An Immodest Proposal

Does anyone remember what happened to summer? Or September for that matter? Your Bookcharmer zoomed through Fall Semester with few spare moments. It is true that whatever spare moments that happened were snapped up with a new bit of digital wizardry. Yes, I joined Twitter. If you'd like to see what I say in 140 words or less, I'm @Bookcharmer on that service. I caution you, it is an addictive little website, one that constantly updates, presenting your computer or phone screen with tidbits of info, links to larger sites, photos from all over the world.

Meanwhile, whilst my personal libraries, home and work, are in disarray from the usual daily discombobulations, I have no trouble listing the books I'd like to add to my personal haul! I am motivated to be immodest in listing my desires, because a very good cause might benefit! One of my favorite publishers, San Francisco's own Chronicle Books, if offering a generous giveaway:

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/happyhaulidays

So, if I'm reading the page correctly, I list 500 dollars worth of Chronicle titles I would like to have; I entice people to read my blog and comment on this post, enabling said lucky reader to also get the haul from Chronicle, AND a charity I designate gets the loot as well!

So, let's make ourselves winners! The charity I would support is the much deserving Partners In Reading at the San Jose Public Library, a fine organization that is in fact holding a book drive for its learners.

One of the hallmarks of my childhood memories is that books were like air in my home, they were everywhere. Parents who unstintingly read to me and my sister and gave us that intangible and miraculous gift: a love of reading. We had books at home, at school, at the library. We talked about books and went to places we had read about. I don't like to imagine a home without books, or try to imagine a life where books are an unaffordable luxury, but that is the reality for many.

Have a look at the Partners in Reading website to learn more about this organization: http://www.sjpl.org/par

Now, let's get serious about winning me, you, and PAR a fine load of books!

1. PANTONE: The 20th Century in Color. Leatrice Eiseman and Keith Recker. 2011
ISBN 9780811877565. $40 I'm certainly more aware of the powers of color lately, and even more interested in how people have used and perceived color at different points in time. Will this tome pantone for Harvest Gold?

2. The Art of Instruction: Vintage Educational Charts from the 19th and 20th Centuries. Katrien Van der Schueren. 2011. ISBN 9781452101118 35.00
Doesn't this sound interesting? Reproductions of 100 vintage posters? Yes, please!

3. Practice Makes Perfect: Sketching and Drawing. Matt Pagett. 2011. ISBN 9780811877527 25.95. Oh, how I would love to be able to draw. I never got past learning more than the few scribbly figures I was able to master. Even casual doodlers, I envy. Could this be the text that teaches me how to capture shapes and scenes?

4. The Book as Art: Artists' Books from the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Krystyna Wasserman. 2011. ISBN 9781568989921 $34.95
This is not simply recreational, this would count as professional reading, as my very next conference is the College Book Arts Association in January. How could I present myself there without being well acquainted with this title?

5. 1000 Designs for the Garden And Where to Find Them. Geraldine and Ian Rudge. 2011. ISBN 9781856697033 30.00 Now that I have a proper space for gardening, garden information is most welcome. And 1000 designs! At 30 dollars, how much is that for 1000? Let's see, divide by 30, carry the one...yup, a bargain!

6. American Trademarks: A Compendium. Eric Baker,and Tyler Blik. 2010.ISBN 9780811872201 29.95
A combination of whimsy and history, all those trademarks pulled together. Which business will be next to each other? Is it organized chronologically or alphabetically?

7. The Mythic City: Photographs of New York by Samuel H. Gottscho, 1925-1940. Donald Albrecht. 2011. ISBN 9781616890155 29.95
Now, this, this book I would really like to see. 1925-1940 are the years when my research subject, Clara Laughlin, was often in New York, and I always eager for glimpses of her world.

8. New York Changing: Revisiting Berenice Abbott's New York. Douglas Levere. 2004. ISBN 9781568984735 40.00 A perfect companion piece to Gottscho's photos.

9. Denyse Schmidt Quilts. Denyse Schmidt. 2005. ISBN 9780811844420 24.95
My beloved heirloom Singer sewing machine is in fine form these days, so new patterns are always welcome!

10. Amy Butler's In Stitches. Amy Butler. 2006. ISBN 9780811851596 24.95
25 charming projects, could I make them all?

11. Lettering: A Reference Manual of Techniques. Andrew Haslam. 2011. ISBN 9781856696869 50.00
This looks luscious.

12. Bibliographic: 100 Classic Graphic Design Books. Jason Godfrey. 2011. ISBN 9781856697651 29.95
Desirable simply for the title alone! And definitely a title that an Art and Design librarian should know.

13. Mysteries of the Rectangle: Essays on Painting. Siri Hustvedt. 2005. ISBN 9781568985183 24.95
This is the author of the bestselling novel What I Loved, which is currently on the top of my pile of 'to read' books.

14. My final selection: The Ocean at Home: An Illustrated History of the Aquarium. Bernd Brunner. 2005. ISBN 9781568985022 24.95 Now, the online site says the title is not available, so this one is my "bonus" title if I win and I a. didn't do the math right and I was already over the 500 limit or b. someone has to scratch me up a copy. With any luck, I will be the winner and this tome on aquariums will also discuss terrariums.

So, that's my entry! Comment away, readers, so that you might be a lucky winner too! Or perhaps you'd enjoy making your own list!