You are what you read

“Every reader finds himself. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument that makes it possible for the reader to discern what, without this book, he would perhaps never have seen in himself.” 

^{- Marcel Proust}

Flat surfaces in my home inevitably become cluttered with three things, decks of cards, coffee cups and books.  I always have multiple books started, today I gathered some to share, some I'm reading for the first time, some I reread every year, some are consistently checked and referenced.  I love this Proust quote because it reminds me that I'm not a blank slate waiting to be filled I'm a person with interests and tastes just waiting to be woken up. 

What are some books that you have read that had a dramatic influence on your life?  Do you think that they shaped you or or held up a mirror to show you your shape?  Influential books of mine not pictured here include

"Eat, Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert

"The Artists Way" by Julia Cameron

"What the Dog Saw" by Malcom Gladwell

and "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein

Books in the photo

"Parisian Chic: A Style Guide" by Ines de la Fressange  

“What Would Audrey Do?” Pamela Keogh

“The Fabulous Girls Guide to Decorum”  by Kim Izzo & Ceri Marsh

“Fifth Avenue, 5 a.m.”  by Sam Wasson

“The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception” by H. Keith Melton & Robert Wallace

“Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire” by Mireille Guiliano

“Women in Comedy” by Martin and Segrave

“A Celebration of All Things Lucy”  by Edwards

“The little Book of Etiquette” by Dorothea  Johnson

Why is there a photo of a sofa?

Nika Zupanc sofa

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog.   If you made it this far you most likely already know that I am a professional magician.   Which means now may be wondering "Why on earth is a magician posting a photo of a sofa?"  I love this sofa; it's from a collection by Nika Zupanc.  I love the charming spin she placed on an ordinary object.  As an artist this is the type of thing that inspires me to create.  My aim is to entertain with unique magical routines that my audience can relate to; and maybe, inspire them to see their world in a different light. 

This blog is not really going to be about magic, but about the items, people,art and thoughts that are magic in this crazy world.  I hope you enjoy it.

au revoir

Star