#biblio creates

[the-one-and-only-bibliography]

coughs this up on your dash like a hairball

[uwmspeccoll]

Typography Tuesday

In March 2023, we posted about our friend, Wisconsin graphic designer, letterpress printer, stonecutter, radio personality, and collage and book artist Mike Koppa and his little adventure in type cleaning. He was engaged in bathing an entire case of 10 pt Franklin Gothic Condensed type, which led him to cleaning more cases of Franklin Gothic in different sizes, which led to him printing a book using every piece of type he had cleaned. The result is this book, Understanding This Book, or, Zen and the Art of Metal Type Maintenance, or, Let's See Your AI Do This by Augustine Maxwell Jones, a pseudonym Koppa has used in the past. The book was printed in 2023 at Koppa's Heavy Duty Press in Liberty Township, Wisconsin, in an edition of 18 copies. It is essentially a list of the 20 steps it took to the ultimate printing of this book. He writes:

When all my drawers of Franklin Gothic type needed to be cleaned, the mundane but necessary shop maintenance task turned into a book about the process. The result is a 20-page book featuring every last sort from nine California job cases of genuine ATF Franklin Gothic typefaces—maybe not older than the hills, but definitely older than me—in varying stages of wear, arranged according to a variety of strategies only likely to occur when composing individual metal types by hand. The final product of this very spontaneous and time-crunched project is a bold book conveying the frantic experience of creating it, while celebrating Franklin Gothic in a typographically jazzy manner.

We can attest to the great pleasure of exploring this typographic adventure. In the colophon Koppa states that the book is:

HanD seT In all soRTs of TRue ATF FRanklIn GoThIcs, In vaRyIng STaGeS of weaR buT SoakeD & ScRubbeD aS clean AS ThEy'RE GonnA GET, baREly pRoofED, AnD pRInTED on EnouGH HAhnEmuhlE BIbLIO, BuGRA, & InGRES TO yIELD 18 cOPIES.

A fine tribute to Morris Fuller Benton's Franklin Gothic!

View other posts featuring the work of Michael Koppa.

View more Typography Tuesday posts.

[george228732]

Biblio Budori! (DatToW)

Meet Biblio Budori Libre Gusuko IV! Or simply called, Budori, or if you're Dedede, Burrito.

A little guy, who's mischievous, prideful, egocentric and the perfect sidekick for Dedede in his search of getting out of this twisted tale and save his friends!

He has unknown origins, but it compensates due to the things he's able to do!

Budori, thanks to Dedede's Book, is able to slightly rewrite reality, being useful for puzzles, and also is able to rewrite Dedede's self completely for a few moments! Being able to make him a Merman, a Pirate, a Conductor, etc! All with the help of his lovely tool, the Sister Quill! Hanging on the sides of his Witch's hat!

Dedede found him when he was sealed in one of the fairytales, and thanks to him, he was able to get out, not without having to bring him along, since he's the only one with the magic to rewrite him, and the surroundings!

He thinks very highly of himself due to the things he writes, but that potential for writing gets wasted on his demeanor, creating stories with incredible concepts, but being too lazy or too much of a perfectionist to give them the execution they needed, leaving the tales he writes as something that can be sloppy and shallow, but that doesn't make him step back! He still thinks he's the best writer, and honestly, Dedede can't wait until he has to drop this guy, at least for now!

Their friendship shrouded in mystery will bloom in full green.

[queenneb]

I got some new bookmarks! 📚 How cute are these?!

Black women and our creativity, man I tell ya.

[nanowrimo]

Back to School: Interview with Chiho Nakagawa, Young Writers Program Educator

NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program helps over 85,000 kids, teens, teachers, and families set creative goals and tell stories they care about. We asked some of our amazing YWP educators to share how they take on the NaNoWriMo challenge in their classroom. Today’s advice comes from Chiho Nakagawa, who teaches English as a second language in Tokyo, Japan.

Q: What grade/ age level do you work with? What type of NaNoWriMo group is it (whole class, club, homeschool, elective, etc.)?

A: 10th grade, whole 2 classes of 80 students whom I teach three times a week, last year I did with them. Two years ago, I did it with all the students in the 11th grade (about 250 students)

Q: How long have you been doing NaNoWriMo with your students?

