It was really books on Saturday, as I am consumed with babysitting my friend Kit’s two cats, my friend Cat’s cat and dog and taking my usual good care of Connor.
But I did manage to stop by the Book Thing and pick up some goodies. First up: Not really a book per se, but Knitting to Go, a little box of cards with lots of small knitting projects that don’t take a lot of time. I actually knit, so this will be a good excuse to whip up some presents for the upcoming holidays.
I was very surprised to find Losing Mum & Pup by Christopher Buckley, the very recent memoir of his famous parents, Pat and William F. Buckley. After all of the great reviews, I am looking forward to reading this book.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, Rupert Everett’s autobiography, Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins, ought to be a couple of laughs. As the Guardian says “bad behaviour makes good copy” as I am sure!
I found a small book of Toulouse Lautrec’s artworks, along with descriptions of the history of each piece. Since I studied art history, this will be like another art history class for me.
For more social pursuits, I picked up the Crane’s Blue Book of Stationery, which has suggestions for all sorts of social letters. I am pretty sure they don’t address how to respond to an e-vite. The foreword is by Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus fame. 
Last but not least are two books that I will use as resources. One is hundreds of decorative designs and ornaments, which I will use in my digital artwork. Books like this are always good to scan and use over and over again. 
The other is Grand Illusions, about painting effects. Now before you throw up, I know faux effects are sooo over, but I thought I might pick up some tips and techniques with this book. It will probably go back to Book Thing next week, but I can spare 10 minutes to glance through it.
As usual, a couple of good books and some marginal. But since they’re all free, who cares?
all great finds! I would love to take a peek inside the book on decorative ornamentation.
ReplyDeleteDo let us know if Everett lives up to the billing. Would be keen on your feedback on the Buckley memoir as well.
ReplyDeleteTotal jackpot. I've had a passing fancy for both of the biographies - love to have your review.
ReplyDeleteYou were watching Kit's and Cat's cats and dogs? That's pretty funny.
ReplyDeletegracious! some real finds- I am loving the idea of Rupert Everett's read. Architect Design had it on his Summer Reading List.That little Lautrec book looks quite good if tiny- wouldn't they be great framed up for a little powder room. G
ReplyDeleteI've read Everett's book. I'm on hold at the library for the Buckley book. Agreed on design books. I'm getting rid of a lot of books of a deceased relative: some on Amazon, some to the library resale room, some sent out in the world as:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bookcrossing.com/
I was glancing at an old 1950's cookbook. The drawers were jazzy and just such fun. The recipes looked gawd awful.
As for knitting, I've got yarn to sell, too. Yellow and white. And needles.
So yup, more or less same page.
For some reasons houses and decoration are on my brain this week. I think Miles Redd did me in.
...and that's drawings, not drawers. It's 5:20 a.m. I need to be more careful with my proofreading.
ReplyDeleteLike I say everytime...you find the best books!! The Buckley book is a good, quick read.
ReplyDeleteThe Everett book is a hoot & if you enjoy it try going a few decades earlier and read David Niven's "the Moon is a Balloon" Hollywood in the glory years.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is right up their in my top five faves! I have written to you before but just have to commend you on the variety of subjects, what you write, and just in general: great stuff! Toulouse: always so great - and the Everett cover - what a magnificent photograph but then of course he is as handsome as they come, isn't he?
ReplyDeleteSuzanne on St. Simons
Suzanne... I do think Everett looks great on the cover of the book (2006) but some recent pix of him have shown a LOT of plastic surgery. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI envy your proximity to Book Thing. You have unearthed quite a treasure trove!
ReplyDelete