books and literature...

The titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) flower rarely blooms, but when it does, the sight—and smell—can be utterly breathtaking. This plant’s giant bloom can grow up to 9 ft (2.7 m) tall and emits a powerful perfume that resembles the stench of rotting flesh. Why? To some insects, it’s a seductive scent, luring potential pollinators toward the female parts of the flower, where they can pick up pollen and carry it off to fertilize other flowers. This spectacular display is short lived, occurring for only about three days once every two or three years.

Blind Children, 1930. August Sander. Gelatin silver print.

Giveaw@y: We’re giving away 12 vintage paperback classics! (Included are four editions from the collection of Alan Churchill Jones.) Won’t these look lovely on your shelf? Enter to win by: 1) following macrolit on Tumblr (yes, we will check. :P), and 2) reblogging this post. We will choose a random winner on 16 August 2026. Good luck!

this particularly works with anything negative i’ve forecasted. “i woke up feeling like shit today, so my day is gonna suck” isn’t a particularly helpful thought, but “it’s a great day to be alive!!!!!” feels hollow and insincere when i have a pounding headache & am running on three hours of sleep

instead i’ll tell myself, “i really don’t feel good right now, but i’m open to the possibility that coffee and breakfast might perk me up a bit.” or “i’m in a lot of pain today, but i’m open to the possibility that my workday might still have fun parts despite that”

The early Greek mythologysts transformed a world full of fear into a world full of beauty.

View of a Detroit Public Library card issued to Frida Kahlo. Printed, stamped and handwritten on front: "5-3961, Apr 23, 1932. Rivera, Mrs. Diego (Frieda). I hereby apply for the right to use the Public Library of Detroit, and promise to obey all its rules. Name: Frieda K de Rivera. Residence: The Wardell. Occupation (husband's): Artist." Printed and handwritten on back: "Identification: Letter. Reference or parent. Name: Dr. Valentiner. Residence: Art Institute. Occupation: Curator. Firm name: Institute of Arts."