If you're familiar with Deanna Raybourn's books, you might want to check one artist's perception of what Nicholas Brisbane's character looks like. Check out her painting process here. I agree, he is pretty swoon-worthy. I've yet to read her most recent book, Silent on the Moor, but this makes me want to grab my copy right now. Lady Julia Grey certainly has good taste in men.
I was looking around ABE Books (me, look at used books online, never...) when I came across Penguin's First Ten Books. I love those cover designs and own one or two myself (none of these titles I'm afraid). It's interesting to see which ten books were first published in paperback (I've only read Mary Webb, but the others look interesting as well). For a long time now I've thought how cool it would be to have the job deciding what sort of illustration goes on the cover of a book, though I don't think I'd be creative enough to do it. I might have to splurge and buy Penguin By Design, which I've lusted after ever since it first came out (my library has a copy). Wouldn't a whole shelf full of these Penguins look nice?
Do you recall me mentioning how reading Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher makes me hungry? Since I was graciously aided in figuring out what fairy cakes are, I decided I needed to research Kunzle Cakes as well. It appears they are no longer made, but they sound yummy nonetheless. The latest references I've had to look up are pasties and Gentleman's Relish. I'll pass on the latter, but pasties sound pretty good. I can't vouch for the period detail, but Pilcher certainly seems to know what she's writing about--the food, the clothes, the music. I feel like I'm walking into England in the 1930s whenever I pick up the book (which is often really).
I started watching Death on the Nile (with David Suchet) last night, but unfortunately I fell asleep partway through the movie. It's not a reflection on the movie, which I was enjoying, but that's what happens when I try and start something on a Friday night at 10:00! I'm usually far too tired to stay awake long, so I will try again tonight. I have a feeling they took a certain amount of license with the story, as Linnet most certainly didn't use cocaine in the book! I suppose there is only so much you can fit into a film of 90 minutes when the book was over 400 pages! I may have to also get the Peter Ustinov version as well to compare. I have Coraline lined up for tonight, too. I listened to the book on audio--read by Neil Gaiman himself and loved it.
I may even try and get in some reading this weekend, too.