Women Reading series: #6 of 30  Shown above: The Letter, by Vittorio Reggianini (1858-1928). Oil on canvas. 50.2 x 40 centimeters (19.76 x 15.75 inches). Private collection. Found at: ARC About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren). This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading. View all images in series Review (excerpt): Zany and delightful. I love the way Sasha Soren plays with words the way some people play with string, weaving and tangling them together into fabrics of impossible colors and knots too complicated to untie. I read each chapter slowly, savoring each and every sentence… This book takes you on a ride through history, myth and make-believe that will spin you in circles until you are dizzy and delighted. (Five-star review) (Read full review) Additional details: Review by book blogger Lieder Madchen of Songs and Stories (@LiederMadchen)  More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #6 of 30 

Shown above: The Letter, by Vittorio Reggianini (1858-1928). Oil on canvas. 50.2 x 40 centimeters (19.76 x 15.75 inches). Private collection.

Found at: ARC

About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren).

This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading. View all images in series

Review (excerpt): Zany and delightful. I love the way Sasha Soren plays with words the way some people play with string, weaving and tangling them together into fabrics of impossible colors and knots too complicated to untie. I read each chapter slowly, savoring each and every sentence…

This book takes you on a ride through history, myth and make-believe that will spin you in circles until you are dizzy and delighted. (Five-star review) (Read full review)

Additional details: Review by book blogger Lieder Madchen of Songs and Stories (@LiederMadchen) 

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

The Take Five series broadcasts from Nov. 1-30, 2011, to coincide with National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. The series offers a quick, five-minute read about writing every day, to help people make it through their writing projects. The Take Five series is curated by writer Sasha Soren, the author of Random Magic. Every day during NaNoWriMo, you’ll be able to read a new post on writing that’ll hopefully help and inspire you, and give you energy to complete your NaNoWriMo plans. Some tips will be offered by Sasha Soren, and other tips will be included from elsewhere, but they will all be useful in some way, and geared to help you solve problems, refuel and recharge, and make it through NaNoWriMo in one piece. These won’t be long features, just quick five-minute tidbits on writing, so you’ll have an excuse to take a break. Visit the Take Five series (Nov. 1-30, 2011) More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

The Take Five series broadcasts from Nov. 1-30, 2011, to coincide with National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. The series offers a quick, five-minute read about writing every day, to help people make it through their writing projects.

The Take Five series is curated by writer Sasha Soren, the author of Random Magic. Every day during NaNoWriMo, you’ll be able to read a new post on writing that’ll hopefully help and inspire you, and give you energy to complete your NaNoWriMo plans.

Some tips will be offered by Sasha Soren, and other tips will be included from elsewhere, but they will all be useful in some way, and geared to help you solve problems, refuel and recharge, and make it through NaNoWriMo in one piece. These won’t be long features, just quick five-minute tidbits on writing, so you’ll have an excuse to take a break.

Visit the Take Five series (Nov. 1-30, 2011)

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #5 of 30 Shown above: Dolce far niente (1877), Auguste Toulmouche About the artist: Born in Nantes, France, Auguste Toulmouche painted exquisitely detailed genre scenes of a specific type called costume painting. The term is an apt one, with a focus on the details of dress, fashion and accessories as much as on the heightened emotional tenor of the works. These paintings convey a decidedly romantic sensibility, and practically function as the entire chapter of a romance novel brought to life. Toulmouche was considered one of the finest artists in this style, and Emperor Napoleon III purchased one of his works, as did Empress Eugénie. (Source: Excerpt, Fact sheet on Toulmouche by Brock & Co.) Found here: ARC Additional details: Dolce far niente (1877) by Auguste Toulmouche. Oil on canvas. 40 x 54 cms. (15.75 x 21.26 inches). Private collection.  Additional details: Artist bio via Wikipedia (French), Monet and the Impressionists exhibition catalog (2008, Te Papa Tongarewa/Museum of New Zealand), slideshow of works, auction data. Supplementary bio information: Auguste Toulmouche was born in Nantes on Sept. 21, 1829. He started his career as a painter of portraits and historical objects, moving on to specialize in interiors, particularly intimate scenes with elegantly dressed Parisiennes.  Toulmouche’s place in French art history is secured by his important influence on the early career of Claude Monet. Toulmouche served as Monet’s artistic advisor, if not mentor, during the early Paris years of the great French Impressionist’s career. Toulmouche enjoyed considerable popularity during his own lifetime. No less than his better-known contemporaries Tissot and Stevens, with whom he was often compared. Toulmouche was a master of contemporary fashion and fabric, delighting in the rich assortment of colours and textures afforded by the haute couture of his day. (Source: Excerpt, Toulmouche fact sheet, Haynes Fine Art of Broadway) About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren). This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading. Review (excerpt): If I could describe this book in three words, I’d choose the adjectives clever, whimsical and adventurous… I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures in this book. The author has an incredible imagination, as she came up with great, fun and even dangerous events, and she created beautiful, unique new places.  My favorite parts of the novel involved the garden of the Nine Muses, which felt like Heaven and featured a lot of very interesting characters (even Hades, who lost control over the underworld - and the place became a casino), and the Floating City.  The Floating City is one of the best-imagined places in literature that I have ever read about. It is like a utopia at first glance, but it’s a utopia with an empty core. It is exquisite and unique, it is both beautiful and frightening and if you read the novel, you will know exactly what I mean… This novel may not be for everyone. You have to appreciate quirky and strange to want to read it. I read it, I had a great time reading it and I would recommend it to readers who like something different, something out of the ordinary. The novel offers a lot of adventure and some exercise for your brains. And, if you like fairy tales, like I do, you will definitely enjoy the ride. (Read full review) Additional details: Review by book blogger This Miss Loves to Read (@MissIrenne).  More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #5 of 30

Shown above: Dolce far niente (1877), Auguste Toulmouche

About the artist: Born in Nantes, France, Auguste Toulmouche painted exquisitely detailed genre scenes of a specific type called costume painting. The term is an apt one, with a focus on the details of dress, fashion and accessories as much as on the heightened emotional tenor of the works.

These paintings convey a decidedly romantic sensibility, and practically function as the entire chapter of a romance novel brought to life. Toulmouche was considered one of the finest artists in this style, and Emperor Napoleon III purchased one of his works, as did Empress Eugénie. (Source: Excerpt, Fact sheet on Toulmouche by Brock & Co.)

