We all have something in our lives that while not obviously valuable, is displayed as though it were a precious and irreplaceable artifact. Inquire...
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reviews
Mar 26, 2009
Andy
rated it: 
Editorial Reviews
New York Times Book Review:
"Short essays about treasured possessions, by artists, designers, writers and performers. The cartoonist and musician recalls playing with an assortment of rubber animals as a boy, 'acting out battles, domestic scenes, everything.' But the star was always Sunshine, above: 'one special little yellow pig.'" (August 5, 2007)
Scrubbles.net:
"...the project is beautifully executed in boxy paperback form. This More...
New York Times Book Review:
"Short essays about treasured possessions, by artists, designers, writers and performers. The cartoonist and musician recalls playing with an assortment of rubber animals as a boy, 'acting out battles, domestic scenes, everything.' But the star was always Sunshine, above: 'one special little yellow pig.'" (August 5, 2007)
Scrubbles.net:
"...the project is beautifully executed in boxy paperback form. This More...
Dec 18, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it: 
This was a lovely collection with a surprisingly smart introduction. The titular "things" range in size and scope, united only by the fact they would appear as useless junk to all but their owners. Each thing is accompanied by a short article by its owner, illuminating its significance. In most cases, the meaning of the objects is connected with the context in which it was purchased or discovered. Often, other people are evoked by the object (a gift from someone, the person who the own
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Aug 06, 2010
Kristen
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Well, the key to having a revered object is to only have one. Those in the book with collections are far less poignant. For the most part well written (edited), it is a quick read that makes you glad you don't have a piece junk as a talisman (until you realize you actually do have a piece of junk as a talisman...)
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Feb 11, 2008
A great nightstand book. These are short pieces, stories of objects by people the people who particularly admire them (and keep them!).
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Dec 17, 2008
Benjamin
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This is a charming little book that April introduced to me. Each page presents someone's precious object, usually something quite esoteric—like an old toy, an antique, or a bit of obsolete machinery. The owner of the object writes a small essay about their relationship with the thing. Sometimes it's funny; usually it's touching.
Feb 14, 2009
Carol
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This is an amazing book of two page sets, a picture of something unusual, and the story that goes along with that object. Some are sad, some are strange, all are interesting.
Nov 09, 2009
Alyssa
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This is the type of book you pick up and read and then set down again and pick it up again a few months later.....
Feb 10, 2009
Katherine
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i loved it! maybe because i take things too seriously. nevertheless i recommend it for restroom reading.
Jul 31, 2010
Monique
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1 page vignettes: object, story
A couple are bizarre and terribly funny.
A couple are bizarre and terribly funny.
Apr 10, 2009
Jacquelyn
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This was one of the books that I used to support my Master Thesis .
Mar 18, 2008
Jessica
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This book is just so much fun. It is compact and made with smooth paper, with tones of blue throughout.
My favorite object featured is a tiny pinecone that an artist keeps on her bathroom sink. I am probably a bit biased, though, given my last name.
Reading this made me think about my own favorite object. Right now, probably my bird tote bag. I miss it terribly- it is being stored in my old roommate's closet! But, I will be sure to bring it into the light before the More...
My favorite object featured is a tiny pinecone that an artist keeps on her bathroom sink. I am probably a bit biased, though, given my last name.
Reading this made me think about my own favorite object. Right now, probably my bird tote bag. I miss it terribly- it is being stored in my old roommate's closet! But, I will be sure to bring it into the light before the More...
Aug 13, 2008
Spencer
rated it:
princeton architectural press! 75 diff. authors. In my youth I loved looking through my fathers curio box. Its my earliest experience with things that I thought had some talismanic power. I loved the smell and look and feel of his pocketknife, scout badges, and compass. Maybe those things have "expected significance" and therefore wouldn't have made it in the book. But I like other peoples little things that have been loved. however, I don't care much for clutter myself and can'
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Jul 02, 2008
Lizzie
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We got this book as a gift because my husband's cousin has an essay in it but that's not the only reason I liked it (though of course Rex's piece is great.) It's a collection of short essays on objects that are significant to their owners. Some are profound, some amusing. One of them (a description of a glass jar) perfectly expressed how I feel about certain objects in my life - the beautiful shape of the jar's sides, its perfect distance from screw threads to top.
Apr 22, 2008
Jimmy
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a beautifully designed book about quirky objects and people's relationships to them. the essays were a bit short for me...most of them only 3 or four paragraphs long (is that even called an essay?). and, i wish there were a bio section for the writers...but at least the editors seemed to take careful consideration as to not select objects in banal categories (i.e. my childhood toy, something my mom/dad/girlfriend/boyfriend gave me, my first ______, etc.).
Jul 31, 2010
Elizabeth
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Small, pretty book of pictures and essays about "stuff" and why it is important.
Apr 23, 2010
Jen
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Some really poignant, mundane objects belonging to creative individuals. I rather liked the tin of hairpins a writer kept as a token of his passionate affair with another woman. Stuff like that just makes you smile at the wonders of life, all its angst, happiness and sheer surrealism!
Oct 19, 2008
Karen
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Anne gave me this fun little book. I am going to pass it along to Roger and Teddy next. All lovers of funny objects would enjoy reading this book on the bus or subway.
I think the "Jig Saw Jr." was the funniest.
I think the "Jig Saw Jr." was the funniest.
Oct 24, 2007
reed
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This book is so gorgeous. Beautiful, simple, charming design. Also, it's a good read. A collection of photos of random objects along with the stories of how they entered their owners lives. I couldn't put it down.
Oct 25, 2007
Charlotte
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A book of essays about interesting objects and the significance they have to their owners. It's a wonderful window into how we infuse ordinary things with meaning and even a sense of sacredness.
Jul 23, 2009
Amy
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Everyone seems to have 1 bizarre piece of crap that they just can't part with for reasons meaningful only to them. I love that.
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