TO BE SHELVED

Vivid Muse

2012-05-28T16:49:00.002-05:00

I was just browsing the Anthropologie website and came across these Vivid Muse journals in their sale section.

Created by artist Kelie Bowman, the covers are beautiful collages of stitching, paint and silkscreen.

If you're in the market for a new journal, or would just like to own something lovely, I suggest grabbing one or two from the Anthro site before they sell out.

Plus, more notebooks
& more great Anthropologie finds.

(all images Anthropologie)

GOOD MONDAYS: Defend NOLA + Scout

2012-05-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, it has been a year since my last GOOD MONDAYS post but let's get things going again...

Sometimes I get a little too excited when I find out about collaborations between some of my favorite brands and organizations. For example, I almost jumped out of my chair at work when I saw this tweet about the new Defend New Orleans notebooks, created with Scout Books.

DNO has been a favorite of mine for a while. I have one of their tanks and made sure to stop by their beautiful store during my annual visit to New Orleans after they opened shop last spring. One of the best things about DNO purchases is that a portion of the profits goes towards various local non-profits, including Bridge House, New Orleans Musicians Fund and Sweet Home New Orleans, among others. NOLA is definitely a city full of love and I'm already counting down the days {339} to my next visit.

Plus, Megabolt, another awesome Scout partner.

And more New Orleans love.

(all images DNO, via Scout)

New Ferocious

2012-05-16T19:34:00.000-05:00

More great work from Ferocious Quarterly. And it's all about survival, which really makes me miss camping.

Here's how it came to be, according to FQ:

"Be Prepared" sent our contributors on their way with one word as a loose token of inspiration: “SURVIVAL.”
The written words in this issue were prepared a little different than usual. Our writers were given preliminary sketches, rough concepts and illegible notes from our contributing illustrators. They concepted their stories in unison with their assigned collaborators—dueling artists, refining a work together until the final pieces were complete. What we’re left with are stories accompanied by illustration and yet inspired first by illustration.

Contributors include to of my favorite illustrators/letterers/people I follow on Twitter and talk about like I know : Dan Cassaro and Erik Marinovich.

And, hello, it comes with a merit badge.

To see a video of issue no. 3, head over to Ferocious. All good things.

Plus, issues 1 & 2.
P.S. use the code "BEPREPARED" to get issue 1 free when you buy all 3!

Booksters

2012-05-09T13:14:00.000-05:00

In the beautiful world where literature and design overlap, there seems to be a recent trend of printing an entire book on a poster for what is quite possibly my favorite new idea in home decor. Last month I posted about storybook posters and litographs, but the posters I found over on Domesticated Desk today are much simpler.

Mattias Shalen's booksters are "a retrogressive reaction to the technology development in the world today."

Mattias says "Try taking those 100x70 cm booksters on the bus and have a comfortable read. I dare you"... which really, I'd love to see someone photograph as a promotion for the posters.

I have to say it's so nice to see a concept executed well, and in so many ways. I really hope this trend continues and that more designers make literary posters in their own styles.

Plus, a lot more poster posts
& it is just about time to make summer reading lists and playlists. Here's what I read last summer.

Cutshelves

2012-05-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

I saw these built-in shelves on Design Milk last night and thought they were awesome. Cutshelves by Tembolat Gugkaev are such a unique accent for a home.

And they're back-lit!

Plus, more unique bookshelves.

(images)

Book Cover Potential, XII

2012-05-05T10:37:00.000-05:00

This image by Autumn De Wilde, one of my favorite photographers, would make a fantastic book cover.

ps. more BCP posts

& Autumn's wonderful Beck book

(image via Autumn's Tumblr)

Los Angeles, pt. 3

2012-05-01T21:23:00.000-05:00

I finally got around to editing and uploading the photos I took while I was in Los Angeles. I know I uploaded a few Instagrams before but the library building was so stunning I had to share a couple of "real" photos too.

Of course, I'm still coveting a mini-version of that chandelier.

Plus, what I bought at the library store
& more photos from Los Angeles

Litographs

2012-04-23T21:06:00.002-05:00

Awesome news from illustrator and designer M.S. Corley (creator of some of my favorite redesigned Harry Potter covers ever). Two of his book covers are available as prints over on Litographs now.

In case you're unfamiliar with Litographs, the entire text of a classic book is printed into a design. New poster designs are released every Tuesday and Thursday and the upcoming section is definitely something to keep an eye on (I'm looking forward to Fahrenheit 451).

My favorite part about Litographs, though, is that for each print purchased, a book is sent to a community in need through Litograph partner the International Book Bank. And I just really love how Litographs explains it:

We have worked closely with the International Book Bank to develop a strategy where we can breathe life into our old favorites while simultaneously providing new books where they are needed most.

Awesome stuff.

More about Litographs
& more about IBB
& more about M.S. Corley

(all images from Corley's blog)

John Gall's new site

2012-04-19T20:05:00.001-05:00

John Gall has launched a new portfolio site featuring his wonderful book covers and collage work. I've spoken about John before but wanted to take this new launch as an opportunity to share some of my favorite pieces of his work.

