This Day in History February 7, 1812

Well, today we celebrate one of my favorite authors.  Charles Dickens was born on this date in 1812.  He died June 9, 1870.  He is still one of the most celebrated British authors as evidenced by films, adaptations and more.

Initially, most of his works were published in monthly installments, and I would say that is why at the end of most of his chapters, he seems to leave you hanging.  My only complaint with his writing has ever been that he writes long books!

My favorite Charles Dickens book is A Tale of Two Cities.  It is one of a select few books that I have read more than once.  In fact, I wanted one time to write a musical based on it.  I remember beginning work on it several years ago, but I didn't get past the first part of the first song.

I know I could detail Dickens' life here, but I think it just better to remember his legacy (who doesn't know A Christmas Carol in some form?), and if you would like to check out links for a lot more information, please check out the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_dickens
http://www.online-literature.com/dickens/
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/story/2012-01-30/charles-dickens-200th-birthday/52891568/1

Midwinter's Eve Blog Hop Giveaway(Ends 12/27) U.S./Canada/International (closed)

Welcome to the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop.  Thanks to Kathy from I Am a Reader Not a Writer and  Jessie Harrell from Oasis for YA for co-hosting!
This hop runs from December 21st to December 27th.
More than 200 blogs have each signed up to host a giveaway.
Okay, I hope you are ready, my friends!  I have a couple reviews and book giveaways to list here.  Some are open to U.S. only while others are international.  So please check out the applicable giveaways.  And don't forget to check out the linky at the bottom and hop along to the other sites to enter to win other books.

First up is an international giveaway of a signed paperback copy of Find the Upside of the Down Times by Dr. Robert Pennington.  You can read my review of it here.  He generously offered to give a copy away to one of my readers, and he said he is willing to ship internationally.  So if interested, please enter via the rafflecopter form.

This Day in History December 19, 1843

This is a perfect fit today considering our wondrous Christmas season.  It was on this date in 1843 that Charles Dickens's book A Christmas Carol was published.  I was amazed to find that this novella took Dickens only six weeks to write, and he wrote it at a time when his popularity had hit an all-time low.  This book caused his popularity to rise yet again.

He drew on his own childhood--books as friends, losing brother/sister to disease, and more as he wrote it.  He locked himself in his house as he wrote it.  he refused o see anyone during that time.  His publisher thought the book would not do well, and Dickens actually agreed to pay for the publishing costs.  The cost of the book was kept low--five shillings.

As you can imagine, the book was an instant success.  It has been made into movies, musicals, plays, graphic novels, and every form of art imaginable.  It is indeed one of the best-loved books of all times during this holiday season.

http://childrensbookalmanac.com/2010/12/a-christmas-carol/
http://6thingstoconsider.com/2011/12/19/dickens-a-christmas-carol/