Gift Giving: Books

Books are probably my very favorite gift to give so I've picked 16 of my favorite book gift ideas to please an assortment of personalities this season:

Tartine Bread $40; Handmade Living $29.95; Wary Meyer's Tossed and Found $27.50; The Sartorialist $16.50; Paper + Craft $19.95; Uppercase $18/each or 4 issues + subscription $120; Print & Pattern $23.10; Bike Snob 16.95; The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer $13.59; The Selby is in Your Place $35;  the Indie Rock Coloring Book $9.99; French Essence:  Ambience, Beauty, and Style in Provence $29.70; Little Book of Letterpress $24.95; Listography $12.99; Photojojo Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY ideas $21.99; Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Colors $12.21
     
Do you have any books on your wish list this year or any books you'll be giving as a gift?

Book Clock

Book clock - clock book, whatever you call it, it's pretty rad.  This novel invention (oh yes, I went there) is available in three different styles for $39 over at Forever is Today.

I like books, and I'm down with clocks (although you'd never be able to tell by my consistent tardiness), I'd just need to figure how to hang one of these on the wall. Or maybe I'd want to read the book first...oh the conundrum.

Wow, now that's a staircase

My friend sent me a link recently to this amazing spiral staircase featured in Apartment Therapy.  The walls surrounding this beautiful staircase are lined with bookshelves.  Can you imagine?  What an ingenious idea for a library!  

You can read about how this beauty was constructed here.  All of that light streaming in is natural light which makes this staircase, quite possibly, one of the of the coolest I've ever seen.  Hope your week has gotten off to a great start!

Handmade Books

In college, I took a bookmaking class and it was probably one of the most tedious, labor intensive classes I had ever taken (and that says a lot coming from a painter).
If you've ever made your own paper or attempted to bind a book, then you know that bookmaking is most certainly a labor of love. Despite the sheer amount of work that goes into making a book from scratch, the finished product is tangible, useful, functional, and if done well, will last a long time.

I no longer make my own books, but I do admire those that continue to persevere in what seems to be a dying art. I've picked three Etsy shops that vary in style but all offer gorgeous, carefully crafted, handmade books.

Birds on Branches Journal $20
Aqua Petals Album $33
Little Love Note Ornaments $4
Plum Blossom Album $33


Little Notebook $8
Big Notebooks $12
Black and White Chrysanthemum Album $40
Teal and Brown Origami Book $19.95


2010 Leather Datebook $22
Mini Leather Journal Keychain $18
Medium Light Blue Notepad $7
Large Light Blue Leather Journal/Sketchbook $70

Have you ever owned a handmade book? Would you agree that handmade books stand heads and shoulders above mass manufactured journals or did you notice a difference?

Sunday Reading

The gloomy weather has slowed things down a bit in my house and I finally have time to catch up on my book for the Slow Reader Book Club. I'm already hooked on this incredible "true life novel" about the author's great grandmothers' experiences in the early 1900's. It's not too late to join the conversation here.

via Cassia Beck


via Renee Anne


via Dishy Girls


via Yvette Infuio Photography
I recently finished two other books that I highly recommend (in case you're looking for some good reading):
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
and
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

What are you reading?

The Slow Readers Book Club

I have some exciting news! A few lovely bloggers have decided to start a book club and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. The book club is entitled, "Slow Readers" based off of the Slow Movement, "a cultural shift toward slowing down life's pace." If you're anything like me, you love to read but reading has fallen by the wayside as something that only happens during holidays or when those sleepless nights hit. This year, I'm vowing to allow reading, critical thinking, processing of words, and enjoying books a bigger part of my life.

Let me make one thing clear though, this book club isn't about pretentious people reading high brow material, it's about having fun doing something we all enjoy. Books are meant to be shared, discussed, pondered and chewed on and what better way than with bloggie friends?
I would LOVE it if you, dear reader, would like to participate. The invitation is open to everyone whether you have a blog or not. If you're interested in joining, please email me with your email address and blog site or leave a comment here with your email address.
The first book we'll be reading is:
Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls

via here
If you decide that you'd like to join, may I suggest buying your books from Better World Books? This amazing charitable organization sells both new and used books in a sustainable manner. All books are shipped FREE in the U.S. and proceeds go to fund literacy throughout the world. You can buy your copy of 'Half Broke Horses' here.
We'll have a two month deadline to purchase and read the book. I'll be posting my review, along with whomever wants to join in on March 4th.
If this is something you're interested in, please email me at downandoutchic@gmail.com so that you'll be privy on the newest book announcements and so I can send you some fun buttons if you so choose to post about it.
I'd love to get to know you better through discussing these books! Cheers to New Year!
xo,
Christina