Plus, what book cover I loved exactly a year ago
& John Gall's Vladimir Nabokov covers

(all covers courtesy John Gall)

Storybook Posters

2012-04-15T12:02:00.000-05:00

After seeing Brandt Brinkerhoof & Katherine Walker's Storybook Posters over on Design Work Life, I obsessively clicked between each print deciding which I would hypothetically buy if I could afford to right now. Each is dedicated to a different story. Can you figure out which is which without looking at the shop?

My favorite is probably (maybe) for "The Tale of Peter Rabbit". Although I love the newspapery look of the others, I enjoy the space the Peter Rabbit poster has to breathe.

You can find all four posters, available for sale at $50 each, in their shop. I also have to mention the duo is Chicago-based, which probably gives me a bit of a bias in loving their work so much. But it is always nice to see great work coming from the place you call home.

(all images BB-KK)

The Shape of Design

2012-04-11T18:16:00.000-05:00

So remember when Frank Chimero launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund his new book "The Shape of Design"? Yeah, that was pretty good. What is great though is the book is finally available for pre-order in both print and digital editions.

The print edition is $30 and also includes a digital version with purchase. The digital version alone is only $10 so there is really no excuse to not buy this.

If you're still not sure you want to spend $10 on something awesome, CLICK HERE.

And no, this is not some sort of sponsored post. I just think it's important to encourage my fellow designers to support our other fellow designers.

PS. More about Frank, including a video about "The Shape of Design".
Plus, his site, which is fantastic.

Re-Covered Books : Harry Potter

2012-04-09T17:37:00.000-05:00

The Fox is Black has a great series called Re-Covered Books, which (obviously) challenges designers to create new covers for some wonderful classics. It is always interesting to see how people can make so many different designs and concepts based on the same story. And this round, it is the always wonderful "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" that is up for a facelift. Clearly, I'm excited to see the submissions.

As of the time I'm posting this, there are only 2 entries posted on TFIB. I definitely recommend people get in on these contests. Winner grabs a $100 for Amazon.

Also, my favorite entry from TFIB's contest to redesign "The Wizard of Oz"
And, more Harry Potter love here & here

(image via TFIB)

Book Cover Potential XI

2012-03-31T16:13:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since a Book Cover Potential post. But when I saw these images I instantly thought of how great they would each be on covers.

And I have to add in one more Parisian image. I've never been to France but I've flown over the Eiffel and would love to see it from the ground someday. Especially during a lightning storm.

Would you guys pick up a book with these images on their covers?

PS. more book cover potential
& read much?

(images via Vintage Printable)

Updike quote

2012-03-27T14:00:00.000-05:00

If you have been following To Be Shelved for a while, or even just a few weeks, you've probably picked-up on my love for John Updike.

When I came across this quote of his this weekend, it just sunk in and seemed to completely summarize why I was currently curled up in bed with "Rabbit at Rest" and a giant cup of coffee.

What books unlock your traffic jams? Seriously, please tell me so I can borrow them in the future.

ps.
Another favorite literary quote
& a very confusing Updike cover

(photo mine)

Mugs and Books

2012-03-24T18:26:00.000-05:00

I need to do a lil' bit of bragging for a minute, because I really never win contests. So here we go...

About a month ago I entered a little contest over on the Penguin Books Facebook page called "Mugs and Books Go Hand in Hand". Basically you just had to upload a photo of your favorite mug and book spending a lil' time together. I entered this photo and was one of the winners! Which means I am now the proud owner of this Penguin Classics mug.

So cute. And I think I got pretty lucky with the book on my mug (I secretly wanted to beg for anything except Jane Eyre).

You can find the rest of the mugs here, along with other fun Penguin merch.

More Penguin love, plus some cheeky matchboxes.

The Heads of State

2012-03-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I posted about a fun project from one of my favorite design studios, Heads of State. Today I wanted to share a few of the book covers they've worked on.

I really like how simple and clean these designs are, but they aren't boring. The cover for "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" might be my favorite in this batch. I always enjoy when a design for a series like that can fit the series but still stand out, and in this case, still carry a good balance between vintage and modern design.

And that quote at the bottom comes from the little intro statement on their website. The full text reads:

We are a mom & pop design shop. A garage band agency. A start-up that's been around for years. We make posters, books, illustrations, identities, you name it. But most of all we make ideas.

Awesome. Sounds like a studio that would be a pleasure to work with.

Learn more:
More book covers from The Heads of State
The Heads of State studio website

(all images the Heads of State)

Read Much

2012-03-22T16:52:00.000-05:00

Design studio Heads of State first caught my eye with their incredible posters, and their work has continued to amaze me since. But today I'm posting about the pennant they've designed for The People's Pennant, a small shop encouraging people to "show some team spirit for the small things in life."

Here's the description from the shop, which I love:

"Read Much. Read Much? It's a statement and a question. We're bombarded by 140 characters on a retina displays, endless threads on behemoth desktop monitors, and our nightly overdose on the 54" LCD LED only to wake up and do it all over again. After all this noise the only thing I care to do is turn to a book. And no no, not a Kindle, hell no not a Nook, the tried and true paperback. Dog eared, broken spines and all. Read Much."

