Book covers

The Great Food Series from Penguin, drawn by Coralie Bickford- Smith.
She talks about the inspiration behind her book covers in Fast Company:

“I want these books to be cherished like the literature inside,” says Bickford-Smith of her obsessive attention to detail. “If something is well considered, it will entice. People want to explore it, feel it. That design shines through and connects.”

Of course, and this is how she came up with these Great Food covers.

For Great Food, which launches later this year, Bickford-Smith's covers feature ceramics that correspond to each book's time period. An image of this bowl was inspiration for the cover of Love in a Dish and Other Pieces, by M.F.K. Fisher, and Bickford-Smith later tracked down the real thing for her own collection. "It was lots of Internet searching. I think I paid more for postage than I did for the actual bowl."

I think she's amazing and I plan to take a peek at the Q & A with Coralie from 2009. here.

Personal Library

Excited to discover an amazing website of prints called 20x200. This 'Ideal Bookshelf 102' series rocks and is perfect for my thought about keeping a bookshelf. A few days ago, one of my acquaintance, not very close, said 'Why do you buy the books you will read once? I usually borrow my friend's books because there's always someone who has the bestsellers.' I totally lost words at this comment because I've never thought of waiting for my friends to read something good before I did. If I ever confront a comment somewhere along that line again, I'd like to say that.... the 'collection' of books are not just there to be seen and to prove that you are a color conscious/horrible organizer. It is the personal 'museum' that reflects the journey of your intellectual life. The intellectual chronicle deserves as much value as the act of reading itself, dude.

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Bookcases

My dream is to own a beautiful bookcase that will cover a whole wall in my living room, or my own library with a cozy armchair, sofa, lighting, blanket, rug. The thought of it gives me the thrill.

images are from elements of style and design sponge.

I was a little traumatized and had a low key weekend because my pup was in the hospital getting treated for a few infections. Apparently, it's due to the previous environment- the pet shop I got him from. I am very disappointed that the pet shop would not take responsibility for his condition. I was on my wits' end but now i'm trying to get a grip and put myself together by going yoga. I feel better now and I'm looking forward to having my pup back tomorrow. To get over the emotion and stresses I've been indulging a few books including The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich. I love love love this book because of the manner in which Art History is conveyed. It's incredibly easy to understand and every word he uses makes no confusion. It is not overwrought with big words yet it is insightful and makes each work of art historically significant.

Other current reads are:

Kiss and Tell by Alain de Botton,

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

My next reads will be:

Anna Karenina

Logic by Immanuel Kant

Lucky Jim-Penguincl by Kingsley Amis

The way we live now by Trollope Anthony