I have been saving some cool bookish stuff and you may have already heard about these things but I have to share and hope you enjoy reading about these things.
First, have you heard of novelist, Abdulrazak Gurnah? I’m sorry to say I haven’t but he’s just won the Nobel Prize in Literature. He’s had several books shortlisted for other book prizes but what an accomplishment. Have you read any of his books?
Speaking of books, have you heard of Japan’s oldest surviving cookbook? This was published in 1643! Don’t worry, if you want to check out some of the recipes and don’t know Japanese there’s a translated version available.
Can you discovering a 36 pound scrapbook and it’s almost 100 years old? Now that is a find!
If children’s books are more your thing, do you know the dark origins of some nursery rhymes? Take a quiz and see how you do.
Moving on to paper, look at how this artist transforms famous landmarks using cut-outs.
And, more books and paper stuff because I just love paper, look at these recycled books becoming sculptures celebrating nature.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and more book talk soon.
Ohh, those sculptures are gorgeous. I love that artists are becoming more conscious about materials. Such a powerful statement!
Isn’t that part of the fun of the Nobel? That they bring someone new-ish onto our reading lists? Other than Munro, I don’t know if I’ve ever recognized one of the selected few.
Are you still subscribing to World Lit Today? Their new issue looks sooo good…
The paper cut-outs are fun, but the recycled book sculptures are fantastic! Thanks for some great links, Iiana!
Those cut-outs are fantastic! Have a great weekend!
Thanks for the interesting links! I know some nursery rhymes and fairy tales have darker creepy origins. Cool about the cut-outs, very creative. Happy reading this week 🙂
I follow My Modern MET on Flipboard, but I’d definitely missed this post! It’s gorgeous. And I’m eager to try out the nursery rhymes quiz, haha.
Buriedinprint – I do too. Which is why I used to get so upset about books being torn apart, etc. but now that I think about giving old books a new life as artworks, then I can totally support it. I don’t always pay attention to book prize lists but for some reason this year I’ve been more into following who’s going to be nominated for the Booker, Nobel, etc. Of course my to be read list just keeps growing longer. And, yes, I still subscribe to World Lit and just got my issue but haven’t started it yet. As usual, I’m behind! I think it’s going to be a great one!
Jen Mullen – I love both! I was at an art gallery a couple of years ago and they had some book sculptures on display and now I wish I had gotten one. Just so cool. Glad you enjoyed the links!
Stefanie – Aren’t they cool? Did you have a favorite? I liked the one with the ship in the bottle but all are so neat.
Bookworm – I remember when I first found out about the origins of some nursery rhymes and I was shocked. Then again, some fairy tales can be quite dark too right? Hope you’re having a great reading week too! 🙂
Lex @ Lexlingua – Don’t they have the coolest stories? Hope you enjoy the quiz! It’s always fun to test our bookish knowledge right?