The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August

I haven't raved about a book on here for a while, but this was a particularly awesome read. Super clever plot, beautiful, aching writing and just an exceptionally clever idea. Loved it.

Wordsmithery

Its vanished trees, the trees that had made way for Gatsby’s house, had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of all human dreams; for a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder.

—F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Isn't this beautiful? A lovely selection here of the ten best sentences in literature. Read and enjoy!

The Wisdom of A. A. Milne

Best.

Secret Garden

I wanted to share this beautiful book I bought for my sister who loves colouring in, and I had to share. It's beautiful black and white images with gold imprints on the cover, and it's a colouring in paradise! It was such a pleasurable experience just flipping through the pages - what a delight.

Dear Sugar

My wonderful friend AB told me to read Dear Sugar recently, and I loved it dearly. Intense but very moving. I loved this poster with all Cheryl Strayed's sayings, too - it's printed in my kitchen and I catch a little bit of wisdom every day. (You can read her letters here, too).

Ann and Paul Rand's children's book covers

Aren't these just the best? Am tempted to make stickers out of them and put them, um, everywhere.

Uh-Oh

I should definitely not buy this book. If I bought this book, I might need to learn how to make - and then eat - yummies. And that would be terrible. Right?

A secret book

...which hides a poison case. Isn't that totally wonderful? From the 17th Century. Immediately I need to know more.

Nick Cave's notebook

As a list-maker and list-lover, I just adore this page out of Nick Cave's notebook. It is a list, it has words and it looks so well-loved and used. I'm making lots of lists at this time of year - not really different from other times of the year!  - but these ones are all about life goals and what I want to achieve and contribute to this year. It feels exciting.

Old Becomes New

Just such lovely covers by Mr Boddington's Studio. I'm a sucker for beautifully re-designs of old classics and these are no exception. 

Book review

I don't normally review books (although if you're reading this in Google Reader, I do list out the books I'm reading on the right of the blog). Not only is this an amazing book jacket design, I also don't think I've enjoyed a book so much in a few years. Semple writes laugh-out-loud funny prose which satirizes contemporary life in such an innovative way: fiction rarely feels this alive to me. Spent every spare moment of the last few days laughing and greedily rampaging through the novel, while simultaneously being disappointed that I will never write this well. If you're looking for a totally compelling and strangely adorable book: this is for you!

Lotta Kuhlhorn: Book covers

Love these series of book covers by the very excellent Swedish designer Lotta Kuhlhorn - just beautifully designed and arranged.

Best bookcase ever

Well isn't this charming? I love this idea that the script would be less legible with the books actually in the bookcase. So, so good.

Bookish Tree House

Goodness gracious this is a beautiful house. Love the windows, the angles and these books. So comfy and bright - just beautiful.

Minimalist Children's Book Covers

Such beautiful and minimalist covers of children's book covers which are so subtle and lovely. The muted colours remind me of a 1950s retelling - just delicious.

Roald Dahl stamps

Oh my goodness. These bring back so many memories of my childhood - I read all of these time and again: my copies of Roald Dahl books were some of my most cherished books, and these stamps are so perfect. (Although The Witches one still, as it did back in the day, freaks me out).

Industrial Chic

Oooh delicious industrial things in houses. A trend of which I will never tire. I would give up most of my possessions to own those printers trays. Ok. All my possessions.

Yellow bookcase

Sometimes Ikea gets it so, so right. What a perfectly lovely yellow bookcase. Love that everything else is fairly neutral. Makes me really happy just looking at it!

Book Nook

Wow. Just wow.

Delightful bookshelf

Image

Yes, after the organisational spree of this past weekend, we got a call from our real estate agent. The owner of our apartment wants to sell it so we're moving out! After all that arranging and re-arranging... So I'll keep you up to date with where we go - and will promise to post pics of current place soon!