When Books Burn: Libraries, Looting, And The Destruction Of Culture In Conflict

March 13, 2019March 13, 2019 ~ The Book Habit ~ Leave a comment

"Throughout Bosnia, libraries, archives, museums and cultural institutions have been targeted for destruction, in an attempt to eliminate the material evidence - books, documents and works of art - that could remind future generations that people of different ethnic and religious traditions once shared a common heritage in Bosnia." (Andras Riedlmayer) In 1992, Bosnia's National … Continue reading When Books Burn: Libraries, Looting, And The Destruction Of Culture In Conflict

A Celebration of Literary Heritage

August 13, 2013January 20, 2019 ~ The Book Habit ~ 8 Comments

A few weeks ago, my wonderful aunt gave me some books belonging to my great grandmother. They were books won as prizes at school, for recognition of achievement - among them, Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and Charlotte Bronte's Villette. Both brilliant books. More importantly, however, they got me thinking about my own literary heritage. While … Continue reading A Celebration of Literary Heritage

Review: Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

April 26, 2013January 29, 2019 ~ The Book Habit ~ 8 Comments

This is a difficult review to write. Diving into Suite Francaise with tremendous anticipation last week, mostly due to my love of fiction set during the events of the First and Second World Wars, I did not give much thought to the resulting review. Ordinarily, I will find myself jotting down the odd note as I … Continue reading Review: Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky