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.

Bookshelf

Bookshelf
Originally uploaded by stujoart

I decided to start decorating my living room even though I haven't painted the walls yet. It is next..... I have left my bookshelf freestanding as it is deep and allows me to double stack the books - accessible from both sides and also to display some of my china and vases etc. It will also make it easier to get to the walls when I do paint, it is a very heavy piece of furniture! I found a few books I think I haven't read yet.

I received a few books to review for a law librarian journal this week, will keep me busy over the break.

Louis de Bernieres

I am reading books by the author Louis de Bernieres. I recently read Captain Corelli's Mandolin which I had picked up second hand ages ago and I loved it. At the moment I am reading The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman. I am finding this harder to get into but it is providing plenty of smiles and entertainment. Apparently my father has Señor Vivo and the Coca Lord in his collection, so that'll be my next read.

I was very suprised to learn that the author is English and not Latin American as I had imagined. In fact his new book is called Notwithstanding: English Village Stories. It will be interesting to see if that is as fun as the others.

I love the authors Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Laura Esqivel and Isabel Allende for the same reason. They write with the influence of the myths and culture of a place and time that seems to be very simple, earthy and full of 'characters'. I love the fact that I often can't tell what period of history the novel is set in and that often truth and fiction are blurred.

Card catalogues

What are your memories of card catalogues? I remember having the job of filing newly created cards as part of my work experience at Castle Hill Public Library (NSW, Australia) when I was about 16. I think of the old drawers fondly and the metal rods that you had to pull out to add or remove cards.

I have seen a few good uses made of the old card catalogue furniture (oooh how I'd love to find one in a junk shop) and some for the cards themselves, including this exhibition found via Librarian.net.