guiltless reading

Bicycle library in London

2012-02-25T11:12:00.000-06:00

Stumbled across The Bicycle Library, a UK-based library, in a Inhabitat post. I thought it was a library on bicycles (err, not many books on those, methinks). Wrong. It's a mobile library (actually a double decker bus!) advocating bicycles in the city.

For Londoners, I'm jealous :) Check out more on their website!

Friday 56 and Brothers (and me)

2012-02-24T19:09:00.002-06:00

After an eternity of trying to keep her scalded skin from sticking to the bed, Mom finally saw Nana -- who, like most working class people, had no phone -- walk in.
- p. 56, Brothers (& Me) by Donna Britt

Here's the summary from the author's website:

Donna Britt has always been surrounded by men-her father, three brothers, two husbands, three sons, countless friends. She learned to give to them at an early age. But after her beloved brother Darrell's senseless killing by police 30 years ago, she began giving more, unconsciously seeking to help other men the way she couldn't help Darrell. Brothers (& Me) navigates Britt's life through her relationships with men...

This is non-fiction and looks like a really heavy read, so I gotta be ready for this one. Oh, and I actually won this book over at Freda's Voice, the home of Friday 56! Thanks Freda!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Konnex bookcase

2012-02-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

Yes, it all konnex! It's minimalist, it's customizable, and yes, it can hold books!

Check out the cool video when you look at the source.

{Via.}

Vintage animated anatomy books (video)

2012-02-22T18:34:00.000-06:00

Do you know those cool anatomy books for kids ... the ones with lots of see-through layers so you can see people's insides? Check out the grown-up version of these in some vintage books. Scalpels and sharp steel implements required!

Piano shelf!

2012-02-21T07:30:00.000-06:00

No music coming out of this one. Just some extra-customized shelving for your books and whatnot!

{Via Sebastian E.}

Floating book fair in the Philippines!

2012-02-20T20:47:00.002-06:00

A veritable floating library! The M/V Logos Hope, a non-profit organization based in Germany that operates ships that sail around the world to bring knowledge, help and hope, is currently docked at Pier 15 in Manila’s South Harbor. The ship has over 500,000 books and over 5,000 different titles - go check it out if you're in that part of the world!

The world is a better place because of projects like these.

Thanks again, Nola, for the heads up!

{Via PhilStar.com.}

Bookmark Monday: Kawaii Bento Box

2012-02-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

What can I say? I love bento. I love kawaii. And I always need a bookmark.

{bookmarksandrings.}

Much Love Monday

2012-02-19T20:00:00.000-06:00

{Love stories by Photography by Anita.}

I'm really enjoying Much Love Monday. It's gloomy enough to have to hear all the terrible things happening in the world. Optimism at its best in the blogosphere!

The book and reading community is also quite an amazing bunch and this week, I've been loving making connections:

♥ BookTubers. Seriously a lot of great book vloggers out there. I am amazed at how they can put themselves out there! I have been following The Readables and Kate's Book Club, both mainly YA book reviewers. Check them out and subscribe if you haven't already! I am just blown away by the many ways we can get some great book reviews. (I am paranoid at being recognized in public, so I will be sticking to the written word!)

♥ Social Media. Can you say holy moly cannoli? Facebook, Twitter, YouTube ... it's enough for me to start screaming at info overload. But on the plus side, it's sooo much easier connecting with everyone! As you may have noticed, I've upgraded my social media icon section on the sidebar, so if you want to keep tabs of my blog, you can do it with your choice of social media! Follow me and I'll be happy to reciprocate!

Twitter: @guiltlessreader

Lots of action here, though I don't consider myself a very good tweeter, I think I'm getting the hang of it. I have occasional bursts of responding to Follow Fridays or pushing out some cool contest. But the conversations here are real time that it's quite fascinating to go visit!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/guiltlessreading

So much happening, aside from my blog posts, I also "share" a lot of bookish Facebook posts here! My real friends are hopping in too, so the crowd here is becoming quite interesting. More book bloggers are creating their own Facebook pages, so I am kind of defaulting into checking out a lot of blog posts straight from my Facebook account.

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/guiltlessreader

I am getting quite addicted to this. How did I ever survive without it, I don't know! Goodreads has amazing book reviews from regular reades, and it's also a place where a lot of authors hang out (very interesting trolling authors' bookshelves!). There are also some awesome book giveaways.

YouTube: www.youtube.com/guiltlessreader

Ok, I am new to this one. I needed a way to subscribe so I ended up making an account. I have also tried a short video myself and rather quite enjoyed it! Check out my wordless book tour of The Morning Star by Nick Bantock. I'm thinking of doing the same for some interesting interactive books I have in my collection, but let's see! :)

There's a ton more ways to connect, like email, comments, RSS feeder, subscribing through email, GFC, etc yadda yadda yadda. The choices are overwhelming but I love the fact we are definitely spoilt for choice. The world is indeed become smaller ...

What are you loving?

Cute animal bookplates!

2012-02-19T13:21:00.002-06:00

The Book Depository is still having their 10% sale and I am fighting the urge to keep adding to my basket! Here are some super kawaii bookplates that I came across and would look absolutely adorable in children's books, don't you think? (First two are still in stock, the last two not, just my luck).

Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday!

Giraffe bookplate

Green crocodile bookplate

Lion bookplate

Green frog bookplate

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

2012-02-18T14:28:00.003-06:00

The life of a lone wolf

Jodi Picoult's powerful stories are not new to me. So when I saw that her latest novel Lone Wolf was up for grabs in Goodreads, I didn't think twice. And so I was among the lucky ones who got an Advanced Reader Copy!

My thoughts: The story revolves around a man who was in an accident, lying comatose in the hospital. That man is Luke Warren, a passionate zoologist, who had put his "human" life on hold and went to live among the wolves in the wild. He had returned to an alienated wife and two kids, Edward and Cara. Georgie divorced Luke and made a new life for herself, marrying a lawyer and starting a new family. Cara stayed on with her father. Edward fled the country, and his family.

Now faced with medical decisions needing to be made, Edward, the prodigal son, returns at the request of his mother. Seventeen-year-old Cara, figured in the same accident as her father, but escaped with only minor injuries.

The story revolves around the difficult decisions that family members must wrestle with, in their lives together, and their future together. The already strained dynamics of a family in crisis becomes a legal battle as each one believes they know what's best in the interest of Luke Warren. Moral and legal questions come to fore: Who should make critical medical decisions - someone who is legally of age, or who knows that person's wishes better? Who determines when to cut off life support? What if the patient wants to donate their organs?

The book's chapters shift with the characters, with first-person viewpoints, making for very interesting reading. You''ll hear it from Georgie, Cara, Edward, and from Luke himself. You'll notice this through the change in font type (which I must point out is quite annoying to read), the tone of voice, and simply the whole difference in perspectives.

The story comes to a dramatic and tragic close, with family members coming out better for the experience.

♥♥♥

Ok, so now for the wolf part. The title intrigued me. The cover looked rather literal, but I figured it would have a metaphorical treatment. I was pleasantly surprised that the use of wolves was both literal and metaphorical. And that is what I feel has made this book stand apart. Jodi Picoult based her story on a true story, that of renowned wolf researcher Shaun Ellis, also known as the Wolfman. His research has fed into Luke Warren's accounts of his life with wolves, from the science-y side as well as from the vulnerable human side.

I have been asked many times what made me choose this path in life. I think part of it was that animals have always been straight with me, but humans haven’t. But the other part is that I don’t take no for an answer very easily.
- p. 60 (page may change), ARC of Lone Wolf

Picoult has a tender way of drawing parallelisms between wolves and humans - insights about family, loyalty, and other distinctly traits we come to think as human - which made me wonder at how complicated we've made our lives.

There's an honesty to the wolf world that is liberating. There's no diplomacy, no decorum. You tell your enemy you hate him; you show your admiration by confessing the truth. That directness doesn't work with humans, who are masters of subterfuge. Does this dress make me look fat? Do you really love me? Do you miss me? When a person asks this, she really doesn't want to now the real answer. She wants you to lie to her. After two years of living with wolves. I had forgotten how many lies it takes to build a relationship.
- p. 342-343 (pages may change), ARC of Lone Wolf

I learned so much about humanity through wolves. Quite amazing to accomplish through a book!

Verdict: Amazing piece by Picoult. Beautiful, powerful storytelling about family life. Be prepared for the insights about wolf life; the whole wolf allegory is essential part of the whole reading experience.

Check out my Friday 56 for Lone Wolf: A Novel.

The book comes out February 29, 2012.

Friday 56 talks about bribes and the Stealth of Nations

2012-02-16T21:58:00.002-06:00

"In Nigeria, when someone goes beyond the necessities of their job to help you out, some kind of recognition, and not a simple thank-you and a handshake, is appropriate. Indeed, it's expected. Nigerian traders call this "showing appreciation." Most Lagos traders even classify certain forms of traditional bribery as showing appreciation--for instance, when they offer a bit of money to a customs official to work with them to reduce import tariffs at the port."
- p. 56, Stealth of Nations by Robert Neuwirth

I'm really excited to read this one because I totally know about this underground economy, for real. It;s not only fascinating but also the "way of the world" so to speak. I first heard about the book through Christiane Amanpour's video:

Here's the synopsis:

When we think of the informal economy, we tend to think of crime: prostitution, gun running, drug trafficking. "Stealth of Nations" opens up this underground realm, showing how the worldwide informal economy deals mostly in legal products and is, in fact, a ten-trillion-dollar industry, making it the second-largest economy in the world, after that of the United States.

Having penetrated this closed world and persuaded its inhabitants to open up to him, Robert Neuwirth makes clear that this informal method of transaction dates back as far as humans have existed and traded, that it provides essential services and crucial employment that fill the gaps in formal systems, and that this unregulated market works smoothly and effectively, with its own codes and unwritten rules.

Combining a vivid travelogue with a firm grasp on global economic strategy--along with a healthy dose of irreverence and skepticism toward conventional perceptions--Neuwirth gives us an eye-opening account of a world that is always operating around us, hidden in plain sight.

Join in The Friday 56 at Freda's Voice and share what you're reading!

Oh, I ended up buying this book on Book Depository because they have an awesome deal until February 29. Book Depository is offering an 10% off already heavily reduced books. If you're interested in getting a 10% off coupon, give me your email address and I'll send off your coupon right away! (Disclaimer: I referred a friend and that friend ended up buying her own book and I got an additional 10% off the book price - which I used to buy this. So if you end up buying something with the coupon code, you're also giving me a coupon code for 10% off, so we both win! :) )

Industrial pipes for bookshelves by Stella Bleu Designs

2012-02-16T18:53:00.000-06:00

If you think that shelves are as much a conversation piece as the book stores on them, then you'll love these unique shelves made from pipes!

This a way ...

Mr. X

Corner shelf

{StellaBleuDesigns}

Just books. Nothing more. Clothing optional.

2012-02-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

Must. Have. This. Design.

Should I go for the shirt or the tote?

{ToTheMoonandBack on Etsy.}

Butterfly Book Light!

2012-02-15T19:17:00.000-06:00

I thought this was a really cute LED booklight - it's handy, adjustable, and it's a sleek modern design by a Japanese company called Takumi.

{Via.}

Bookish Valentine Day bookmarks!

2012-02-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentines Day!

I'm loving these owly Valentines bookmarks! Best of all they're free. Fly on over to Living Locurto. Hoooo says Valentine's day can't be bookishly cute?

{Via.}

Valentines Book Tour: Morning Star by Nick Bantock

2012-02-13T20:54:00.000-06:00

This is my first foray into putting up a video that I actually filmed, so please be nice! :) I simply wanted to show you the beauty of this unique graphic novel and photos just didn't seem to cut it. I haven't read Morning Star yet, so this is just a sneek peak, not a review.

This book was given to me by a good friend who saw that I was totally enamoured with Nick Bantock's work. She had read my review on The Venetian's Wife and had chatted some, and it turned out she had two copies of Morning Star! So thank you, dear Valerie.

Oh, and how apt! This is a love story ... so Happy Hearts Day to you!

Check out the video after the jump!

I probably won't be reading this anytime soon, as I have only read Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence, which I sadly left back in the Philippines. This is the first book of The Griffin & Sabine Trilogy (books include Griffin & Sabine, Sabine's Notebook and The Golden Mean).

If you have no idea what this series is about, it is a beautiful love story told in real, tangible letters:

Griffin: It's good to get in touch with you at last. Could I have one of your fish postcards? I think you were right -- the wine glass has more impact than the cup. --Sabine

But Griffin had never met a woman named Sabine. How did she know him? How did she know his artwork? Who is she? Thus begins the strange and intriguing correspondence of Griffin and Sabine. And since each letter must be pulled from its own envelope, the reader has the delightful, forbidden sensation of reading someone else's mail.

Griffin & Sabine is like no other illustrated novel: appealing to the poet and artist in everyone and sure to inspire a renaissance in the fine art of letter-writing, it tells an extraordinary story in an extraordinary way.

