Books online February 28, 2007

Two of the biggest publishing houses in the English language have put their books online. HarperCollins and Random House now enable book lovers to browse trough books via their websites. (Just click on the name of the publishers to get to the appropriate webpage.) Sometimes you can see new books before they get published!

They also made a sort of widget that makes it possible to post a book on your website. Sadly, it is not possible to do this on WordPress, because the script is in Java. If you found a way to put a novel on your blog, let me know!

Books for soldiers February 28, 2007

A dear friend of mine is with the Marines. Recently she went out to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a special EU-mission. Since she loves to read as much as I do, she shipped a load of books ahead. She needs to have something to do when she has time off. This is what the next website is all about. Via the site you can send books to soldiers who work abroad. The soldiers can ask for books they would like to read. You can also send other things, like DVD’s if you like. Just go to this website to find out more.

 

 

Miniature books February 27, 2007

You might think I am swallowed by Gulliver’s Travels, since I post about miniature stuff a lot. After miniature bookstores, a miniature library, I now give you: miniature books! It was the only thing yet missing.

Miniature books are a whole book world on it’s own, I discovered recently. Browsing the web, I found myself on loads of different mini bookish sites. Did you know, for instance, that there is a Miniature Book Society? Click here to find out more and maybe even become a member!

I can understand the passion of the members of the Society. Take a look at this website. All the major works in miniature! You can even read these tiny works of art, if you have very good eyes. Or simply a magnifying lens. This website also has miniature books, but those have blank pages. It does not take away the beauty of these tiny books, though.

If you would like to make some of these books yourself, click here for an interesting ‘how-to’ manual. The book teaches you all the basic principles of (miniature) bookmaking. Make sure you have the much needed patience to embark on a mini project like this!

Miniature library February 22, 2007

I am not a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I absolutely adore this library. If I understand it correctly, this play set is a model of Buffy’s high school library. I think it looks great. It is in two levels and has four bookcases and a table. Other accessories are included, but it is unknown what they are. You can learn more about it here and here.

Thanks to Arlen for mailing me the link!

Self shelf February 21, 2007

I have posted about invisible book shelves before. But I am proud to announce this Dutch one. This shelve looks like a book. You can place your own books on top of it. And you do not even notice! And the best thing is: it keeps your books in tact. You can find out about it here.

Miniature book shop February 19, 2007

Some acquaintances of mine have built a dolls house. They are quite fantastic, and it lead me to an idea. I have always wanted my own bookshop, but it is probably never going to happen. How great it would be to build my own miniature bookstore! Like a dolls house, but then as a little shop. And decorate it just the way I would my dreamed up bookstore. I already have some miniature books, which I bought on Ebay recently.

I have searched the web, searching for inspiration, but I did not find anybody who build a dolls house book shop. Then I came across this book. It gives plans for five different dolls house shops. Including a Victorian book shop! I have become very tempted to buy this book! If you want to learn more about it, click here. If you come across some pictures of miniature book shops, please let me know!

 

Library: An unquiet history February 18, 2007

I am a sucker for libraries, and most likely so are you. This book is about the history of libraries. The book features all the good and bad that could happen to a library. It seems to be a must have if you are a librarian. Or anybody that would like to know more about libraries. (Yes, I have put this one on my list as well….) The book is about book burning and the worship of the library and everything in between. Which is quite a lot… It is written by a rare book librarian at Harvard, Matthew Battles. If you want to know more about libraries, this book is your thing! You can find out about it and look inside it here. (EU click here)

Book perfume February 16, 2007

This is weird. But that also makes it fun. Perfume that smells like an old book! The maker of this scent, Christopher Brosius, loves his books. He describes the odour of his product as: “English Novel taken from a Signed First Edition of one of my very favorite novels, Russian & Moroccan leather bindings, worn cloth and a hint of wood polish”. He made four varieties of his “In the library” scent. It comes as Perfume Absolute 15 ml and 2 ml, a Water Perfume and a Home Spray. You can find out more about it, and order it if you dare, here.

Thanks to Valerie for the link!

Book vending machines February 16, 2007

No Mars bar. No diet coke. Noting of the sorts. This vending machine only produces books. How fantastic is that?! We have none in my country. Neither are there any in the USA, as a reader informed me. But if you ever are in Paris, you might bump up to one of those. Learn more about this phenomenon here.

Thanks to Stephania for informing me!

Library Hotel February 15, 2007

If you ever want a hotel in New York, look no further! I have found the most perfect accommodation for you. It is situated on 299. Madison Avenue in New York and it is called the Library Hotel. If you think it sounds good, check out their website. Then you know it is more then that. The rooms look amazing. The whole hotel looks amazing! There are books scattered all over the place. The hotel contains over 6,000 books. Every room has a different bookish theme. And you can walk to the New York library, too.

If you want to sleep in a bookish hotel in The Netherlands, “Boekenhotel Doldersum” is your place. It is not as fancy as the Library Hotel, but undoubtedly just as much as fun. This hotel also has theme rooms. You can learn more about it here. (The site also translates into English and German.)

Thanks to Verginia for mailing me about the Library Hotel!