Save the Date!

                                    

Be sure to mark September 17th on your calendars! Alexandria will be hosting its second annual Story Festival! No RSVP necessary. More info here  

Spotlight on City Lights Bookstore!

Don't you just love it when you hype something up in your head and it meets, and then exceeds your expectations? City Lights, Ferlinghetti's creation, was such fun to explore. Fantastically cluttered, balanced with bestsellers and obscure titles, decorated with beatnik art AND independent (OF COURSE!) City Lights is one stellar combination. The birthplace of the printed Howl is a true literary landmark, a belletristic benchmark, if you will. Take a look!

Getting to Know the Beats in San Fransisco!

My first-ever trip to San Fran was not complete without a trip to the glorious Beat Museum. Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassidy, OH MY! The museum was like Marry Poppin's bag, small in appearance but overflowing with everything and all things BEAT. Check out a few photos below, but know that these don't even begin to do the museum justice. My purchases? A couple of great bumper stickers, a poster, and a preview of owner's Jerry Cimino's Sleeping With Maya. Check out the website here! Also, take note of the links page. They have so much stuff to explore! Happy browsing!

Neal Cassidy, inspiration for "Dean Morriarty" in Jack Kerouac's On The Road

Greatest Emergency Exit Sign Ever!

This was very cool BUT, oh to live on Ken Kesey Ave!

More From Edward Gorey!

This tombstone is a reference to The Gashlycrumb Tinies, one of Gorey's mock alphabet books. The sinister images and disturbing rhymes would surely terrify, rather than teach, young children. However, the illustrator's dark humor and derisive verse is undeniably entertaining. Above is Basil's grave. 

"B is for Basil assaulted by bears"

In the distance you can see Kate's tombstone. 

"K is for Kate who was struck with an axe."

Take a Look at pictures from his alphabet below!  

 

Edward Gorey!

 

Above, are pictures from my fabulous first ever trip to the cape! The whale watching was fun. The food was great. The area is BEAUTIFUL. BUT the winner was the house of fabulous illustrator Edward Gorey. You might be a fan of his work without even knowing. See the movie clip from Mystery below? Yep, that's the work of Mr. Gorey.  His house, now a fascinating museum and gallery, is brimming with everything from the fantastically bizarre to the extremely creative. Heading to Cape Cod for any reason? Make time for a visit! Check out the website to get a feel!  

My own list on its way...

Best Opening Lines From Books!