For more information, and/or to buy this for me, check out:
The People's Pennant / The Heads of State

(all images The People's Pennant)

Paste

2012-03-13T18:16:00.002-05:00

Paste has always been one of my favorite magazines. I'm not sure how I got hooked but I remember donating when they were struggling with print editions and I remember crying on the phone to a friend who was equally upset when they stopped releasing print editions all together. But Paste has really proven itself as publication of the digital age. Not only do they keep their website active, with fun features like daily lists, they recently launched mPlayer, or Paste in a digital form.

And it is really beautiful stuff. Paste definitely took a situation a lot of people probably perceived as it's demise and used it as an opportunity to explore the new format. If you're unfamiliar, each mPlayer issue features the same great articles I've always loved in Paste, but with a digital format readers also become listeners and viewers with music and video components added in. Plus, they've become a weekly publication instead of a monthly. Pretty great stuff all-around that I encourage everyone to check out.

The lastest issue is all about The Art of Storytelling and I love the cover for its book reference and strong type. Simple, but in the digital age I think we're learning even more and more than keeping it simple is never a bad thing.

Here are a few more of my favorite mPlayer covers:

My choices have ~~nothing~~ everything to do with my adoration for Andrew Bird and Donald Glover.

Do you guys read Paste's mPlayer? What about other digital magazines?

(all images Paste, of course.)

Los Angeles, pt. 2

2012-03-11T18:36:00.000-05:00

Last time I posted I shared a few photos from my trip to the library in LA and gushed about how great the gift shop was. Here's what I snagged while I was there:

I'd been pining after that personal library kit forever and was excited to finally use it. I decided to use my 1944 copy of Our Hearts Were Young and Gay as my test subject. I love it.

And today I framed the notecard I bought of my favorite New Yorker cover, with the help of some of my new tape, a small saying and the paper bag that helped bring my new glasses home from wine tasting. So now my trip is kind of summarized in a frame on my wall.

You can find all of these items and more in the Los Angeles Public Library store.

Los Angeles

2012-03-07T19:33:00.000-06:00

My trip to LA was the perfect mini-vacation. I was able to spend time with a good friend from college and lots of quality time with my mom. To her surprise, and mine, the only shopping we did was at the Los Angeles Central Library.

Seriously, how beautiful is that globe chandelier? I wish I could have a smaller version in my house someday. The library was one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in and I really enjoyed the hour we spent there.

And I'm pretty sure the gift shop was something invented in my dreams. So many things I've coveted for years in one space. But I'll post about those later this week.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear where your favorite libraries are...

English Muse, pt 2

2012-03-02T13:40:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday, everyone.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to blog again over on English Muse. In case you're not familiar with Tina's blog, its a collection of the calm, quiet things that remind me of rainy Saturdays and summer mornings.

This time I spoke a bit about the idea of a personal first aid kit to keep around for any bad days we have, whether public transportation or broken hearts are to blame.

Of course, there is a book in my first aid kit. Head over to English Muse to see my full post and let me know, here or there, what you would put in your kit, books and all.

English Muse

2012-02-25T10:50:00.003-06:00

I'm happy to say that I'll be guest blogging over at English Muse while Tina is enjoying work-related European travels (I hope someday to be so lucky). While Tina's content is always great, I encourage everyone to check out the other guest bloggers as well; they've all posted some great things.

HERE is the direct link to my first post, but if you aren't already subscribed to Tina's posts, you should do that now.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. It is a beautiful day here in Chicago and I can't wait to get outside.

(images from English Muse)

Figured It Out

2012-02-24T21:00:00.001-06:00

Remember that library ladder I saw at the Art Institute of Chicago?

Well my member magazine came in the mail today and it just happened to be the featured new acquisition.

William France Jr.'s Badminton House Library ladder from the 18th-century is definitely one of my favorite parts of the Art Institute now.

Francisco Hernandez's "OZ"

2012-02-23T16:25:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite blogs, The Fox is Black, has a great Re-Covered Books contest series that always showcases some great designers. The most recent installment in the series was a challenge to design a new cover for L. Frank Baum's classic "The Wizard of Oz".

Some of the submitted designs were covers I'd love to own. There's so much talent and creativity out there. My favorite was a runner-up in the contest, designed by Francisco Hernandez.

I mean, that's pretty incredible stuff and it is an absolutely stunning design. But I do agree with Bobby, the story isn't about money so the cover isn't a complete success but definitely worth recognition. I recommend visiting Hernandez's website to view his other work.

To see the winning entry for the Oz contest, CLICK HERE. The entry that won wasn't my favorite, but there were some great ones in the batch. CLICK HERE to see them.

Food Rules Video

2012-02-22T19:25:00.000-06:00

It is no secret I am a HUGE Michael Pollan fan. Which is why when I found out about the video created for his book "Food Rules", I was pretty excited. The video is so well made and the animation is beautiful. Here are some of my favorite points, and the video below:

The video was created by Marija Jacimovic and Benoit Detalle over the span of three weeks.

I'm so glad I came across this on Brain Pickings. Awesome find.