February 10, 2009
 As you probably know there are a number of prominent mediums being published today, most notably Sylvia Browne, who has published books providing information on a guided tour of the after life, the end of days, the afterlife of pets and so forth. What many of you may not realize is that our own Jon St. Peter is a 15th generation medium. "Mystic Jon's" specialty is speaking with famous deceased authors from all of recorded history, and we've asked him to use his powers to do occasional interviews for The Weekly Top 2. This week we thought to explore any interesting perspectives he might have on Valentine's Day.KB: Greetings Mystic Jon. Mystic Jon: Greetings supplicant what would you know. KB: The modern version of Valentine's Day dates from the eighteenth century but versions of the holiday seem to date back into the distant past. Can you tell us about any related ancient literary traditions? Mystic Jon: Yes. In ancient Greece Aphrodite was known to hold a festival at which various mortal poets would take turns reading her a love poem. The poet whose poem she judged best would be taken off by the Goddess for a romantic rendevouz, the losers were all turned into sheep. KB: I see. Have any of these poems survived. Mystic Jon: Baaaa. KB: I was afraid of that! Can you tell us any interesting thoughts from famous dead authors concerning Valentine's day. Mystic Jon: The rumors about Nietzsche and Wagner are totally false, there was actually no Valentine's Day card involved. The only thing Nietzsche loved in life was Laurence Sterne!  KB: I see. Is any other information crossing over from the other side.
Mystic Jon: Yes, Virginia Woolf believed that the only way to mark Valentine's day was to read aloud the section in Jane Austen's Persuasion in which Captain Wentworth informs Mr. Elliot of his intention to marry Anne Elliot.KB: That is an amazingly romantic scene! Hey what is considered the greatest literary romance in the after life? Mystic Jon: Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein! KB: Amazing, who would have thought it!! Thank you Mystic Jon! Mystic Jon: The pleasure of communing with literary spirits of the dead is all mine. Here they are! Our weekly picks for the two best: two hardcover, two paperback, and two children's books. The very best new arrivals to leap out of the box and onto our shelves this week. Call or email us if you want more information on any of these titles, or to have us hold you a copy. Or stop in and check them out in person. We'd love to see you. Thanks as always for sharing your reading with us!
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