Devoted to Downton?

In the event there is a rare soul among you who has not yet heard of the phenomenon of “Downton Abbey”, a quick introduction: Downton Abbey is a period drama, written by Julian Fowles, shown on Masterpiece television (PBS) , and presently in its second season.  And it’s sooooo much more! The characters, the sagas, the fashions, the wit of Maggie Smith, the interiors, the scenery, the history, the romance, the manners, the drama, the wit of Maggie Smith … all contribute to decadently absorbing viewing. As you have gleaned, Maggie Smith is one of the most fabulous characters – she plays Lady Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham with saucy sarcasm and facial expressions to keep you wishing she was in every scene; she will make you cringe and laugh out loud in equal measure. It is all such great entertainment. Something this good must have a literary bent, right?

Well … Downton creator Julian Fellowes is the author of the novels Snobs, and Past Imperfect as well as writer of the screenplay for the movie Gosford Park. He is particularly respected for capturing the essence of an era – especially in manners and subtleties of communication. Fellowes’ hugely successful Downton Abbey has spurred enormous interest in reading of the era: non-fiction and fiction. There are pages of Google entries with the listing “If you like Downton Abbey, you’ll love reading these titles …” Here are some of the suggestions:

                     

Enjoy the viewing and the reading. I leave you with a little clip of marvellous Maggie.

Reading Russian

Geographical trends seem to occur in books, don’t you find? For a while, there was a rash of “India” writing (A Suitable Boy,  A Fine Balance …) and then stories set in China or Hong Kong (Snowflower and the Secret Fan,  The Piano Teacher …) My former book club read a number of stories set in Africa until consensus had us move on – to the UK. Well, I’ve noted a recent trend to reading Russian. I read the classic Anna Karenina and Doctor Zhivago years ago but recently finished The True Memoirs of Little K and A Mountain of Crumbs – I enjoyed them all. Such an intriguing history and fascinating characters making their way through it. In only the past few months/weeks The Winter Palace, Catherine the Great, Enchantments, and The Little Russian have all been released. Each one looks appealing to me so it appears another literary trip to Russia could be in the works! (As usual, click on the image to be taken to a website with more information about the book.) Where have your books been taking you?

Love Stories

Love, your books. Or is that “Love your books!” ?

Happy Valentine’s Day

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Books are already the winners at this year’s Academy Awards. It may be a ceremony dedicated to honouring the best in film but the power of the word prevails through the Nominee list this year; six of the nine Best Picture Nominees are based on successful books. I’ll list those titles below if you aren’t yet familiar with them … Meanwhile, flying books star in an Oscar-nominated Animated Short Film and that’s what I’ve been itching to share with you.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a 15 minute long film by the creative and talented Moonbot Studios. The short film has been described as: “drawing its inspiration from “Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books. Reviews call it “poignant” and “heartwarming”  and a “love-letter to books” but one commenter summed it up perfectly in my mind: “How truly lovely. A beautiful, simple story that, like the best books, reaches the heart of anyone willing to take a moment and enjoy.”

I hope you can open a 15 minute window sometime in your schedule and savour this little tribute to books and reading and so much more. Cheer with gusto when they win their Oscar!

There is also a Flying Books award-winning iPad App you might want to explore. I personally love this Mr. Morris themed iPad case:

And … These are the books which have inspired The Academy Award Best Picture Nominees in 2012:

             

A Reader’s Bill of Rights

The above “Bill of Rights” is the work of one Daniel Pennac and is contained within his popular book, Better Than Life.

Its publisher, Stenhouse Publishers, describes it best:   “In Better than Life, Daniel Pennac shares the secrets that all book lovers treasure. Delving into his experiences as a parent, a writer and a teacher, he asks, how does the love of reading begin? How is it lost? And how can it be regained? This remarkable book explores simple ways to create a life-long devotion to reading.”

Sticking to the “Reader’s Bill of Rights”, note that there is an enchanting version of it produced in a stand-alone book illustrated, and with a forward by, Quentin Blake. Anyone recognize the look of Literary Love in that expression?!

Though first drawn to Daniel Pennac by his “Rights”, I was impressed by what I learned about his career and commitment to promoting Literacy for children. An article in the Independent newspaper entitled: Daniel Pennac: Head Teacher from the School of Joy will tell you more … click the link to read on and enjoy!

Reading Here and There

I had to chuckle on Saturday morning while reading The Globe and Mail feature “My Books, My Place”. This week’s guest was Kate Beaton, a cartoon artist whose work appears primarily on the web (Hark! A Vagrant) and now in a recently published book format of the same title. Here, along with her illustration above, is Kate’s charming contribution to the Globe:

My favourite place to read is really anywhere so long as I can spread myself out. Couch, rug, bed, whatever feels best. This is because I’m a fidgeter. I flip-flop around a book like it’s the only thing I have to hold onto in a storm.

I wish I could tell you that I read in my favourite café with my legs neatly crossed, sitting next to a peppermint tea atop a dainty saucer, all in a beam of morning light. But I can’t, because I’m lying on my belly, ignoring the fact that leaning on my arms is making them fall asleep. When they do, no problem. I just plop around onto my back and hold the book above my head, or maybe curl around the book on my side in some unnatural fashion, or sit up and balance it on my knees.

Did you just step on something? Oh, that was me. I was rolled up in a blanket on the floor. Don’t worry about it.

