The German Bookshop Hunt II May 29, 2008

The German city of Heidelberg has a lot of bookshops to offer. Part one of this series is proof of that. (Click here to read it.) Since I visited the city for business, I did not have enough time to visit all the bookstores I photographed. From the shops I did step into, one of them stood out. By far. In fact, it must have been one of the most beautiful bookstores I have even seen.

Click ‘more’ to read the story about the mesmerizing used bookstore called ‘Antiquariat Hatry’.

Read at work May 28, 2008

If you have a boring job, or just like to read at work, I have found you THE most fantastic website. You can read all day and nobody will notice! To make sure the boss does not know you are wasting time, this website is designed like Windows. I think it is very nicely done. To leave the site, it took me a while to find out, go to the start menu and click ‘log off’. After that you get your ‘normal’ screen back. Click here to visit the website.

Flat pack book rest May 24, 2008

There are a couple of reasons I wanted to show you this product, a book rest. Not only is it different from other book rests, but the website about it is beautiful too. The book rest itself is flat and you have to fold it to make it into the actual product. You can keep the book open on the rest by placing a pencil or something like it in the holes on the bottom. The rests come in different designs by different artists, but the idea is from Robert Pachowski.

It is hard to explain how it actually works, so click here for the website.

Kimbooktu Cat May 24, 2008

He looked so cute, I just had to show you…

(Feel free to add some ‘LOL Cats‘ text and e-mail the photo back to me. I will put the photo in this post.)

The German bookshop hunt I May 19, 2008

On my business trip in Germany, I had a few moments to spare. I decided to go on a photographic bookstore hunt. And it seemed to be very good hunting in Heidelberg. Below, click on ‘more’, you will find the shops I managed to find and photograph. And there were lots more! The shops were closed on the particular day of my hunt, but that did not ruin the fun.

All the bookstores of Heidelberg can be located via Google Maps. Click here to do so. For a list via the tourist website of Heidelberg, click here. I have two other stories about the literary life of Heidelberg for you. One is about one particular extraordinary bookshop, the last in the list below. The other story is about the beautiful University Library. You will read them soon!

Pimp my Billy May 9, 2008

German designers have designed a gadget to go along with the famous Billy bookcases by IKEA. Since a couple of weeks, I too have these cases. They are not only cheep, but you can buy loads of accessories for them. The best part is, you do not have to be afraid that any additions will not be sold anymore next year.

The Pimp my Billy is a fun thing. I was immediately interested in it. It looks interesting, fun and the color is just right for my library. Until I saw the price. One can buy a whole room full of Billy’s for the price of this gadget. Click here to learn more.

PS. I will be out of the country next week for business. If I find any great bookstores in the German city of Heidelberg, I will let you know!

(Literary) Remembrance May 4, 2008

Each year on the 4^th of May we, the Dutch, take a couple of minutes to remember the people who died in WWII. And the wars after that. The next day, the 5^th we celebrate the ending of the war. I also do a little ‘remembrance’ on Kimbooktu,but in a bookish way. I bring you a post related to the Second World War and books. Last year I wrote an article on Anne Frank, to be seen here. This year’s topic is the destruction of books during WWII. Click ‘more’ to read the article.

Personalized books May 1, 2008

If you are looking for an original gift (for a book lover) a personalized book might be an idea. There are several websites which provide this service. Usually you can choose a book of your liking. You can then choose one or more names that you want to have featured in this book. Below you will find a small selection of websites that provides this type of book. If you have any books or experience with personal books to add, please do so in the comments.

A2Z Personalized Children’s Books

You can choose out of 150 books for children. There are also some titles available for adults. All the books are hardcover and it will cost between twelve and fifteen dollars to have a book made.

Printakid

This website sells ‘personalized stories for children’. The fun part is that the illustrations are also personalized to look like the child.

Created4Me

This company has only one book on offer, but it adds first, middle and last names to the book. Most other personalized books only have first names.

MadLuck Books

Here you can pick from a variety of themed books for babies, children and adults. The books can have the name, age, home town and other names printed in the story.

Boekado.nl

A Dutch website that has a choice of books in different themes. You can also choose children’s books and books by The Netherlands most popular crime writer, Appie Baantjer. It is also possible to pick by price.