The Monstrosity Gazette: A weekly smattering of all things literary...

Bookish Quote of the Day:

"Anti-war books are as likely to stop war as anti-glacier books are to stop glaciers."

-Kurt Vonnegut

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Today in Literary History...

On this day in 1601, Shakespeare's Richard II was presented at the Globe playhouse, a performance especially arranged by those hoping to overthrow Queen Elizabeth the following day. Followers of the Earl of Essex hoped the story of king-killing might stir up support; overcoming the actors' objections that it would not be a good draw, they paid forty shillings to have it staged. If the Saturday afternoon performance was poorly-attended, the Sunday morning rebellion was worse. . . .

For more literary history, visit Today in Literature.

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Literary Pic of the Day:

 

"A Novel Reader" by Van Gogh

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Book on my Radar: 

Remarkable Creatures
by Tracy Chevalier
Dutton, 2010
320 pages

Summary in a Sentence:

Nineteenth-century fossil hunter Mary Anning and spinster Elizabeth Philpot form a friendship based on their interest in science, and, when Mary's work is put into question by individuals who believe it goes against their religious beliefs and men in her field try to take credit for it, Elizabeth's loyalty to Mary becomes invaluable to her.

Read the Reviews:

• S. Krishna's Books  
• Tales of a Capricious Reader 
• Bibliophile by the Sea
  

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For Your Viewing Pleasure:

Librarians doing 'Thriller'...