10 wonderful things for book-lovers

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What do you think of this little neighbourhood library? They are popping up all around the world as part of a non-profit campaign to get more people reading. In Christchurch we have a few book-exchanges located at various Gap Fillers which are neat, but I love the idea of having them everywhere, like community gardens. Could you start one in your neighbourhood? With a bit of luck, they may become as common as corner dairies.

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Admit it. How many of those little orange penguins do you have? There is something satisfying about the uniformity and the price tag that makes them so very collectable. Do you know that they used to come in an array of colours? The book's colour used to represent the genre to which it belonged. So if you spied someone on the train reading a little green number, you'd know they were on the edge of their seat not because of the the bumpy train, but due to reading a gripping crime novel. 

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You've gotta love a bit of Roald Dahl. Truth be told these strikingly beautiful babushka creatures are based on the filmic version of Fantastic Mr. Fox (and by golly, if you haven't seen it, download a copy and watch it right now). Each critter is hand-painted to order by Australian based artist Irene, and then sent your way for a well spent $160USD. However, if that's a bit much to spend on a literary family, you could always immortalise your own family instead. 

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This adorable book necklace from Melbourne based Le Blog De Sushi. 

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These book hooks have been around for a little while now, but I can't get over how aesthetically pleasing they look. Would you like one of these perched next to your bed? If you are interested, you can buy them from Connex designs. I may just have to get one for myself....

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I've never really been a fan of bookends, but I reckon these stylish curly brackets could persuade me otherwise. They could go on this bookshelf. Do you use bookends? Also whale bookends. 

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I have been an Elijah Wood fan for sometime, so it was a happy day when I discovered this video of him reading the children's book Me and My Cat by Satoshi Kitamura. It is a must watch for all EW fans. Also you should take a look at this funny rendition of The Three Little Pigs.

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Book-staircases (or should they be stair-bookcases?) are, I think, one of the best storage systems ever invented. They undoubtedly look classy, and at the same time help you optimise all your previous space effectively. I am definitely putting one into my dream home. Perhaps we should call them stookcases; it has a nice Swedish feel to it. More staircase storage solutions here.

via Flower by Andrew Zuckerman

Have you ever picked up one of Andrew Zuckerman's books? My favourite of his so far is Wisdom, which is also a film of the same name. Zuckerman's photography is breathtaking; each frame captures the subject like a gallery-ready work of art. This book Flower was released last year and joins his list of four other outstanding books: Music, Wisdom, Creature and Bird.

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Have you heard of Barter Books in north-east London? What about the Keep Calm and Carry On poster? Barter Books is home to this piece of iconic war memorabilia, having discovered it in a box of old books they picked up at auction. Watch the video about the discovery here. Barter Books customers, should they choose, can make use of a barter system for buying and selling books at the store, hence the name barter books. What's more, the store has been built inside a rustic old railway station, topping off that literary experience. Do you know anyone who has been there? I hope to visit Barter Books whenever I next get to London.

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