​"Books are among the best friends that it is possible for any man to have.  They will be silent when he does not wish to converse, they will speak to him when he desires to be spoken to; they will take no offence at his silence, neither will they take any offence at all at his comments.  They include the most illustrious of the living and the most illustrious of the dead.  Having books, a man can number among his friends those who have distinguished themselves in civil life and in military life; he can have friends from the state, he can have friends from the church.  He can entertain them all his life at the least possible expense, because they ask no more at his hands than the tenderest accommodations and the quietest place in his dwelling."
—Rev. John Hall, D.D. 1885.
The Book of Best Things. 1885, pp. 18—19.

Gifts for Victorian Book Lovers
"Books are the windows through which the mind looks out." —Anonymous, 1889. www.ThisVictorianLife.com

Psst…  Zazzle has their canvas tote bags on sale 50% off today!  Type in SEASONZTREAT at checkout to get the discount.
Zazzle tote bags from This Victorian Life
https://www.zazzle.com/store/this_victorian_life

Happy Halloween!  Please enjoy sharing these historical articles for the holiday.

Coloring pages for Trick-or-Treaters
 
All Hallow's Eve (1895)
http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/all-hallow-eve-1895.html

A Supernatural Swindle (Fiction—1896) http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/a-supernatural-swindle-fictionmdash1896.html

The Children of Arachne: European Spiders (1889)
Great Grandma's Hallowe'en (Poem —1887) http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/great-grandmas-halloween-poemmdash1887.html

Mourning and Mourners (1888) http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/mourning-and-mourners-1888.html
Victorian Halloween
Merchandise

Painting by Brunner František Dvořák

​"In his love for knowledge and familiarity with books a man may find his happiness and usefulness increased a hundred fold."
—Walter R. Houghton, 1889.
American Etiquette and Rules of Politeness. 1889, p. 33-34.

Sarah's Books
I'd be honored if you would ask your community to choose one of my books as a "Community Reads" or "One Book" topic.  Check with your local library to find out how books are chosen to be Community Reads in your local area.  If your library gives you a chance to vote for a specific book, please do so!  
Here's some information about other Community Reads projects which have been done with various books:
http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0601/cfb.html

First Wheel in Town

Love Will Find A Wheel

A Rapping At The Door A Trip and a Tumble

Delivery Delayed Quotations of Quality

A Bouquet of Victorian Roses

Love's Messenger