Tag Archives: history

Holy Library Lookbook

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Let’s celebrate this Holy day with a Holy Lookbook.
Here are some beautiful and inspirational libraries from
Holy locations all over the world.

Admont Abbey (Austria)

Familiar? I think Disney may have been inspired… 😉

Abbey library of Saint Gall (Switzerland)

A stunning and warm library. During a fire in 937, the Abbey was destroyed, but the library remained intact.

Waldsassen Abbey (Bavaria, Germany)

The intricate engraving work engulfing this library takes my breath away.

Westminster Abbey Library (United Kingdom)

The Library and Muniment Room houses the extensive and historic collections of books, manuscripts and archival material

Vorau Abbey Library (Austria)

There is something just absolutely magical about this library.

The Vatican Library (Rome)

Formally established in 1475, (although much older) it is one of the oldest libraries in the world and contains one of the most significant collections of historical texts. It currently has 75,000 codices from throughout history, as well as 1.1 million printed books, which include some 8,500 incunabula.

Melk Abbey Library (Austria)

Melk Abbey Library, Austria

The Melk Library was orginially a palace. The library has two floors and around 80,000 volumes of priceless works.

Wiblingen Abbey Library (Germany)

Is this the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow..? I adore the beautiful vibrant colors of this library.

El Escorial Abbey Library (Spain)

The library was a Renaissance statement of power, majesty, prowess, and intellectual world leadership designed for both the preservation of the old (binding multiple cultural histories into a single Catholic Spanish culture) and discovery of the new.

Göttweig Abbey (Austria)

Göttweig Abbey library, Austria

The wood work on this library and contrasting simplicity is gorgeous.

Einsiedeln Abbey Library (Switzerland)

The abbey is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, the title being derived from the circumstances of its foundation, for the first inhabitant of the region was Saint Meinrad, a hermit. I could very easily become a hermit myself with this as my haven!

I hope you enjoyed these beauties, have you ever visited an abbey library?

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Saga Saturday III Alice Walker

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It’s another Saturday time for another great Saga

My pick for this week is:
(Click any picture of title for more info.)
purple.jpg
“The Color Purple“
This is a classic southern tale of friendship/family and hardship. I love story about sisterhood, I myself have 4, so I can relate. Alice Walker has captured a depth of character in her female protagonist, that is empowering. She is an amazing writer, and has written a very important piece of literature. “The Color Purple” won the Pulitzer Prize in 1983 (the year I was born.)

Rated: 4.4 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Sweet Tea
picbbARG4.jpgThis tea is good hot too but is traditionally consumed iced.
In a large glass measuring cup, place 6 tea bags and 1/8 tsp baking soda. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the tea bags. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Take out the tea bags and do not squeeze them. Pour the tea mixture into a 2-quart pitcher; add 1.5-2 cups sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add in 6 cups cold water. Let cool; chill in the refrigerator and serve over ice.

1098570994-Color-Purple-Quote-copy

Honoring Alice Walker:
uewb_10_img0708Alice Walker was born February 9th 1944 in Putnam, Georgia. She had 8 siblings and was the youngest. When she was 8 she was shot in the eye with a bb gun by her brother, and become permanently blind in that eye. Her feeling of isolation and embarrassment from teasing were consolidated by writing poetry. She ended up being voted most popular and became valedictorian of her class. She went to college on a full scholarship. Alice walker has overcome so many challenges and obstacles and is an amazing women.Alice-Walker-Final.jpg

 

Noteworthy Non-Fiction

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I love reading great non-fiction books. I enjoy reading about historical events and people. I love memoirs and biographies of interesting and diverse characters. I also will read an occasional self-help book, if it’s applicable and not too overly cliche.

Here are some great noteworthy non-fiction books:
(Click any photo or title for more info.)
 If you haven’t already read this book I highly recommend it. This girl wrote so well in her journal, and told her story so exceptionally. – semi-spoiler alert! – For her to be able to tell her story in the midst of such hardship and have it survive in her place, is beautiful. It’s a bit haunting knowing that she wrote this leading up to what was likely a very horrendous end. I felt a bit of a knot in my core that was hard to shake. I tend to get very attached to the lives and stories of protagonist in books, and
it’s always very difficult when bad
things happen. The eeriness with this book was that I couldn’t tell myself
(it’s just a book.)
Diary of a Young Girl
Rated: 4.6 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Simple Tea
You may not feel like spoiling yourself with anything decadent while reading about such hardship.
On a much lighter note there is this delightful book about the real life happenings of one Ellen Degeneres. Now, I am a fan of Ellen’s, I love the style of her humor and wit. So I am quiet a bit biased going into this little mini review. This book is a breath of fresh air. It is pure Ellen genius, and I sped right through it. At the end I was sad it was over, the light-hearted gentle humor was such an endorphin rush. I don’t know if other people will feel as I did reading it,
but I sure hope so. 🙂
The Funny Thing Is
Rated: a shocking 3.9 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Alppuchino
I know I’m not Ellen, I need to drink more Iced Green Tea.
This is a fantastic book. I purchased it because it was inviting and looked really interesting. It is about chief Quanah Parker and the rise and fall of the Comanche tribe. Being of Native American heritage myself, I am drawn to historical books such as this. What I love about this book is that it reads like a novel. The story is so engrossing and interesting. It was well written, informative, and entertaining as well. If you are interested in Native American Culture and/or History (or even if you’re not) this is a must read.
Empire of The Summer Moon
Rated: 4.5 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Trail Mix Mocha Latte
Espresso with steamed milk, flavored with chocolate, almond extract, and cherry. Keep it natural for a better more earthy flavor.
 I know, another book about the Holocaust, but it is such an exceptional book. This particular book is written by Victor Frankl an Austrian Neurologist and Psychologist. He writes about the events that took place from a different point of view than other books I’ve read, which I really liked. He would break down the why’s and woes of each person’s action/reaction, and I  found that fascinating. This book is part Holocaust experience story, part “what I’ve discovered because of it.” It’s like getting a mini-documentary and a self-help book all in one.
Man’s Search For Meaning
Rated: 4.7 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Plain Brewed Coffee
Again you won’t feel like indulging while reading this painful memoir.
And to end with another light-hearted note. Lucile Ball, the comic legend and genius. This autobiography was discovered randomly after her death. Again I am probably a bit biased here, because I ADORE Lucy. I Love Lucy was iconic. I grew up watching it, and to this day it is my favorite! Lucille ball and Ricky Ricardo are a match made in heaven (on screen at least.) I love the behind the scene detail, and the great pictures that accompany this book. I am so happy that this gem was discovered so that we could enjoy her legacy.
Screen-shot-2012-04-30-at-9.46.00-AMLove, Lucy
Rated: 4.8 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Vitameatavegamin!
But seeing as it’s so hard to find, how about a mouthful of
Truffle Cocoa, to get in the Lucy spirit 🙂

 

I know there are so many other lovely books that I’m leaving out. Books that I just haven’t read yet, or wasn’t thinking of. However, these are the ones that stood out to me. 🙂

What non-fictions book/s stand out to you?