A: 6 years. During these 6 years, I skipped two years ago as my students had to focus only on preparation for their university entrance exams.

Q: How do you structure the entire project (for example, do you start prepping in October and write in November, do you have kids work on it all year, etc.)?

A: I start the NaNoWriMo project in April when our new school year starts. Once or twice a week, our students have time to read books in the morning homeroom. As our school has an online library, most of them read online. During their break in summer, they read more books and decide their best one. After the break, they have biblio-battles in class. They upload the picture of their favorite book to OneDrive to share their recommendation with all the other students. For the preparation of their creative writing, they think of a story in a group, looking at one picture. They write a sentence in turn to make a story. Sometimes, I give them the same starting sentence and they create the following sentences together in group. Though they start with the same sentence, each story expands in totally different ways, which shows them their varieties, diversities and uniqueness. When I have such activities, I usually let them write in groups using Google Jamboard. Then, just before they start writing, they start creating their main character online using the Avatar maker. After that, they create their own page using OneNote and upload their main character and plot in the roller coaster style format . After their writing in November, we usually create their collection of stories online and share it in class.

Q: What does a normal NaNoWriMo day look like for your students?

A: Full of creativity. They are obsessed with their stories. Many students talk about NaNoWriMo. Of course, there are some demotivated students who struggle with writing, and they say NaNoWriMo, YaRaNaiMo. YaRaNaiMo means “I won't do it” in Japanese. Even though they have difficulties and feel discouraged, they use the great rhyme. The rhythm in Japanese “yaranaimo” sounds not terrible but cute like kids in kindergarten. They are full of energy and joy that shows they are interested in writing even when they complain.

Q: How do you set and manage word-count goals?

A: I believe in my students' autonomy. Nobody writes low goals. Some are even too ambitious but as it is their choice, I respect them. I give them some sample numbers and they usually arrange according to their skills. Last year, they set their own goals and I put them into groups. They made bar charts to show their progress in groups and they competed between groups, which I think was motivating.

Q: How do you manage grading? Do you grade?

A: No. As long as they try and enjoy the activity, it would be great. If they did, I give them points. If they did not try, I did not give them any grades. I just celebrate their writing.

Q: How do you approach revision/ publishing (if at all)?

A: I never check their grammar mistakes. I usually publish as they write. I can see some parts which are difficult to understand, but it would be okay. They will see that not a lot of their classmates read their novels as they are difficult to understand. The following year, they will do it in the same way and they will read their previous year’s novel. Then, they will find how much they have improved. Some of them told me not to show their previous one in class as they find their mistakes.

Q: Any NaNoWriMo tips or tricks to share with other educators? Hard-won lessons? Ah-ha moments?

A: NaNoWriMo encourages my students to read. My students are not bookworms but they read as they would like to know how to start writing and how to make a story. Also, they are interested in other students' writing and try to understand them. Reading encourages them to think and understand others, which encourages them to respect others and their own identity. While they struggle writing, I would like to help them but it seems that nobody can help them. They solve their problems by themselves as their novels are just from their inside, not from their outside. Finally, they know how to control themselves and how to talk to themselves.

Q: Have you ever run into resistance from your administration about doing NaNoWriMo, and if so, how did you manage it? What do you say to people who don’t see the point of having students write novels?

A: Yes, some say that I should teach English for English exams. Getting Exam skill is the most important and creative experiences are not practical, they say. However, creative writing is effective in preparation for exams as students think more logically and critically to make their work better. They learn grammar and vocabulary to make their sentences clearer. My students' engagement gradually changes their mindset and finally, they understand what they have achieved as their novels are based on what they have learned in other subjects and their whole lives. As everything inside of themselves is combined to make their novels and shows that it is a integrated learning, they finally agreed to make it and now, they encourage me to do it.

Q: What are the most meaningful things you or your students take away from the project? What's your best NaNoWriMo memory?

A: They find their identity. They read their friends' writing and they find they are different. They find their own uniqueness and start enjoying the difference. After NaNoWriMo, they praise each other for their achievement and effort and it was the happiest moment.

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?

