Here's some DIY magic from Grathio Labs. Now you too can learn how to turn a old book into a bedside lamp. "It turns off when its closed and gives off a variable amount of light depending on how far you open it, up to about a 40W light equivalent. It gives a nice warm, soft light and it looks right at home on my bedside table." says Steve Hoefer, the man behind Garthio Labs. The real skill you will need, aside from "some basic soldering and some rudimentary wood cutting," will be the ability to "scalp a book" without breaking into...
The Homes of Classic Literature
Homes of Classic Literature by Terrys Fabrics. via GalleyCat
Saturday is Take Your Child To a Bookstore Day
On the heels of the very successful author as independent bookseller day comes Take Your Child To a Bookstore Day. A day devoted to getting the kids out and among the books. Founded four years ago by Jenny Milchman, a writer herself, the event continues to pick up speed. Over 500 bookstores including one from very US state, seven Canadian provinces, England, Australia, and Germany are currently signed up. Milchman understands the value and necessity of the bookshop: Bookstores hold a place in the hearts and times of our community. They are places to discover an author, a story, a life....
An Animated Plea for the Public Library
[youtube]http://youtu.be/-YB-f1VEhTc[/youtube] James Braithwaite and Josh Raskin make some powerful short videos. In 2008 their video I Met the Walrus, documenting a 1969 John Lennon interview by a 14-year-old, was nominated for an Academy Award and won a 2009 Emmy Award and a 2010 YouTube/ Guggenheim Award. Now they turn their attention to the plight of the Toronto Public Library, the most active public library in North America, with Our Public Library. One can substitute any library anywhere in North America and the same tragic story is being played out. The same chronic political neglect and diminishing budgets are endangering libraries everywhere. Enough already! h/t...
Happy Thanksgiving and some gift help for the holiday season!
Proclamation of Thanksgiving by Abraham Lincoln, 1863Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends in the U.S. and we wish everyone, wherever you are, a peaceful holiday season. While you are enjoying the festivities here are a few Thanksgiving-related goodies from the book world. Above is the original proclamation "For a Day of Thanksgiving, Praise and Prayer." A new national holiday declared by Abraham Lincoln in 1863! [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] How the Wogglebug Got a Thanksgiving Dinner by L. Frank Baum, 1904[/caption] And who knew L. Frank Baum produced a 27-part comic strip series, Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz, which ran weekly...