Found here: ARC

Additional details: Dolce far niente (1877) by Auguste Toulmouche. Oil on canvas. 40 x 54 cms. (15.75 x 21.26 inches). Private collection. 

Additional details: Artist bio via Wikipedia (French), Monet and the Impressionists exhibition catalog (2008, Te Papa Tongarewa/Museum of New Zealand), slideshow of works, auction data.

Supplementary bio information: Auguste Toulmouche was born in Nantes on Sept. 21, 1829. He started his career as a painter of portraits and historical objects, moving on to specialize in interiors, particularly intimate scenes with elegantly dressed Parisiennes. 

Toulmouche’s place in French art history is secured by his important influence on the early career of Claude Monet. Toulmouche served as Monet’s artistic advisor, if not mentor, during the early Paris years of the great French Impressionist’s career.

Toulmouche enjoyed considerable popularity during his own lifetime. No less than his better-known contemporaries Tissot and Stevens, with whom he was often compared. Toulmouche was a master of contemporary fashion and fabric, delighting in the rich assortment of colours and textures afforded by the haute couture of his day. (Source: Excerpt, Toulmouche fact sheet, Haynes Fine Art of Broadway)

About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren).

This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading.

Review (excerpt): If I could describe this book in three words, I’d choose the adjectives clever, whimsical and adventurous…

I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures in this book. The author has an incredible imagination, as she came up with great, fun and even dangerous events, and she created beautiful, unique new places. 

My favorite parts of the novel involved the garden of the Nine Muses, which felt like Heaven and featured a lot of very interesting characters (even Hades, who lost control over the underworld - and the place became a casino), and the Floating City. 

The Floating City is one of the best-imagined places in literature that I have ever read about. It is like a utopia at first glance, but it’s a utopia with an empty core. It is exquisite and unique, it is both beautiful and frightening and if you read the novel, you will know exactly what I mean…

This novel may not be for everyone. You have to appreciate quirky and strange to want to read it. I read it, I had a great time reading it and I would recommend it to readers who like something different, something out of the ordinary.

The novel offers a lot of adventure and some exercise for your brains. And, if you like fairy tales, like I do, you will definitely enjoy the ride. (Read full review)

Additional details: Review by book blogger This Miss Loves to Read (@MissIrenne). 

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Why, yes, this very well could be a remote little nook somewhere in Callie’s infinite library. (Callie is the firstborn of the Nine Muses, featured in Random Magic by Sasha Soren. And, yes - Callie is, indeed, the cheerful mistress of one infinite library that begins here and ends…somewhere. Oh, just an infinite distance of bookshelves, really…) There’s a slightly more expansive view, of course, if one were to turn around and look up:  Found here: Daily Dose (shelf detail), Daily Dose (room view) Additional details: Location or locations in images not identified by poster (Daily Dose). More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Why, yes, this very well could be a remote little nook somewhere in Callie’s infinite library.

(Callie is the firstborn of the Nine Muses, featured in Random Magic by Sasha Soren. And, yes - Callie is, indeed, the cheerful mistress of one infinite library that begins here and ends…somewhere. Oh, just an infinite distance of bookshelves, really…)

There’s a slightly more expansive view, of course, if one were to turn around and look up: 

Found here: Daily Dose (shelf detail), Daily Dose (room view)

Additional details: Location or locations in images not identified by poster (Daily Dose).

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

(Source: dailydoseofstuf)

This is just the main page for collecting all the paintings featured in the Women Reading series. About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren). This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading. Images in the series: 1. Young Girl Reading (c. 1770), Jean-Honoré Fragonard (More) 2. Young Girl Reading by a Window (date unknown), Delphin Enjolras (1857-1945). Oil on canvas. 46 x 56 cms. (18.11 x 22.05 inches). Private collection. (More) 3. La Charmeuse (1890), Léon Herbo. Oil on canvas, 31 x 36 inches (78.74 x 91.44 cms.) (More) 4. Girl with a Golden Wreath (date unknown), attributed to Léon-François Comerre. (More) 5. Dolce far niente (1877), Auguste Toulmouche (More) 6. The Letter, by Vittorio Reggianini (1858-1928). (More) 7. The Reader, by Gabrielle Bakker (Contemporary artist) (More - TBA) 8. - TBA Additional details: Work shown above is Althea, by John White Alexander. Found here: Artistic Anatomy More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

This is just the main page for collecting all the paintings featured in the Women Reading series.

About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren).

This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading.

Images in the series:

1. Young Girl Reading (c. 1770), Jean-Honoré Fragonard (More)

2. Young Girl Reading by a Window (date unknown), Delphin Enjolras (1857-1945). Oil on canvas. 46 x 56 cms. (18.11 x 22.05 inches). Private collection. (More)

3. La Charmeuse (1890), Léon Herbo. Oil on canvas, 31 x 36 inches (78.74 x 91.44 cms.) (More)

4. Girl with a Golden Wreath (date unknown), attributed to Léon-François Comerre. (More)

5. Dolce far niente (1877), Auguste Toulmouche (More)

6. The Letter, by Vittorio Reggianini (1858-1928). (More)

7. The Reader, by Gabrielle Bakker (Contemporary artist) (More - TBA)

8. - TBA

Additional details: Work shown above is Althea, by John White Alexander.

