I can't explain the book/word/art collaboration known as Round Robin, but Grain Edit can. Book Products
Bookplates from Mac & Ninny Paper Co.
Get a painting of your favorite books on your own bookshelf here at Ideal Bookshelf. Beautiful work!
Children's Books
Remember the children's book Stephen Colbert wrote during the Maurice Sendak interviews I posted a couple of weeks ago? Well, surprise, surprise, it's getting published.
"From the retrotastic typographic signage to the beautiful vintage color
schemes, these storefronts are priceless time-capsules of an era as
faded as their paint coats, haunting ghosts caught in the machine of
progress." Read more in this article.
William Blake is one of my favorite poets. This Brazilian short film was inspired by his poem The Tyger.
(Shout out of thanks to Chelsea for turning me on to this!)
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Each week I round-up all the (mostly book-related) articles/blog
posts/book reviews/websites/videos that entertained me during the week.
Enjoy!
Articles
The New York Times offers a slideshow of "Books as a Way to Grace a Room" - if you can stomach how much money people spend on the personalized service hired here, it's worth the look.
Book Trailer of the Week
Thank you to Publishing Perspectives for turning me on to this book trailer for "La agenda del fin del mundo
(Diary for the End of the World), an irreverent 2012 almanac and agenda
featuring anecdotes, sound bites and trivia that topped Amazon Spain’s
bestseller list." I wish I could get my hands on one!
Children's Books
The appropriate follow-up to the Colbert/Sendak interviews regarding Colbert's proposed children's book, I am a Flag Pole, and So Can You. From Melville House.
Milk + Bookies is a "non-profit organization that exposes young children to how great it
feels to give back while celebrating the love of a good book."
Introvert or Extrovert? Take the informal quiz at NPR's interview with the author of Quiet, Please. I'm apparently split right down the middle - what does that mean?
Video
An absolutely mesmerizing and magical 15-minute film, nominated for an Oscar, all about the power of books.
This IS a UK-based site, so I don't know how applicable it will be to most of the readers of this blog, but this is an idea I've been in support of for a long time - smaller, quicker reads for commuters, non-readers, and anyone else looking for a small, quick read. QuickReads
For all other English language enthusiasts, I stumbled across this site: English Language & Usage (and no, I'm not promoting it solely because they use my ampersand tattoo as their and symbol). "This is a collaboratively edited question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required."
Feeling both betrayed and excited: former librarian and independent bookstore advocate, Nancy Pearl, presents Book Lust Rediscoveries, a series published by Amazon.com (ew.).
Amazing idea of the week! Weller Books is doing a huge "book drop" around the city to advertise their grand re-opening. Read about it here.
Obviously this travel bookcase is what I'll be taking on my next vacation. Ms. Crowe - is this how you do it?
"We all read in the Yellow Trolley Bus" in Bulgaria. This cool public library housed in an old trolley bus on a deserted city street is right up there with the Book Barge in the UK for its unique idea and brilliant execution.
Publisher's Weekly reports on Chicken House - the children's publishing company begun by the man who discovered JK Rowling's Harry Potter in the UK - expanding to the Netherlands in "Chicken House Goes Dutch".
Contests
It's that time again! (I say that like I've done this before. I haven't.) "It is time to announce the contestants, judges, and brackets for the
original, one-and-only, full-combat,
oddly-predictive-of-the-Pulitzer-Prize, eighth annual TMN Tournament of
Books, coming March 2012, presented by Field Notes." Don't know what I'm talking about? Check it out here.
Libraries
Moment of silent appreciation for the Kansas City Public Library.
And while we're at it, Fabulous Web has a round-up of "Trendy and Stylish Bookshelves Designs" (a lot of which you can see at the side of this blog in my "Porn for Booklovers" section).
I happen to be Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham. Could be worse.
You’re the imperious, aristocratic head of your family who (almost)
always gets her way, and you don’t suffer fools gladly. Though you’re
often bossy and arrogant, you’re surprisingly adaptable and
exceptionally loyal to the people you love. By the way, you also get all
the best lines, so we hope you’re ready for immortality. But you should
really look up the definition of “weekend.”
