In our online book club ‘Travel Europe Through Books,’ we travel to a new European country every month through its literature. This month we’ve been focusing on the literature, culture, and landscape of Great Britain by way of Thomas Hardy’s classic romance, Far From the Madding Crowd. As we round off this month, I thought … More An Interview with British Author Maggie Holman
During our recent trip to London, we stepped into Waterstone’s at Trafalgar Square. It was big, beautiful, and inviting; a paradise for book-lovers. We traipsed inside, ready to be astonished, as we had already been by the beautiful and varied London sites leading up to this one. We are a family of four, and we … More Book Shops of London
The articulate, ambitious, and passionate ‘English lady’ stereotype exists in part because of the English romance novels that have created her. She is independent and strong-willed, and knows what she wants from love. The world adores her, creating literary tours, tea varieties, and instagram giveaways to help readers pay homage to her. Where in literature … More 5 English Classic Romance Novels Featuring Strong Women
Author Peter Barber shares with us his take on being married to a Greek, the life he loves in Greece, and his new books. … More Adventures of an Anglo Greek Marriage
This past week has been ‘Greek Week’ at our home. Every night we’ve tried out a new Greek dish in an attempt to escape to this beautiful island-rich country. Our minds have been educated and entertained, while our bellies have been filled with Greece’s finest dishes, all made with plants (since half of us are vegetarians). … More Greek Week: A Culinary Adventure
I can’t believe I’m here, I thought to myself as I walked through a German university campus. The side of one old stone building caught my eye: it was covered in vines that were brilliant green and red on that late October day. As I continued walking towards my bus from a building that had … More Living in Europe: Precursors to “The Sendai Test”
This month as we’ve been focusing on Germany within our online book club, we thought you might enjoy learning a bit about German modern culture. What do you know of German modern art? While the phrase may conjure images of Berlin Wall graffitti, or Mike Myers in a black turtleneck, the actual story of modern … More 100 Years of Modern Art in Germany
In our local writer’s group this year, it was decided that everyone would write a holiday story, in 1,000 words or less, to read at our Christmas party. Here’s mine. It’s 998 words, a modern interpretation of Tolstoy’s short story ‘Papa Panov’s Special Christmas,’ and my first attempt at fiction in many, many years. Based … More Panov’s Wreaths: A Christmas Story
Great literature, as it becomes widely loved, captures the minds and hearts of people to the degree that it becomes a part of them. And as it endures through time, its readers use every creative outlet to expand the story and own it. Such is the case with the literary classic, A Christmas Carol, by … More ‘Caroling’ with Dickens
Traveling during the Christmas holidays can be both dangerous and maddening. Don’t let the crowds, the weather or the traffic cause you to forget what its all about — Joy, Love & Kindness and peace between all peoples.
… More Driving Home for Christmas: A Belgian Detour
