Despite being one of the most renowned writers in the world, the life of the poet Kahlil Gibran is somewhat shrouded in mystery. Who was the real man behind some of the most captivating poetry of the early 20th century? In this article, we will explore his humble beginnings and the extraordinary events that led him to become a legendary figure in literature - the third best-selling poet of all time. Gibran was born in Bsharri, in a mountainous village in what is now modern-day Lebanon on January 6th, 1883. He was one of four children. When he was eight years old, he father was imprisoned for embezzlement, so his mother decided  to move Kahlil and his siblings to...

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  If you need inspiration for your next trip, look no further. Travel back in time to Jane Austen’s day with a visit to some of the idyllic locations featured in her novels. While things might have changed a bit since her day, many of the places that inspired her books are still there, and you can visit them! From the rolling hills of Surrey to the stunning lakes of Derbyshire, there’s a multitude of incredible and historic sites to explore from Jane Austen’s beloved books. In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of the five most iconic Austen locations that you can visit around England, and discover how the places have changed since Austen wrote her books....

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Do you have a book lover in your life? You know, that person who can't put down a book and is always on the lookout for the next great read?   With many a gift-giving holiday looming, it’s time to start planning out the presents you are going to give your loved ones. It’s not always easy to find each person the perfect gift, but if your recipient is a book-worm, you have a plethora of options!   From classic novels and cozy reading nooks idea to unique bookish accessories and gadgets, you can easily find something special that any book-lover would appreciate. We’ll give you practical tips on how to find and choose the perfect present, plus advice on...

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Today I’m going to interrupt my usual blog post about everything “books” to tell you about a charity that is near and dear to my heart. They are doing incredible work and I want everyone to know about them.   A DREAM FULFILLED - FAITH'S STORY from Unstoppable Foundation on Vimeo.   The Unstoppable Foundation was founded in Cynthia Kersey. Cynthia herself doesn’t define the Foundation as a charity —rather, it’s empowerment. The ultimate goal of this foundation is for young girls to get into —and stay in—education. Promoting education is hugely important to me. For a long time, I didn’t fully appreciate how lucky I was in Western world to have access to free, full-time education up until graduation....

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   While fashion used to be dominated by rigid trends, with styles coming "in" and going “out” within months, we now live in a fashion age where people are mixing eras and influences. So why not take some style inspiration from your favourite literature? Get inspired with our short guide, then go on your own literary fashion adventures - re-read your favourite books and watch the movie or TV adaptations. Use sites like Pinterest to create mood-boards. Scour your local thrift stores and vintage fashions apps like Depop, or buying vintage sewing patterns and try your hand at making clothes.     Little House on the Prairie - Western Prairie Style   Although it might have been set in the...

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  Rossetti wrote wild, romantic and imaginative poetry that leaps off the page. Whether it’s her weird and wonderful epic poem, “The Goblin Market” or her beautiful, mysterious sonnets like “Remember”.  While her poetry still looms large in anthologies and collections of British poets, her own life was quieter, more retiring, especially in comparison to her bohemian and drug-addled artist brother and his artist pals, the Pre-Raphaelites. But her own life reveals some clues as to her inspiration for her lyrical masterpieces.   Papà - Gabriele Rossetti                    Mamma - Frances Polidori   She was born in London’s Italian quarter. One of three children, Christina was the youngest child. Their father, a Dante scholar...

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While it is true that many authors spend their lives squirrelling away behind a desk, some have lived lives larger than the books they wrote. Whether you are obsessed with the dreamy aesthetics of bookish characters in tweeds or want to get in the heads of your favourite writers, we have the definitive list of the best films made about authors that will tick all your boxes.   Bright Star (2009)   One of the greatest poets who ever lived, John Keats life was cut short far too early at the age of 25 from tuberculosis. Jane Campion deftly paints the quiet and brief love story between the poet, played by Ben Whishaw and Fanny Brawne, played by Abbie Cornish.  ...

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The essential part of any holiday is grabbing a good novel at the bookshop or the airport before you go. For some, it’s an escapist romance or a gripping crime thriller. But what if fizzing rom-coms or murderous plots don’t exact meet your reading criteria?   Here is my list of the top 10 classic reads that will keep you entertained on your sun lounger and still scratch that literary itch!   If you love an atmospheric mystery….     Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier   This book has it all - set in the gothic and eerie Manderley, a manor house on the wild shore of Cornwall, the young protagonist is swept up in a holiday romance with a...

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  Beyond the movie magic and bleach blond waves, it is now well known that Marilyn Monroe had an intellectual side - a love of literature and a deep yearning for knowledge. As she matured, her collection of books grew into a huge library. Her favourite book was reportedly Ulysses by James Joyce.   Marilyn in Amagassett, reading her favourite book   Typecast by Hollywood, Marilyn lacked true fulfilment in the superficial and sometimes brutal world of celluloid. The movies had cemented her status as a beautiful blonde with few brains. To this day, her image is mostly associated with a kind of vapid beauty: bleach blonde hair, porcelain skin and big doe eyes. But this was merely a star...

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If you asked most people who the best-selling poet in the United States is, not many would think it was a Muslim scholar born over 800 years ago. And yet, Rumi's timeless poetry is beloved by so many the world over. But who is this mysterious poet, who writes such moving and lyrical words that speak directly to the reader. Read on for my short bio of the most romantic poet who has ever lived...   A portrait of Rumi - poet, mystic, teacher, scholar   Rumi had an itinerant childhood. His father was a prominent preacher and jurist. Rumi was born in Wakhsh, now modern-day Tajikistan. The family moved from Rumi's birthplace at the arrival of the invading Mongols...

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