Scholarly journals

Found via the Glasgow School of Art Library blog.  Cool poster. I am such a librarian geek.

The word made flesh

The Word Made Flesh - book trailer from Tattoolit on Vimeo.

Man Booker Prize

The longlist has been announced for this years Man Booker - can't wait to start reading them.

Peter Carey Parrot and Olivier in America (Faber and Faber)
Emma Donoghue Room (Pan MacMillan - Picador)
Helen Dunmore The Betrayal (Penguin - Fig Tree)
Damon Galgut In a Strange Room (Grove Atlantic - Atlantic Books)
Howard Jacobson The Finkler Question (Bloomsbury)
Andrea Levy The Long Song (Headline Publishing Group - Headline Review)
Tom McCarthy C (Random House - Jonathan Cape)
David Mitchell The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet  (Hodder & Stoughton - Sceptre)
Lisa Moore February (Random House - Chatto & Windus)
Paul Murray Skippy Dies (Penguin - Hamish Hamilton)
Rose Tremain Trespass (Random House - Chatto & Windus)
Christos Tsiolkas The Slap (Grove Atlantic - Tuskar Rock)
Alan Warner The Stars in the Bright Sky  (Random House - Jonathan Cape)

John Irving

I didn't really enjoy Wide Sargasso Sea. Maybe I should have read Jane Eyre before hand to prepare for the prequal as I couldn't relate the two books (story or characters). I found the book dark, vague and it was very short. I guess any book about madness and family tragedy will be dark but I wasn't able to empathise with or understand the characters.

So now I am back to a long favourite author - John Irving. He is the author of Hotel New Hampshire, The World According to Garp and many other great books. Set in New Hampshire in the US the books have the most interesting and bizarre stories and characters.

I borrowed this book off my mum earlier in the year when I was ill. Last night in twisted river is what I expect from Irving and I am finding it difficult to put away at night.

iPhone

Last week I bought an iPhone. I needed to get a new phone but was planning on getting a basic Nokia and an iPad. I spend a lot of time on the bus and thought it would be good to use the iPad as a book reader and to check e-mail. Then I saw the cost of the 3G plans and had a rethink. Anyway, I am happy with my iPhone, I have had a play and added apps etc. So, I can read books, check e-mail, listen to music and play games on the way to and from work, I don't need another internet plan and can get rid of my iPod. Cool. Can anyone recommend good apps?

Have a look at this historical timeline feature from the British Library
From the site: It includes a diverse combination of texts: those that allow glimpses of everyday life (handbills, posters, letters, diaries), remnants of political events (charters, speeches, campaign leaflets), and the writings of some of our best known historical and literary figures.

Wide Sargasso Sea

I mentioned to my father that I had had a conversation about this book on my weekend in Melbourne. Of course he has a copy, so leant it to me. I am looking forward to reading it and learning more about the woman in the attic.

I'll let you know what I think Susan and Kelly!

Prime Minister's Literary Awards

Arts Minister Peter Garrett has announced the judges for Australia’s richest book prize, the 2010 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. The prize pool is $400,000! 324 entries have been made, including 70 fiction, 109 non-fiction, 45 young adult and 100 children’s entries. I love a good book prize!

Shortlists won't be announced until later in the year, so we may have to wait a while to see who wins.

Books in photo art

I love this picture, found on Design Sponge.

and this on Flickr - ghostling

I love this selection - some of my favourites!

Bookmarks, shelving and fonts

More book art! Not sure it is my taste but would suit a Partner's office I guess. It is nice to know some lovely old books may be turned into something useful and/or beautiful rather than destroyed or discarded.
Pictures from Legal blog watch

I love the idea of the hollowed out book though. Found via WisBlawg

I prefer this lamp below, I like the illuminated pages rather than the dark leather exteriors of the books above.

One more cool site to check out for book art and usefulness How to make and do.

For something completely different - ooohhhh I love this -  What Type are You?  I am Archer Hairline which appears to be ne of the most popular results.

I have seen these on a few blogs now - very cute though. Have a nice weekend!!

Lovely things

More beautiful images of books, type and art.

The NSW State Library is currently creating their own alphabet inspired by images from their collection for their 100 year anniversary. Worth a look - lovely images.

I also love these book covers from different eras, Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts (my favourites). Oh to own one like this one:

AND - how cute is this site for Emily Gravett - childrens author!

The world only exists in your eyes - your conception of it. You can make it as big or as small as you want to.
F. Scott Fitzgerald

Book installation

Installations using books - how gorgeous are they!!?? Found via Mint.

Installation of 4000 books by Dutch artist Anouk Kruithof.


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Book to art

This was on Design Sponge quite a while ago, they are actually paper lights. I just think they are lovely. Designed by MN*LS I would never have the patience. Apart from the lovely effect and earthy tones of the text on the paper it is a great way to upcycle old books. From working in libraries I know how many get discarded these days and this will only increase as print collections shrink.

Australian classics

I have just finished reading Australian Classics and it made me realise how little Australian writing I own and have read. The only Australian authors, from the book I own are Tim Winton and Barbara Baynton (Bush Studies - that I had to buy for Uni). I am now going to work my way through the Australian classics by hitting my parents vast book collections.

I may just start with Bush Studies since I already own it.