David Foster Wallace showcases his early writing talents in a response to a fellow Amherst College student's Letter to the Editor back in the 80s: "Stick Them In Your Ear"
Suggested Chanukah romance novel titles, to compete with the onslaught of Christmas romance novel titles (sadly none of these actually exist): "Love Among the Latkes"
Okay, okay, I know - two weeks in a row of something not entirely book related, but I think I should just add "cartography" to the list of "other" things that might be mentioned on this blog and be done with it.
Thanks to Molly over at Adventures of a Blonde Librarian for recommending this quiz: Famous Female Heroines (in children's books). I got 9 out of 10, having never read the final book on the quiz. Obviously now I'll have to pick up some Robin McKinley.
ReadIt1st is a website where you can sign up to receive newsletters about what movies coming out are adaptations of books. You can pledge to read the book first or read the book whenever you want, but either way, read the book and get the news about the movies.
BookSneeze is a way for bloggers to receive free books in exchange for a book review. While not for everyone, it IS another way to get some free books. The catch is you have to blog your review, whether good or bad, stating that you received it from the publisher, and you have to post it on a commercial site, and send these links back to BookSneeze. Lots of Christian/Religion/Spirituality-focused books, just FYI.
For New Yorkers: NewYorkBoundBooks.com is a new website dedicated to bringing you "all things New York for readers and writers". I'm not entirely sure what that means, but it's the online offshoot of the former brisk & mortar in Rockefeller Center, as well as the online stomping grounds of Barbara Cohen, former owner & operator of said bricks & mortar.
The English Spelling Society. I want to be supportive, but reading over the site, I'm more than a little confused what exactly it, ya know, does. Maybe it's just me, but I was actually a little put off by its aggressive, almost anti-English, tone. Or perhaps I was oddly sensitive the day I discovered it.
Each week I round-up all the (mostly book-related) articles/blog
posts/book reviews/websites/videos that entertained me during the week.
Enjoy!
Articles
Publishing Perspectives talks about transmedia (no, not media about trans folks, publishing across platforms), as in what is it, who should use it, and when.
The Guardian hosts a series in conjunction with Hive Network that allows the average customer to ask hard-hitting book industry questions of independent booksellers. Fantastic, and so much to read through/listen to.
Cheating a bit with this, as it's not even remotely book-related, but it was too funny to not share. Besides, it's my blog and I'll post about maps if I want to. :)
Children's Books
Publisher's Weekly covers the conversation between four picture book authors who discuss writing funny.
The Banksy of Book Sculpting: The full story of The Library Phantom who left 10 book sculptures all over Edinburgh, Scotland. If only we could convince her to come to the States.
Taschen publishes absolutely lovely coffee-table art books. The Selby features photographs of the house of and a brief interview with Angelika Taschen.
A really fascinating run-down of one book publication journey, from a self-published author with an agent. He rates himself on how well he did at each step. Gives you a lot to think about.
GalleyCat features directions on how to make a secret door out of a bookcase. Someday when I have my own...something (apt? house? building), that has to happen.
Children's Books
100 Scope Notes features a really lovely interview between Caldecott-winning illustrators Jerry Pinkney and Erin E. Stead.
BrainPickings showcases their list of "The 11 Best Illustrated Children's and Picture Books of 2011" and I don't disagree with them. These books are gorgeous. Though I would add a couple more to the list like Goliath from the Leviathan trilogy and anything Lane Smith has put out in the past year.
A fascinating article about an Indian publishing company
that specializes in illustrated books for the adult market (not
adult-content, just adult non-fiction). I'm a huge fan of the actual illustrated
book (you'll see a lot of what they publish have photographs), both
fiction and non-fiction for adults, and would love to see publishing
companies doing more of that.
Each week I round-up all the (mostly book-related) articles/blog
posts/book reviews/websites/videos that entertained me during the week. Enjoy!
BOSTON EVENTS
Tonight at the Harvard Book Store: Children's Book Buyers' Night where the Harvard Book Store buyers present their favorite children's books to give to kids and young adults this holiday season.
This weekend also hosted by the Harvard Book Store: Winter Warehouse Sale. Beware, it's not located AT the store, and is definitely a hike from public transportation on foot, but totally worth it.
