In February I shared a lovely Book Lover’s Teapot and I found that the artist who made that one also makes another! How cool is that? You can buy this (or this other one) at this website:...

Smoking stinks and it kills. But reading? Well, reading does everyone only good. So, why not give up smoking for a reading habit? This is what Tank Magazine encouraged when they thought to use the clever packaging of cigarettes and used it to package little books, called Tank Books. Straight from their website: TankBooks pay homage to this iconic form by employing it in the service of great literature. We have launched a series of books designed to mimic cigarette packs – the same size, packaged in flip-top cartons with silver foil wrapping and sealed in cellophane. The titles are by authors of great stature – classic stories presented in classic packaging; objects desirable for both their literary merit and their unique design. Each story is complete and unabridged – with a type size that’s easy to read. Individual books are great for throwing into a pocket or handbag – an instantly familiar object to carry with you. The complete set comes in a stunning tin – perfect as a really original gift. TankBooks are for people on the move, lovers of literature and connoisseurs of design. Try one and you’ll be hooked. Titles: Joseph Conrad “Heart of Darkness” Ernest Hemingway “The Undefeated” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”, Franz Kafka “The Metamorphosis” and “In the Penal Colony” Rudyard Kipling “The Man who would be King”, “The Phantom ’Rickshaw” and “Black Jack” Robert Louis Stevenson “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Leo Tolstoy “The Death of Ivan Ilych” and “Father Sergius” Why leave a good idea to something bad, like smoking? I love it! Now, book lovers all over the world can request as many breaks as the smokers… and perhaps we can demand separate reading sections, outside in the fresh air! =) Or how about this for a way to unwind or calm your nerves… a quick chapter instead of a quick cigarette before...

This site is dedicated to all things book related… and I heard this song and thought it was share-worthy. Someone thought to use book analogies to describe heartache… loss… how clever, how fitting. Who but a bibliophile could have written such a song? We bookworms do seem to have more depth, more ability to feel pain and joy. This song is by Kiersten Holine, it is titled, “Bookends and Silent Pages”. Lyrics Useless chapter Ive ripped the words from your spine Oh so call me heartless But what was your ending line? Cause I fell in love with a habit I promised Id break And I sung my silence With words you love to misplace Weeks of silence I bid my final farewell Your contentment is clear I assume that your heart is as well Cause I fell in love with a habit I promised Id break And I sung my silence With the words you love to misplace Bleeding lip And two hands now rest at my sides They collapsed all at once After loyalty failed to provide Cause I fell in love with a habit I promised Id break Oh and Im not the one Left to stare at an empty back page Here is the song: Bookends and Silent Pages by Kiersten...

Listening is an act of love, originally uploaded by allicette. As part of my summer reading aloud shtick I chose a book of short, inspiring stories. I figured they were easier to follow and would keep everyone’s attention because when you are reading a book with 3 other people–over the age of 14–it is difficult to find a time and to keep everyone engaged. I chose, Listening Is an Act of Love: A celebration of American life from the Storycorps project edited by Dave Isay. This is the second ‘Storycorps‘ compilation I’ve read and I just loved it! We all did. Storycorps is ‘the largest oral history project in the nation’s (United States) history’.1 From their website, StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, and millions listen to our weekly broadcasts on NPR’s Morning Edition and on our Listen pages. The heart of StoryCorps is the conversation between two people who are important to each other: a son asking his mother about her childhood, an immigrant telling his friend about coming to America, or a couple reminiscing on their 50th wedding anniversary. By helping people to connect, and to talk about the questions that matter, the StoryCorps experience is powerful and sometimes even life-changing. Our goal is to make that experience accessible to all, and find new ways to inspire people to record and preserve the stories of someone important to them. Just as powerful is the experience of listening. Whenever people listen to these stories, they hear the courage, humor, trials and triumphs of an incredible range of voices. “By listening closely to one another, we can help illuminate the true character of this nation reminding us all just how precious each day can be and how truly great it is to be alive. Dave Isay, Founder, StoryCorps This book is a compilation of stories...

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves., originally uploaded by {life through the lens}. Another lovely bibliophotograph by {life through the lens} on flickr. Her work is absolutely amazing! I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~Anna Quindlen This is precisely how I decorate…should there be a new niche for architects and designers? Specialists who work on finding new ways to properly house, proudly display, keep our precious...

I found this photograph and had to share… what a beautiful picture and the perfect quote. A fellow bibliophile… on this journey with us… Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere., originally uploaded by {life through the lens}. Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere. ~Jean Rhys The photo caption reads… I am sincerely grateful for the ability to read and also what reading gives me… a sense of adventure, sharing a book & snuggling with my children, developing a new skill, travel to far away destinations without the hassle of sitting on a 8 hour flight with my 2 year old, improving myself, meeting strangers and making friends, learning about human nature & most importantly, seeing through the eyes of another. Reading is a gift and I am blessed. The...