A Polyvore set for Philippa’s time in the Topkapi Harem in Pawn in Frankincense!
This is wonderful. I am researching Islamic architecture for a paper right now and I can’t stop thinking about Philippa’s time in the Topkapi Palace. I miss Pawn in Frankincense.
"Remember, some live all their lives without discovering this truth; that the noblest and most terrible power we possess is the power we have, each of us, over the chance-met, the stranger, the passer-by outside your life and your kin. Speak, she said, as you would write: as if your words were letters of lead, graven there for all time, for which you must take the consequences. And take the consequences."
— Dorothy Dunnett, Queens’ Play (via delladilly)
(via fuckyeahlymond)
Aww shucks, y’all are the best for your outfit approval (Note: this does not include my sister). I stole a long vintage navy blue jacket from my friend once I was downtown DC, and that way I was mixing all the neutrals and it actually kinda worked. Library of Congress-ing was successful and fun, I shall return tomorrow for an actual day of work. I got my researcher-ID, though, which is a helpful government-issued photo ID to have & it will make researching in the Jefferson reading room possible.
In other news, I poetically finished Checkmate, the last book in the Lymond Chronicles, in the apartment of the friend who gifted them to me. I read the last twenty pages while she was off at a lawyer-dinner-thing, and under her instructions I continued to read even when I wanted to throw the book across the room and give up on life. I made it through, and it was so worth the heartache. What a beautiful series! It feels weird to be done — like I don’t know what to do next. Do I wake up and eat breakfast in the morning? What will my day look like?
Walking to Union Station this morning and watching the sun hit the Capitol Building was cold, but lovely. I want so badly to live in a city.
Moscow Red Square, Kremlin, Saint Basil’s Cathedral at night.
I change the desktop background of my computer to match my geographical location in The Lymond Chronicles. Part way through book five, and I am in Moscow. It keeps me thinking about Lymond all day — anticipating reading on my commute home.
“Lady Dunnett’s books have had a surprisingly profound effect on people’s lives. Inspired by her writing many of her readers have become English teachers, historians and writers. Her descriptions are so rich, so full of life that you read with your senses as much as your eyes, hear the sounds and smell the scents she describes. Unlike many writers of historical fiction Dorothy’s research was meticulous. She spent 10 years researching her stand alone novel, KING HEREAFTER and acquired a reference library of over 10,000 books most of which went to Edinburgh University after her death still festooned with annotated book-marks and sticky notes. In researching one of the major characters of the House Nicholas series, Anselm Adornes, she discovered hitherto unknown data about the man who was hanged at Lauder Bridge in such infamous company. DD’s books are not easy reads, however. They require attention and thought. They are filled with false trails and really need to be read more than once. When I met Dorothy for the last time in Philadelphia I told her that I had still to read GEMINI because I didn’t want the journey to end. “Read it,” she said, “And then you can go back to the first book and read them again, this time looking for the clues.” She died in 2001. And I still haven’t read GEMINI.”
An interview with Dorothy Dunnett, one of my favourite authors. Such a charming lady.
Is she not the most adorable woman you’ve ever seen? She has an absolutely incredible brain, with which I am head over heels in love.
I made the mistake of glancing at the reviews on goodreads of the book I’m currently reading. It’s not that I saw any spoilers — I steered clear of those — I just saw everyone’s INTENSE EMOTIONS and UNCONTROLLABLE FEELINGS.
For example:
- “OH MY GOD MY HEART. I just….WHAT. SO UPSETTING. Every book I think it can’t possibly get worse and then it DOES. And every book I think I can’t possibly love this book series more and I do. I think it’s been years since a book has made my cry uncontrollably like I did reading this one. So heartbreaking and yet so good. ”
- “Holy smokin’ story! I nearly had a heart attack several times and if I hadn’t been at work, I would’ve sobbed my eyeballs out.”
- “Oooooh boy. I feel like I’m at the top of a rollercoaster’s first, steepest drop. Here I go. Edit: ARRRRRGH SO FUCKING GREAT. […] I could not stop reading this book. Stayed up until 4 am on a weeknight again, then proceeded during the next day to read it in the bathroom, over a breakfast of oatmeal, and in the car, while waiting for traffic lights to turn green.”
I don’t know if my heart will be able to take this book. I’m only on page 174 and I already shouted out loud and disturbed all of the fellow beach goers around me once.
beach week means all the books and the food, and none of the spin class
This shall be: The Summer I Spent All My Money on Books, Movies, and Food.
