Things I Read, Ideally By The Seaside

[seasidereader]

I picked up this lovely book at Tynemouth market for 50p and I’ve been enjoying flicking through the thin paper, reading the poems that I know I already have in later editions, but I take delight from the form and texture and smell of this book. From its age and gilded edges and the noise it makes as I turn the leaves. It’s been the last things I’ve read at night these past few days.

And that name, Quiller Couch, a name that was often mentioned when I studied for my degree. It all blends to make this a deliciously familiar thing.

[seasidereader]

I never really liked James Joyce, there was just something deeply unhappy about every piece of his I read and The Dubliners is no exception, but I could always recall there was art in his writing. It was meaningful and powerful and much as his world view seemed entirely rooted in grim anxiety it was at least well constructed. So I’ve been listening to his work again and it’s making me want to know more about Ireland and the bits of the family who came from there.

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B004EW0PKA?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdp

[houghtonlib]

Here are a few of the images we’ve posted over the years that Tumblr has now flagged as violating the ban on adult content. We thought you might like to see them one more time in case we lose our appeal and they are permanently deleted.

[seasidereader]

Tumblr seems to be getting things very wrong at present.

[books-n-quotes]

“I’ve spent so much time in my head and in my heart that I forgot to live in my body.”

— Tara Hardy, Bone Marrow

[seasidereader]

So very accurate and troubling.

[seasidereader]

I like browsing in libraries because I can occasionally find gems such as this Erskine Childers' tale of the War In South Africa. I imagine it's the same Childers who later wrote The Riddell of the Sands. I need to undertake a little research to check.

[thetime-ishere-deactivated20180]

I know you’re sad, so I won’t tell you to have a good day. Instead, I advise you to simply have a day. Stay alive, feed yourself well, wear comfortable clothes, and don’t give up on yourself just yet. It’ll get better. Until then, have a day.

[seasidereader]

Autumn approaches. This fruit tree always turns early, but it's a sign that summer is moving on. Soon I shall have to wear a jumper when reading in the garden.

[life]

In 1964, LIFE photographer Michael Rougier accompanied an expedition to the bottom of the world, where researchers planned to retrace the steps of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary World War I-era Antarctic expedition. By the time LIFE magazine published his pictures in May 1965, the focus of the story had narrowed considerably – namely, Rougier’s photos appeared in an article about American and Russian scientists studying the navigational prowess of Adélie penguins. This image is an outtake from the 3000+ images Rougier shot on the assignement. (Michael Rougier—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images) #wildLIFEwednesday #penguins

[booksqouted]

What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?

Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man (via booksqouted)

[seasidereader]

Pre-book

There are words and phrases which have a tendency to make me irate: one of them is the tautology "pre-book." According to Google Book means "verb 1. reserve (accommodation, a place, etc.); buy (a ticket) in advance. "I have booked a table at the Swan"" while Pre is defined "pre preposition: pre previous to; before." If we take booking to mean "advance reservation" then prefixing "pre" to it effectively creates "advance, advance reservation" which just doesn't sound right, so why do so many people say "pre-book?"

[seasidereader]

[seasidereader]

Today involved going to Seahouses, Northumberland, and talking about books.

[jab-wrestling]

Deep down in the crusty layer of my heart and mind I truly believe this quote could be used for anything in life. You can accomplish anything if you keep going and never give up. Only when you quit in life is when you truly lose. - Jab

[ive-got-to-moveit-moveit]

[wordsnquotes]

It’s easy for someone to joke about scars if they’ve never been cut.

William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet (via wordsnquotes)

[seasidereader]

Sitting in the garden, looking at the sun on the adjacent garden's Trees, wondering about words and what I can do with them. No typing, no writing, just thinking. Even behind the telephone lines it's beautiful and peaceful and gives me a few moments calm reflection as the leaves move in the wind. Take a few minutes yourself, for yourself and not for any work.

[books-n-quotes]

When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

Arthur Conan Doyle, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (via books-n-quotes)