Exhausted By Books

Hello Bookish readers,

     This is how I feel at the end of Summer 2012. 

Photo from Momology blog.  Credits unavailable.

How's your summer reading list coming?

A Book I Have Not Read

"My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read."

-Abraham Lincoln

Courtesy Stowe Vintage

Bookish Bench

In Istanbul they have launched an ad campaign using public benches to promote poetry.  Eighteen works by native poets have been represented as benches around the city.   Thanks to Nihal of Crossroads: Istanbul, Olga of Bibliophile's Corner, and Steph from Web Urbanist.

 

What a fantastic way to promote literacy, the arts, and to make the utilitarian more appealing!

Sparking An Undying Glow

"No one can possibly tell what tiny detail of a drawing or what seemingly trivial phrase in a story will be the spark that sets off a great flash in the mind of some child, a flash that will leave a glow there until the day he dies."


-Robert Lawson

Design courtesy Bloomfield & Rolfe

Life Without Books

"I cannot imagine life without books any more than I can imagine life without breathing."


-Terry Brooks

Art courtesy Sue Woollatt

Bookish Dolls

I love bookish things.  Below are three dolls by artist Wendy Lawton.  These characters are heroines in some of my favorite picture books.

        

Can you recognize the girls?  Click here to find the answers and learn more.

Impossible Things

Yesterday's quote by Lewis Carroll can be found in the first chapter of Alice in Wonderland. I considered a post regarding that peerless work, but that would be nonsense.  In the future I will undoubtedly highlight a few outstanding versions of Alice's adventures by illustrators who have done her justice.  Instead, however, I thought I would call to your attention a few impossible things . . . seven to be exact.

At the risk of dispersing my readership to a far more interesting book blog, I present

Art by John Tenniel, compiled by Julie Danielson

Seven Impossible Things changed its focus to picture books and their art in 2009.  It offers some of the best illustrators' interviews on the web.  Jules's passion for picture book illustration is difficult to surpass.  Her taste in art parallels my own.  Her blog format keeps the content interesting.  She has gotten some fabulous illustrators to contribute additional masthead's.  The blog uses a Wonderland theme.

So there are seven wonderful things about her blog.  Seem impossible?  Check it out for yourself, but don't forget to come back here once in a while when you're feeling a bit bookish.  Thanks!

A Useless Book

"What is the use of a book without pictures or conversations?"


-Lewis Carroll

Courtesy The Little Chickadee

A Bookish Wedding

Themed weddings have been a fad for decades, but the ones I'm familiar with have always been a costumed affair.  Who grew up in the 70's and didn't hear about a Luke and Leia couple?  When I started seeing the trend to design a wedding that captures the essence of the bride and groom, I wondered why I'd never thought of that.  Lately I've been seeing book themed weddings for librarians, writers, and the average book lover.  I ran across these splendidly bookish invitations from the Mismikado Creations on Etsy.  Sebrina will customize the color and design as well as the titles whenever possible.

Designed by Mismikado Creations
for Chocostudio

vintage book invitation with map
designed by Sebrina Parker Schultz
of Mismikado Creations

You can even include a pocket card with the RSVP "due" date. 

All Things Bookish

I am adding a poll today.  I would like to know what you as the readers find interesting or valuable in this blog.  Please take a moment to cast your vote.  I will continue to publish posts on all aspects of children's books and publishing, but I would be happy to feature items which you, the readers, find interesting.  If there are any of you out there . . .?
Thanks for your time.  As always. I love hearing from you.

Writing Letters by Kecky 
AKA Kristin Kemper on Etsy

Spare Moments

"The spare moments of my life are a constant seeking out of my next reading material."

-Glenn Robert Gray

From Zookyshirts at cafepress

Okay, not really a bookplate, but you can request one from this seller.

Independent Bookstores

The most famous bookstore in Maine is up for sale.  Purchase The Owl & Turtle Bookshop and keep its bookish tradition going.  Indie booksellers are disappearing all over the country.  Don't let this treasure trove disappear too.

The Children's Room at The Owl & Turtle Bookshop

Incidentally, we've always wanted a bookstore of our very own.   If anyone is interested in donating the Owl & Turtle to us here at Bookish Ambition, we'd consider relocating. ;-)

Making Books

". . .of making many books there is no end."

-Ecclesiastes 12:12

Thanks to Lew Jaffe,
the Bookplate Junkie

Bookish Prints

by Louis Moeller

Here at Bookish Ambition we are obsessed with all things that have to do with books:  literature, publishing, illustration, and bookish things.  If I had any wall space not covered by bookshelves, I might consider some of these lovely bookish prints courtesy All Posters.

supply books to the troops

by Jessie Wilcox Smith 

Woman reading

by Noemi Martin

Bookish Things

I thought I should elaborate on Monday's quote and show you some of my favorite bits of book furniture.

Custom made; Featured on Design Sponge

Big Cozy Books

courtesy Uncommon Goods 

courtesy Signals

Pleasant Words

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
-Proverbs 16:24

Bookplate courtesy Ruby Victoria