Category Archives: Books
16 charming bookshops in the U.K. everyone must visit
Armchair Books in Edinburgh
Armchair Books
If you are an avid reader, be sure to check out Buzzfeed.com’s “16 Charming Bookshops in the UK Everyone Must Visit.”
We used to live next door to Armchair Books in Edinburgh, a lovely little store which is #3 on the list.
“You could easily lose a weekend while nosing about the dreamy Armchair Books. Delve into stacks and stacks of inviting tomes at this Edinburgh institution. If you’re still on the fence, Armchair Books are also great value on Twitter. Plus their logo is a dinosaur reading!”
The best of Winnie the Pooh
I spotted this on Facebook and had to share!
A.A. Milne’s first volume of Winnie-the-Pooh stories was published 89 years ago today. Here are great quotes to celebrate:
1. “Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. ‘Pooh!’ he whispered. ‘Yes, Piglet?’ ‘Nothing,’ said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. ‘I just wanted to be sure of you.'”
2. “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
3. “Some people care too much. I think it’s called love.”
4. “You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”
5. “Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them..”
6. “It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?”
7. “I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.”
8. “I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.”
9. “Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
10. “Promise me you’ll never forget me because if I thought you would, I’d never leave.”
11. “‘How do you spell love?’
‘You don’t spell it…you feel it.'”
12. “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
Yorkshire Mr. Men
Ah, I love the Mr. Men series. Mr. Tickle, Mr. Messy, Mr. Nosey. So iconic!
But this did make me laugh – well, why not a Yorkshire Mr. Men series, right?!
Book benches
London’s benches are becoming open books this summer, thanks to Britain’s National Literacy Trust, which has brought 50 new sculptures into the city, with help from public art promoter Wild in Art. Each bench celebrates a different story, ranging from C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” to Julia Davidson’s “The Gruffalo,” Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass” to J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan.”
Thanks, Ally, for the tip!
Shakespearean sayings
I spotted this on Facebook (on the REAL Peter Tork page!) and thought it was worth sharing! How many of these do you use every day? Thanks to William Shakespeare for adding more color to the English language!
RIP Sue Townsend
It was very sad news to hear that British author Sue Townsend passed away this week. Her series of books featuring teenager Adrian Mole have been legendary (I suppose she’s the British Judy Blume?!).
If you haven’t had the privilege of reading any of her writing, I’d suggest starting at the beginning with “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4.”
In the meantime, check out some of Adrian Mole’s best moments, courtesy of New Statesman.
Classical music piece enhances Roald Dahl’s ‘Dirty Beasts’
Interesting story on NPR yesterday — although children’s author Roald Dahl died nearly 25 years ago, he continues to inspire musical adaptations of his work.
Paddington Bear’s “Singing in the Rain”
At long last, after a record drought in Sacramento, we’re finally getting some rain.
Not rain like the U.K. has gotten rain all winter long, mind you, but at least it’s a start. And on that note, Ruby posted this delightful video of Paddington Bear “Singing in the Rain,” following my post last week about Gap’s Paddington Bear line. Enjoy!
Paddington Bear collection now at Baby Gap
Okay, this may be the cutest little Baby Gap collection I’ve seen in a while! The line includes rain boots, toggle ponchos, hoodies with bear ears and some sweet graphic footed outfits.
Very British Problems: The Book
I’ve blogged many times before about my pure unadulterated love for Very British Problems, the Twitter feed.
Now, Rob Temple has rolled out a book, elaborating on their concept beyond the 140 character limit. Chapters include “Repressing One’s Rage,” “Waiter Woes” and “Pavement Pitfalls” — the kinds of real world scenarios that are way too familiar for most of Brits and those sympathizers with British sensibilities. A perfect stocking stuffer!
BRITRISH.COM 