Alex Johnson's Blog, page 5

Make your own Ideal Bookshelf

Make your own Ideal Bookshelf, just like Jane does! Draw in the spines of the books you love most, the ones that changed your life and helped make you who you are today. We know, it's not easy to pick just ten! This is a perfect family project, especially when you're stuck at home and need some good edutainment! Also, many teachers have turned it into a very successful classroom project.
More details and downloads at Ideal Bookshelf

Miniature revolving wooden Shakespeare book case

Our smallest book is probably the ‘Ellen Terry’ Shakespeare, edited by J. Talfourd Blair and published by David Bryce and Son in Glasgow in 1904. It measures 50 mm by 35 mm. The Scottish publisher Bryce specialised in small text editions and produced a diminutive Bible and Koran. The 39 volumes are shelved on a purpose built revolving wooden book case. Ms A. H. Taylor donated nineteen volumes and the book case in 1957; in 2002 the set was completed by an anonymous donor.

The edition is dedicated to the actress Ellen Terry, a renowned Shakespeare actor and one of the most famous actresses of her time. In 1904 she went on a provincial tour appearing in Shakespeare plays and the publication of this miniature set might have been intended to coincide with her tour.
Some of the volumes are in a very fine condition, whilst others show signs of wear and tear. Perhaps they were handled, possibly by a child, and this set is the perfect accessory for a library in a dollhouse.

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

18th Century commode in the form of a book

Whether they were originally made as a whimsical statement or in fact as a utilitarian portable convenience, there's no denying that a "book" toilet is a facility lacking in the homes of most modern book collectors. This situation can be relieved by the addition of this fine example, no doubt Continental in origin (they were all the rage in France). This example is constructed of wood and features hand-forged iron hinges, clasps, latches and nails. In its "resting" configuration, it appears to be a folio-sized book (19.75 x 14.75, 501 x 375 mm.) with lavishly decorated leather covered boards and a red morocco spine label bearing the appropriate title "Historia Universalis". But with some unclasping and skillful assembly of the component parts, there suddenly appears a 20 x 18 x 14.5 inch stool with the necessary hole. The stool would have concealed the more traditional bowl. This example remains in functional condition with some wear to the exterior leather covering and thankfully little or no sign of wear to the interior. 
Heritage Auctions

Win 1 of 20 copies of How To Give Your Child A Lifelong Love Of Reading

Win 1 of 20 copies of How To Give Your Child A Lifelong Love Of Reading by Alex Johnson, published by @britishlibrary and including comprehensive book lists provided by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education @clpe1

Enter now https://t.co/RVC5h79atb pic.twitter.com/maPbHv9Nbr— World Book Day UK

Alpacka bookcase

Innovative freestanding book storage. Comes with a set of different colour braid that loops bridges between the planks for additional storage.
Mike Hale

The Drover's Wives by Ryan O'Neill

The literary world can be rather po-faced sometimes, so it's always a pleasure to come across an inventive book which offers the dual delights of intelligent writing and funny jokes. Here, Ryan O'Neill riffs on the short story The Drover's Wife by Australian writer and bush poet Henry Lawson, retelling in 101 different formats the efforts of a mother trying to protect her children from a snake in the outback. From the contents pages to the note on type at the back via a Freudian interpretation, an Amazon-style book review, and a 1980s computer game (particularly clever this, especially if you ever played The Hobbit way back when), O'Neill is a dab hand at manipulating the text - the back cover even tells the story in paint swatches. Indeed, he has a track record of playing with the concept of literary greatness in his earlier Their Brilliant Careers and those who enjoyed that book will certainly enjoy this one too. So will readers who took to the similar approach of Raymond Queneau's Exercises in Style or who simply like the kind of literary wordplay of books like Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn. I read it in one go in a pause between sessions of Ducks, Newburyport, and found it a much-needed pick-me-up. Highly recommended and available direct from its publishers Eye Books as well as all the usual places.

Wisdom Tree bookcase

Readers love to read several books simultaneously. Wisdom Tree is a solution to keep your books neat and tidy. With the quick access design, you could quickly access to the page you left off.

Birch plywood, USB 2A powered warm LED light, 200mm x 420mm x 190mm
Bookniture

Band Rail bookcase

Band-Rail ripples effortlessly through space while holding considerable book weight. Storage space is integrated to the staircase and generates an elegant and vibrant environment. Made of wooden ‘gills’ and supported by a minimal steel beam the handrail is mechanically fastened and brought to site in a few pre-assembled pieces that fit inside a standard car.
VG Studio

Globetrekker bookcase

Harking back to the romantic era of long, luxurious voyages by sea, the Globetrekker range is inspired by an original trunk from 1914 that Timothy Oulton discovered at an antiques market. Intrigued by the intricate detailing and beautiful brass plate of the trunk, Tim deconstructed the antique, redesigning it to encompass a full collection of lamp tables, chests, coffee tables, and bookcases, evolving with a range of different innovative finishes. Globetrekker has a distressed aluminium finish inspired by military aircraft, transporting the original Globetrekker into the dynamic, modern world of travel.
Timothy Oulton

Rubook bookcase

This bookcase is inspired by the legendary Rubik’s cube! Freely inspired by such an iconic object, we created its perfect transposition into a piece of furniture: a unique and revolutionary bookcase. A solid, fun and adaptable bookcase that perfectly suits spaces with a strong personality, creating an absolute design corner. We imagined two completely rotatable horizontal surfaces (the base clearly remains still) which give the bookcase many customization options and modularity in use. The future calls to the movement: you cannot stand still! It’s time to move your home!
Invasionecreativa