Found here: Artistic Anatomy

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #4 of 30 Shown above: Girl with a Golden Wreath (date unknown), attributed to Léon-François Comerre.  About the artist: Léon-François Comerre’s paintings were all about lighthearted sensuality. His breathtaking pictures, painted in a lucid and glowing style, had an extraordinary way of revealing an air of frivolity, coupled with deliberate eroticism.  He had a love of nature, especially its more dramatic or sensual aspects. Primeval intensity, blithe elegance, and an ethereal atmosphere characterize his opulent painting style. (Quote source: History of Painters) Found here: Paper Blog, Polyvore, Thé au Jasmin (Jasmine Tea) and Artchive (image), History of Painters (bio text) Additional details: Girl with a Golden Wreath is generally attributed to Léon-François Comerre, but please note that provenance cannot be adequately established. The image, however, is similar to other works like La belle liseuse (The Beautiful Reader) at Mallett Gallery (U.K.), verified by Bridgeman Art Library. It also shares some stylistic markers with other Comerre works, in particular The Blonde Woman. For a casual post, then, this is acceptable. However, art historians or informed readers who are interested in this painting should do additional original research, as we can’t establish origin or history with any degree of assurance. Additional details: There are very few details available on Girl with a Golden Wreath, only that the medium is oil on canvas, and that the work is part of a private collection. Galleries of other works by this artist can be browsed here or here (Bridgeman). About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren). This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading. Review (excerpt): Rating: 5/5. Random Magic is truly…random. The first chapter seems to be off the wall and hard to understand - but only at first. One must continue reading to fully grasp the quirky, eccentric, and brilliant style that is Sasha Soren. It also helps to have a dictionary handy.  There is definitely more to this story than meets the eye. Brilliant. (Read full review) Additional details: Review by book blogger Well-Read Reviews (@wellreadreviews). Five-star rating (5/5) definition at Well-Read Reviews’ site: A life-changer and a MUST read! More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #4 of 30

Shown above: Girl with a Golden Wreath (date unknown), attributed to Léon-François Comerre. 

About the artist: Léon-François Comerre’s paintings were all about lighthearted sensuality. His breathtaking pictures, painted in a lucid and glowing style, had an extraordinary way of revealing an air of frivolity, coupled with deliberate eroticism. 

He had a love of nature, especially its more dramatic or sensual aspects. Primeval intensity, blithe elegance, and an ethereal atmosphere characterize his opulent painting style. (Quote source: History of Painters)

Found here: Paper Blog, Polyvore, Thé au Jasmin (Jasmine Tea) and Artchive (image), History of Painters (bio text)

Additional details: Girl with a Golden Wreath is generally attributed to Léon-François Comerre, but please note that provenance cannot be adequately established. The image, however, is similar to other works like La belle liseuse (The Beautiful Reader) at Mallett Gallery (U.K.), verified by Bridgeman Art Library. It also shares some stylistic markers with other Comerre works, in particular The Blonde Woman. For a casual post, then, this is acceptable. However, art historians or informed readers who are interested in this painting should do additional original research, as we can’t establish origin or history with any degree of assurance.

Additional details: There are very few details available on Girl with a Golden Wreath, only that the medium is oil on canvas, and that the work is part of a private collection. Galleries of other works by this artist can be browsed here or here (Bridgeman).

About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren).

This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading.

Review (excerpt): Rating: 5/5. Random Magic is truly…random. The first chapter seems to be off the wall and hard to understand - but only at first.

One must continue reading to fully grasp the quirky, eccentric, and brilliant style that is Sasha Soren. It also helps to have a dictionary handy. 

There is definitely more to this story than meets the eye. Brilliant. (Read full review)

Additional details: Review by book blogger Well-Read Reviews (@wellreadreviews). Five-star rating (5/5) definition at Well-Read Reviews’ site: A life-changer and a MUST read!

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Arrrrr! So, September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. If it happens to be Sept. 19 today, you’ve just found something marvelously piratey. Yo ho ho! In honor of all kinds of piratey doings, here we have a profile of pirate queen Jeanne de Clisson, the Lioness of Brittany. This profile of a real-life pirate queen was one of ten featured in Random Magic Tour: Pirates!, and you can browse some of the other interesting profiles right here. There’s also a great art series by artist Liana Leslie, and you can browse her matching pirate queen designs for each profile in the series, Queens of the Sea. In the meantime, on to the Lioness… Pirate Queens - series is part of Random Magic Tour: Pirates! The Lioness of Brittany (Profile #1 of 10) One of the most bloodthirsty female pirates in history. Jeanne de Clisson, nicknamed the Lioness of Brittany, was driven to piracy by a desire for revenge. At the age of 12, she was married off to 19-year-old Geoffrey de Châteaubriant. The marriage ended when Geoffrey died. Four years  later, Jeanne married again - this time, for love.   Then 30 years old, she selected Olivier III de Clisson as a bridegroom and they were reportedly content together. Olivier was a nobleman, holding a castle at Clisson and manor house in Nantes.   In 1342, he joined his friend Charles de Blois in fending off English claimants to Brittany. However, during the Breton War of Succession, Olivier was accused of failing to hold a particular region against English forces.  That summer (1343), he was attending a tourney in French territory - and he was arrested and carted off to Paris for trial. Fifteen former allies, including his friend Charles de Blois, found him guilty of treason.   Olivier was beheaded by order of King Philip VI, and his head was displayed on a pole outside the castle of Bouffay, in Nantes.   His widow, Jeanne, saw what had happened to her partner, and that’s when the story really picks up. Enraged by her husband’s betrayal and his hasty execution, she swore revenge on France, itself.  She sold off all that remained of her estate to raise enough money to buy three warships. The grieving widow had all three ships painted black, and the sails dyed blood red. Then the ‘Black Fleet’ was unleashed upon the waters. The Lioness of Brittany hunted down and destroyed the ships of King Philip VI, and the men who crewed them. If she found French noblemen on board, she’d personally behead them with an axe.  The only men who escaped her wrath were two or three sailors from each ship, whom she left alive so that they could bring word to the king that the Lioness was still prowling the trade waters.   Although the ‘Black Fleet’ was much feared, the bloodthirsty Lioness did have a particular code of honor; there was only one law, and that law was immutable. The French king was responsible for the death of her beloved Olivier, so she spared the ships and crews of every other nation met on her way - she only attacked French ships. (Find more pirate queens) Additional details: Title of image shown above is Morrigan McLeod, artist is Perkan.  More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Arrrrr! So, September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. If it happens to be Sept. 19 today, you’ve just found something marvelously piratey. Yo ho ho!

In honor of all kinds of piratey doings, here we have a profile of pirate queen Jeanne de Clisson, the Lioness of Brittany.

This profile of a real-life pirate queen was one of ten featured in Random Magic Tour: Pirates!, and you can browse some of the other interesting profiles right here. There’s also a great art series by artist Liana Leslie, and you can browse her matching pirate queen designs for each profile in the series, Queens of the Sea.

In the meantime, on to the Lioness…

Pirate Queens - series is part of Random Magic Tour: Pirates!

The Lioness of Brittany (Profile #1 of 10)

One of the most bloodthirsty female pirates in history. Jeanne de Clisson, nicknamed the Lioness of Brittany, was driven to piracy by a desire for revenge.

