Last week proved to be busy but the icing on the cake was celebrating Jon’s 30th birthday at Bill Cosby’s performance in Austin over the weekend. I had tears rolling down my cheeks by the end of the show. If this legendary comedian ever stops by your city make sure you pay him a visit. It honestly felt like an old friend telling us stories about his life but in the most hilarious way possible.
Jon and I regularly visit Half Price Books on the weekends here in Houston but he always wants to make a stop at the Austin store just in case they carry something that we’ve missed. He makes his way through the old paperbacks, trying to score interesting reads at 50 cents a book. I’m quite the opposite as I tend to fall victim to judging a book by its cover. The prettier they are, the more likely I’ll pick them up and read the blurb. Sad but true. These Penguin Classics designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith are so pretty and would be a beautiful addition to a home library, even if you already read them in high school. Do you ever re-read books?
I also love these Penguin by Design books by David Pearson that Design Lovely showcased recently. The graphic patterns are beckoning me to at least pick them up and perhaps turn the pages — I’m a slow reader!
And I recently discovered The Book Cover Archive, established for the appreciation and categorization of excellence in book cover design. The graphic designer in me is drawn to the font selections and artistic compositions of these book covers. This same art lover could probably spend the next couple of hours just flipping through the archives.
Part of me wants to line a wall in a future study or living room with bookshelves. It creates such a cozy and casual atmosphere, ready for late nights under a blanket and a cup of hot tea by your side. Every now and then I’ll bookmark images of rooms filled with bookshelves but I’ll leave those for another post. However, I had to show you Chotda’s living room — now that takes some patience and a great eye for color!
My Half Price Books purchase this weekend consisted of old issues of Donna Hay’s magazine. I allow myself to judge the magazine by its cover because it’s filled with beautiful photos and recipes both inside and out.
Image credits: Penguin Classics, David Pearson, The Book Cover Archive, and Chotda’s Flickr
31 responses so far ↓
1 Paloma of La Dolce Vita : Mar 2, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I just ordered the first set of Penguin Classics that you posted and I am so excited! I have been lusting after them for so long and can’t wait to have them on my bookshelf!
2 Diva Style : Mar 2, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Thank you so much for the blog comment! Hope you visit more often!
3 chen : Mar 2, 2009 at 8:21 pm
love this entry, I adore your blog, keep up the good work!:-)
4 bandelle : Mar 2, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Thanks, Chen! That means a lot
5 Apt34 : Mar 2, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Gorgeous – classic hardcover books are such a weakness for me – someday I will have a house lined in bookshelves – then you don’t need art!
6 Tamara : Mar 3, 2009 at 12:06 am
Those books are gorg..love love love…you always post great things though.
7 Melissa : Mar 3, 2009 at 4:48 am
I love re-reading Pride and Prejudice – I always pick up on something new every time I read it.
8 M&Co : Mar 3, 2009 at 8:49 am
These book covers are adorable!! Wish everyone would make as cute covers as those Penguin classics! I’d read a lot more if they did
Actually judging a book by its cover has lead me to many good reads, so its not the worst thing to do, but I’m sure I’ve missed some good ones too due to not so appealing covers 
9 please sir : Mar 3, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I love pretty books…even if I may not like their content! Great examples!
10 blair : Mar 4, 2009 at 10:16 am
Oh, i love those penguin classic covers–beautiful and seem to reflect the magic of the stories inside perfectly. I have never re read a book–I love the idea of spending time reading and always buy new books that I never finish!
11 sarah : Mar 5, 2009 at 2:25 am
I ordered the full set of the Penguin Classics the other day. I’m definitely a re-reader & couldn’t resist how beautiful they are!
12 Margrethe : Mar 13, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I love the the first set of books. I can’t find them anywhere, not even through the link you posted. Would you be a princess and post a “direct” link?
13 bandelle : Mar 14, 2009 at 11:05 am
Margrethe — I no longer see the books on the Waterstone’s website. Let me see if my friend, Paloma, can help you because she recently ordered them. Hold on.
14 Paloma of La Dolce Vita : Mar 14, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Hi Margethe,
I found out that Indigo in Canada is currently carrying the books through this blog post. I believe they were something like 40 pounds a piece through Waterstone’s, but they are $14.99 Canadian through Indigo, which is about $11 US. You can’t beat that! If you look at the comments section of the blog post I am pasting here, you will find all of the ISBN numbers for the books. You will not see pictures of them on Indigo’s website, but rest assured, they are the ones you are looking for. Mine just arrived last week. Good luck!
http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/02/gorgeous-penguin-classics.html
Paloma
15 Design Lovely : Mar 16, 2009 at 1:46 am
I stopped in my tracks when I saw these books and then I saw my blog name! Thank you so much for the mention!
16 Creole Nicole : Mar 22, 2009 at 8:22 pm
After seeing this, I tried this own while spring cleaning. I need to start a blog so you can see it. It’s really grown on me. I now know I have more black books than others.
17 bandelle : Mar 24, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I’d love to see your space, Creole Nicole!
18 Margrethe : Apr 27, 2009 at 2:02 am
I just ordered the books, after Paloma of La Dolce Vita was kind enough to let me know where to get them. Indigo also ships to Norway, so it worked out
Thank you so much for this post Bandelle!
19 bandelle : Apr 27, 2009 at 10:49 am
Margrethe — I’m so glad that Paloma was able to help and that Indigo ships to Norway. I have no doubt that you will be pleased with them! I’m currently working through the recommendation list from Bandelle readers on this post: http://www.bandelle.com/blog/2009/04/15/life-as-a-geisha/#comments. Perhaps some of these book recommendations may interest you too
xo, Kylie
20 Margrethe : Apr 27, 2009 at 2:15 pm
They are also avaiable on Amazon now:)
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