Monthly Archives: November 2022

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

George Orwell’s seminal dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four became a powerful symbol of resistance to totalitarianism. Last month an impressive reproduction of the novel’s original manuscript was released by SP Books. The only surviving Orwell manuscript of any of his works … Continue reading

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Brooklyn Public Library’s Most Borrowed Book

When I was a young child I spent quite a lot of time in Brooklyn. I did the usual things that Brooklyn kids did; I played stick ball in the street and stuffed my face at the corner candy store. … Continue reading

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Book of Joe

I am not a big hobbiest, but about five years ago I became mildly obsessed with the process of home coffee roasting. Now I am on my second roasting machine and quietly researching a larger capacity replacement. Of course I … Continue reading

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All the painted ladies

It’s been a minute since I visited San Francisco, but like ever other tourist I made a pilgrimage to see the famous row of “painted ladies” at Alamo Square Park. Architectural Digest produced the fascinating video (below) about these gems. … Continue reading

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Winter Preparations

 

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Parking the Book Bus

Back in 2019 I shared a heartwarming story about Ohio teacher Melanie Moore’s Book Bus mobile children’s book store that raised funds for literacy projects. On November 12th, a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration took place for the Book Bus … Continue reading

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Book Tunneling

I recently stumbled on the interesting video below on the history of tunnel books. Over the years, I’ve owned and sold a number of travel related 19th century tunnel books and have long been fascinated by this blend of art … Continue reading

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Vonnegut Centennial

This week marked the 100th anniversary of Kurt Vonnegut’s birth. To celebrate the occasion graphic designer Alicia Raitt has re-imagined 14 of Vonnegut’s book covers. Inspired by 1960s bookcover design, Raitt utilizes the Marber grid, leaving the illustrations to set … Continue reading

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Reading Evangelists

Retired Montana schoolteacher Rita has been spreading her love of reading across the U.S. for the last eight years by traveling coast-to-coast in her van-turned-mobile bookstore! Rita shares what inspired her to make a mobile bookstore, and explains how she … Continue reading

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Illuminating Landmarks

Utilizing a network of illuminated drones, Dutch artist duo DRIFT (aka Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta) completes or restores famous international architectural landmarks such as Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and Rome’s Colosseum. A large building can change the landscape of a … Continue reading

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