At the age of 12, she was married off to 19-year-old Geoffrey de Châteaubriant. The marriage ended when Geoffrey died. Four years  later, Jeanne married again - this time, for love.  

Then 30 years old, she selected Olivier III de Clisson as a bridegroom and they were reportedly content together. Olivier was a nobleman, holding a castle at Clisson and manor house in Nantes.  

In 1342, he joined his friend Charles de Blois in fending off English claimants to Brittany. However, during the Breton War of Succession, Olivier was accused of failing to hold a particular region against English forces. 

That summer (1343), he was attending a tourney in French territory - and he was arrested and carted off to Paris for trial. Fifteen former allies, including his friend Charles de Blois, found him guilty of treason.  

Olivier was beheaded by order of King Philip VI, and his head was displayed on a pole outside the castle of Bouffay, in Nantes.  

His widow, Jeanne, saw what had happened to her partner, and that’s when the story really picks up. Enraged by her husband’s betrayal and his hasty execution, she swore revenge on France, itself. 

She sold off all that remained of her estate to raise enough money to buy three warships. The grieving widow had all three ships painted black, and the sails dyed blood red.

Then the ‘Black Fleet’ was unleashed upon the waters. The Lioness of Brittany hunted down and destroyed the ships of King Philip VI, and the men who crewed them. If she found French noblemen on board, she’d personally behead them with an axe. 

The only men who escaped her wrath were two or three sailors from each ship, whom she left alive so that they could bring word to the king that the Lioness was still prowling the trade waters.  

Although the ‘Black Fleet’ was much feared, the bloodthirsty Lioness did have a particular code of honor; there was only one law, and that law was immutable. The French king was responsible for the death of her beloved Olivier, so she spared the ships and crews of every other nation met on her way - she only attacked French ships. (Find more pirate queens)

Additional details: Title of image shown above is Morrigan McLeod, artist is Perkan. 

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Arrrrrr! So, September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and that’ll be fun. If it happens to be Sept. 19 today, you’ve just found something piratically delicious. In honor of all kinds of piratey doings, here we have a cute selection of pirate tunes, from Random Magic Tour: Pirates!. What kind of tune arrrrrrre ye lookin’ to hear? Take yer pick, thar be a tune for all. Here be a round of jolly tunes about the sweet trade… My Love Affair With Books -Songs for: Bold pirates Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell - Songs for: Gloomy pirates Elbit Blog - Songs for: Accidental pirates vvb32 Reads - Songs for: Saucy pirates The True Book Addict - Songs for: Scary pirates Willowdust Reviews - Tina’s Book Reviews - Songs for: Pirate queens Diary of a Bookworm - Songs for: Poetic pirates Cerebralicious - Songs for: Brave seafarers of every kind, and a moment for all the lost ships. Eating YA Books - Songs for: Jovial pirates Vampires and Tofu - Songs for: Ominous pirates - Alt. track Songs and Stories - Songs for: (Delightfully) campy pirates Additional details: Random Magic is a book by Sasha Soren. Random Magic Tour: Pirates! was a tour based on some of the pirate scenes from the book. Additional details: Image shown at header is Pirate Queen, by Jackie Ocean. There was also a great series on pirate queens on Random Magic Tour: Pirates!, as well as a beautiful art series for the tour, Queens of the Sea. You can browse some of those cool picks here, if you like: Design doll: Queens of the Sea: #1 of 10: The Avenging Angel (Browse all designs for this series) Feature: Pirate Queens: #1 of 10: The Lioness of Brittany (Browse all posts in this series) More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Arrrrrr! So, September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and that’ll be fun. If it happens to be Sept. 19 today, you’ve just found something piratically delicious.

In honor of all kinds of piratey doings, here we have a cute selection of pirate tunes, from Random Magic Tour: Pirates!.

What kind of tune arrrrrrre ye lookin’ to hear? Take yer pick, thar be a tune for all.

Here be a round of jolly tunes about the sweet trade…

My Love Affair With Books -Songs for: Bold pirates

Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell - Songs for: Gloomy pirates

Elbit Blog - Songs for: Accidental pirates

vvb32 Reads - Songs for: Saucy pirates

The True Book Addict - Songs for: Scary pirates

Willowdust Reviews - Tina’s Book Reviews - Songs for: Pirate queens

Diary of a Bookworm - Songs for: Poetic pirates

Cerebralicious - Songs for: Brave seafarers of every kind, and a moment for all the lost ships.

Eating YA Books - Songs for: Jovial pirates

Vampires and Tofu - Songs for: Ominous pirates - Alt. track

Songs and Stories - Songs for: (Delightfully) campy pirates

Additional details: Random Magic is a book by Sasha Soren. Random Magic Tour: Pirates! was a tour based on some of the pirate scenes from the book.

Additional details: Image shown at header is Pirate Queen, by Jackie Ocean. There was also a great series on pirate queens on Random Magic Tour: Pirates!, as well as a beautiful art series for the tour, Queens of the Sea. You can browse some of those cool picks here, if you like:

Design doll: Queens of the Sea: #1 of 10: The Avenging Angel (Browse all designs for this series)

Feature: Pirate Queens: #1 of 10: The Lioness of Brittany (Browse all posts in this series)

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

In the world of Random Magic (Sasha Soren), there are a handful of amusing cameos by fairy tale characters like Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and Baba Yaga, just for fun.

The characters are the same, but in Random Magic, their stories are perhaps just the slightest bit twisted.

Here we have a song (video clip above) about fairy tale character Rapunzel, interpreted in a song by Emilie Autumn. A reference to Rapunzel, the lost maiden locked away in a tower, is found early on in Random Magic.

The girl in the tower is met by Winnie, though - Winnie’s the heroine of Random Magic; a resourceful scrapper who’s had to live by her wits to survive and therefore has little patience for droopy people of any variety:

“Come back!” yelled the girl in the tower. “I can’t leave until Prince Charming comes to rescue me. You must tell me if you’ve seen him.”

Winnie squinted an eye and sized up the situation.

“Not to be nosy, but…”

“Yes?” 

“Seems to me,” Winnie said reasonably, “that your hair’s long enough there that you could climb down all by yourself.”

“Sorry, what?”

Winnie sighed. “Why does everyone say that? Look, you’ve got, what, a pretty solid table up there, a bed, something?”

