11. Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by CS Lewis (1956)
It burned me from within. It quickened; I was with book, as a woman is with child.
First, above all, I love love love the title. This is Cupid and Psyche myth told through the eyes of Psyche’s “ugly” sister but it’s more that just their story. Just read it, it’s wonderful.
12. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (1986)
In the land of Ingary where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of the three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first; and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.
This is pretty much perfect to me. Also watch: the Hayao Miyazaki adaptation although I love this book more than the film.
13. Sandman by Neil Gaiman (1989-1996)
You say that I have no power? Perhaps you speak truly. But you say that DREAMS have no power? Ask yourselves, all of you, what power would hell have if those imprisoned here could not dream of heaven?
You already know how much I love Neil Gaiman. I don’t have to tell you anymore.
14. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke (1934)
Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.
Rilke is my favorite poet and I always reread his books because of the advice and truths he offers. So I’ll just post more of that here, below the cut:
Continue reading ‘70 Favorite Books: Letters to a Young Poet’
15. 95 Poems by ee cummings (1958)
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of the tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind,can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart ~ 92
I love ee cummings (as you saw in my fave poems list) and this is one of his first collections that I’ve read (which is why I chose it. that and i carry your heart [excerpt from poem above] is in it.)
Just finished watching Channel 4’s new period drama The Devil’s Whore (set during the English Civil War) and darn it made me almost cry at least 3 times (making me actually cry is next to impossible so…) all i can say is, watch it watch it watch it, if you can. it’s gorgeously shot and gorgeously acted too…which brings me to John Simm…
[ummm...sorry for hotlinking...will edit later]
you call this your ugly role? you’re dirty, scarred, not to mention wearing a dress (can’t see it much in this shot but he’s wearing a dress) and all I can think ugh, sexy [forgive me as my mind melts into a puddle.]
Really, if John Simm were undressing in front of me, I won’t be pointing a gun at him
Sexy Edward Sexby knows he’s hot. yes, he does.
which our heroine finally notices too…
I’m sorry if my hormones are getting the better of me but darn it simm, it’s unfair that you’re this attractive and why aren’t there men like you in real life? (at least my reality)
[insert dirty jokes here] because isn’t this shot just asking for it?
[cut because nsfw]
16. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (1995)
“I must be besotted,” he said evenly. “I have the imbecilic idea that you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. Except for your coiffure,” he added, with a disgusted glance at the coils and plumes and pearls. “That is ghastly.”
She scowled. “Your romantic effusions leave me breathless.”
Speaking of Beauty and the Beast… this is one of the the romance novel versions of the tale and as a romance novel, it doesn’t get better than this (in fact in reader polls, this is always voted the #1 romance of all time, beating even Pride and Prejudice. Imagine that.) Loretta Chase has been a favorite of mine because her books are always a fun read because she writes strong, fascinating characters and their dialogue just zings (plus her female characters are always kick-ass.) I also highly recommend The Last Hellion and Your Scandalous Ways.
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