What a great video from Ben Barrett-Forrest!
Click on this direct link if you can’t view the video on your device.
Enjoy,
JT
11
May 2013
Video: The History of Typography
May 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
09
May 2013
Book Shopping in Istanbul
May 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Book shopping in Istanbul ranges from sophisticated, antiquarian shops to book bazaars on the street.
Denizler Kitabevi, on the famous pedestrian street Istiklâl Caddesi, specializes in antique maps and maritime books. Image: Julien Lagarde
Robinson Crusoe 389, also located on Istiklâl Caddesi, has a large selection of English language books. Image: Vince Millett
If I owned a bookstore, it would definitely have a cat. Image: cgkinla
Could I afford the rent on a bookstore if it was small like this one? Image: one2c900d
Sahaflar Carsisi is a secondhand book bazaar that has been held in this courtyard since the late 1700s. Image: Pierre Metivier
I find doors to small bookshops like this so inviting. I’m not sure what Manas sells, but it may have something to do with Turkish history based on Dedekorkut on the store sign. Image: cercamon
Enjoy,
JT
07
May 2013
Foreign Visitors from 1889
May 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Foreign Visitors in England is a small green book written in 1889 by Edward Smith and published in London at 62 Paternoster Row. Paternoster Row, near St. Paul’s Cathedral, was a center for bookselling and printing at one time.
This little tome caught my attention because of the small images at the beginning and at the end of the book.
The beginning – Arise Pray Work with a rooster standing on a pile of books.
The end – Rest Pray Sleep with an owl resting on old books with clasps.
The official title of the little green book is Foreign Visitors in England and What They Have Brought to Us: Being Some Notes on Their Books and Their Opinions During the Last Three Centuries. For example, the author quotes notes from a Mr. Rye concerning the royal library which state “All these books are bound in velvet of different colours, though chiefly red, with clasps of gold and silver; some have pearls and precious stones set in their bindings.” Oh to see those.
The other interesting tidbit about this book is that it is part of a series edited by H.B. Wheatley called The Book-Lovers Library. Some other titles in the series included:
- How to Form a Library
- How to Catalogue a Library
- Modern Methods of Illustrating Books
- How to Make an Index
The Book-Lover’s Library sounds like a worthy collection for a bibliomaniac. I agree with many book collectors who think that the internet has taken the joy out of “the hunt”. So, I’ll search for these books the old fashioned way; one bookstore at a time.
Enjoy,
JT
03
May 2013
Friday Collection of Pretty Books 5.3.13
May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I’ve been thinking a lot about how nice it would be to go back to New York City just to visit bookstores and libraries. Since it will be awhile before that trip materializes, this collection of pretty books will have to suffice.
Is the dog hoping to go inside or hoping his human friend will return? 192 Books, Tenth Avenue at 21st Street. Image: t_a_i_s
How about a sidewalk bookstore? You can learn more about the sidewalk bookseller culture in the book Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier. I bought my copy at the Strand Bookstore on my last visit to NYC. Image: Drew Shannon
Speaking of the Strand Bookstore, it’s so easy to get lost for hours in their bookshelf corridors. Image: Sun Brockie
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe is a unique store operating on donated stock and mostly volunteers to raise funds for homelessness and HIV/AIDS. Image: Chinkerfly
Since mysteries are my favorite genre for entertainment reading, I might never leave The Mysterious Bookshop in Tribeca. Image: Garrett Ziegler
Other postings on A Pretty Book this week included:
Enjoy,
JT
01
May 2013
Selected Works Bookstore – Chicago
May 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Selected Works is a wonderful used bookstore on the second floor of the gorgeous Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The owner, Keith Peterson, opened the store in 1984 and intentionally created a space that has that inviting, stay awhile, bookstore feeling. See if you agree that Selected Works has all of the elements of a great bookstore.
1 – Ladder. Indicates tall shelves with more room for books.
2 – Beautiful light filled windows. Improves ability to scan book titles and adds warmth to the space.
3 – Interesting nooks created by shelves or walls. Creates a sense of adventure as to what’s around the next corner.
4 - Books, books, books. Gives you a reason to step into the store and provides the main attraction.
5 – Stacks. Fuels the feeling that a treasure awaits under the next book.
6 - Interesting books. Sparks a desire for knowledge.
7 – A bookstore cat named Hodge. Provides a conversation starter and endears the store to cat lovers. Hodge is “King of Everything” according to Keith.
8 - Browsing area outside the main shop. Offers a bargain and is even better when it’s protected from the elements.
9 – Manned elevator. Bestows a unique experience although it isn’t really an element of a great bookstore. But, it is fun to ride in an old time elevator with a gentleman who closes brass gates and pushes the buttons for you.
10 & 11 - Pleasant, knowledgeable proprietor and comfy seating for reading. Makes the bookstore a place you want to return to again and again. I didn’t get pictures of either of these, but you can see more in the documentary created by Columbia College film students Julienne Queensen and Neal Kraft.
If the video doesn’t work on your device, please access it via this direct link.
Selected Works is my favorite bookstore in Chicago and in my opinion, is the perfect bookstore. Are there other elements of a great bookstore that I should have included?
Enjoy,
JT
29
Apr 2013
Pretty Book Covers
April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A stroll through the local Target book aisle revealed an abundance of pretty book covers this spring.
Beautiful Ruins: A Novel, Jess Walter
Ingredients of Love, Nicolas Barreau
One Moment, One Morning, Sarah Rayner
Safe Haven, Nicholas Sparks
The Chance, Karen Kingsbury
Enjoy,
JT
24
Apr 2013
Pink Bookstore Sign
April 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I love this bookstore sign with its vibrant colors, rustic wall, and simplicity.
The owner says the city routinely mentions the word eyesore when describing his wall. But he counters with the argument that if it’s so bad, why do so many families and brides set up photo shoots in front of it. Good point.
Enjoy,
JT
16
Apr 2013
Scottish Law Books
April 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I spotted these pretty Scottish law books at a local antique mall. They’re dated 1827 and 1835 and together are priced at $65. Maybe it was a deal, maybe not; but I didn’t love them enough to take them home with me.
As of today, this is the most “liked” photo on my Instagram account. But since I just made my account public two weeks ago, that probably doesn’t mean much. They are pretty though.
Enjoy,
JT
15
Apr 2013
Alice in Wonderland’s Rabbit Hole
April 15, 2013 By 1 Comment
This weekend I went book hunting at the Chicken House Flea Market near Stephenville, Texas. Permanent vendors were housed in a long, old, remodeled chicken house. But the best hunting was found rummaging through the outside, temporary offerings.
I bought this tattered copy of Alice in Wonderland for the cover art. The rabbit hole “filled with cupboards and bookshelves” was irresistible.
Even though the pages are brittle and brown, they are filled with lovely illustrations by Roberta Paflin.
Plus, the end papers have a wonderful fleur de lis design in the same turquoise that accents the illustrations.
Enjoy,
JT
11
Apr 2013
Bookshops & More Bookshops
April 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Spring always makes me want to travel to faraway places like Sweden or Thailand or India or Australia. Really anywhere that requires a nine hour flight or longer from Texas. And of course, there would be bookshops involved.
Vilnius University bookshop in Lithuania. Image: Beny Schlevich
I’d love to dig into the stacks in the window. Istanbul. Image: Boon Low
I think this is a painting which explains why it looks so perfect. Image: sharon martin
Small bookshop in Chengdu, China. Image: kattebelletje
London bookshop. Image: Garry Knight
Enjoy,
JT
