Books Tell You Why. All About Collecting Rare Books

A Harry Potter Birthday Round-Up

By Leah Dobrinska. Jul 31, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Book Collecting, Children's Books

July 31 is an important day in the Wizarding world. Not only is it Harry Potter’s birthday—which, of course, before the age of 11 didn’t mean much of anything seeing as the Dursleys either forgot about it or knowingly ignored the day’s significance—but it’s also the day which Harry found out about his past, and with a single proclamation from Hagrid (“Harry—yer a wizard!”), his life was changed forever. If you ask the generation of readers who grew up alongside “the boy who lived”, they’ll tell you Harry’s story changed their lives, as well.

The Brontë Sisters' Inspiration and Exploration of Human Nature

By Abigail Bekx. Jul 30, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Rare Books, Book Collecting

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë are sisters of great literary skill. All three are still published authors over 100 years after their deaths. The novels they produced explore the intricacy of human nature and the effect one person can have on others. Their lives provide examples of the difficult life faced by citizens in Industrial Age England. Before being published, the sisters were forced to be teachers and governesses. Once they started seeking publication, they were forced to use male pseudonyms in order to be published. All three died from causes treatable with modern medicine. Through their writing and, by extent, their lives, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë give readers a glimpse into the life of well-educated, intelligent women in the Victorian Era.

Top James A. Michener Books, Continued

By Leah Dobrinska. Jul 23, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Book Collecting

One of the most popular blog posts we’ve published to date is our article titled Top Ten James A. Michener Books. First posted over two years ago, it continues to be widely read, and the comment section has allowed readers, collectors, and general fans of Michener to agree or disagree with our list. Be sure to click over and read that post if you missed it before.

Obviously, Michener has endeared himself to many, and everyone has his or her favorites when it comes to the legendary author and historian’s work. We wanted to create a continuation of our previous post. So here are some more of what we—and many others—consider the top James A. Michener books.

A Portrait of James Joyce

By Kristin Masters. Jul 19, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Literature

James Augustine Aloysius Joyce was born in Dublin on February 2, 1882. The oldest of ten children, Joyce would eventually renounce both Ireland and the Catholic faith into which he was baptized. Even more than a century later, his works have remained fascinating—and confounding—to critics, scholars, and readers.

Getting Lost in Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

By Leah Dobrinska. Jun 30, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: American History, Legendary Authors, Movie Tie-Ins

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell has staying power. Today, the book turns 82 years young, and it continues to be heralded as a favorite by readers of all ages. Gone with the Wind has become a sort of benchmark for Southern Literature since its publication in 1936, and while some contest its portrayal of African American and period-based racism, it remains widely studied and referenced both by scholars and readers alike. The book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937, and a now well-known and well-loved film by the same name was released in 1939. We've collected everything we could pertaining to Gone with the Wind to help celebrate its publication. Read on for facts about the film, Mitchell herself, and more!

Ten Quotes from the Inimitable J.R.R. Tolkien

By Leah Dobrinska. Jun 26, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors

No one can argue that J.R.R. Tolkien has a way with words. In his massively successful novels, the story, characters, and landscape comes to life in readers' minds due in large part to his effective authorial voice. Take some time today to enjoy some of the best quotes from Tolkien, both from his stories and from interviews with the man himself.

10 Books to Read This Summer

By Leah Dobrinska. Jun 22, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, James Bond

What is it about summer that makes it the perfect time to pick up a new book or to reacquaint ourselves with an old favorite? Perhaps it’s the longer days and warmer nights that give us the illusion that we have more time to spend reading for leisure. Maybe it’s a vacation on the horizon that will provide some uninterrupted down time to dig into a good book. If you’re looking for summer book recommendations, we’ve got you covered. From mysteries and thrillers to classics and young adult literature, our list has something for everyone. Here are ten books that make for perfect summer reads.

A.A. Milne's Complicated Relationship with P.G. Wodehouse

By Kristin Masters. Jun 20, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors

Alan Alexander Milne is best known for creating the characters of Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin, and company. Yet A.A. Milne wrote much more than children's stories; he penned detective novels, screenplays, and poetry. His complex relationship with P.G. Wodehouse had a significant impact on both authors, but frequently gets overlooked.

Collecting the Works of Saul Bellow

By Kristin Masters. Jun 10, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Rare Books, Book Collecting, Literature, Nobel Prize Winners

"A novel is balanced between a few true impressions and the multitude of false ones that make up most of what we call life." So spoke Saul Bellow, one of the greatest American authors of the twentieth century. Rare book collectors have consistently been interested in Bellow's works, and that interest will only grow as his books get more scarce over time.

Ten Facts about Legendary Author Charles Dickens

By Kristin Masters. Jun 9, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Charles Dickens

Born on February 7, 1812, Charles Dickens hardly seemed destined for greatness. Yet he rose to become one of the preeminent authors of Victorian England, and his works are now beloved by readers and rare book collectors around the world. Dickens passed away on June 9, 1870. In honor of his life and work, here are ten facts about the legendary author.