Paper To Petal

 

This book marries my love for crafting & flowers, and I can not wait to get my hands on it! It will be released in August & you can preorder it on Amazon (which is what I just did). I'm seriously drooling over these pictures....

 

Reading: The Night Circus

I am a voracious reader. When I'm not too busy, I go through at least 3 books a month on my Kobo iPhone app but find it hard nowadays to find new books that really excite me & makes me want to live in its pages (which is what a good book does to you). So much so, I've resorted to rereading my old, favourite books for the last year or so… That is, until I stumbled onto The Night Circus. 

Simply put, this book is spellbinding. It has just the right mix of fantasy, intrigue & drama that I love. Here's a great review at Jackie Magpie (which is an awesome blog btw) & also where I got these pictures of the book from. I love this book so much that even though I already have it on my iPhone, I'm going with Jackie's recommendation & will buy a physical copy for my bookshelf. Helps that the hardback cover is gorgeous, don't you think?  

 

Booktrack

Have you heard of Booktrack yet? Being the bookworm that I am, I’m really excited & while I type this, I’m downloading a copy of Sherlock Holmes that comes complete with a Hollywood score, synchronised music, sound effects & the best thing of all? It’s paced to your own reading speed while constantly changing to match the plot in real-time! Tell me that doesn’t amazing, I dare you.

Description from the iTunes Store: “Unlike traditional audio books, Booktrack is a soundtrack that will match what you are reading, AS YOU READ (Note: no one is reading the story to you). You can now truly hear what it’s like to be back in Holmes time with the suspense of Dr. Watson helping Holmes solve a case, horse’s hooves beating against the pavement while the tension rises in the air & when they site before a fire you will hear the wood crinkling in the background as Holmes & Watson solve another mystery. The personalised sound effects & composition makes the story more powerful & immersive than it has even been heard before!”
I can’t wait to try out my free copy of Sherlock Holmes but I’m most especially excited about the upcoming release of Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre & Romeo & Juliet! I also can’t help feeling that Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart would be awesome for this app & would download it in a heartbeat (excuse the pun) if it were made. In the meantime, have a look at the Sherlock Holmes preview below.

My Little Paris

If you’re lucky enough to make your way to Paris, I hear this book simply titled My Little Paris would be an awesome guide to the best kept secrets of Parisians.

Taken off the website: “Mais attention ! In our book, we unveil insider addresses and tips that Parisian ladies have never shared before. You will try their killer secret detail and become addict to their hidden fashion designer. You will want to change your lingerie to change your life. You will pretend to be a connoisseur. You will learn how to fight the Sunday night blues and master the way to spice up a dull Parisian evening.”

Check out the official website & buy the book here.

Handmade Weddings

I just adore this video promoting Chronicle Books’ Handmade Weddings of which i just a copy from Kinokuniya. I also blogged about it over at my wedding blog Murni and Jamil, I love it that much. Even if you’re not getting married any time soon I think you should just get it for the sheer loveliness of the crafts & hey, a girl can dream of her dream wedding right? Totally.

Roald Dahl

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it” – Roald Dahl.

How true.

Undoubtedly, I am a big fan of Roald Dahl’s body of work. He wrote extensively from fiction to poetry to autobiographies to screenplays although he is most famous for his children’s stories (with Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Matilda & The BFG topping my list). It is my honest opinion that no library is complete without a little Roald Dahl.

Image by Amy Borrell (aka Cake With Giants), via Creature Comforts.

The Future Of Books

All my friends & family (plus a few loyal blog readers) know that I love to read. I read in bed, in the toilet, while waiting in queue, when I want to relax, when I’m upset with something in reality, when I’m hungry & need to be distracted from thoughts of food, etc., etc.. Yes, I love my books. I love getting lost in a fictional world & love nothing more than a good bookstore filled to the rafters with books, spending hours caressing book spines. And thanks to the wonders of technology, my iPhone holds a collection of ebooks that makes reading on the go so much easier (not to mention reading in bed when I don’t want to disturb a certain someone with my reading light).

Now, this amazing video by the folks of IDEO shows you how they are planning to take books to a whole new level in the future – three new levels to be exact. I’m especially excited over the possibilities of Alice. Hello, new chapters revealed if you take certain actions while reading the book? How fun!

The Future Of Books

Via Benign Objects.

Coralie Bickford-Smith

Although I’d love a good book despite a tatty, worn out cover, I am very much guilty of the old adage of “judging a book by its cover.” If I saw these art-deco cool covers here in Malaysia, I’d pick them up in a heartbeat! (Designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith for a special edition print of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s books)

Via Benign Objects.

Postcards From Penguin

I think I've mentioned before I have "mild" obssession of collecting classic Penguin books right? Being a booklover (more like bookworshipper) imagine my delight when I heard that Penguin is issuing a collection of 100 postcards, each featuring a different iconic book jacket. That's over 70 years of classic British design in one box! Swoon. I'm placing an order at Kinokuniya now!

Via Happiness Is.

Chronicle Books

I love books. In fact, I spend quite a pretty penny on books every month, be it on my current obsession of Penguin's Classics (that's a whole other post!) or craft books. And the one publisher of craft books that I just love love love is Chronicle Books.

It all started with this book, Handmade Nation, that I had to specially order from Kinokuniya & haven't looked back since! I now have a whole library of various titles from Chronicle Books. Personally I think they have a finger on the pulse of the whole DIY movement that's sweeping the world right now & they have published books from the best of the best in the industry. Here are some books I can't wait to get my hot, eager paws on...

