Trashionista

Animal index cards

I sat up straight with excitement when I saw this picture on (where else?) Apartment Therapy.

How cute are they? These Hiroshi Sasagawa index cards serve no purpose except to look like you've got animals poking out from between your books. Which is absolutely fine with me.

Related posts: Bedtime Stories bedding | Booklamps | Book Clock by Mxyplyzyk

Penguin deck chairs

Summer is almost here and what could be better than sitting outside with a great book and, well, sitting on a deckchair that looks like a book? I love these fabulous handmade deckchairs with classic Penguin designs from iwantoneofthose.com.

You can choose from Chandler's Big Sleep (green), Mansfield's The Garden Party (orange), Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman (red) and Bates' Country Life (yellow).

Related posts: Penguin book bags | Lovely Penguin pencils and more | Penguin Celebrations' gorgeous covers

Book stand

How smart is this?

Featured on the wonderful Apartment Therapy, it's the Livroche Bookstand by Umbra.

Weighing almost ten pounds, it's as much a piece of art as a stand for a book.

Related posts: Page Boy book stand | Abracadabra bookmark | Birdside table

Would you stick your books on the back of a door?

I know that sounds like a mad question, but look!

Spotted in Marie Claire Maison by those amazing Apartment Therapy people, the books are held up by the "Sticklebook". The innovative design comprises an aluminium extrusion which acts as a bracket and polypropylene combed strip that grips the cover and pages of paperback books. The shelf is screwed onto the wall which itself helps support the weight of the book and is an integral part of the design. It is totally secure and fall-proof."

(Do you know, I can read that, but after "aluminium" all I hear is blah blah blah.)

So what do you think? Would you?

Related posts: A blog about bookshelves | Books squeezed in too tight? | Mooj bookcase

Page Boy book stand

I just saw this on thekichn and I  need it now! It's a Page Boy folding book stand.

Not exciting, you may think, but you'd be wrong... I adore reading while I eat (two of my favourite pastimes combined!), but it can be tricky. The logistics of fork-handling, the danger of sticky-pages and the aching wrist from holding the book open at the right angle...This gizmo will put reading right back on the menu (sorry).

Related posts: Ex-libris table | Abracadabra bookmark | Book bags

BOOK NEWS: Listography

I know this is outside our remit, being that it's a journal, rather than a novel, but I feel confident that at least some of you are as dorky as me and so you too will love the idea of this book!

Listography is subtitled "Your Life in Lists" and features prompts from the obvious (greatest accomplishments, best friends, favorite food), to the more obscure (guiltiest pleasures, greatest acts of kindness, personal fashion trends), and each list is accompanied by hilarious illustrations.

[via decor8]

Related posts: Tuesday Three - lists | Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal | Ladybird notebooks

Turning books into art

I know you're against the destruction of books for no good reason (which, you know, is fair enough!), but what about defacing books to turn them into art?

I absolutely love these prints by PinkyBrown on Etsy. Pictured is a mixed media piece - part illustration, part collage, and embroidered with the word 'Lovely' - created on a page from Shakespeare's Cymbeline. 

Adrienne Garbini of What Nothing Press, deconstructs books, paints their covers, then photographs them. [via Apartment Therapy]

I think they're beautiful. What do you think?

Related posts: Beautiful book art | Jonathan Callan's book sculptures

Ladybird notebooks

Helen tipped me off about these adorable Ladybird notebooks.

The same size as actual Ladybird books, they're actually filled with blank pages to fill with your hopes and dreams or shopping lists (or just demented ramblings in the manner of Kevin Spacey in Seven...). Check out the full range at kiss me kwik, but I'd avoid checking out anything else they sell, if you're easily shocked...

Related posts: Boys and Girls | Don't Quote Me and Love Writing notebooks | Lovely Penguin pencils

Abracadabra bookmark

You know when you go to open your book at the right page (guided by the scrap of paper/antique leather bookmark* you shoved there) and you can't get your finger in between the pages? No? Me neither, but these designers have obviously experienced difficulty in this area...

They've designed the Abracadabra bookmark. It has an air-filled chamber, half of which is flattened by the weight of the book. You squeeze the exposed side to lift the page. Okay then...

*Delete as appropriate

[Via BoingBoing]

Related posts: Ex-libris table | Brian Dettmer's book autopsies

Birdside table

I saw this in a magazine a couple of months ago and actually emailed the store to ask for more details and a photo. Sadly, I got quite a terse reply telling me the item was no longer available, but thankfully, Apartment Therapy spotted it and featured it too.

In case you can't tell, it's a birdhouse and you can use the roof as a "bookmark". Genius.

Related posts: Maddie Powers' book purse | Bedtime Stories bedding | Quad bookcase

Beautiful book art

I've been staring at this picture for a good five minutes now and I still can't get over it.