Free Time Means Reading Time

The couple of days following Christmas proved to be both hectic and relaxing. The chaos came when I decided to accompany B's mom and sister (two fervent bargain hunters and fashionistas in their own right) to an after Christmas sale at Banana Republic. The sale, being 50% off all sale items, proved to be too good for me to stay at home, vegging in front of the TV. Because this sale was SO good, every female in Atlanta flocked to the nearest BR, elbowed their way through crowds throwing cashmere sweaters around in search for the right size, and waited in line for at least an hour to experience the mind blowing discounts. Yes, I was there...yes, I thought I'd faint from the claustrophobia of it all, and yes I survived with just a few cuts and bruises (mentally, if you know what I mean). Nonetheless, I'm happy to be at home, away from the crowds and in the comfort of my new pj's which I plan on living in for the next week. What will I be doing with a week off you might ask? Besides working on listing new items in the shop, I have big plan to catch up on some overdo reading. Here's what's on my list:

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollen

via here

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

via here

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

via here
I can't think of a better way to spend my free time doing something I have so little time to do normally. I'm halfway through the first two books and I highly recommend them (with books like these I'm not worried about the end. I've learned so much from both books already, I'm sure my recommendation will stick when I'm finished).
Now it's your turn...any recommendations in case I finish my list?

Weekend finds

I've treated myself to a few new things this weekend and I'm happy to say I'm pleased as pie with all three of them. One of them I already shared with you here but as a refresher:

via greenergrassdesign
They were $5.95 at a local shop and I don't ever want to go back to regular, ugly pens. Then I used my 40% off coupon for Borders (are they going under?) to buy this book...
source: Amazon
I'm pleased because I've already learned some pretty interesting tips on basic decorating principles. My happiest find, though, happens to be the teeny-tiniest Moleskin I have ever seen and is the perfect counterpart to my new pens...
I purchased this pair of green ones for $5.95 and they are the perfect size for my bag or pocket so, now I have no excuse to forget all those great ideas for the blog that are constantly running through my head (did I just say that?! Yeah, yeah I did.)
via Moleskin
I'm hoping to have some project posted for you all tomorrow, but we'll see (I'm still slow moving). Seeing as how I have the first day off tomorrow in who knows how longI may just do a whole lot of nothing. Any special Memorial Day plans?

Book Lust

Between B and myself, we own A LOT of books. Sadly, for a "style" blogger, I own little in the way of design books. I have art books, yes, but not a lot on interior design (I am proud to say I have the Domino book which I love, love, love). I've made a little list and I'm hoping you, dear reader, can help me narrow it down. I'm thinking these will go on my birthday 'wish list' (it's getting kind of big).

The Nest Home Design Handbook: Simple ways to decorate, organize and personalize your space. By Carley Roney
Wallpaper Projects: 50 Craft and Design Ideas for your Home, from Accents to Art
by Derek Fagerstrom
My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living
by Jonathan Adler
Apartments DesignSource $19.95
by Eva Dallo
Creating Vintage Style: Stylish Ideas & Step-by-step Projects
by Lucinda Ganderton
Flea Market Style
by Emily Chalmers
Style on a Budget: Affordable Ideas for a Relaxed Home
by Emily Chalmers
{all photos via Amazon.com}
Do you have any of these and/or do you have a favorite design book? Please, give me your recommendations! (and remember I already have Domino: The Book of Decorating).
{I'm really excited about what's going up tomorrow, I can hardly contain myself...}

Weekends Plans (or lack thereof)

Because I work through the weekends (yup, you guessed it, no days off) I suppose I don't yearn for them quite as much as other do. Well, maybe that's not true, it's really nice to get out of the office, and my weekend jobs are kind of fun and not at all stuffy. I'm definitely in need of some rest, so I think this is what I'll be doing:

I'm going to continue reading my current book...it's not exactly a pick me up, but it's certainly a page turner and for that, I'm thankful.
source: Jodi Picoult
I'm definitely going to have a glass of wine (or three) and although I might not look as glamorous as Ms. Monroe, I'm certainly going to try!
source: We heart it
I am going to take my time waking up tomorrow morning...
source: We heart it
And, of course, I'll spend some time w/my furry house mates.
source: We heart it
Thank you all for your wonderful comments this week. I hope you have a restful (or exciting depending on what you need!) weekend. Please come back by, as I have a couple of weekend posts planned...
~Christina

Book and in other news

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions on a book to read. I decided on one that the author of Bookwormz recommended (I'm sorry, I don't know your name).

Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster

source: BetterWorld Books
The subtitle pretty much says it all. This is a memoir about a an ex-sorority girl that grows up and falls upon hard times, all the while elbowing her way through corporate America and cursing anyone who stands in her way. The author is HILARIOUS and I simultaneously want to slap her and hug her. She knows she's a bitch (excuse my french), but she doesn't care and if she does care she's not doing anything about it. I'm only halfway through, but I love it. If you need a good laugh and you're not offended by bristly, politically incorrect humor, than this is the book for you. I love her on paper, but in person, I'm pretty sure I'd kick her in the shin and then run screaming for fear she'd unleash her wrath. Thank you Bookwormz for the recommendation!

In other sad news, a dear friend of mine lost his mother this past Friday. I am leaving out of town eary tomorrow morning to attend the funeral. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers and this is a most difficult time. I won't be able to post or comment until sometime Tuesday. Until then, I hope eveyone's week starts on a positive, hopeful note.
~Christina