A: They learn not only about language but also about rights such as copyrights and personal information. Also, they learn creation is enjoyable after their struggle. This is an output activity with creativity, but at the same time they learn input is important to make their knowledge richer. I would like to encourage my students to read more, but how much I told them to do, they did not. Therefore, I thought of a different method, writing a novel, and it was totally successful. They read as they need to write. Their reading starts as if they check samples.

Chiho Nakagawa is an English as a second language teacher at a private school in Tokyo, Japan. Her motto for teaching is to raise independent learners. Her project-based learning classes improve her student’s creativity and autonomy. At the same time, her students find their own identity and respect others as they experience differences and uniqueness. She is also good at creating classes making full use of ICT as a Microsoft Innovative Education Expert and Adobe Education Leader.

[sheltiechicago]

Stunning Landscapes That This Artist Created By Carving And Painting Old Books

Artist Guy Laramee creates amazing miniature book landscapes out of old books, dictionaries, and encyclopedias. His series entitled The Great Wall and Biblios represent the degradation of human culture and show glacial landscapes, deep valleys, and plateaus.

[motionsickishreader]

Stargirl Review

Stargirl 

Jerry Spinelli 

Porcupine neckties, birthday songs, and small violet plants can all be traced back to one person: Stargirl. When a quirky, previously homeschooled girl who calls herself “Stargirl'' starts attending Mica High, the normal high school atmosphere is thrown into a frenzy. Years later, Leo Borlock recounts how over the course of one school year Stargirl made a difference in everyone’s lives. Spinelli does a stellar job at creating a story that captures the nature of high school and still holds up over twenty years later. While there are very few characters that are described in great detail, the main two characters are given depth and unique quirks that make them both feel human. Stargirl especially is fleshed out and very distinct, giving readers a clear picture of who she is based on Leo’s descriptions and her own actions within the story. Both characters have clear story arcs that are relatable and can serve as a lesson to readers. Intertwined throughout the entire story are themes of being different from those around you. Through Leo the story touches on the struggle of wanting to blend in and be accepted by your peers while also standing out within a crowd. Through him, readers can realize that wanting to be accepted and to belong within a group of peers is a normal feeling. Meanwhile, Stargirl serves as a direct contrast to the rest of the students at Mica High, who for the most part blend into the background and have no distinguishable differences between one another. For the majority of the story Stargirl is unapologetically herself despite the constant ridicule and whispers amongst students at school. While her popularity fluctuates, the overall idea that it is okay to be different and pursue what makes you happy is demonstrated through Stargirl. She also is a good example of a character who is selfless and does things for the satisfaction of making others happy, rather than gaining recognition for herself. This can be important to readers and easily incorporated into a classroom setting as a lesson about kindness and serving one's community. This novel has a sequel, Love Stargirl, and two movies based off of these stories. Overall, Stargirl is a great coming of age novel that all readers will get something out of. 

BIBLIO: 2000, Scholastic Inc., Ages 10 up, $3.99. 

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel 

FORMAT: Young Adult 

ISBN: 0-439-48840-0

[kjcamilli]

When You Trap a Tiger Tae Keller Lily has always been quiet and sometimes feels invisible, but her ability to see invisible things only begins when her mother takes her two daughters, Lily and Sam, to move back in with her mother, their Halmoni. Lily begins seeing a tiger from the stories her Halmoni would tell, and bargains with it to try and help with her grandmother’s sickness. As she begins to find new stories and learn more about her family, Lily finds herself grappling with difficult realizations. She has a lot on her shoulders–a fractured relationship with her sister, the hope of curing her Halmoni, new friendships, new places, and finding the truth in the ever changing stories she’s told. Keller combines Korean folktales with original stories to weave a narrative about the importance of family and community, showing how friends and loved ones can help out with even the most confusing and difficult situations. Though Lily begins by feeling like an outsider, she ends the story surrounded by friends and community, and having made amends with her mother and sister. The story showcases the power of stories and knowing your family history in a way that is both metaphorical and easy to understand, while creating realistic characters with interconnected lives. Readers will likely connect with Lily’s conflict avoidant personality and frustration with her own emotions as she navigates uncertain grounds, as well as enjoy her sister Sam’s more direct and sassy personality. Other characters also have room to shine, such as Sam’s crush, the endlessly optimistic Jensen who works at the library, or Lily’s new friend Ricky who loves comic books, adventures, and chocolate pudding. The characters all go through difficult experiences such that this book could help readers cope with loss of a loved one as well as any new changes in their lives. BIBLIO: 2020, Random House, Ages 8 to 12, $16.99. REVIEWER: Katherine Camilli FORMAT: Middle Reader ISBN: 978-1-5247-1570-0

