Saturday, 9 February 2013

Stuck-in-a-Book's Weekend Miscellany

Happy weekend, folks!  As I warned, things have been a bit quieter than usual on SiaB this week.  I'll tell you more about my job next week (thanks for all your lovely congrats) - for now, sit back and enjoy a book, a link, and a blog post.

1.) The blog post - You know how great it is when someone loves an author you love?  Even better is when initially they don't, and then discover later that they do.  Harriet rather hated her first experience with Ivy Compton-Burnett (whom, as you might know, I adore).  Bravely, after some encouragement from me and some reading around the blogs, Harriet decided to give Dame Ivy another try.  And let there be rejoicing in the street, it worked!  Let Harriet explain it all, here.

2.) The book - just look what will be coming out in April...

3.) The link - I'm afraid I can't remember where I first saw this (it was on Facebook, let's face [ahem] it) but thanks if you brought it to my attention!  It's 30 of the Most Beautiful Abandoned Places - some really stunning, quite eerie, photos.

Posted by StuckInABook at 00:00
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25 comments:

  1. Kelly Robinson9 February 2013 at 02:29

    I'm obsessed with modern ruins (as my Pinterest collection will attest)!

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    1. StuckInABook11 February 2013 at 08:13

      You're in luck, then! (One day I'll understand Pinterest too...)

      Delete
  2. Cornflower9 February 2013 at 08:55

    Those abandoned places are beautiful and terror-inducing; wonderful but nerve-wracking to explore, I should think.

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    1. StuckInABook11 February 2013 at 08:13

      Some of the photos are affecting my vertigo on their own, let alone visiting!

      Delete
  3. Anonymous9 February 2013 at 09:40

    OK, those photographs are just *amazing* - look how nature is stronger than anything man-made - thanks for the link!

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  4. David Nolan (David73277)9 February 2013 at 12:20

    As a believer, are you not a little concerned that so many of those stunning abandoned places pictures are of churches? That said, one might suggest that there is more to faith than church buildings. Furthermore, abandoned power plants are also featured in this gallery, even though demand for electricity remains on the up. Another positive message from these photos is that nature is reclaiming many of these disused man-made structures, reminding me of a wonderful phrase in Robert Macfarlane's Wild Places, in which he talks about long abandoned business parks being recolonised by greenery. Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. StuckInABook11 February 2013 at 08:13

      John 4:21 - "Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem" ! So, yeah, like you said - I see faith and church buildings quite separately.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous9 February 2013 at 14:41

    I saw those photos via Tom on Twitter, so that might've been it
    -R

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  6. Anonymous9 February 2013 at 15:46

    I'm reading "Pleasure of Ruins" by Rose Macaulay. I enjoy her novels but this is a wonderful treatment of why we are so enthralled by ruins. Sounds like it might supplement this book

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    1. StuckInABook18 February 2013 at 20:41

      How interesting! I shall add that to my wishlist, since I love some of her books - the ruin in Crewe Train was very interesting (although that in Staying With Relations couldn't save that book from being rather dull.)

      Delete
  7. Belle9 February 2013 at 16:08

    The photos are stunning. I love that Mother Nature will not be stopped. Very meditative collection.

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    1. StuckInABook18 February 2013 at 20:42

      They're beautiful, aren't they? I can't decide if they're soothing or terrifying...

      Delete
  8. Anonymous9 February 2013 at 17:33

    Erika W.
    I think this book will be too sad for me to read. I remember actually crying as I stood in the abandoned family graveyard and also house remains of Airth House in Scotland; so forgotten and forlorn that I could see no beauty there at all.

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    1. StuckInABook18 February 2013 at 20:43

      It's not actually a book, just a series of photos online, but you might find them sad!

      Delete
  9. Ruthiella9 February 2013 at 23:36

    I just mowed my lawn and now looking at those pictures I think that it would take only a very short time for my home to become a ruin overrun by nature. :0

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    1. StuckInABook18 February 2013 at 20:44

      Haha! Yes, I don't miss having a garden, I've got to say...

      Delete
  10. Ali Mal10 February 2013 at 12:47

    Some of those abandoned places pictures are seriously spooky!

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  11. Anonymous10 February 2013 at 14:20

    I love those pictures of the abandoned places - really fascinating!
    And I must admit to having pre-ordered the book you recommended. Sounds very promising indeed. :)
    Have a good Sunday!

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    1. StuckInABook18 February 2013 at 20:46

      I'm toying with going to the launch - I went to an event for the previous book, and it was really funny!

      Delete
  12. Susan in TX10 February 2013 at 22:00

    Love the abandoned places photos. I thought the abandoned hotel was the creepiest, and seeing David's question, I did think it very sad that so many churches had been abandoned. One of them looked like it had been bombed out, which was even sadder. Beautiful pics, though. Thanks for the link!

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    1. StuckInABook18 February 2013 at 20:46

      You're welcome! I just had to share them. I think a lot of them would make stunning book jacket covers...

      Delete
  13. stujallen11 February 2013 at 17:15

    stunning pic simon ,all the best stu

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