Author: Aubrey Leaman

I love pushing the boundaries by mixing and matching both between and within genres because I believe that the resulting fresh perspective can be both fun and illuminating. So I use books and music (and more) as diving boards to plunge into the cosmic pool that encompasses anything and everything that can be imagined. You know, in a light-hearted, casual way.
Books, Music

New Year’s Resolutions: Seeking Book and Music Recommendations

Aubrey Leaman

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Wow, how is it almost 2019 already?! With a new year comes new resolutions, new opportunities, new struggles, and new experiences. It’s also a time for reflecting on the past year. I’ve generally tended focused on the first half of this with posts like Top 5 Inspiring Book Characters for the New Year and Top 4 Independent and Inspirational Book Characters, but this year I’m combining the two by looking to the future by reflecting on the past — using some of the past year’s posts to (hopefully) provide some inspiration for the new year! But I don’t just want to share my own ideas, so please do comment below to help me and others who read this post to find even more inspiration for the new year! Continue reading “New Year’s Resolutions: Seeking Book and Music Recommendations” →

Books

Ho Ho Holmes: The Perfect Bookish Gifts for Literary Characters

Aubrey Leaman

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It’s that time of year! The time of year, that is, when you feel the guilt of asking how can I know him/her so well and yet can’t think of a single thing to give them as a gift???

While I can’t really help you there, I do know that books tend to be great gifts for all kinds of people — literary people included. Here are some books that you might give back to your favorite literary characters, then, to thank them for the gift of their existence! Continue reading “Ho Ho Holmes: The Perfect Bookish Gifts for Literary Characters” →

Classical Music Stories

Classical Music Stories: Rapunzel’s Daydreams

Aubrey Leaman

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From the composer of Clair de Lune comes piano music that is equally dreamy, equally magical…

Classical Music Stories is a series that connects music to your favorite books and characters. Since listening to classical music can be like hearing a story, imagining specific stories that match the music can make it that much more fun and accessible! Continue reading “Classical Music Stories: Rapunzel’s Daydreams” →

Classical Music Stories

Classical Music Stories: Romeo, Juliet, and Grieg

Aubrey Leaman
(My man Grieg rocking an epic hat)

Adventure, drama, despair, irony…this music has it all! (And speaking of having it all, check out this photo where Grieg is rocking a truly SPECTACULAR hat and mustache…)

But anyways.

Classical Music Stories is a series that connects music to your favorite books and characters. Since listening to classical music can be like hearing a story, imagining specific stories that match the music can make it that much more fun and accessible! Continue reading “Classical Music Stories: Romeo, Juliet, and Grieg” →

Books

Top 10 Books I’m Thankful For

Aubrey Leaman

All too often we’ll get to the end of a book and think “eh.” That was enjoyable enough I suppose, but another story would have passed the time equally well.

But sometimes we read a story that stays with us, that changes us in some way. These are the ones that keep us coming back to reading over and over again.

Now today is Saturday, the day after Thanksgiving, and while the holiday may be over I’m still thankful for a number of books that have really impacted my life. In celebration, then, here is a list of the most impactful, in no particular order:

1) The Catcher in the Rye

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For its gift of catharsis Continue reading “Top 10 Books I’m Thankful For” →

Books

Recasting Mulan with Classic Literary Characters

Aubrey Leaman

Mulan DVD books

We’re about a year and a half out from Disney’s live action remake of Mulan, and the excitement is real. But I started wondering…if there were to be a sort of literary recasting of the movie, which literary characters would have the most in common with the movie characters? Continue reading “Recasting Mulan with Classic Literary Characters” →

Classical Music Stories

Classical Music Stories: Mozart and Sydney Carton (A Tale of Two Cities)

Aubrey Leaman

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Classical Music Stories is a series that connects music to your favorite books and characters. Since listening to classical music can be like hearing a story, imagining specific stories that match the music can make it that much more fun and accessible!

Spoilers ahead for Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities! Continue reading “Classical Music Stories: Mozart and Sydney Carton (A Tale of Two Cities)” →

Books

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Most “Lit” Halloween Costume Party (Rochester vs. Holmes)

Aubrey Leaman

A genie shows up to your Halloween party and grants you a wish to attend any *lit* Halloween costume party of your choosing. (And by lit of course I mean literary.)

But which party should you choose?

For the first time in the history of the entire universe, this post outlines the key information you will need to make this incredibly difficult decision. It will not be easy choosing between the parties of Mr. Rochester and Sherlock Holmes (since after multiple years of extensive and careful research it is clear that the best Halloween costume party must be hosted by one of them), but we are now ready to present our preliminary findings. Without further ado, here is what our highest-level academic researchers have brought to the table:  Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Most “Lit” Halloween Costume Party (Rochester vs. Holmes)” →

Books

If Literary Characters were Fall Clichés

Aubrey Leaman

From fuzzy socks to pumpkin spice, literary characters have a lot in common with some of our favorite fall clichés:

1. Candy corn = Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre

Candy corn is one of those things people seem to either love or hate. In a similar way, some people hate Mr. Rochester for being this grumpy, controlling, and demeaning guy, but others love him for being Jane’s other half and for loving her unconditionally.  Continue reading “If Literary Characters were Fall Clichés” →

Books, Music

Music Recommendations for Children of Blood and Bone

Aubrey Leaman

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Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi has been out for a while now, but for some of us we’re still thinking about it. Flooded with determination, adventure, courage, and empowerment, there’s nothing quite like this book.

So here you go! A list of music for when you want to recapture those feelings (and for when you just don’t have time to reread all 544 pages…): Continue reading “Music Recommendations for Children of Blood and Bone” →