Illustrating Thursdays: Edmund Dulac

Edmund Dulac was a French illustrator living from 1882-1953. He illustrated classic myths, fairy tales, and other types of literature (he was commissioned to illustrate Jane Eyre at age 22). He also designed stamps and bank notes during WWII.

His works are timeless and enchanting and his use of color is just breathtaking. You can order calendars and cards with his work and view more of his illustrations here.

 

From The Snow Queen:

From The Little Mermaid:

Holiday for Grown Ups: Funny Girls

Two books at the top of my holiday wish-list are Cool, Calm and Contentious by Merrill Markoe and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling.

I love funny books by funny ladies, and these two come highly recommended. (Here are some reviews, in case you’re on the fence about whether you want them too.)

Funny ladies are so in right now, with the success of Bride’s Maids and a slew of new female fronted comedies on the TV. If you’re looking for a gift, or if you’re into keeping all the good things for yourself, here are a couple of suggestions:

Review: Imaginary Girls

Author: Nova Ren Suma

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Series: n/a

Genre: YA, Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy

Rating:  3.5/5  

Recommendation: Ages 14+

From Goodreads:

Chloe’s older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can’t be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby’s friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

First of all, how amazing is that cover? It’s gorgeous. I have a lot of feelings about this book.  Not all of them good. This book is one of the most difficult I’ve had to review. It’s an incredibly layered and complex read with lyrical, image heavy writing and a moody atmosphere.

And the Winner is…

Congrats to Erin who won the Seven Realms Trilogy giveaway!!!!

If you didn’t win check back soon, there are some big giveaways in the works for New Years and onward.

Also, apologies for the irregular posting, we’ve had a combo of technical issues and personal crisis for the past week, but everything’s sorted and posting will resume as scheduled tomorrow.

Giveaway Update

NOTE: The Giveaway of The Seven Realms Trilogy Books 1-3 by Cinda Williams Chima ENDS TODAY 12/8/11 at Midnight EST. So get your entries in! Winner will be notified tomorrow and posted as soon as they confirm.

Review: The Lost Hero

Author: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Hyperion

Series: Heroes of Olympus Book #1

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Adventure

Rating:  4/5 

Recommendation: Ages 12+

25 Days of Christmas Event

‘Hippies, Beauty, and Books’ will be doing 25 Giveaways this month for the 25 days of Christmas!! (along with lots of other fun things.) Click above or here for more info!!!

Illustrating Thursdays: Poucette (Thumbelina) Illustrated by Charlotte Gastaut

Illustrating Thursdays is a new meme Created and Hosted here on I’ll Read Anything Once. Along with reading, one of my great loves is art and illustration. Illustrating Thursdays is made to show off both. Favorite picture books or illustrations from a book, illustrations or art based on a book, or art that reminds you of a book you love are all fair game. Make sure to credit the artists and provide info on the books you choose. If you want to participate please do! Leave a link to your posts in the comments and link us in your post. (we’re working on a widget for everyone to use when they participate in the future).

Charlotte Gastaut is a French artist and illustrator. She’s got lots of books to her name including the lovely Poucette (you can see a complete list at her website here. )

I Spill My Coffee, You Get a Giveaway!

NOTE: Giveaway ENDS TODAY 12/8/11 at Midnight EST. So get your entries in! Winner will be notified tomorrow and posted as soon as they confirm.

As I was writing up my review of Gray Wolf Throne I spilled my coffee. A tragedy, I’m sure you agree. It got all over everything on my desk with the thankful exception of my laptop. It did however stain the tops of a few pages of  The Gray Wolf Throne.

This unspeakable horror has prompted me to do something that I had actually thought about doing when I realized that I’m in love with these books and want to keep them forever. And that thing is to invest in hard backs of all three of the books that are out so far (the fourth and final book is out in the fall of 2012…so far away!).

Which means you, my dear readers, will have a chance to win my paperback (and slightly coffee stained hardback) copies of The Demon King, The Exiled Queen, and The Gray Wolf Throne.

Review: The Gray Wolf Throne

Author: Cinda Williams Chima

Publisher: Hyperion

Series: Seven Realms #3

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Rating:  4.5/5 

Recommendation: Ages 15+