“Yes.”

“What’s it made of?”

“What, the table?”

“No, the bed.”

“Iron.”

“Right. So - you tie your hair to the iron post, then you grab yourself a pair of scissors, hop out the window, shimmy down the rope and - poof, climb down.”

Henry took an experimental bite out of the white apple. He vanished.

“Then when you hit the ground,” Winnie said, “you cut yourself free and there you are.”

“Don’t have a pair of scissors.”

“A knife, then.”

“Don’t have a knife.”

“A sewing needle, then.”

“Don’t have a sewing needle.”

“You’ve got teeth,” Winnie snapped.

From: Random Magic, by Sasha Soren

You can find out what happens to Winnie, and the girl in the tower (if anything!), in Random Magic.

Browse available formats: Amazon (trade paperback) | Kindle

Shown above: Selkie, by Forest Rogers

In the meantime, we can check out some more songs based on or referencing fairy tales or mythological figures - that could be fun.

Here’s a quick list of unusual suspects, along with the particular story or mythological figure the song or video is referencing. Feel free to browse or to find some of your own:

The Red Shoes by Kate Bush - The Red Shoes (video, video, film art, art print)

Rose Red by Emilie Autumn  - Rose Red

Tam Lin by Mediaeval Baebes - Tam Lin

Tam Lin by Tricky Pixies - Tam Lin

Tam Lin by Steeleye Span - Tam Lin

Tam Lin by Fairport Convention - Tam Lin

The Elfin Knight by Kate Rusby (Trad.) - Faeries

Sealwoman/Yundah by Mary McLaughlin - Selkies (song lyrics)

The Selkie of Sule Skerry by Jenny Keldie, Carolyn Allan - Selkies 

Silkie by Joan Baez - Selkies (song lyrics)   

Ballad of the White Seal Maid by Lui Collins - Selkies (song lyrics by Jane Yolen, short film: The Selkie Bride)

The Great Silkie by Tree - Selkies (song lyrics)  

Firebird’s Child by S.J. Tucker - The Firebird

Chanson de la sorcière (Song of the Sorceress), sung by Françoise Hardy, lyrics and music by Phillippe Chatel - Witches

The Fabled Hare by Maddy Prior - Shapeshifters (song notes)

Daughter of the Glade by Tricky Pixie - Satyresses

Creature of the Wood by Tricky Pixie - Pan/Satyrs

Toc Toc Toc by Zazie - Little Red Riding Hood (song lyrics - FR)

Lament of McCrimmon/Song of the Banshee - Sheila Chandal  - Banshees

Sirens of Ulysses by Daemonia Nymphe - Sirens

Song to the Siren - Tim Buckley - Sirens

Song to the Siren - Sinéad O’Connor (Orig. Tim Buckley) - Sirens

Song to the Siren - Sheila Chandra (Orig. Tim Buckley) - Sirens

Song to the Siren - Charlotte Martin (Orig. Tim Buckley) - Sirens

Song to the Siren - Brendan Perry (Orig. Tim Buckley) - Sirens

Mermaid - Grayson Capps - Mermaids (song lyrics)

The Mermaid Queen - Lisa Thiel - Mermaids

Additional details: Song illustrated in video clip is Rapunzel, by Emilie Autumn.

Additional details: A nice essay at This Miss Loves to Read lists the top 10 characters in Random Magic, including some fairy tale folks like Baba Yaga: Browse essay

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Wonderful ballet clip, featured in a special post during Random Magic Tour: Winterlong, supporting the book Random Magic, by Sasha Soren. 

Additional details: Clip is from Casse-Noisette (The Nutcracker), ‘Arabian Dance,’ composer is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, choreographer for this particular rendition is Maurice Béjart.

Brief video clip on the history of The Nutcracker can enjoyed here. Feel free to browse the ballet feature here, if you like: Winter Dancers

Additional clips: Various The Nutcracker production previews or specials: Moscow Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Mariinsky Theatre, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Eugene Ballet Company, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens du Montreal (behind the scenes), The National Ballet of Canada, The National Ballet of Canada (behind the scenes), Anaheim Ballet (behind the scenes), Pennsylvania Ballet (behind the scenes), Royal New Zealand Ballet (behind the scenes), Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) (behind the scenes), Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) (promo), The Royal Ballet (clip, ‘Arabian Dance’)

Additional clips: Movie connections: The Nutcracker in 3D, The Nutcracker (1993), The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, Agony and Ecstasy: A Year With English National Ballet (Episode: ‘Creating The Nutcracker’)

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Here we have a brilliant rendition of ‘Der Hölle Rache’ (‘Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen’/’Hell’s vengeance boils in my heart’).

The aria (2:12) is sung by the vengeful Queen of the Night, in the opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), by composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The singer in the clip shown above is talented soprano Diana Damrau.

Lyrics in original German: Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen/Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her! (More)

Lyrics in English translation: The vengeance of Hell boils in my heart/Death and despair flame about me! (More) 

Found here: YouTube

The plot line here, as in many tales of old and contemporary works, is both a hero’s quest and the unfolding tale of a struggle for supremacy between bright day and dark night. It’s only outside of story books that the two can coexist peaceably.

Apart from the fairy tale elements, there are some interesting symbolic underpinnings in this, the last of Mozart’s operas.

On a personal note, he wrote the Queen of the Night arias specifically with his sister-in-law, Josepha Hofer, in mind.

Hofer had only a middling stage presence but was an exceptionally gifted coloratura soprano, able to make the infamously difficult singing required for the role seem effortless.

The opera premiered in Vienna on September 30, 1791, and was a gratifying success for the composer.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to enjoy the adulation surrounding his latest work, having fallen ill before the premiere - he died a scarce two months later, on December 5, 1791.

(His last work went on to become one of the most beloved operas ever created; it’s still one of the most frequently-performed operas worldwide.)

Shown above: Königin Der Nacht (Queen of the Night), created for Mittelalter Kultur Festival, (c) Erblicken Photoblog

Additional live performances of ’Der Hölle Rache’: Erika Miklósa in a gleefully deranged performance you’ve just got to see at least once in your life, and full-on live recording versions by Patricia Petibone (Amoureuses - last track in video is ‘Tiger! Wetze nur die Klauen’/’Tiger! Sharpen your claws,’ from an unfinished Mozart opera, Zaide) and Diana Damrau (Arie di bravura).