[book-reviewer-2000]

Scary Stories for Young Foxes

Christian McKay Heidicker

Illustrated by Junyi Wu

One autumn evening, seven little foxes ask for scarier stories than their mother has told them yet. Although they beg and whine, she tells them that she has no more scary stories, but there is an old storyteller who has terrible stories that would scare the white into their tails. They find themselves at the den of this old storyteller, who tells them stories of two fox kits, each on harrowing journeys through danger and the unknown. Mia and her mother flee a deadly illness that takes the rest of their family and come face-to-face with humans. Uly, the runt of the litter with a forepaw that doesn’t work, has to flee from his father who wants to kill him. The pair meet when Uly helps Mia escape the humans. The two have to stick together to make it through a swamp with dangerous creatures, Uly’s sinister father, and the bitter cold of winter. After each story, one of the kits turns tail, too scared to listen any longer. Which kit has the bravery to listen to all of the stories? What happens to the two kits struggling through adventure after adventure? It’s up to an intrepid and insightful reader to find out. Mia and Uly deal with loss and grief in an eloquent way, uniting from their shared familial issues. While the stories are about fictional foxes, readers may see themselves in the characters and their tales. This book fills the imagination with its descriptive word choice and haunting illustrations of each anecdote. The scary stories bring elements of the supernatural, natural, and even human-created terror. But fear not- there’s a kind ending for these little foxes. This book may not be the best choice for easily frightened readers, but lovers of spooky fairytales will enjoy this original concept.

BIBLIO: 2019, Henry Holt and Company/ Macmillan Publishing Group, Age 9-12, $16.99 and $22.99.

REVIEWER: Rebekah Ehrhart

FORMAT:  Middle Reader

ISBN: 9781250181428

[paperplanes121]

Abbott elementary

Subject and summary:

Abbott elementary follows the daily life of teachers in an underfunded Philadelphia public school. The show starring Quinta Brunson (creator) and her fellow teachers and coworkers dives headfirst into issues that many people of color face through the lens of comedy. Dealing with themes of social status, race, appropriation and gender and the impact of race in education, the shows serve to create an image that is felt within many public schools today.

Abbott Elementary follows a lot of the themes and topics that were present during the course regarding African American culture and what it means to have a pass that culture through a medium. As we have previously talked about in the course with how African Americans are depicted and what is means to have a platform that is written by POC. Take, for example the picture that we examined of Sojourner Truth (Mirzeoff), who was able to take back a medium that didn’t showcase African Americans in a positive light and often with negative undertones. Or, as Deborah Willis said, “it was the first book I had ever seen with “colored” people int it- people that I recognized, people that reminded me of my family.” (Willis). The social impacts of having a show with a majority black cast imparts a sense of representation to those of similar communities, that are of a positive tone. In much of the same ways that HAPA and Godzilla served to combat the stereotypes of Asian Americans, Abbott Elementary brings to African Americans what we’ve all know, there isn’t a single word to describe us as a community as we are all multifaceted. The series highlights the years of systemic polices that only act to hinder minority education is episodes such as “Wrong Delivery” and “William R. Abbott” where they must fight against better funded and supported institutions and come to terms with the racist past that the institution is named for. Abbott elementary goes out of its way to show how multifaceted the African American community can be from having the principal be a black woman, to even how different each character is from one another yet are able to all come together under the common goal of educating the black youth. Just as we examined with the Harlem Renaissance the show, as an art piece, serves as a lens to understanding what black identity is. And embodying this idea of intersectionality can be seen with Barabara Howard. As a senior teacher, she deals with gender, race, and her professional identity; being in a position of “power” with her coworkers by serving as a mentor and mother. And with that authority comes the negative stereotypes she must combat being a minority woman in a position of authority.

Overall Abbott Elementary is a wonderful example of taking difficult subjects and diverse characters and creating a compelling story that allows the viewer to be both entertained but, in many ways, also educated.

