Black Page 73 by Patrick HughesIn celebration of the 250th anniversary of the publication of the first edition of Tristram Shandy, Shandy Hall, author Laurence Sterne’s former home in Coxwold, U.K, has mounted an exhibition, The Black Page.Seventy-three artists, composers and writers have created their own interpretations of the infamous Black Page, using a sheet of A4 handmade Somerset paper that Incline Press has printed with the outline of the original page in true proportion and the number “73.”“At the end of volume 1, chapter 12 [pp. 73] of his comic masterpiece, Laurence Sterne famously confronts his readers with a...
The Beat of the Bullet, The Rhythm of the Book
The Associated Press recently reported a story that’s positively biblical, with a good beat, and that you can dance to:Dad, 83, Accused of Opening Fire on Drumming Son Oct 16th, 2009 | SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio police are investigating the wounding of a man after his elderly father allegedly opened fire when the victim refused to stop drumming. Police said the son, in his 50s, suffered a non-life threatening head wound early Friday while at the home the men share. Police said his 83-year-old father was detained on an aggravated assault charge.They’ll wind up throwing the book at this...
Books Fight Back: Islamabad Bibliophiles Flock to Rare Book Fair Despite Taliban Violence
Islamabad at nightThe Taliban attack on Rawalpindi shied large crowds from a rare book exibition-fair at Islamabad’s Nomad Center and Gallery the weekend of October 10-11, 2009 but failed to dampen the spirits of the city’s bibliophiles, who relished the feast.This was, perhaps, a strong signal, prior to the Pakistani army's recent major offensive against the Taliban, that Pakistani society, in its own offensive action, is pushing back against the forces of regression and ignorance. The Nomad Center and Gallery is at the cultural forefront.Displaying a collection of rare and contemporary books on art, literature, culture, religion and social issues,...
New Trend At Book Signings: Punch the Author
British pop diva Leona Lewis was slapped upside the head while signing copies of her autobiography, Dreams, at a London book shop today.According to an eyewitness at Waterstones' Piccadilly branch,"[the attacker] walked up there with the book, she signed it and, as she looked up, he just punched her. She was running out with her hand over her eye."A statement on the singer’s website declares that “Leona is understandably shaken and apologises to the fans she was unable to meet and complete signings.”PEN has yet to issue a statement but I imagine it will read something along these lines: PEN...
The Story of O. Henry House
San Antonio, TX. This burg will never be accused of being a book town. Visiting the city - which possesses one of the loveliest downtown areas in the country - only one rare book shop was found: The History Shop, located across the street from the Alamo. It was not impressive; concentrating on weapons, maps and some books, its diorama of the Alamo is about the best that can be said for it. The Antiquarian Book Mart is located outside the downtown area; I did not have an opportunity to check it out. As far as new book shops, the...