Morning Star is actually the third book in the second trilogy, The Morning Star Trilogy (books are: The Gryphon, Alexandria, and The Morning Star). Yes, I know it's complicated - I'm missing the four books in between!

But just having the book in my hands is enough to make me happy ... and I have something to look forward to. This is one set of books where borrowing from the library will simply not make me happy :)

Happy Hearts Day! And here's to love stories!

{all snapshots taken by moi}

Bookmark Monday: For music lovers!

2012-02-13T07:03:00.000-06:00

Beautiful, elegant and classic, for the book loving musician ... or a musically inclined book lover.
{Via Miltercraft on Etsy.}

Much Love Monday

2012-02-12T18:56:00.000-06:00

{Vintage storybook heart garland by pickledparlor.}

Valentines day is just around the corner, so I thought it'd be nice to think of all the love I already have in my life:

♥ A beautiful and content family

♥ A comfortable home

♥ Good health

♥ Great stores to buy ingredients for the cooking we want to do

♥ ... and a library nearby.

Life is good.

What are you loving?

Whimiscal animal Index book dividers

2012-02-12T09:55:00.000-06:00

More Japanese-designed book dividers - these animals will bring some whimsy to your bookshelves. They can remind you which are the "wilder" reads, and which are the more cushy ones. I just want to give that pig a kick in the butt!

Hoping your weekend is going well!

{Via.}

StickleBook bookshelf - "stick" your books on the wall

2012-02-11T19:50:00.001-06:00

Friday 56 and Kevin's Point of View

2012-02-09T21:47:00.001-06:00

"I'm an impressive kid," Tony answered with a confident grin.
- p 55, Kevin's Point of View by Del Shannon

Now I finally get to read a middle school book when Del Shannon offered his book Kevin's Point of View up for review!

Here's a quick overview:

To escape from his emotional turmoil, Kevin has developed his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes his mother and sister through his superhero antics on an average Wednesday morning, his ability to escape inside a character’s head becomes critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father’s death.

A child's imagination is such a wonderful thing, so this seems quite a fascinating read. And if I enjoy it, I am thinking of getting the daughter to read it too! TGIF!

Join in The Friday 56 at Freda's Voice!

5 Harry Potter designs you want on your nails!

2012-02-08T21:00:00.002-06:00

This is the photo that started my prowl! Love the detail!

(Thanks, Kathy, for the link, it made my day!)

{Unknown source c/o BookRiot}

Four more cool nail art after the jump!

I thought this next one was awesome - actual words from a newspaper article about Harry Potter!
{Polish Police}

Who needs a wand with nails like these?

{inksmear}

Hey hey the gang's all here. And we definitely can't leave Hedwig out!

{Rina Alcantara on Flickr}

Choose your house colours!
{The Nailsaurus}

Happy 200th birthday, Charles Dickens!

2012-02-07T19:11:00.001-06:00

It's Charles Dicken's 200th birthday and worldwide, celebrations are in progress! Don't forget to Check out the website Dickens2012 as we celebrate the whole year round. And be sure to get at least one of Dickens's book into your TBR.

And here are few more interesting things I found:

The Google doodle for today! Check it out before it disappears!

More Dickens stuff after the jump, including sweets and booze!

Celebrate with some candy from the Charles Dickens Collection by ConfoundConfect. Take your pick from Miss Havisham's Bride-Cake (buttercream, apricot, almond), Mrs. Cratchit's Christmas Pudding (fruits, nuts, brandy, spices) Mr. Chillip's Sherry Negus (sherry, lemon, nutmeg)!

Check out your profile on the other side of tartx's awesome Charles Dickens mirror!

How about your own handcrafted Charles Dickens doll by UneekDollDesigns?

Charles Dickens inventing Christmas? :P

A portrait by Mark Redfield.

The Royal couple Prince Charles and Camilla visit Charles Dickens's grave at Westminster Abbey. And Ralph Fiennes reads some Dickens!

Raise your Scrooge shotglass in a cheer to Dickens - bah, humbug!

Twisted shelf

2012-02-07T07:45:00.000-06:00

Here's a corner shelf with a twist! Stare at the second photo very well - it really does look twisted!

{By woodcurve on Etsy.}

Bookmark Monday: Get some Shakespeare!

2012-02-06T07:02:00.000-06:00

{Via immortallongings.}