Works cited:

“Abbott Elementary.” Wikipedia, 7 Apr. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_Elementary.

‌

Fusco, Coco, and Brian Wallis. Only Skin Deep. ABRAMS, 1 Dec. 2003.

Willis, Deborah. Picturing Us : African American Identity in Photography. New P.,U.S., Jul 96, Biblios, 1994.

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“Abbott Elementary Wiki.” Abbottelementary.fandom.com, abbottelementary.fandom.com/wiki/Abbott_Elementary_Wiki.

National Gallery of Art. “Harlem Renaissance.” Www.nga.gov, National Gallery of Art, 2022, www.nga.gov/learn/teachers/lessons-activities/uncovering-america/harlem-renaissance.html.

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[calligariswestchester]

Calligaris Westchester: Work in Style with the Calligaris Biblio Desk

At Calligaris Westchester, we understand the importance of creating a workspace that inspires productivity and reflects your personal style. The Calligaris Biblio Desk is the perfect solution for those seeking a functional and fashionable centerpiece for their home office.

This blog post will delve into the features and benefits of the Calligaris Biblio Desk, showcasing why it's the ideal choice for anyone looking to elevate their work-from-home experience.

Calligaris Biblio Desk: Design and Functionality

The Calligaris Biblio Desk stuns with its sleek and modern design, featuring clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The desk's frame is constructed from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and stability for years to come.

A Closer Look at the Calligaris Biblio Desk

Multiple Top Options: Choose between a smooth wood or glass top to suit your taste and workspace needs. The wood top exudes warmth and a touch of tradition, while the glass top offers a sophisticated, light, and airy feel.

Ample Workspace: The Calligaris Biblio Desk boasts a generous work surface, providing ample space to spread out your laptop, paperwork, and other essentials. Whether you're working on a complex spreadsheet or tackling a creative project, the Biblio Desk offers the perfect platform for productivity.

Integrated Storage Solutions: The Biblio Desk features built-in drawers and shelves, providing much-needed storage to keep your workspace organized and clutter-free. Tuck away office supplies, files, and important documents for a clean and streamlined work environment.

Modern Cable Management System: The Calligaris Biblio Desk incorporates a cable management system to keep cords and wires hidden from sight. This not only enhances the desk's visual appeal but also prevents tangled wires that can disrupt your workflow.

Versatility for Any Space: The Biblio Desk's compact size makes it ideal for home offices of all sizes. Whether you have a dedicated workspace or are carving out a corner in your living room, the Biblio Desk seamlessly integrates into your existing décor.

Beyond Functionality: The Style Factor of the Calligaris Biblio Desk

The Calligaris Biblio Desk goes beyond just functionality; it's a statement piece that elevates the aesthetics of your home office. The clean lines and minimalist design create a sense of sophistication, while the choice of top materials allows you to personalize the desk to match your style.

Modern Appeal: The Biblio Desk's contemporary design complements any modern or minimalist home décor.

Warm Traditional Touch: For those who prefer a touch of warmth, the wood top option adds a classic element to your workspace.

Light and Airy Ambiance: The glass top creates an illusion of spaciousness, making it ideal for smaller home offices.

Calligaris Westchester: Your One-Stop Shop for the Perfect Home Office

At Calligaris Westchester, we are passionate about creating inspiring and functional home office spaces. The Calligaris Biblio Desk is just one of the many stylish and functional pieces we offer to help you create a workspace you'll love.

In addition to the Biblio Desk, we offer a wide range of home office furniture, including ergonomic chairs, storage solutions, and lighting options. Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you in finding the perfect furniture pieces to meet your needs and style preferences.

Visit Our Showroom or Shop Online

We invite you to visit our Calligaris Westchester showroom to experience the Calligaris Biblio Desk firsthand. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you create the perfect home office environment.

You can also browse our extensive collection of furniture online at [your store website]. We offer secure online shopping and convenient delivery options to ensure a seamless shopping experience.

Invest in Your Productivity with the Calligaris Biblio Desk

The Calligaris Biblio Desk is more than just a piece of furniture; it's an investment in your productivity and well-being. With its blend of functionality, style, and versatility, the Biblio Desk is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to work in style and comfort.

