For many bibliophiles the smell of books has always been one of the most satisfying and mystifying components of their book love. Now, thanks to the folks at Compound Interest, we have a visual breakdown of the aroma.
POTUS in the White House Library
The Eisenhower family during the televised special celebrating the president's birthday, 1958It started as a laundry room. In 1935 it was turned into a library and in 1961 "a committee was appointed to select works representative of a full spectrum of American thought and tradition for the use of the President, his family, and his staff." Here's a look at how some of the past inhabitants of the White House used the library. Richard Nixon delivering a speech,1972 Gerald Ford after delivering a televised speech, 1975 Jimmy Carter delivering his version of FDR's fireside chats, 1977 Ronald Reagan and Russian President Gorbachev,1987 President Barack Obama giving...
Literally: The English Bookseller Captured
The series Literally by UK photographer Steve Kenward takes him inside the bookshops of England to capture the bookseller in their lair. He says of the project: Independent bookshops are great places to spend time in. These portraits are some of the lovely people who can help you find something special. You really can't beat the smell of fresh ink in a new hardback or the excitement on discovering a copy of that out of print classic. So next time you are passing a bookshop, pop in. You might be surprised what you find. I am glad he didn't call the project Endangered...
Singularity&Co: Each Book…a Portal to a New Dimension
Here is a little Twilight Zone homage to Singularity&Co, a Brooklyn-based bookshop specializing in vintage science fiction, fantasy, and pulp fiction. The shop was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign with the goal of buying the rights to vintage titles and releasing them as CC-licensed ebooks. The spot was written and directed by a fan of the shop, Gabriel de Urioste. h/t Boing Boing Singularity&Co - Saving Vintage Pulp for a Better Future - YouTube.
Maya Angelou: Another Great Tree Falls
Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou, and Toni Morrison at James Baldwin’s funeral, December 1987 In 1987 Maya Angelou wrote this poem upon hearing of James Baldwin's passing and read it at his funeral. "When Great Trees Fall" by Maya Angelou When great trees fall,rocks on distant hills shudder,lions hunker downin tall grasses,and even elephantslumber after safety.When great trees fallin forests,small things recoil into silence,their senseseroded beyond fear.When great souls die,the air around us becomeslight, rare, sterile.We breathe, briefly.Our eyes, briefly,see witha hurtful clarity.Our memory, suddenly sharpened,examines,gnaws on kind wordsunsaid,promised walksnever taken.Great souls die andour reality, bound tothem, takes leave of...