Icons by blancwene

Explanation:
“Finduilas, daughter of Adrahil of Dol Amroth … was a lady of great beauty and gentle heart, but before twelve years had passed she died. Denethor loved her, in his fashion, more dearly than any other, unless it were the elder of the sons that she bore him. But it seemed to men that she withered in the guarded city, as a flower of the seaward vales set upon a barren rock. The shadow in the east filled her with horror, and she turned her eyes ever south to the sea that she missed.”

( the sea that she missed - a mix for Finduilas of Dol Amroth )

Explanation:
'What then would you have,' said Gandalf, 'if your will could have its way?'

'I would have things as they were in all the days of my life,' answered Denethor, 'and in the days of my longfathers before me: to be the Lord of this City in peace, and leave my chair to a son after me, who would be his own master and no wizard’s pupil. But if doom denies this to me, then I will have naught: neither life diminished, nor love halved, nor honour abated.'

( all the ones you love will someday have to go - a mix for the House of Stewards )

Explanation:
For anomilygrace. Picking up where The Long Winter left off!

Whereas earlier events in the series remained restricted to the Ingalls family, Little Town on the Prairie moves beyond the family circle. Echoing Laura's new-found interest in the outside world, it focuses on the social life of DeSmet Township as well as further developments with the Ingalls. Laura makes her first forays into the adult world--with jobs, school, parties, and an ever-increasing circle of friends. By the end of the novel, the shy, reticent Laura of past books has grown into a competent schoolteacher, ready (in spite of her age) to take on the world.

( Small Town Parade - an EP for 'Little Town on the Prairie' )

Explanation:
Margaret Mitchell's epic Gone With the Wind ends with a decidedly UN-happily ever after. While there have been two authorized sequels, most readers agree that they don't even begin to compare to the original. (In my opinion, they're travesties.)

Tomorrow by ruby_gillis is another matter; focusing on Scarlett's daughter, it chronicles Ella Kennedy's quest to find her mother, from Tara to Atlanta to New Orleans to the Midwest. It's not perfect--the conclusion falls somewhat flat--but it's ultimately an engrossing read. And hopefully this mix will encourage you to do so!

( Come By Fire or Come By Storm - A Mix for 'Tomorrow' )

Explanation:
Philippa Somerville, the most prosaic schoolgirl in Tudor England, plays a vital role in the Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett. And as one would expect from Dunnett's labyrinthine plots, Philippa's interactions with the titular Francis Crawford of Lymond are equally complicated. Think of any literary trope imaginable; it probably happened at least once in their relationship.

Since we rarely get inside Lymond's head in the series, I took a similar approach with this mix: all the songs are either about Philippa, or her perception of Lymond.

( Cover the Path to Your Heart - A Mix for Lymond & Philippa in Two Parts )

Explanation:
"Mr. Rochester ... is ill-educated, misguided; errs, when he does err, through rashness and inexperience: he lives for a time as too many other men live, but being radically better than most men, he does not like that degraded life, and is never happy in it. He is taught the severe lessons of experience and has sense to learn wisdom from them. Years improve him ... His nature is like wine of a good vintage, time cannot sour, but only mellows him."

--Charlotte Bronte, on Mr. Rochester

( Not Nice - A Mix for Mr. Rochester )

A collaborative effort between blancwene and her little sister. No spoilers for Eclipse.

Explanation:
My sister and I started reading the Twilight series together this summer, and after she finished New Moon the following conversation ensued:

Michelle: I want to make a mix for Bella Swan.
Me: Why?
Michelle: I don't think she has very good musical taste.
Me: You do realize that she's a fictional character, right?
Michelle: Oh ... right.

( Following Some Dark Fortune - A Mix for Bella Swan )

Explanation:
The Sweet Far Thing, the final volume of Libba Bray's Victorian fantasy trilogy, hits bookshelves on December 26, 2007. And what do I offer to bridge the six months between now and the release date? A totally unnecessary mix.

If you're unfamiliar with Libba Bray's books, I encourage you to check out my two part mix for A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels from last year. One of my favourites that I've compiled, and recently reuploaded for your listening pleasure.

( Turn In Your Star - An Expectant Mix for 'The Sweet Far Thing' )

Back in August, agnesserie put almost 30 Polish covers of L.M. Montgomery books on her LJ scrapbook for me - take a look! And like the dolt I am, I forgot all about them until last week. So as her belated thank you gift, here's some icons based on them. Dziekuje!

[28] Polish L.M. Montgomery book covers

+
( Good friends are always together in spirit. )

Comment. Credit. Enjoy!

Stolen from obaona, because I promised I would do this again.

Comment, and I'll look at your interests and make you two icons. (As happened last time, the icons might represent the interests you least expect me to choose.)