day 347 of 365

The Library's got a new toy.

Some people say that technology like this means the death of the book and the death of libraries, but I don't agree.  More people than ever are coming to use the library, and to ask about old-school AND new-school books and technologies.  To me, it's just another way to interpret the written word.

Thus endeth my sermon.  Now I get to play!

day 302 of 365

I've strayed just a little off-theme in my daily photos lately -- but as the blog header says, the theme is to embrace words, actual or implied.  And way back last January, I set up some rules for my 365 project, and one of them was: Thou must stick to the theme, OR twist it to thy liking.  So, in that case I've succeeded. 


But today I've got not only words, but a sign, and books! Three of my favorite things.  And now I'm back on track, and all is right with the world.

day 283 of 365

Run -- don't walk -- to your nearest library or bookstore, and get this book of amazing photographs by Stephen Wilkes.  You can read more about it and see an excerpt gallery at   www.ellisislandghosts.com. 

day 275 of 365

Ah, morning.  I love the quiet routine at the start of the day.  I'm musing on mornings in an earlier time over on Mortal Muses today.  Stop by to see some morning beauty.

day 263 of 365

Wow.  This book was donated to the library today, and I just had to share it with you.

Is it just me, or is this not the most instructive book cover you've ever seen?

day 197 of 365

I just love the colors in these photos in the new book The Printed Picture by Richard Benson. And there are over 300 others -- and Benson's readable history of the printing of images.

I command you: Get thee to thy library or bookstore and check out this book posthaste.

day 174 of 365

Parnassus Book Service in Yarmouth Port. Where the honor system is still alive and well (click the photo below to read the sign).

day 171 of 365

I judge books by their covers every day, and I thought this one was pretty. Who knew this would be a collection of Washington Irving stories?

day 160 of 365

Book sale, day 2.

And vacation, day 1. Yay!

day 159 of 365

Book sale time.

day 147 of 365

To read or to nap?: that is the question.

day 143 of 365

We librarians find lots of fun things in books, from bookmarks to notes, photos, and sometimes even money! We found this vintage photo in a book that was donated to the library. These great quintessential Cape Cod fisherladies really know how to rock a colorful rain slicker. If you see them, wish them a very merry Christmas!

day 89 of 365

I participate in the monthly Boston.com RAW Amateur photo contest. There's a theme each month, and it's been really interesting to see what people submit and what the judges (who are professional photographers) have to say about the entries. Though so much of art is subjective, and I don't always agree with the final choices, I always learn something about technique and composition.

This month's contest theme is "The Items We Carry," and we are supposed to depict things we carry in our pockets and bags that people don't usually see. Right away the contest was flooded with photos of people's guns, and it turned out that a gun rights group had gotten wind of the contest and decided to make a political statement. The debate raged in the comments forum, and it generated more feedback than any other monthly theme.

So the above is my submission for this month's contest. It's not a particularly great photo, but more of a political statement of my own. Title it "the pen is mightier than the sword" or "books, not guns." An infinitesimal gesture in a crazy world.

day 79 of 365

A view of my bedside table. I'm reading Jane Eyre for the umpteenth time, and re-watching the Masterpiece Theatre adaptation of the book. Some local ladies have started the Bronte-Along group, for those of us who are a little obsessed with the Bronte sister's books and films. Yesterday I created some photo collages as part of the Bronte-Along project. You can see them posted on my other blog.

day 64 of 365

Still trying to lighten up! I saw these book lights in a local bookstore and coveted them, even though I could turn all the lights on in the whole house while I'm reading and no one would care. Does anyone remember (or own) the Itty Bitty Book light? In my married days I had one of those, and it probably kept my marriage going for a few years longer than it would have lasted otherwise. But now these colorful beauties come along, and I want one in every color.

I'm shining a little light on myself over on my other blog. Come over and visit! And share something about yourself.

day 45 of 365

It's amazing the number of books that have been banned, burned, or otherwise vilified down through the centuries. It's inspiring to know that our native Barnstable Village son Kurt Vonnegut had two titles make the list. You can read his take on our village and library (back in the old days) here.

I've read so many of these books. My favorites were Rebecca and the Jane Eyre prequel Wide Sargasso Sea. What's your favorite banned book?

PS: Thanks to Kyle for having such a cool bumper sticker!

day 34 of 365

Behold the great and powerful Lothrop Bible, published in 1605.

This ancient volume gets a lot of attention for its history and what is on its pages, but I wanted to capture its magical qualities. People (religious, spiritual, and atheist alike) are drawn to it like a magnet, in order to stand in its presence. Now you can say you've experienced the magic, too.

day 30 of 365

These are books from the library's genealogical collection, dating back 100 years. I love that they are beautiful, and that they carry the symbol of hope.