DIY Fashion

Reprodepot Pattern Book

Handmade Weddings

 

Indie Craft

You Are 1/3 Daffodil

Well, what do you know? I always knew I had the makings of an innocent flower bud in me! Hehehe.  

You are One-Third Daffodil is a clever compilation of little known facts about life and the world around you, meant to amaze and baffle you. Now, I don't usually pick up books like this for myself (but I think it'll make a great child's gift) but the awesome jacket design had me at hello. Talk about judging a book by its cover eh?

Via Carrying On.

Art Of Sewing

I've been on a craft book (mostly sewing books) spending spree these last couple of weeks. I must have bought out the entire craft section of Kinokuniya so I guess I better go on a book fast & give them a chance to restock their shelves. But that's not gonna stop me from looking up books online right? Sneaky me. Hehehe.

These vintage hardcover beauties are from a 12-volume Art of Sewing series by Time Life Books & includes: Boutique Attire, The Custom Look, Delicate Wear, Exotic Styling, Separates that Travel, Creative Design, The Classic Technique, The Sporting Scene, The Personal Touch, Traditional Favorites, Basic Tailoring, and Shortcuts to Elegance. Love 'em! Now, where can I find them??

Via Hi + Low.

Anagram

Hello darlings, sorry for the late post today. Had trouble crawling out of bed this morning. I admit I'm finding it quite hard to concentrate on work right now because of the long holiday weekend plus I don't think I've quite recovered from all the Christmas orders. Perhaps I need another few days off to recharge...

Anyways, how what was your Christmas weekend like? Did Santa bring you everything you wanted? Well, I'm sure he did because you've all been extra good this year ;)

Oh, how do you like the images above? They're from a wonderful ad campaign for the Prague bookstore, Anagram produced by Kaspan advertising agency. I wish my books did stuff like that, don't you?

Via Black*Eiffel.

Kindle

Being an avid reader & lover of all books (hardback, paperback, brand new, worn out & my latest fix, e-books on my iPhone) I'd love to get a Kindle for Christmas. I love the convenience of having one device with a few selection of books that I can carry with me wherever I go & it's especially great to read at night as I won't disturb the man with my late night reading (he's the kind of guy that can't sleep with the lights on).

Right now I'm reading a lot of classic books that I've been downloading from the iTunes store but I got to admit that Kindle has got my sweet little iPhone beat on the title selection. With over 300,000 title to choose from, you can download up to 1,500 book into your bad boy within 60 seconds on a wireless connection & it has a battery life of up to 2 weeks on a single charge! How amazing is that? Only problem is, it doesn't seem that Kindle will be available for Malaysia anytime soon. Oh, the tragedy!

Jack Kerouac

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…" - Jack Kerouac (On The Road)


One of my all-time favorite quotes. Although I'm a bit more practical when it comes to who I associate with (not all my friends are mad), I just love that this quote reflects a desire to take life by the horns. By the way, On the Road is a fabulous read.

So as we approach 2010 I've resolved to live it up for the coming year. Have you thought of your new year's resolution yet?


P/S: Another fave quote of mine from Mr Kerouac: "Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."

Emma

I have to admit that I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan. I've read all of her books & keep multiple copies of Pride & Prejudice at home along with a digital version on my iPhone. However, Emma has a very dear spot in my heart as it was the very first Jane Austen book I picked up at 16 after finding out that Clueless was based on this particular book (yes, yes, I love chick flicks too!). Ever since then, I devoured all of Ms Austen's work. So imagine my delight when I found out that the BBC has a new Emma series showing & someone has kindly uploaded the series on YouTube! Thought I'd share it with you just in case you're as big of a fan as me ;)

Tree Bookshelf

I seem to be on a decor binge lately so I hope I'm not boring you... Yet! Anyways, how can you not love this tree bookshelf from the talented Shawn Soh of Korea? Beats Ikea's bookshelves any day in my humble opinion.

Via YellowGoat.

Cascading Books

This cascading book installations by Alicia Martin are pretty awesome but I can't help thinking that it's such a waste of books. I have so many books of my own that I love so this looks almost sacrilegious to me but then again, I'm a huge book lover & a softie to boot! Hehe. So how was your weekend my lovelies? I'll be back with some pictures of Tioman ;)

Via Black*Eiffel.

DIY Antique Butterfly Bookplate

A week over here at Mimpi Murni just wouldn't be complete without some sort of DIY project so here's a simple one before you head out for your weekend. All you got to do is download your FREE antique butterfly bookplate here, click print, cut it out & stick it onto your favorite tomes. Easy peasy & pretty to boot! Have a great weekend my darlings!

Via Blah, Blah, Blahg.

Little Women

This has got to be my favorite book of all time. Ever since I was old enough to appreciate books & my mother picked out Little Women for me, I've always had a copy nearby & handy. I can't tell you how many copies I've worn out or given out to girlfriends & I hope to someday pass down a copy to their little daughters (& mine) as I truly cherish this book that covers love, perseverance & feminism. I believe that all women should read it at some point in their lives & in fact, at every major turning point if possible. Little Women for me will always be the book I turn to when I need to be reminded to do good & be good. Oh, and how Beth makes me cry!

If you want to get a cheap copy of Little Women to keep handy (as I do), you can purchase Penguin Classics edition which is printed on 100% recycled paper for only RM8.50 (look for bright green covers). There are heaps more fantastic classic titles so while you're at it, grab a couple of Jane Austen's & Jules Verne's books amongst others. Chancellor Classics also prints very affordable hardcover editions at only RM14.50 although the titles are quite limited. All these books can be found at either Popular, MPH or Kinokuniya. Happy reading!