From the iconic book cover Hall of Fame, courtesy of the Harry Ransom Center.
There’s something Day of the Jackal about this jacket. Stephen Dedalus, secret agent?
Today’s theme? Skulls.
- Everyone Likes a Good Train Wreck: Why We Can’t Look Away by Eric G. Wilson
- Death in the Andes by Mario Vargas Llosa
- The Bug by Ellen Ullman
- Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
- Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross
Laurent Binet’s HHhH, publishing in late April. Which cover do you like best?
(Oh, and I’m excited to report Colum McCann, National Book Award-winning author of Let the Great World Spin, has praised HHhH saying, “A wonderful, ambitious book, and a triumph of translation.”
Lessons in iconic book design: George Salter.
Lessons in iconic book design: Paul Rand.
Literary Oufits, v. 2: Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
v. 1: Smut by Alan BennettWhat do you mean you haven’t read Skippy Dies yet? And here I am wearing sweaters to honor it.
Lately, I have encountered far too many people who have not read this novel, which, I would happily argue, is the best book published in the last decade—not to mention being beautifully designed by Leanne Shapton.
Do something nice for yourself and read it! Your bookshelves will thank you, too.
* * *
Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
Faber & Faber, August 2010
ISBN: 9780865479432. 661 pgs.
This made my day. Week, even.
Lessons in iconic book design: George Salter.
“I hate to think that our industry’s going to end up all online. People still really love books, feeling the paper in their hands. Even if the Kindle were to go full-color, it’s just going to be this image on the screen. It pains me.”
Japanese edition of Denis Johnson’s Tree of Smoke. A pretty literal interpretation, no?
Superclass, Romanian edition. The book is not a 70’s exploitation flick, alas. (Can’t wait to see what they do with Power, Inc.)
Brazilian edition of Roberto Bolaño’s 2666.
