This year I will be blogging once again from Virtual Booth #221b for Armchair BEA 2013.

 

Paget

Yes, that is a Sidney Paget illustration of Holmes in an armchair, with his ever faithful companion Watson in one as well.  But on to the introduction…

– Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

I am a writer, photographer, critic, and aspiring woman of letters.  I have been writing book reviews for almost 4 years now, but I wrote film reviews prior to that.  I sort of fell into book blogging by accident.  Someone I followed on Twitter made a comment about it and I responded.  Well, once I found out that people would send me books as long as I wrote about them.  Reading and writing and books!

– Where in the world are you blogging from?

I am in the beautiful Savannah, Georgia, USA.  It was founded in 1733 by Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe, a British subject.  At its inception, both alcohol and lawyers were banned from Savannah. Today we have plenty of both.  In our lovely historic district, people are welcome to carry a “traveler”, an alcohol beverage in a to-go cup.  I’ve been here for nearly 10 years now and I haven’t tired of it.  We have ancient oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss, beautiful squares and parks, several blocks of historic homes and buildings and a truly friendly atmosphere.

ColonialPark06

masonbldg

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013? 

I’m currently reading The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black by E.B.  Hudspeth.  It’s a beautiful book that has compiled the letters, notes and drawings of a (mad) scientist.  The favorite thing I’ve read recently is The Honey Thief  by Najaf Mazari and Robert Hillman.  It weaves ancient tales into modern day, like an Arabian Nights for this generation.

– Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s).

One of my favorites is Futility Closet: An Idler’s Miscellany of Compendious Amusements.  It’s a rolling blog of random bits of cool info, illusions, archaic words, art and puzzles.   I also like Design with Spine, a sort of cabinet of curiosity online.  And when I am feeling crafty I like to see what is up at Just Something I Made.

– Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read? 

As for a book review, I want everyone to read my post on The Accused by Joyce Carol Oates. One of my favorite film reviews was for a little-known movie called Glorious 39.  I also like my series of found photos.

Now, on to the Classics…

Some that have always stuck with me, and I would recommend to all readers:

  • The Woman In White, The Moonstone and Armadale  by Wilkie Collins.
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
  • All the Sherlock stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
  • Anything, but especially Jeeves & Wooster, by P. G. Wodehouse
  • The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged) by Alexandre Dumas
  • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

thecountofmontecristo1I think everyone should read the unabridged version of Monte Cristo.  It’s just amazing with so many sub-plots and side stories.  Yes, it’s lengthy but you still won’t want it to be over.

Check back later in the week for some fun giveaways, too!

 

 

24 thoughts on “ARMCHAIR BEA: Introduction and Classics”

  1. That picture of the gravestone is beautiful! I have a thing for cemeteries. They intrigue me 🙂

    Reading, writing, and books indeed! There’s nothing better!

    Happy ABEA!

  2. I gave the unabridged version of Count of Monte Cristo a go but it didn’t work out that well. I do think I will give it a go again and keep working away at it rather than try the abridged version. Hope you enjoy Armchair BEA!

    1. Yes, keep at it! It takes a little bit to get going but it’s SO worth it.

  3. I have only been to Savannah once, but I really loved it- you are very luck to live in such a beautiful place! I want to put Sherlock Holmes on my list of TBR classics.
    Enjoy ABEA!

  4. Gorgeous pictures of Savannah! I’ve never been to the South sadly but hope to visit some of the historical areas. And I’m so happy you are a fan of Jane Eyre AND Wodehouse! I love the Jeeves and Wooster series!

    Thanks for visiting my BEA post!
    Charlene @ Bookish Whimsy

  5. Savannah looks like such a beautiful area! I have a bind-up of the Sherlock Holmes stories, I just need to submerge myself in them. Monte Cristo is definitely a book I’d love to get to in the future, but it’s just so big! I think I need to stop being intimidated by books, haha.

    Thank you for stopping by my post, it’s nice to meet you! 🙂

  6. Oh that picture of the cemetery makes me want to visit. I have a mild obsession with taking graveyard photos. Love Day one of ABEA! I now want to read more and travel more.

    1. Me too! When we honeymooned in the UK, we went to 5 cemeteries! I have a very patient husband. 🙂

  7. One of these days I WILL get to Wilkie Collins! I actually have amassed a bit of a collection in preparation of that day 🙂

  8. We are classic book fan twins! And I’m jealous that you live in Savannah. I’ve always wondered about living there. It’s definitely on my list to visit.

  9. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I’m a new follower of yours 🙂
    I’m from the UK, but on our honeymoon, my husband and I did a road trip tour of the South of the USA. I’m gutted that we didn’t make it to Savannah, we just ran out of time.

    1. We went to the Uk on our honeymoon!
      Savannah is a great place. Stop by next time your in the neighborhood. 🙂

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