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EmmaV

My name is Emma and I started working for the ABC The Hague/Leidschendam stores in 2021. Before that, I studied English Literature at Leiden University. I specialized in nineteenth/twentieth-century fantasy and children’s literature, but also enjoyed a course on the folklore of plants in medieval manuscripts. As a buyer for the Nature and Kids section I am happy I get to work with these themes again! In my spare time I like drawing, flute playing, cooking and watching comedy shows and reading books, of course! I mainly like reading cozy fantasy, books on folklore and nature.

In Doubt: Date Mr. Darcy

It is almost Valentine’s Day! Need some 19th century dating advice? “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” Jane Austen taught us in her masterwork, Pride and Prejudice. Yes, in Ms. Austen’s time, the [...]

2023-02-13T12:07:46+01:00Tags: , , , |

Folklore & Fairy tale

Witches and the Folklore of Poisonous Plants written by Emma V Some of the most striking scenes of witchcraft in literature picture witches bent over a bubbling cauldron—from the three witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth tossing in ingredient after ingredient to cause “double, double toil and trouble”, to Harry, [...]

2023-01-13T13:56:45+01:00Tags: , , |

Cackle

"All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her long-time boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching job that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. Her new home is picturesque and perfect. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is lovely too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation. Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That's how Sophie lives. Annie can't help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the town seems... a little afraid of her. And, okay. Sophie's appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power . . . but she couldn't be . . . could she?"

2025-02-12T17:55:50+01:00Tags: , , , |

ABC Top 5: 2022 Edition

Here we go again with our 5(ish) favorite reads of 2022. We try very hard to keep to 5, but it’s not always possible. So, there may be 5 or 6, an A and a B list, memorable reads or just plain marvelous books. We hope you enjoy it and [...]

Have yourself a bookish little Christmas

written by Emma ‘Tis the season for Christmas standards including trees, stockings, presents and carols. But when it comes to books, we all have different tastes. That’s why we compiled a list of varied Christmas books for you to read during the holidays. Pay a quick visit to the world of [...]

2023-01-13T13:57:28+01:00Tags: , , |
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