Every Harry Potter fan loves to hate the heartless extended family of The Boy Who Lived; Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley. But actress Fiona Shaw, who brilliantly portrayed Harry’s high-strung, hostile Aunt, has a different take on the Dursleys. In an interview with RadioTime, Shaw explained why she “was always very pro the Dursleys” claiming “they’re just trying to do well in life…” This made me realize- they are just like most muggles that I know. Shaw continued: “The extraordinary thing about the Dursleys is not only are they normal and ordinary and therefore full of the fantastical fears …
If you can’t make it to the World Book Day Fest, we have an idea for you: throw a party! A literary themed party is an excellent reason to gather your book loving friends and discuss recent movie adaptations and upcoming sequels to your favorite books, argue over which author wrote the best sci-fi series, or dress up as your favorite character! Here are some ideas on how to prepare and execute a fun literary party: 1. Form a little book club ahead of time Some people are way too busy to commit to a weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly meet-up …
Today marks the 100th birthday of the children’s book author, and over 60 years of her witty, day dreaming, and wholly relatable characters. Cleary’s work spanned generations, and whether you, your parents, or your little niece read her novels, Cleary has become a household name synonymous with classic reads like Beezus and Ramona, Henry Huggins, and so many others. While Cleary plans to spend the day kicked back at her home in Carmel – with a giant slice of carrot cake, according to CNN – we’re planning to indulge in our own sweet favorites, staff-picked from the massive library of Beverly …
Rather fittingly, the wonderful Molly Weasley gave birth to two of the most lovable, if not frustrating, pranksters in literature on April 1st (April Fool’s Day, for those unfamiliar with the date’s significance). Identical twins Fred and George Weasley entered the magical world in 1978, meaning that 2016 would mark their 38th birthday. In honor of the light-hearted, brave, and highly-intelligent brothers, Pottermore posted a highly entertaining infographic, sharing all of the most enlightening facts about Fred and George, from the first time they were mentioned… ‘Fred, you next’, the plump woman said. ‘I’m not Fred, I’m George,’ said the boy. ‘Honestly, …
One of the thrills of reading is creating an image in your head of what the characters and setting look like. It’s often frustrating when a movie comes out and destroys the image that an eloquent author implanted in your mind. However, when an author is inspired by or describes a real place, like The Metropolitan Museum of Art from Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, seeing the real thing is much more compelling. Taking a look at the real-life places that inspired authors will make you think: what is it about this place that convinced the author to write about …