The New York Times features the "Storytelling in Japanese Art" exhibit at the Met. Looks absolutely gorgeous and offers food-for-thought on the art of storytelling through pictures (yes to the pun), which should, of course, make you consider picture books and illustrated novels, like Nick Banock's Griffin & Sabine series. "Unfurling a Thousand Years of Gods, Demons[,] and Romance" (yes, I added the Oxford comma because there. should. BE ONE).
Ever heard of the Bad Sex Awards, where authors contend for the (dubious) prize of worst/most cliche/etc. sex scene? Thanks to The Guardian, you have now. This is quite possibly the only list where you will see all three of these names: Stephen King, Haruki Murakami, and Jean M. Auel. "Bad sex awards"
Ever heard of the Voynich Manuscript? It's a manuscript written in an unknown language, an undecipherable code, that has been a mystery its entire known life. We're not even sure when it was written, thinking sometime in the 15th or 16th century. Now, you can "read" the entire manuscript online - and here's hoping someone cracks the code.
Children's Literature
A short article from Publishing Perspectives let me know about a Spanish website selling e-book versions of reimagined Latin American children's fairtales for 1 euro. If only they printed them, illustrated them, and sold them in hardcopy.
Looking for a book recommendation? Each month? Check out Just the Right Book!, a website you can belong to that will send you hand-picked selections by the staff at R.J. Julia, a fantastic independent bookstore.
Tim Burton to possibly direct film adaptation of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Please, pretty please, let this be the case. To read my review of the book, go here.
A funny and thoughtful piece on the naming of books (or how to figure out what title the damn thing should have), something I struggle with myself (for all those unpublished manuscripts): "The Name of the Prose".
Forgotten Bookmarks - a website dedicated to the "personal, funny, heartbreaking, and weird things" a used bookseller finds in his books.
Beyond the Margins - from the website: A blog, a sounding board, a daily dose of insight. It offers essays on
the craft of writing and the business of publishing. There are tips on
creating memorable scenes and great dialogue. Interviews with authors,
editors and agents. Humorous pokes at the craft, the industry and at
ourselves. A literary magazine run amok.
A New York Times article about a change in intent and inspiration in children's chapter books that have a dark side. "No More Adventures in Wonderland"
Thank you to 100 Scope Notes for bringing this to my attention:
"Youth librarian Lucas Maxwell at the Tantallon Public Library in Nova
Scotia, Canada came up with a good idea to celebrate the 10th birthday
of his branch. I’ll let him tell it:
To celebrate our 10th birthday this month I wrote to a bunch of
authors, asking them to write a letter back, addressed to the youth of
this area outlining the benefits of reading and libraries in general."
Girl With a Dragon Tattoo-inspired clothing line by H&M. Um...I'm glad y'all were inspired and all...but didn't this look already happen back-in-the-day? You know, "grunge"? 'Cause I'm pretty sure I remember that...can't be the only one.
Blog/Website
The Books They Gave Me, a blog detailing the books you've received from your lover(s).
I surprised myself by realizing there was only one who gave me books that I still cherish. Thanks, St.
BookLamp.org is for books what Pandora is for music. Almost. It's close. It's getting there. And I did add 3 new books to my TBR list before I decided to take a break. So it does work.
I gush about Penguin Books and their designs so much, you'd think I was getting a commission. (I'm not, but hey Penguin, I'm open to the idea.) They've created a new series of books called "Great Foods" that explores the past 400 years of good food writing. That's right: 400 years. Think they didn't make good food back then? Think they couldn't write well about good food back then? Think again.
Each week I round-up all the (mostly book-related) articles/blog
posts/book reviews/websites/videos that entertained me during the week. Really video-heavy this week for some reason. Hope you've got headphones.
Enjoy!
Children's Books
The Casual Optimist featured this delightful video by animator James Curran, which is an unofficial trailer for the upcoming Steven Speilberg movie, The Adventures of Tintin.
First, John Cusak as Edgar Allen Poe? Yes please! Watch the trailer for The Raven.
Next, Johnny Depp will produce a live-action biopic of Dr. Seuss. Oh happy day! I can't be the only one who loves that Johnny Depp loves to be involved with children's films - Finding Neverland, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, etc. Read all about it here.