Calligaris Westchester: Where Style Meets Function

Visit Calligaris Westchester today and discover the Calligaris Biblio Desk, along with our entire collection of home office furniture. Let us help you create a workspace that inspires you and fosters your productivity.

Conclusion

The Calligaris Biblio Desk is a perfect solution for those seeking a stylish and functional home office solution. With its sleek design, ample workspace, integrated storage, and cable management system, the Biblio Desk enhances both the form and function of your workspace.

Visit Calligaris Westchester today and discover how the Calligaris Biblio Desk can elevate your home office and transform the way you work. We look forward to helping you create a space that inspires productivity and reflects your personal style.

Get in touch with us on our social media pages: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin & Pinterest.

[the-one-and-only-bibliography]

i think every time i feel like my actions don't mean anything and there's no point trying i will force myself to create a shitty drawing and post it onto the internet and then tag it with #created despite hopelessness and then i will see what happens

[notsocommonbook]

Week 5

“While viewing the name ‘William Shakespeare’ as an indicator of quality acts as a guarantee for a potential book buyer that their money will not be spent in vain, viewing it as a guide to generic content or ‘kind’ creates a different set of readerly expectations. These range from assumptions about dramatic form to the anticipation of the sensory rewards offered by reading printed comedies” (August 57). 

Thinking here about how Troilus and Cressida subverts expectations, as well as what the play expects of its readers because it doesn’t come across as a play for the masses. 

“Instead of advocating for his copy as an important witness to an unappreciated aspect of the First Folio’s early history, though, Pforzheimer ultimately opted to mask evidence by sourcing copies of the Digges and Actors leaves, not once, but twice” (Pratt 402)

I find this search for a ‘perfect’ copy fascinating. In sourcing leaves from another copy, they are also rendering another copy incomplete…

“In this way, the Folio is less a metonymy for a singular artistic achievement—Shakespeare’s—than it is a scattered, diachronic, multi- object biblio-collective of various human and nonhuman encounters, some retrievable and others lost” (Bourne 384)

“In emphasizing Shakespeare’s works as his own sui generis creations, we position him as a point of origin rather than of synthesis of a wide array of tropes, motifs, plot lines, and theatergrams” (Weissbourd 210)

I think this is compelling. I was reminded of the Folio being called the true original in the prefatory material, which isn’t true.

[soulmuppet]

Looking to pick up a TTRPG book for a loved one over the holidays? Get your orders in before these dates to make sure it arrives on time!

Want some Recommendations? Read on below :)

Orbital Blues

Our rules-light space western ttrpg, where character progression is tied to roleplay and emotional moments. With a range of adventures and a whole new expansion coming in the new year its a great time to pick up a copy!

~

The Stygian Library

Written by Emmy Allen, The Stygian Library is a procedurally generated biblio-dungeon set in the interdimensional space between every library in the universe!

~

Something from our huge collection of indie ttrpgs!

From solo-games to diceless games to classic grid combat games, there is sure to be something for everyone!

[bookscardsnbikes1]

Navigating the World of Literary Treasures: Unveiling the Realm of Antiquarian Books and Online Rare Bookstores

INTRODUCTION:

In a world fueled by digital content, there's a timeless allure in holding a piece of history in your hands – a rare antiquarian book that has weathered the tides of time. These precious literary artifacts, known as antiquarian books, have captivated the hearts of collectors, bibliophiles, and historians for generations. In this blog post, we embark on a journey into the captivating universe of antiquarian books, exploring the significance of online rare bookstores, discovering rare collectible shops, and seeking alternatives to platforms like eBay for those eager to enrich their collection.

Antiquarian Books:

Antiquarian books are more than just books; they are portals to the past. These cherished volumes transcend their role as sources of knowledge, bearing witness to the thoughts, aspirations, and wisdom of generations long gone. What sets antiquarian books apart are their age, rarity, historical value, and often, their aesthetic charm. Each page whispers secrets of a bygone era, and each cover tells a tale of its own – from intricate bindings to fading typography.

