American Junkie

 If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror and knew you'd be a better rock star than anyone ever dreamed, and later that night made it ever more true by getting drunk and higher than Jesus, then you'll like this book. If you've ever lined up coke or heroin but didn't have the guts to shoot it straight to your blood, you'll love this book. If you’ve ever wondered why people do drugs even when it’s killing them and they know it, this book will help you understand. And if you think that all junkies are nothing but degenerates,...

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Aquatic Storytelling

Singapore's noted oceanarium Underwater World has begun offering a "20-minute aquatic reading session" featuring a librarian turned scuba diver.Using a special deep sea marine communication system the librarian reads ocean-related books while sharing the tank with some of the largest freshwater fish in the world.The series is sponsored by the National Library BoardStory at Channel NewsAsiaThanks to AL Direct for the lead

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Happy National Bathroom Reading Month

Window display from Liberty's Dept Store, London. Image via Seriously; June is National Bathroom Reading Month. It is the brainchild of the Bathroom Readers’ Institute, publishers of the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader series. With over 10 million books in print they are clearly in a room of their own.Here's their pitch:"Since 1988, the Bathroom Readers’ Institute has led the movement to stand up for those who sit down and read in the bathroom. National Bathroom Reading Month celebrates the 66 percent of Americans who proudly admit to this time-honored pastime."What do the other 34% do? Coming soon: Also on the docket...

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The Honesty Bookshop

How's this for business model:An outdoor locationAll books are £1 or lessHours of operation - 24/7 365 days a yearTotal staff - 0Security - noneMethod of payment - cash - deposited in lock boxes located throughout the shopWelcome to the The Honesty Bookshop one of the 30 or so bookshops that populate the book paradise known as Hay-on-Wye. It is part of Richard Booth's Bookshop which has, in addition to the Honesty Bookshop, two shops in Hay-on-Wye. And for those looking for a little Hay-on-Wye history, it was Richard Booth who opened the first bookshop there in 1961 and devised...

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Book Power!

Mary Bennett. Fodor’s Iran 1979. Altered vintage book, wall hung, linen tape, gesso, thread. 43.5 x 7.5 x 1 inches. 2010. UniquePortland, Oregon's 23 Sandy Gallery is quickly becoming one of the premier book art destinations on the west coast.  Their latest show Book Power! is a knockout. It showcases artist books addressing the social, political and environmental issues of our times. Randi Parkhurst. Colony 45. Papers by the artist, linen thread, long stitch over book cloth tapes, acrylic, graphite, watercolor, braided linen pulls. 17 x 17 inches. 2010. UniqueThe exhibition features work by over 40 artists and proves that:an...

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