When I was a teenager, I even threw sitting awkwardly upside down into the mix, legs thrown up and over the back of an armchair, but had to give that up when I became a Lady because no gentleman worth his salt takes an upside-down person to the altar. Not that I’m fishing for husbands when I’m halfway through the latest George R.R. Martin, but you have to draw a general conduct line somewhere, don’t you think?

Are you like Kate, a fidgeter? I love a big armchair with room to curl … you?

Journaling Inspiration

There’s something about January that musters up a desire to be creative – have you found that? Specifically, I find that Journals catch my eye and the idea of keeping one appeals more than usual; I suppose that must be linked to the start of a new calendar year. I have never religiously kept a “Diary” type journal but do have a jumble of well-loved and scrawled upon notebooks – I always have one with me and fill it with random thoughts and observations. If I don’t write it down … whoosh! Gone for good.  There are so many beautiful notebooks available these days; the notebook itself can serve as inspiration. It also fascinates me to peek at the notebooks kept by artists. Take a look at these lovely books featuring the sketchbooks of various artists – you’ll be trotting out to pick up a palette of paints or a crisp box of Crayolas (deep sniff – yum!) and bursting forth with your own creativity in no time.

Take a video wander through the pages and hear about An Illustrated Life’s creation below:

Drawn In: A Peek Into the Inspiring Sketchbooks of 44 Fine Artists & Illustrators, Graphic Designers & Cartoonists presented by Julia Rothman. Click on the image to be taken to amazon.ca and an opportunity to look within.

And of course there are a few other artists who have their sketchbooks published for our enjoyment. Here are two classics:

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden is out of print nowadays but you can keep an eye out in your local Used books store. Worth a search.

  

Sara Midda’s tiny watercolours are beautiful. South of France is my favourite but she has done several other books in similar style including In and Out of the Garden.

Feeling inspired yet? You could start by treating yourself to a whimsical notebook like these ones … (available at Chapters and beyond) Have fun!

Happy New Year – Good Reading Ahead!

Happy New Year to you all … and yes, a wish as well for a year of good reading ahead!

To give you a little kick-start, here are a few articles I’ve enjoyed on-line in recent weeks – just click on the link and read away!

How many of you have crossed over to the e-reader side? Were you the recipient of an e-reader gift this Christmas? I’ve not surrendered but admit to being tempted. I enjoyed Daphne Bramham of the Vancouver Sun’s take on her e-reader experience here.

Katherine Paterson, recent US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, reviews her tenure in a moving article here in the Huffington Post.

Read about the true life inspiration for the beloved novel National Velvet: Enid Bagnold’s daughter and British First Lady Samantha Cameron’s great-aunt, Laurian, Comtesse d’Harcourt. Liz Hunt’s article in the Telegraph beautifully captures the lady and the fascinating life she’s lived. Ah the trivia!

Did you manage to read some good books over the holidays? Let me/us know which ones were hits. I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately – haven’t read a “love-it!” book for a while so I’m all ears.

And finally, a lovely quote to read at the start of a year from the short story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

Christmas Snowy Woods

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost, 1923

I have always loved the poetry of Robert Frost and this particular poem always makes me think of taking time for a quiet moment during the busy-ness; some of my most cherished Christmas season memories involve snow and horses and I love the image he paints. Whether you be surrounded by snow (Hello Skiers!) or warmed by a hot tropical sun (Hello Hawaii!) or dampened by a soggy mist (Hello Vancouver!) … whatever your holiday weather, I hope you are gathered with family and friends and still finding a quiet moment to reflect peacefully and gratefully on what you value most in the world.

A warm welcome to those who’ve recently joined our Bedside Table Books community and a thank you to those who’ve been here from the start … Have a wonder-ful Holiday season and may fresh pages, and time to read them, await you!

The Greatest Gift: A Wonderful Life

Before there was “It’s A Wonderful Life” (the movie that’s become a heartwarming Christmas classic starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed) there was a charming little short story that seemed destined never to be read.

Philip Van Doren Stern was a writer and editor with particular expertise on the topic of the Civil War. One morning he awoke having had a strikingly clear dream about a suicidal man who was given an opportunity to view what life would have been like for those he loved had he not lived to impact their lives. Van Doren Stern quickly wrote down the dream in its entirety and then, over the following few years, worked it into a short story he called “The Greatest Gift”. When he believed it was ready to share, he distributed the story in hopes of publication but was met with unanimous rejection. Finally, during World War II, he printed 200 copies himself and distributed them as Christmas cards to friends and family. By chance, a Producer at RKO pictures had a chance to read the short story and was immediately motivated to purchase its film rights. At about the same time, Good Housekeeping magazine printed the story in their January 1945 issue with the title, “The Man Who Was Never Born”. In 1945, RKO sold the film rights again to Frank Capra who created the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, released in 1946. “It’s a Wonderful Life” did not enjoy box office success at all but still managed to be nominated for 5 Oscars – it won none. The movie faded away until the early 1970s when a clerical oversight resulted in a failure to renew the film’s copyright. It entered public domain and was promptly picked up by television networks whose frequent seasonal airings turned it into the classic it is now considered.

This holiday season, Graphic Image has issued a limited edition hard cover reproduction of Van Doren Stern’s first self-printed pamphlet which he shared with his friends. It’s a beautiful little book and can even be purchased in a fancy red leather collectible version. Take a peek at it here on the Graphic Image website. What a wonderful Christmas gift for your friends.

I love when a book is the star of the story!

I hope you’re finding time during this week to enjoy a few holiday classics – either in written or movie form.