Tag: Literature

Winter Reading

Art
by candicerenee
Winter book recommendations

So many sites do round-up of the best “beach reads” every summer, but isn’t winter really the ideal reading season? It’s chilly outside, so why not offer up some winter book recommendations to curl up with?

I’ve recently acquired two new books that are perfect companions for gloomy weather, and I highly recommend adding them to your bookshelf or bedside table!

Cured, a memoir by Lol Tolhurst of The Cure
Cured, a memoir by Lol Tolhurst of The Cure

Cured: The Tale of Two Imaginary Boys

I’m sure it’s no surprise that I’m a huge fan of The Cure (and have been since the age of 12), so naturally I just had to pick up this new autobiography from founding member and former Cure drummer Lol Tolhurst. In this memoir, Lol share stories from the band’s early days and his decades-long relationship with Robert Smith. Robert himself isn’t one for sharing, so chances are you won’t come across this level of intimacy and transparency on the band’s past anywhere else.

Gross & Unlikeable, a collection of short horror stories by women writers
Gross & Unlikeable, a collection of short horror stories by women writers

Gross & Unlikeable

If you’re a fan of literary horror and dark fiction, you know that women are all too often underrepresented in this genre. Thankfully, the San Diego-based literary organization So Say We All has put together this amazing collection of short stories, written, edited and illustrated entirely by women. In these 28 creepy and sometimes grotesque stories, women take us to dark places we’re not supposed to go, telling tales of their bodies and minds in their own terms. Be warned: the combination of female power and horror is brutal and savage…and completely worth reading.

 

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Edgar Allan Poe Museum – Richmond, Virginia

City Sights, Travel
by candicerenee
Edgar Allan Poe Museum

Tucked into an unassuming little stone house on East Main Street, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum is a delightful little hidden gem in Richmond, Virginia. Opened in 1922, the museum has gathered art and artifacts from Poe’s life and presented them in the many rooms of this charming old home.

Edgar Allan Poe Museum
The stone house holds the museum’s gift shop and one of the exhibit rooms.

Though Poe did live in Richmond for a period of his life, he never actually lived in this particular house. Sadly, as the museum staff can tell you, all of the original buildings that Poe and his family resided in have since been torn down.

The collection ranges from Poe’s childhood bed and articles of his clothing to daguerreotypes of relatives and artistic renderings of the author. While the main house may look small from the outside, several buildings encircling a garden all hold bits of the collection. In one building, you’ll find artwork inspired by Poe’s works, both contemporary and historical. On view when I visited recently were a series of drawings by James Carling, all of which depicted representations of Poe’s signature stories.

Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Poe’s likeness and his stories are captured and interpreted by various artists in the museum’s collections.

The garden is one of the loveliest features, with a fountain and blooming flower beds. Towards the back, you’ll find a shrine featuring a bust Poe. The garden can also be rented for weddings! I can just imagine a beautiful gothic-inspired ceremony being held in the presence of Poe’s statue…

 

A photo posted by Hunt + Haunt (@huntandhaunt) on

If you find yourself in the Richmond area, the museum is a must see for a bit of history and peek into the life of one of America’s most beloved gothic writers.

Tips For Visiting

  • Be on the lookout for the museum’s resident black cats, Edgar and Pluto!
  • The museum hosts a variety of fun events throughout the year (such as an “Unhappy Hour”), so be sure to check their calendar to see what will be happening during your visit.
  • Bring a little spending money for the gift shop, which has some great items like original art, Poe-themed apparel, and of course, lots of books.
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