying, “Although, some days you are ALL Pinky!).

What happened instead of me looking for something to do, I was named the new Advertising and Marketing Person for the Friends of the Library organization. That said, I have absolutely no formal training in the subject; so I am researching up a storm. When questioned, they picked me because I am full of ideas and creativity, enthusiastic (I believe “spastic” was also tossed around), and hard working. I jumped at the chance! I am absolutely thrilled! The Friends of the Library organizations are essentially the fundraising arm of a public library. Every library that is not run by volunteers has one. Their sole reason for being, is to cover costs the City, Board, or Budget-makers cannot or will not cover. This could be a water fountain, furniture, computers, sponsoring specific programs, paying for conferences and training for staff, and so on and so forth. I am already a heavy contributor to the Friends of the Library Newsletter (because people keep asking me to write articles and I get to say “Yes, of course!”) Now have my own column where I get to write whatever I want. How fun!

To think this quasi-promotion comes on the heals of my own stab at marketing and advertising for the Literati, my adult book club. I sent out three articles to different local periodicals and they are all going to be featured! The cool magazine put it up on their website. The “business casual” complimentary magazine actually published it with fantastic art they created to go with the piece. This is my first time one of my article is published in print! Okay, so it is buried on page 94 of a 100 page magazine in the Dining, Travel, and Entertainment section, but gosh darn it, world take overs have got to start somewhere! I joked to my cousins who want copies of the publication, that I would even sign the article for free. Mlle V, texted me “Oooo, then I can say I knew you way back when!” To which I replied, “I know, right?! Don’t worry, I will always remember the little people who helped me along the way.”

The best part about all of this advertising for the Literati? The newspaper is going to cover it! The other librarians have had major write ups about their programs and now I can join the ranks! This is still a small town and the library makes it on the front page a least six times a year. Cross your fingers, this time it will be me on the cover!

For the curious minds, my own stab at marketing and advertising of the Literati cover about 15 different avenues. Thus far the reception has been fabulous! In fact, I have gotten three requests from other businesses and organizations to partner with the Literati. I am expecting anywhere from 30-50 people to attend the Premiere. Of course, I will write all about it here on 19th Century Modern come September. Huzzah!