Tidy Bookshelves

The Broons' Census

From the Sunday Post: The Broons tackle their census form.

Attenborough Autograph

Went to see a Q/A with Sir David Attenborough tonight, afterwards there was a book signing. I had managed to get hold of a first edition of his first book (1956) for him to sign. I thought he'd remark on it, but there were so many people to get through, I don't think he noticed what he was signing. 
At the Q/A, a small child asked him what was his favourite animal.  He immediately replied, 'A human baby.'

Fixing a Book

I found a book of sweet James Thurber drawings in the Oxfam Bookshop. It's 59 years old. The book was in fair condition but the dustjacket was all tattered and crumbly, so I decided to try and fix it. It's not a great job, but I didn't want to end up spending eight times more on the jacket than I'd spent on the book.

Had to do a bit of patching here and there, I used a brown fineliner and
snippets from bits of the jacket I'd already cut off,
so it should all age at the same rate.

My handwriting is near enough to the calligraphy on the cover that this looks okay.

One of the drawings inside!

Quentin Blake at Hay

Watching a lovely programme from the SkyArts Hay Festival coverage in which Quentin Blake discusses his work. He's got an overhead projector and is taking requests from the audience, like some sort of amazing jazz illustrator. Wish I could've been there in person.

Child: "Please can you draw Matilda and the Normus Crocodile TOGETHER?"

Washington Findings

Some strange stuff my dad brought back from a work trip.

*snort*

Harry Potter: The End

Le Monde, 24 June 2006.

Oxford Literary Festival - Part 2

25 photos under the cut...

Oxford Literary Festival - Part 1

25 photos under the cut...