Go here and see more breathtaking book art. [via Petit ver épicurien de livre]

Related posts: Brian Dettmer's book autopsies | Turn unwanted books into art?! |  Jonathan Callan's book sculptures

Brian Dettmer's Book Autopsies

If you wince when people fold down the corners of pages or break the spines on books, you may want to look away now... Artist Brian Dettmer has cut into books,  revealing the artwork within and creating these amazing sculptures.

[Via InspireMe]

Related posts: Stanford Kay | Mickey Smith's book photographs

Stephanie Plum news and stuff!

Although the cover isn't available yet, the name for the next Stephanie Plum novel has been released on Janet Evanovich's website... It's Fearless Fourteen and release day is 17 June.

If you need a little something to cheer you up during the wait, why not treat yourself to a Rangeman t-shirt or baseball cap (only available in black, naturally)? I quite fancy the 'cupcake' t-shirt, myself. It's got a v-neck and some neat little embroidery... No sign of a free Morelli to go with it, though.

Related posts: Jenny Crusie merchandise | Spotlight: Janet Evanovich

A blog about bookshelves

Now I'm happy. You know how much I love bookshelves (you do, don't you?), well I've just discovered a new blog. Called simply Bookshelf, it does exactly what it says on the tin - it's a blog about bookshelves. [via Booktrade.info]

Like the Cave (above), which just makes me sigh with wanting, and the cut-out cat and bird shelving (very pretty, but doesn't actually hold that many books...). Also the bookstairs that Katie mentioned. I can see what I'm going to spend today reading...

Related posts: Me, Myshelf & I | Fold-down bookshelves

Books at bedside

You wait and wait for a bedside table that looks like a pile of books and then two come along at once...

The one on the left is Nightstand / Poetry by Marian Laššák, while on the right we have the prosaically named Pile of Books by Josefin Hellström-Olsson.

[via Apartment Therapy]

Which one's your favourite?

Related posts: Bedtime Stories bedding | Bibliochaise from Nobody & Co | The Self-Shelf

Ex Libris table for book-lovers

I just saw this table by MOCO on Inspire Me, Now!

The top is page-thin black-lacquered glass and the legs are metal book-stands. Speaking as someone who really needs more shelf-space, this is both practical and cutting-edge; what more could you ask for?

Related posts:The Self-Shelf | Me, Myshelf and I 

Starlight fountain pen

This Valentine's Day I'm not after flowers, bubbly, or even chocolate. No, I've found something so desirable that the man who purchased it for me would find himself very popular indeed...

It's a Century II Starlight Midnight Blue fountain pen, made by Cross and it costs £67 from Pen Shop. Yes, I'm strictly a keyboard gal and my hand-writing, frankly, makes people wince, but still... It sure is purty.

Related posts: Lovely Penguin pencils | Reading is sexy t-shirt

Mix-or-match animal bookends

Yes, Christmas may have passed, and you may be feeling hungover and a little gassy (happy new year to you all, by the way) but look at these!

Super-cute animal bookends that are mix-or-match. They're available from the New York Public Library online shop. What more could you ask for to brighten your January? Exactly.

Related posts: Book-print wallpaper | The self-shelf | Penguin book bags

BiblioGifts Tote Bag

One of your New Year's resolutions is bound to be 'stop using plastic bags' (and if not, why not?)

Make your goal that bit easier with one of these cotton canvas totes from BiblioGifts. It's machine washable,  hard-wearing and a decent size.

Related posts: The Bermudez Triangle banned | Book Bags | Reading is sexy

Bookchase

It simply isn't Christmas without a family board game and this one might make a welcome change from yet another round of Monopoly. 

Suitable for everyone aged five and above, the game comes with library cards, bookshelves and tiny books. The aim is simple: first to collect six books wins.

You can collect books by answering questions, visiting the Bookchase shop or Library. If it's your birthday, another player may give you a book as a present, but beware; you can also lose books by dropping them in the bath. So often the way...

Bookchase is available from The British Library priced £29.99.

Related posts: Bookopoly | Ex-Libris: The Game

All I want for Christmas is...

Well, there's only six shopping days (or something) left until Christmas and my major panic is pretty much over... My thoughts now, naturally, turn to myself. So what do I hope Santa leaves under my tree this year?

In order of ascending importance/desirability...

3. A book light. The Xtra Flex has an energy efficient super LCD bulb which will 'never' need replacing (it gives 100,000 hours of light) and comes in blue, my favourite colour.

2. Books. Despite writing about and reviewing books for a living, there is still nothing like opening a pile of shiny new releases on Christmas Day. Oh, the anticipation!

1. And in the number one spot this year is (drum roll) - a couple of extra hours in every day. Yep. I'm officially old; time is passing just too quickly. If those extra couple of hours could be spent in bed with my laptop, an endless supply of hot tea, and numbers 2 and 3, then so much the better...