Additional interpretations can be browsed here: Susanne Elmark (Danish), an odd experimental version by The Eccentric Opera* (they’ve had better luck with pop songs, like Irrésistiblement, originally by Sylvie Vartan), and Lucia Popp. *Fan site, not official artist site.

Additional clips: Various Die Zauberflöte production previews: Wuppertaler Bühnen, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Cincinnati Opera (behind the scenes), San Diego Opera (behind the scenes), Victorian Opera (behind the scenes), Liceu Opera Barcelona, Seattle Opera (behind the scenes - quick-change artists), L’Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio at Luxor Theater Rotterdam (big band).

Additional clips: Movie connections: The Magic Flute, Mozart’s Magic Flute Diaries, Amadeus, Trollflöjten (Aria lyrics in German with English translation and additional clips. Aria sung in Swedish translation in this movie version, original lyrics are German.)

Also on a personal note, but with a broader application to society at large, is the fact that Mozart was a Freemason, and the opera is traditionally believed to contain secret signs and symbols from Masonic rituals.

This excerpt, from opera notes by Opera Colorado, briefly touches on some of the presumed links between Mozart, Masons, and music:

Entire books have been written about the Masonic symbolism contained in The Magic Flute. Here are but a handful of examples. The number three held significance in Masonry. Thus, we find three strongly emphasized chords in the overture, three ladies in the service of the Queen of the Night, three boys who lead Tamino and Papageno on their quest, in the original cast three slaves and three priests, three temples, three knocks on the doors of the temple, and three flats in the key signature of E flat, the home key of the opera.

Other numbers are also significant in Freemasonry. For instance, the 77 strokes of the bastinado which Monostatos is to receive at the end of the first act hearken to the idea that in Freemasonry the number seven represents wisdom.

The serpent which chases Tamino, the padlock used to punish Papageno for telling a lie, the flute and bells, the references to air, earth, fire, and water, the allusions to darkness and the sun, the colors of certain costumes - all these things can be tied to Masonic iconography.

But the opera was not written for a closed circle of the initiated. It was written for a suburban theater, a popular, not a highbrow theater. One of the amazing things about The Magic Flute is that it works on so many different levels, and may either be enjoyed simply for its music and charm, or may be debated and discussed at length as a meaningful treatise on human existence. Or both.

Source: Opera Colorado, ‘The Origins, Meanings, Rituals, and Values of The Magic Flute’

 Of course, it could also be argued that there are significant meanings attached to several of these elements, including the four elements or the symbolism of numbers - particularly the number three, or trinities - in other belief systems, including those as seemingly disparate as Christianity and paganism.

Random Magic (Sasha Soren), too, is a multifaceted story with quite a celestial cabinet of nuances, signs and symbols - but it can also be read as just a jolly adventure. The symbolism in RM, though, isn’t Masonic as much as it is archetypal, perhaps.

Ah, but back to our Queen of the Night.

The character closest to The Queen of the Night in Random Magic would be The Dark Queen - a formidable woman, both intelligent and ferocious:

The dank air lightened with slivers of frost, smelling icy-sweet - a thunderstorm was coming, somewhere…not far off…

The ghostly rider suddenly burst into view. She was clad in gleaming black from head to toe, as if her garments were cut and stitched from a curtain of night; her slender fingers curled around the carved handle of a nine-headed whip made of snakes. Venom oozed from their mouths, the fangs dead-white against the night fog.

[…]

A figure burst out of the woods ahead, and ran like the devil was after him. In a manner of speaking, she was.

The dark rider hissed, and cruelly whipped her horse. The horse and rider hurtled past, and caught up with the running man. Muscles straining under the glossy black coat, the horse rode the figure down. The rider leaned down effortlessly, dug her talons into his back and scooped him up. They reached the crossroads. With a ferocious scream, the horse and rider reared up - and vanished in mid-air.

- From: Random Magic, by Sasha Soren

Our heroes in Random Magic come uncomfortably close to falling into the clutches of this beautiful but wicked force of nature.

(Another set of characters found in Random Magic, also acquainted with the night, would be the gracious and cold-blooded De Morgues, of course.)

In both the Queen of the Night (Mozart) and the Dark Queen (Sasha Soren), we find characters who are beautiful but dangerous - much like night, itself.

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #3 of 30 Shown above: La Charmeuse (1890), Léon Herbo. Oil on canvas, 31 x 36 inches (78.74 x 91.44 cms.) About: Artist Léon Herbo (1850-1907) is best known for his charming portraits. He also organized exhibitions and lectures and founded art collective L’Essor. He began his career debut with historical compositions, but discovered he had a natural gift for depicting individual sitters with charm, refinement and touch of sensual appeal. He played host, in his cluttered studio, to an ongoing procession of generals and officers, clerics, members of cabinets and the monied classes. He’d become a portrait painter of note among the political, artistic and literary beau monde of his time. Herbo had an expert knowledge of anatomy and a nearly eidetic memory for features, enabling him to create an excellent likeness of any sitter after only one or two posing sessions. Only rarely did the painter try to render the psychology of the model - far more often, he’d create a charming and attractive tableau with a light hand and eye for rich and harmonious blends of light and shadow, setting off the sitter to his or her best advantage. With their sumptuous details, fluid lines and luminous colors, Herbo’s paintings capture the carefree spirit of the age of La Belle Époque to perfection. (More) Found here: Still Life, Maes Fine Paintings (bio*) Additional details: The Maes Fine Painting bio* was spiffed up a little with a quick rewrite and edits by Sasha Soren, mostly just for sake of clarity. Supplementary info on the painting can also be browsed here: Rehs Galleries. An evocative blog post on this painting may be found at The Café Royal.  About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren). This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading. Review (excerpt): Rating: 5/5. In a word: Faboo. Truly an adventure of astronomical proportions! Funny to the extreme! If you blink your eye while reading this, you might miss a tickle or two. I loved how bits of Greek mythology, Shakespeare, Twain, Poe, vampires, pirates, witches, whatwolves, and other new and notable characters and creatures are thrown into this jambalaya storyline. All in search of our Alice - who is not in Wonderland as she should be. This is me, while reading the book. I couldn’t help it. The whimsy in me connected with the story so well. (Read full review) Additional details: Review by book blogger vvb32 Reads (@vvb32reads) More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #3 of 30

Shown above: La Charmeuse (1890), Léon Herbo. Oil on canvas, 31 x 36 inches (78.74 x 91.44 cms.)

