bonnie's bookshelf 1.29

Bonnie Walker
Jan 28, 2017
2 min read

We're taking a bit of a spin for this edition of bonnie's bookshelf. I finally get to share with you one of the most unique books in my collection. Ready?

It's a book about bookstores. How intolerably original, I know. (*hint, sarcasm) But this one is truly a cut above the cliche.

I stumbled upon it while browsing the shelves of the Harvard bookstore in Boston back in October. What a quintessentially wonderful thing - a book entirely about books! But in earnestness it was the design of the book itself - the nostalgic artwork, and the tender anecdotes - that really caught my eye. I saw it and reflexively wanted to open it and lovingly turn its pages - the sign of a truly great coffee table book.

Aside from the illustrations that posses a perfectly portioned touch of the abstract to provide a dreamy, utopian quality, there are also so many quirky little stories in this book. Stories of hipster flashmobs with accordions and fiddles. Stories of celebrities coming in and exclaiming their love of books. Stories of flooded bookstores and encyclopedias used as stairs. Stories of communities coming together in these sacred spaces. Truly rich, heart warming, curiosity-piqueing stories, and all with an occasional dash of sarcasm.

But this is my favorite bit from the book. Visually attractive, sparklingly witty, and oh so clever. This is the Weapon of Mass Instruction in Argentina. Or as he calls it "culture within sculpture." And it is a weapon of mass instruction indeed - as the owner drives through the streets handing out publicly donated books to people on the street. He's the Santa Clause of books, but with a much cooler sleigh. You really have to admire his ingenuity.

Of course we all know that a book is so much better accompanied by a drink in hand, whether coffee, tea, or something a bit more effective for those truly luck ones. So I'll leave you with this perfectly on-point quote from the Heather Crothall of the Book Cellar in Chicago, Illinois.