My parents happen to live in New Jersey (still not quite sure why). Pretty damn close to where Stephanie Plum works as a bail bondsman. And yes, I'm talking about the character created by Janet Evanovich. Maybe that's why I find these books so hilarious - I can imagine my mother driving around these streets (and trust me, she'd probably be one of the ones carrying a gun in her handbag). One For The Money, based on the first book in the series by the same name, is coming out in January.
Typography
A Kickstarter project where a man in Germany has used keyboard keys to literally write out all the days in the year. It makes a beautiful print!
Video
Random House, Inc. created an It Gets Better video.
Each week I round-up all the (mostly book-related) articles/blog
posts/book reviews/websites/videos that entertained me during the week.
Enjoy!
Academia
No, I did not go to Smith College. I went to Mount Holyoke College. Yes, we're rivals. No, I do not care in the slightest about that. What do I care about? Smith College's new Book Studies Concentration. Why oh why did they not have this 10 years ago when I was looking into colleges? This might almost be reason enough to move back to Western MA so that class auditing can commence. Either way, super jealous, and very excited, about this program.
Book Design
LOVE these new covers for eight hardcover poetry books reissued by Faber & Faber. My favorite, of course, is William Blake.
Anonymous is a new movie about to be released about William Shakespeare, the premise being he did not exist, or at least, not in the way we think we know him. Looks very dramatic, lushly shot, a visual and auditory feast for the senses. Or maybe it just has very good trailers. Watch one on the official movie website. Watch another here.
BookRiff™ "lets you create,
buy & sell digital & printed books packed with remixed content from the world's top creators." Loving this idea. This Canadian-based company launches soon. Read about it here.
The Nervous Breakdown is a literary book forum website of sorts. Check them out for reviews on fiction, non-fiction, arts, music, etc.
Modern Romance is a blog written by a sixteen-year-old boy, with book reviews and interviews and I'm so impressed I had to share it.
Faber & Faber is a UK publisher I'm currently enamored with (they're the ones publishing the Romantics poetry series I mention above), especially their "Faber Finds" section. Check them out for books you've probably never heard of but should consider reading.
Stunning paper sculptures appeared in a the Scottish Poetry Library. Read about it and see pictures here and here.
Flavorwire article of the week: "20 Amazing Reimagined Bookcovers". My favorite is here, and no, not just because it's P&P. Okay, not only just because it's P&P.
"11 Literary Holidays That Every Book Lover Should Know" - my favorite: Winnie the Pooh Day, January 18th: Travel back to your childhood with
this holiday that commemorates the honey-obsessed bear and his pals.
Observed on the birthday of author A.A. Milne, this holiday invites
celebrants to read the classic stories to themselves or to share them
with the next generation of book lovers.
World Book Night and the 2012 Top 100 books. I'm pleasantly surprised and supportive that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy made the top 10.
Autostraddle has compiled a list of the "Top Ten Fantasy Novels That Have Gay People In Them". Personally, I'm a huge fan of anything Jacqueline Carey writes, and am looking to get my hands on the sequel to Santa Olivia.
Borders employees have a final say:
Blogs/Websites
Facsimile Dust Jackets - for those who love vintage book covers, they have over 7,000 to choose from.
I don't agree (or maybe just don't want to agree) with everything this article says, but at least it's celebrating "The Children's Authors Who Broke the Rules" - Sendak, Silverstein, and Seuss (2 Jews and a German - just thought that was an interesting bit of trivia)
Here's a slideshow of recently published children's fairy and folk tales in the Sunday Book Review of The New York Times. And here's the article that accompanies it.
Shel Silverstein, despite being dead for over 10 years, has a new book coming out: Everything On It. NPR discusses.
Comics
Archie comics to feature a gay wedding. Read more here (snarky) and here (serious).
Typography
For the person who has everything? Design your own type ring at Typerings.com.
Lev Grossman defends the codex (a.k.a. the book) in the New York Times:
"The codex won out over the scroll because it did what good technologies
are supposed to do: It gave readers a power they never had before, power
over the flow of their own reading experience. And until I hear God
personally say to me, “Boot up and read,” I won’t be giving it up."
Letters of Note features this classic internal Walt Disney company communication: "Seven Little Men Help a Girl" (left).
Brian Selznick's new children's novel, Wonderstruck, came out on September 13th. Speakeasy offers an exclusive preview for those who haven't already purchased it or checked it out of the library.
Articles