About: Artist Léon Herbo (1850-1907) is best known for his charming portraits. He also organized exhibitions and lectures and founded art collective L’Essor.

He began his career debut with historical compositions, but discovered he had a natural gift for depicting individual sitters with charm, refinement and touch of sensual appeal.

He played host, in his cluttered studio, to an ongoing procession of generals and officers, clerics, members of cabinets and the monied classes. He’d become a portrait painter of note among the political, artistic and literary beau monde of his time.

Herbo had an expert knowledge of anatomy and a nearly eidetic memory for features, enabling him to create an excellent likeness of any sitter after only one or two posing sessions.

Only rarely did the painter try to render the psychology of the model - far more often, he’d create a charming and attractive tableau with a light hand and eye for rich and harmonious blends of light and shadow, setting off the sitter to his or her best advantage.

With their sumptuous details, fluid lines and luminous colors, Herbo’s paintings capture the carefree spirit of the age of La Belle Époque to perfection. (More)

Found here: Still Life, Maes Fine Paintings (bio*)

Additional details: The Maes Fine Painting bio* was spiffed up a little with a quick rewrite and edits by Sasha Soren, mostly just for sake of clarity. Supplementary info on the painting can also be browsed here: Rehs Galleries. An evocative blog post on this painting may be found at The Café Royal. 

About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren).

This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading.

Review (excerpt): Rating: 5/5. In a word: Faboo. Truly an adventure of astronomical proportions! Funny to the extreme! If you blink your eye while reading this, you might miss a tickle or two.

I loved how bits of Greek mythology, Shakespeare, Twain, Poe, vampires, pirates, witches, whatwolves, and other new and notable characters and creatures are thrown into this jambalaya storyline. All in search of our Alice - who is not in Wonderland as she should be.

This is me, while reading the book. I couldn’t help it. The whimsy in me connected with the story so well. (Read full review)

Additional details: Review by book blogger vvb32 Reads (@vvb32reads)

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

A lot of people have commented that Random Magic (Sasha Soren) should be a movie, as the world it depicts is so colorful and vivid. Some great folks have even taken the time to give their dream team casting picks for a theoretical movie version of Random Magic. What’s also fun is happening upon portraits or landscapes by artists who seem like they’d be very comfortable in the world of Random Magic - very comfortable, indeed! Looking at this colorful, whimsical portrait of two writers deep in thought, the first pair of characters in RM that spring immediately to mind are the celestial twins, Polly and Mellie: Someone giggled. No, Winnie decided, as she turned her head, searching for the source of the sound. It was two someones - a pair of identical twins lounging on lawn chairs.  They sprawled lazily, fetchingly swagged in translucent grey robes, bare feet resting comfortably on a towering stack of books. The backs of their lawn chairs had something written on them. ‘Polyhymnia,’ Winnie read, ‘and Melpomene. What are you, diseases?’ - From: Random Magic (Sasha Soren) The twins, Polyhymnia and Melpomene (nicknamed Polly and Mellie, in the book), are in fact two of the Nine Muses. Polly, who’s handy with paper, ink and profundity, inspires works of sacred poetry. Her theatrical sister Mellie, Muse of Tragedy, is the capricious inspiration behind every serious drama - and every serious drama queen - ever unloosed upon the unsuspecting world. In the most delightful way. Mellie is, like a particular brand of thespian, vain and preposterously dramatic - yet often endearing and even unwittingly hilarious in her self-absorption: Polly dug through the spill of dusty books, nibbling her nail distractedly. She cursed under her breath, then jabbed at her sister with the end of her quill. ‘Hey,’ she said. ‘Hey.’ ‘Mmmm?’ Mellie said. ‘Did you want my autograph?’ Polly rolled her eyes. ‘Tss. I can’t find it.’ ‘Find what? Inspiration? She’s probably hiding behind a twig or something. Bloody girl.’  - From: Random Magic (Sasha Soren) Additional details: The title of the work shown above is Les écrivaines (The Writers), by artist Catherine Chauloux. Oil on canvas, 60 x 60 cms. (23.6 x 23.6 inches). A self-taught painter, Chauloux says her favorite teachers to learn from were also some of the best who ever lived - ‘the master painters of the Italian Renaissance.’  More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

A lot of people have commented that Random Magic (Sasha Soren) should be a movie, as the world it depicts is so colorful and vivid.

Some great folks have even taken the time to give their dream team casting picks for a theoretical movie version of Random Magic.

What’s also fun is happening upon portraits or landscapes by artists who seem like they’d be very comfortable in the world of Random Magic - very comfortable, indeed!

Looking at this colorful, whimsical portrait of two writers deep in thought, the first pair of characters in RM that spring immediately to mind are the celestial twins, Polly and Mellie:

Someone giggled. No, Winnie decided, as she turned her head, searching for the source of the sound. It was two someones - a pair of identical twins lounging on lawn chairs. 

They sprawled lazily, fetchingly swagged in translucent grey robes, bare feet resting comfortably on a towering stack of books.

The backs of their lawn chairs had something written on them.

‘Polyhymnia,’ Winnie read, ‘and Melpomene. What are you, diseases?’

- From: Random Magic (Sasha Soren)

The twins, Polyhymnia and Melpomene (nicknamed Polly and Mellie, in the book), are in fact two of the Nine Muses.

Polly, who’s handy with paper, ink and profundity, inspires works of sacred poetry.

Her theatrical sister Mellie, Muse of Tragedy, is the capricious inspiration behind every serious drama - and every serious drama queen - ever unloosed upon the unsuspecting world. In the most delightful way.

Mellie is, like a particular brand of thespian, vain and preposterously dramatic - yet often endearing and even unwittingly hilarious in her self-absorption:

Polly dug through the spill of dusty books, nibbling her nail distractedly. She cursed under her breath, then jabbed at her sister with the end of her quill. ‘Hey,’ she said. ‘Hey.’

‘Mmmm?’ Mellie said. ‘Did you want my autograph?’

Polly rolled her eyes. ‘Tss. I can’t find it.’

‘Find what? Inspiration? She’s probably hiding behind a twig or something. Bloody girl.’ 

