Tags
1800s, 19th Century, Art, Darth Vader, Monet, Mute Mondays, Painting, Star Wars, Victorian
30 Monday Nov 2015
Posted Historical, Modern
inTags
1800s, 19th Century, Art, Darth Vader, Monet, Mute Mondays, Painting, Star Wars, Victorian
27 Friday Nov 2015
Posted Historical, Modern
inTags
1800s, 19th Century, Bereavement, Death, Fashion, Grief, Society, Victorian
My family and I are still in the throes of grief not only from the demise of my engagement a few months ago, but also the passing of my Nana this past week. It is interesting how different kinds of loss affect people. It all boils down to types of grief, or if you want to get all medical, “stages of grief.” I am not expert, although I did take an eye-opening Grief and Bereavement class in college. However, during a span of 18 months between 2006 and 2008, six family members died. SIX! Needless to say, I was forever changed as a result. So my Nana’s death, is not my first rodeo, but admittedly it was the one of the most beautiful and gut-wrenching funerals I ever attended.
25 Wednesday Nov 2015
Posted Historical, Modern
inTags
1800s, 19th Century, Architecture, Biography, Edwardian, Indian, Literature, Military, Mystery, Native American, Novel, Pre-Reads, Regency, Romance, Society, Steampunk, Victorian, Western, Women
Turkey is stuffed, the yams are sweet, and the family antics are. . . questionable. Let’s give thanks it will be all over soon, so we can now move on to more important matters, such as the newly published historical titles.–And you thought I was going to say Christmas, didn’t you?–The last Wednesday of the month is typically reserved for the hotly anticipated “Pre-Reads Post,” which consists of sixteen highly reviewed titles; half being fiction, the other half is non-fiction. I usually comb through over 400 book reviews a month to bring you this list. There is a nice-cross section of 19th century-esque publications. Some are modern spin-offs of classic literature, others envision steampunk fairytales or include novel settings to the growing steampunk cannon. Non-fiction is always more difficult to sort through. November’s list include a reprint and a few biographies. All summaries and reviews listed come directly from Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus Review, Baker and Taylor, or Amazon. Each title was published this month, so your local library or book store may or may not have them yet. But feel free to pester them to order it for you. I suggest utilizing the InterLibbrary Loan service, if it is available. Thus said, I have not read any of these books, but I want to read The Bronte Plot, as I have read another book by the author called Dear Mr. Knightley which I found thought-provoking and evocative. I might even dip into the steampunk Snow White out of curiosity. As far as non-fiction goes, The Bulloch Belles! Hands down! Sagas, mini-female biographies, all deliciously true stuff; what’s not to love?? Which ones are you eager to pick up to read?
Fiction
23 Monday Nov 2015
Posted Historical, Modern
inTags
1800s, 19th Century, Art, Art Nouveau, Cinema, Movies, Mute Mondays, Star Wars, Victorian, Women
21 Saturday Nov 2015
Posted Historical
inTags
1800s, 19th Century, Biography, Birthday, Empress Frederick, Holiday, Princess Royal, Prussia, Royalty, Victoria, Victorian, Wedding, Women
A very special post, on a very special day. Happy Birthday Princess Vicky!
Born Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom, Princess then Queen of Prussia, German Empress, Kaiserin, on November 21, 1840, Vicky was the first child of the Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Her mother was less than amused by her arrival in the world. Moreover that she was not a boy, but quickly stated Vicky would do.
Her father, Prince Albert was absolutely besotted with his daughter. In turn, Vicky adored and idolized her father. Of all the Queen’s children, Vicky was truly brilliant and a quick study. It made life difficult for her eight siblings who could never match her sharp mind. However, she was strong willed but shy; a homebody. She also, unfortunately, looked like her mother. Although palace sources would say she was a little more attractive than the Queen (but never in the Queen’s presence, obviously.).