As a collector and seller of antiquarian and secondhand books, I often discover the remains of dead book scorpions. The tiny arachnids are actually pseudoscorpions and are the book lover’s friend and mostly unseen companions. Although they are harmless to humans, these ferocious little bugs devour pernicious booklice and dust mites that damage books. If you discover a live book scorpion don’t kill it, just gingerly place it in an old book.
Over the past few years, the once drab plaza around Philadelphia’s magnificent Second Empire-style 19th century City Hall has been transformed into a welcoming gathering place. Last month, the newest component of the Dilworth Park project was launched with the initial phase of the beautiful “Pulse” fountain installation. Created by artist Janet Echelman, “Pulse” traces the surface path of the SEPTA subway Green Line which runs beneath the plaza. As trains travel below the square, vibrantly colored mist erupts from a walkway in the fountain. Utilizing a high pressure misting system and LED illumination, a fog-like curtain rises from the fountain.
The installation, which is meant to evoke the steam that rose from the old Pennsylvania Railroad Station that stood across the street from City Hall during the 19th century, will eventually include a Blue Line and an Orange Line section as well. But for now, the “Pulse” at the northern end of Dilworth Park is drawing crowds nightly.
Vincent Van Gogh Piles of French Novels 1887
Those of you who visit TBTP on a regular basis know that I am excessively fond of infographics of all sorts. I am particularly interested in early examples of the form. This wonderful set of graphics was created for a poster series during the 1930s and 1940s by the Peabody College for Teachers School of Library Science at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Illustrations ©Nathan Gelgud
The South Africa-based design studio Muti has released a killer series of book cover redesigns for group of iconic novels. I love the fresh typography and the great color palette.
This week it has been especially difficult to not to fixate on the enormous shitshow that is the U.S. government and the horrific treatment of women and girls in our sad culture. But once again we can find encouragement in the work of progressive American street artists such as Symone Salib. This wonderful piece popped-up this week in South Philly at Broad and Wharton Streets. The images are of the very courageous Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Dr. Anita Hill.
Something Wicked this Way Comes, Ray Bradbury
This year, Asheville, North Carolina Firestorm Bookstore Co-op celebrated its 10th anniversary. The worker-owned and operated bookshop and cafe is committed to a not-for-profit model with earnings going to local community nonprofit groups and causes. If this sounds radical to you, it’s because Firestorm is an avowed radical bookstore and community center. But the shop is also a full service bookstore and coffeehouse that offers Fairtrade coffees, vegan and vegetarian food.
Firestorm Bookstore is currently at the center of a controversy over the shop’s support for a needle exchange program and distribution of opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone. The co-op has been acknowledged for helping save at least 62 individuals from drug overdoses.
Seems like the kind of community bookstore and coffeeshop that deserves support. I first visited the bookstore a few years ago at their downtown location, but the next time that I’m in Asheville I will definitely visit Firestorm’s new location.
Travel Between The Pages 