The Rise of Online Rare Bookstores:

The digital age has ushered in new ways of accessing these literary treasures. Online rare bookstores, the virtual sanctuaries of bibliophiles, have redefined the antiquarian book collecting experience. They offer a rich tapestry of rare and collectible editions, connecting seekers with an expansive selection from all corners of the globe. Gone are the days when collectors had to travel great distances to find the elusive book they desired. Now, these online havens provide the convenience of exploring and acquiring rare books from the comfort of one's home.

The allure of online rare bookstores extends beyond convenience. Many platforms offer comprehensive descriptions, vivid imagery, and historical context for each book. This wealth of information equips collectors with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, transforming the acquisition process into an educational endeavor. Moreover, these platforms often cultivate communities of kindred spirits, fostering discussions, knowledge sharing, and connections among those passionate about the written word.

Exploring Rare Collectible Shops:

For those who relish the tangible experience of physically browsing through books, rare collectible shops are veritable havens of literary nostalgia. These brick-and-mortar establishments curate remarkable collections of antiquarian books, creating spaces where enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the pages of history. The unique ambiance of these shops invokes a sense of wonder and curiosity, enabling collectors to forge a deep connection with their chosen literary treasures.

Beyond eBay:

While eBay has been a go-to platform for collectibles, including rare books, there are eBay alternatives platforms tailored to the discerning collector's needs. Here are a few noteworthy alternatives:

AbeBooks: Renowned for its diverse collection, AbeBooks connects collectors with independent sellers offering an array of rare and collectible books.

Bauman Rare Books: With a blend of physical galleries and an online presence, Bauman Rare Books provides a curated selection of rare manuscripts and historical documents, guided by expertise and passion.

Biblio: Supporting independent bookstores, Biblio presents a treasure trove of rare editions, signed copies, and first editions, fostering a sense of community among collectors.

Embracing the Joy of Collecting:

Collecting antiquarian books transcends the realm of mere possessions; it's an expedition into the realms of history, culture, and human creativity. Each collectible rare books offers a glimpse into the minds of the past, and every page preserves a fragment of time. The pursuit of these treasures requires patience, discernment, and a deep admiration for literary heritage.

Conclusion

Antiquarian books are bridges between eras, connecting us with the wisdom and artistry of yesteryears. Online rare bookstores and collectible shops enhance the experience of collecting, opening avenues for exploration and education. As we navigate the world of rare collectible books, remember that every volume holds a story, waiting to be discovered by those who appreciate the enchantment of ink on paper. So, whether you're embarking on your first journey into antiquarian books or adding to an already flourishing collection, embrace the magic that lies within these literary treasures.

[literarytourist-blog-blog]

Novelist David Mitchell on What he Does and How he Does it

I was in Ireland recently to interview two of the best novelists on the face of the planet. John Banville, in Dublin, and David Mitchell, in Cork. As a cost-cutting measure I decided to ask them both the same questions: What do you do? How do you do it? Why do you do it? And: Why does it matter? I got diametrically opposed answers.

So much for my cherished ambition of capturing definitive, unified explanations of what the best novelists (in this case) do, and how they do it at the dawn of the 21st century. David Mitchell is compelled to make narrative. Better and better narrative. He are his novels, in order:

Ghostwritten (1999)

Number9Dream (2001)

Cloud Atlas (2004)

Black Swan Green (2006)

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet (2010)

The Bone Clocks (2014)

Slade House (2015)

Utopia Avenue (2020)

Ghostwritten takes place all over the world - ‘from Okinawa to Mongolia to New York City’ and is told in interconnecting stories by nine different narrators. It won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize (best work of British literature written by an author under 35) and was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award. number9dream and Cloud Atlas were both shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. In 2003 David was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Novelists.’ In 2007 Time magazine included him among their 100 Most Influential People in The World. In 2018 he won the Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence, given in recognition of a writer's entire body of work.

In other words, David is a best practitioner. He lives about an hour's drive from Cork. We met downtown for a taste of the city and a bite to eat. The better part of our afternoon was spent chatting about love and literature, and searching for a quiet place where we could clock our Biblio File best-practitioner conversation. Lovely, colourful city Cork. Tad noisy. We don’t talk much about specific books but we do attempt an "understanding" of the novel writing process in light of how David has gone about creating his wonderful Balzacian oeuvre.

  Stay tuned for the Biblio File Back-story.

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