Sunday, October 7, 2012

Book Review: Chapter Two

Second series in the Book Review ...


This book I bought for Solid Gold Dancer #1. She's not really into fashion, but she likes drawing and colouring in and imagininging. This book is large and full of design-type activities. I think I wouldn't mind having a go.


Remember, all these books came via The Book Depository, so on average I think they cost $10 each. Unheard of on Australian shores. More's the pity for the local economy really.


But if you throw yourself into colouring-in trimmings and accoutrements you can leave all those worries to the Federal Treasurer.


Raunchy.


"The High Street" is possibly my favourite of the books I bought. It's all about a little girl (forget her name) who's been given a list of things to find, and she skippedydoos off to the high street to find them.


Every shoppe is filled with gorgeous things and the reader has to flip the page to look for the required item ... I love these sort of books, filled with details and quirky illustrations.


They're the sort of illustrations that stick in one's mind for years, because they require a level of examination.


Look at Kumar's China shop. Bet there's some Spode and Ruska and Figgjo in there somewhere.


Delightful.


Finally, it's Saul Bass' 'Henri's Walk to Paris'. This book is more about the illustrations than the plot, to be honest.


I'm sure you know that this is a re-issue of an earlier edition of this fabulous book. Illustrations are by the renowned Saul Bass, the prodigious and famous graphic designer. He designed a lot of excellent movie posters in the 60s and 70s, and was quite the 'go-to' man for design.


I really bought this one for selfish reasons due to its provenance and design qualities.


Having said that, its pages are beautifully thick and it's hardcover (as are most of the others), so it should stay on the bookshelves for generations


In weather news: It was bloody hot today.

Happy?

20 comments:

  1. I'd like a bit of that hot. It was bloody freezing here!

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    1. I'm getting the impression it was cold down south. Why can't the weather just behave and do what the theoretical seasons demand of it?

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  2. I'm loving the Saul Bass and drawing book.
    What's with that weather? Today was foul! Cam could have some of our hot and we'd still be sweltering. October!?!

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    1. Imagine what December will be like. Egad. Saul Bass book design-wise is a cracker. Story wise the dog could have written it.

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  3. I was going to ask which Solid Gold Dancer Henri's Walk was for...the lead dancer, obviously!
    Raining here today. Wearing long sleeves (and shorts - if that makes you feel better)

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    1. Am I a lead dancer? I have a recurring nightmare where I'm in a play and I don't know the lines. What if I can't remember the choreography? "Jazz Hands" just doesn't cut it all the time.

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  4. Hot. 'Hot' does not touch on today. 'still' 'oppressive' 'claustrophobic' 'simmering' ... and it is only October. Anyway. I have also been dappling (or dabbling?? I have had a few wines) in a bit of Book Depository today. I need to find some books imparting empathy for number 2, some siblings are your friends not your enemies books for number 1 and, thankfully, some ballerina princess books for number 3. And I need to get The High Street and My Wonderful World of Fashion for me. They look like page turners. I just finished The Girl on the Landing and was a bit disappointed. So I need something that won't let me down.

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    1. Hello Reader 3. I'm still waiting for your blog. I need to read a decent novel. I'll give "The Girl on the Landing" a miss. You need a lie-low and a few hours floating in the pool.

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  5. All books look lovely Carmel. I wouldn't mind a drop of colouring in. Can you send some of that weather down here? I'm a bit jealous of the heat! Have a great week x

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  6. Cooler here.
    But my finger melted so I can't say anymore.

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  7. love the look of that High Street! and it's cold here, swap you.

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  8. I love them all. I sketched fashion ideas incessantly as a kid, so I would have loved the first one back then. Today I'd love looking at the shops in the second one, and I love Saul Bass, so the third one is a go too. What fantastic books you've found.

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    1. Dana, I've found these books through blogs mostly. I haven't sourced them of my own volition. I wish I were that creative. They're all lovely though with hard covers which makes books feel so much more special. My kids won't care though, to be honest. Who am I kidding?

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  9. I'm always late to the party with your updates. What beautiful books you've chosen. The high street book looks like my cup of tea...I wonder if an op-shop features on high street.
    Also, heard you've been talking to Mr Hi-Vis. Do images of fluoro orange come into mind when you're chatting? xx

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    1. I have been talking to Mr Hi-Vis. I was a bit embarrassed to have to, because I'm still getting used to that area of the Law and some things bamboozle me, so I'm afraid I'll come across as an idiot. I need to speak to Mr Hi-Vis again to see if he's heard from the defendant about the matter of administrative costs (how did that sound?!).

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  10. I'm looking up Saul Bass! Thank you Mrs Librarian! .......so pleased to see such cool things to teach your babies, makes my job so much easier if they come to us with a designer instinct! xx

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    1. I think you'll marvel at Saul Bass. I hope he inspires you. He's quite bold but minimalistic. I was interested to read about his work with Alfred Hitchcock and 'Psycho'.

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