How about you? What are you hoping to find stuffed in your Christmas stocking?

Don't Quote Me and Love Writing notebooks

Bookery has created a host of fabby journals and diaries, but these little hardback notebooks are just right for a Christmas gift. Yes, Christmas. It is December, you know.

They are hand-bound and cost £17.95 from notonthehighstreet.com. Don't Quote Me has embossed quotation marks on the front and back cover and Love Writing has hearts. Look at the pretty colours!

Related posts: For the book-lover who's got everything | The Self-Shelf | Book Bags

Kindle e-book reader

Now, I'm quite a techy kind of a gal but, thus far, I've utterly failed to get excited over the e-book revolution. Frankly, I'm just too in love with the printed word.

However, for those of you who happily live in 2007, Amazon has created an e-book reader and named it Kindle.

It's about the size of a trade paperback, costs $400 (currently only available in the US) and, like Sony's reader, isn't back-lit. This means you need decent lighting to read it (just like a real book), but it avoids the eye-strain associated with reading on-screen.

The Kindle can store around 200 books and has a wireless doo-hickey (told you I was techy) to access t'interweb.

[Via CNET]

Related post: The future of reading

Penguin book bags

We've told you about Penguin Classics mugs, tea towels, and pencils, before, but there's always room for another item emblazoned with the iconic artwork.

Especially when it's a handy oilcloth (wipe clean!) book bag. Say goodbye to ugly, environmentally-unfriendly carriers and bag yourself one of these beauties.

Related posts: Lovely Penguin pencils | Book bags | Reading is sexy

Ex Libris: The Game of First Lines & Last Words

Christmas is coming, you know, so what do you buy for the book-lover in your family?

A really nerdy game! Ex Libris is "the game of first lines and last words" and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Plus, if memory serves (I saw it in Borders last week), it does actually come in a tin.

Anyway, you challenge contestants to write an opening or closing sentence and convince the other players that that's the actual real line.

Take it to you book club for the last meeting before Christmas!

Related posts: Bookopoly | Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman

Stanford Kay

I've got two massive bookcases in my front room and piles of books everywhere else. But I'm trying to cut down, streamline, get rid of ... well, most of them. And I was wondering what to do with the huge expanse of wall that will remain. And now I've found the answer!

American artist Stanford Kay has a series entitled The Gutenberg Variations, which is paintings of bookcases to scale. I know!

I don't know what they cost, but I do know they featured in an Affordable Art Fair, which suggests they might not be totally out of my league... particularly once I've sold all my books. ("Affordable" is priced between $100 - $10,000, you say? Okay, maybe not.)

[via Apartment Therapy]

Related posts: Tracy Kendall's book print wallpaper | Mickey Smith's book photographs | How do you arrange your bookshelves?

Quad bookcase

I do love a good bookshelf and this one is very cool. It would look great in my front room. Unfortunately, it costs almost $2000 so my front room's going to have to do without it.

It's by Nauris Kalinauskas and you can get it from Generate.

Related posts: Mooj bookcase | How do you arrange your bookshelves? | Bibliochaise from Nobody & Co

Me, Myshelf and I

I'm currently having a bit of a love affair with stick-on wall graphics. I just think they're completely fabulous and the only reason I haven't yet bought any is that I can't actually choose.

These (fabulously named) Me, Myshelf and I fake wall shelf graphics are pretty high up on my list though since they make me smile. They cost $40 from Blik.

Related posts: Tracy Kendall's book-print wallpaper | Mickey Smith's book photographs | Lovely Penguin pencils and more

Books squeezed in too tight?

I try not to let my shelves get too crammed these days, but I really could have done with something like this in the past (e.g. in the university library or when I worked in Waterstone's).

The “P-hook” has been designed by Junji Itosaki of pyloneer. They come in black or multi, but are sadly as yet only available in Japan. They enable you to hook your books out without damaging them or your fingernails. [via Apartment Therapy]

Related posts: How do you arrange your bookshelves? | Fold-down bookshelves | Bedtime Stories bedding

Book candles

If you're in the UK, you've probably seen Naked's Marian Keyes Further Under the Duvet candle (it was on special offer last time I was in Boots ... and it smells amazing), but this week we got an email from Jfay, who actually works with authors to create unique candles to accompany their books!

You can see more of her creations here, but Twin Tigers is definitely my favourite.

I must say, I like the idea of making my reading seem more of an event by lighting a themed candle ... What do you think?

Related: Under the Duvet review

Maddie Powers' book purse

We've featured book bags on Trashionista before, but I love them so much I'm featuring them again.

This one is by Maddie Powers and costs $175, which is a bit much, but they are handmade from genuine books. You can also get computer bags, wallets, notebooks...

Related posts: Literary Luminaries book bags | Bookish MP3 player cases