- From: Random Magic (Sasha Soren)

Additional details: The title of the work shown above is Les écrivaines (The Writers), by artist Catherine Chauloux. Oil on canvas, 60 x 60 cms. (23.6 x 23.6 inches). A self-taught painter, Chauloux says her favorite teachers to learn from were also some of the best who ever lived - ‘the master painters of the Italian Renaissance.’ 

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series #2 of 30 Shown above: Young Girl Reading by a Window (date unknown), Delphin Enjolras (1857-1945). Oil on canvas. 46 x 56 cms. (18.11 x 22.05 inches). Private collection. About: Artist Delphin Enjolras was a fine landscape painter, but is better known for his portraits. The majority of his oil paintings and pastels depict women illuminated by lamplight. His subjects are often engaged in quiet pursuits such as reading. (More) Found here: Art Renewal Center, Burlington Paintings (bio) Additional details: Additional works by this artist include La lettre (The Letter), Le bouquet (The Bouquet) and Le billet doux (alternate spelling is Le billet-doux, English translation is The Love Letter). Additional artist bio info here, additional images can be browsed here. About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren). This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading.  Review (excerpt): Imagine yourself in a vivid dream. One where things are real, but dreamy, extra colorful, animated and magical. Now you are ready to enter the world of Random Magic.  I have not watched the movie Alice in Wonderland in years, but I do remember the characters and certain aspects of the story. All of my preconceived notions about this book were wrong. Alice is not the main character in the story, as I expected. The story is so much more than a girl in Wonderland… Sasha Soren takes the reader on an incredible journey. The descriptions of the locations and beings they encounter are incredible, you can tell the author is an artist because she writes with all of her five senses. You really feel like you are there. (Read full review) Additional details: Review by book blogger Ellz Readz More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series #2 of 30

Shown above: Young Girl Reading by a Window (date unknown), Delphin Enjolras (1857-1945). Oil on canvas. 46 x 56 cms. (18.11 x 22.05 inches). Private collection.

About: Artist Delphin Enjolras was a fine landscape painter, but is better known for his portraits. The majority of his oil paintings and pastels depict women illuminated by lamplight. His subjects are often engaged in quiet pursuits such as reading. (More)

Found here: Art Renewal Center, Burlington Paintings (bio)

Additional details: Additional works by this artist include La lettre (The Letter), Le bouquet (The Bouquet) and Le billet doux (alternate spelling is Le billet-doux, English translation is The Love Letter). Additional artist bio info here, additional images can be browsed here.

About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren).

This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading. 

Review (excerpt): Imagine yourself in a vivid dream. One where things are real, but dreamy, extra colorful, animated and magical. Now you are ready to enter the world of Random Magic. 

I have not watched the movie Alice in Wonderland in years, but I do remember the characters and certain aspects of the story. All of my preconceived notions about this book were wrong. Alice is not the main character in the story, as I expected. The story is so much more than a girl in Wonderland…

Sasha Soren takes the reader on an incredible journey. The descriptions of the locations and beings they encounter are incredible, you can tell the author is an artist because she writes with all of her five senses. You really feel like you are there. (Read full review)

Additional details: Review by book blogger Ellz Readz

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #1 of 30 Shown above: Young Girl Reading (c. 1770), Jean-Honoré Fragonard  About: Not so much a portrait but an evocation, similar to the ‘fantasy portraits’ Fragonard made of acquaintances as personifications of poetry and music. He painted these very quickly, using bold, energetic strokes.  A Young Girl Reading is painted over such a fantasy portrait and shares its brilliant technique. The girl’s dress and cushion are painted with quick and fluid strokes, in broad unblended bands of startling color: saffron, lilac, and magenta. Her fingers are defined by mere swerves of the brush. (More) Found here: National Gallery of Art About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren). This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading.  Review (excerpt): Random Magic is unlike anything I have ever read. It is an adventure story full of magic. The way it is put together is magical in itself. I really loved the writing and the language in Random Magic. It is witty, humorous and sarcastic. Its beauty lies in its unusualness… Random Magic is an exceptional book in every aspect. It demands a lot of focus while reading, but the effort is well rewarded. It makes you laugh and cry, but most of all reminds you not to ever give up love and most of all hope. RECOMMENDATION: Random Magic is a complex, beautifully written book with an amazing plot line and characters, which re-teaches a few forgotten life lessons and enchants the reader with the forgotten wonders of the world. (Read full review) Additional details: Review by book blogger Beyond Strange New Words (@StrangeNewWords) More Random Magic: Browse Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)

Women Reading series: #1 of 30

Shown above: Young Girl Reading (c. 1770), Jean-Honoré Fragonard 

About: Not so much a portrait but an evocation, similar to the ‘fantasy portraits’ Fragonard made of acquaintances as personifications of poetry and music. He painted these very quickly, using bold, energetic strokes. 

A Young Girl Reading is painted over such a fantasy portrait and shares its brilliant technique. The girl’s dress and cushion are painted with quick and fluid strokes, in broad unblended bands of startling color: saffron, lilac, and magenta. Her fingers are defined by mere swerves of the brush. (More)

Found here: National Gallery of Art

About the Women Reading series: For the Women Reading series, we have a gallery of 30 nice images of women reading, and then a quick excerpt of a review for Random Magic (Sasha Soren).

This way you have a little sampler of reviews and also a few lovely images of bookish femmes, enjoying a moment of leisure reading. 

Review (excerpt): Random Magic is unlike anything I have ever read. It is an adventure story full of magic. The way it is put together is magical in itself.

I really loved the writing and the language in Random Magic. It is witty, humorous and sarcastic. Its beauty lies in its unusualness…

Random Magic is an exceptional book in every aspect. It demands a lot of focus while reading, but the effort is well rewarded. It makes you laugh and cry, but most of all reminds you not to ever give up love and most of all hope.

RECOMMENDATION: Random Magic is a complex, beautifully written book with an amazing plot line and characters, which re-teaches a few forgotten life lessons and enchants the reader with the forgotten wonders of the world. (Read full review)

Additional details: Review by book blogger Beyond Strange New Words (@StrangeNewWords)

More Random Magic: Browse

Related materials: Book trailer for Random Magic

Found by: Random Magic Tour/Lyrika Publicis (Random Magic, Sasha Soren)