With the release of the trailer for JRR Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” fans are buzzing about the much anticipated movie. Meanwhile a new adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opened this month, stirring renewed interest in Steig Larsson’s novels.
That got us thinking about other book-to-movie adaptations. Here’s a look at past favorites, in no particular order. What would you add to the list?
Lord of the Rings: he Lord of the Rings series has been one of the most successful adaptations to date, finding a strong following among a wide variety of audiences while preserving the integrity of Tolkien’s exceptional literature.
Silence of the Lambs: Thomas Harris’ psychological thriller captivated readers, and it found new life on the big screen. The award-winning film starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins was only the first of Harris’ novels made into movies.
Atonement: The Oscar-winning adaptation of Ian McEwan’s masterpiece starred Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, and Saoirse Ronan. The film opened the 64th Venice International Film Festival, making then 35-year-old Joe Wright the youngest director to open the festival.
Jurassic Park: Though other Michael Crichton novels have found their way to the theater, Jurassic Park set a new standard for suspense movies. And…we love dinosaurs.
Chocolat: This tale of romance and drama brought together an outstanding cast and reminded us why we have such a love affair with chocolate. Adapted from a novel by Joanne Harris, the movie won five Oscars.
Harry Potter: We can’t pick just one of the movies! These adaptations of JK Rowling’s whimsical and charming novels truly inspired people of all ages to discover a love for reading.
The Thief Lord: Cornelia Funke consistently thrills readers with tales of magic and adventure. The 2006 adaptation of The Thief Lord delightfully brought all that to the big screen.
Casino Royale: But really any James Bond movie will do! Seven different actors have played the world’s favorite British spy, and Ian Fleming’s books contain all the elements for awesome adventure stories: intrigue, danger, gadgets, and even a little romance.
The Notebook: Perhaps we’re partial to Nicholas Sparks because he comes from our neck of the woods. But The Notebook stole our hearts. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams delivered stellar performances in the film version.
The da Vinci Code: Dan Brown was runaway success with this book, and the movie certainly didn’t disappoint anyone. Tom Hanks, ancient conspiracy theories, and plenty of action really made this adaptation a hit.
This month Tom Cruise has been making headlines as Ethan Hunt in the latest “Mission Impossible” movie. But before “Mission Impossible,” another famous spy arrested our imagination: James Bond. The dashing and debonair 007 was the creation of Ian Fleming, who has earned a reputation as a legendary author.
Inspiration in Action
Fleming got his start as a journalist, but later entered the British Royal Navy as an intelligence officer. It was here that he gained experience in the world of espionage. Fleming’s first appointment was as a personal assistant to Rear Admiral John Godfrey, who was the Director of Naval Intelligence. Though Fleming had no real qualifications for the position, it proved an excellent fit, and he quickly grew into the role.
Fleming later worked with Godfrey, Colonel “Wild Bill” Donovan, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt to coordinate information among various intelligence agencies, including the US agency that eventually evolved into the CIA. That experience prepared Fleming for Operation Golden Eye, an endeavor to secure an intelligence framework in Spain if the country were taken over by Germany.
Transition to Authorship
Before Fleming ever had aspirations of authorship, he was an unabashed bibliophile who began building an extensive personal library in 1929. Fleming concentrated heavily on books about science and technology, though he also collected other “books that made things happen.” His wide reading is often evident in his own work.
In 1942, Fleming visited Jamaica and determined that he’d build a home there after World War II ended. Three years later, Fleming named his estate Goldeneye, not only after his own eponymous military operation, but also after Carson McCullers’ Reflections in a Golden Eye. He didn’t set about writing his own novel until 1952.
The manuscript for Fleming’s first novel, Casino Royale, took Fleming only a few months to write. He was reluctant to share the novel because, as he told close friend William Plomer, “the element suspense is completely absent.”
Fleming himself designed the original cover art for Casino Royale, and the book sold out in the UK in less than a month. Subsequent printings remained equally popular.
The real James Bond was a British ornithologist who authored Birds of the West Indies. The book attained world fame as Fleming, a birdwatcher himself, chose the name of its author for the spy hero of Casino Royale, as he was looking for a name as “ordinary as possible.” A reference to this connection pops up in the 2002 adaptation of “Die Another Day,” which stars Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry (watcha clip here).
Fleming’s brother Peter provided significant inspiration for James Bond’s character. Peter served as an intelligence officer behind the lines in Norway and Greece.
From 1953 to 1964, Fleming wrote a new Bond novel every year during his annual holiday in Jamaica. By 1966, twelve novels and two short-story collections had been published. The last two (Man with the Golden Gunand Octopussy and the Living Daylights) were published after Fleming’s death.
Only Bond’s first five novels received positive reviews from critics. The tides began to turn with Dr. No, which received extremely harsh criticism from a number of prominent reviewers. Despite the reviews, Fleming’s work remained wildly popular among readers.
To date, Ian Fleming’s Bond books are some of the most popular fiction books of all time; they have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Seven different actors have played James Bond, and the character still continues to capture our imagination.
Christmas is fast approaching, and you still have plenty of gifts to buy. What to do? Find just the right book for every name on that list! The right book gives a lifetime of joy and pleasure. Walter Rodgers, of the Christian Science Monitor, reminds us that books have incredible power because “they are our bulwarks against time, ignorance, and barbarity.”
Christmas Classics
People of all ages have fond memories of classic Christmas tales. Perennial favorites include Clement Clarke Moore’s Night before Christmas and Chris Van Allsburg’s Polar Express, along with works by legendary illustrator Charles Van Sandwyk. First editions of these books make lovely additions to any personal library, and are also a wonderful way to introduce youngsters to the world of rare books.
But not all Christmas-themed books are illustrated; numerous authors have focused on the holiday season as backdrops for their works. Saul Bellow’s Dean’s December, for instance takes place during the holiday season. And Nancy Atherton breathes a little Yuletide cheer into her famous series with Aunt Dimity’s Christmas.
Legendary Authors
Certain authors have remained popular throughout the ages, and some modern authors have emerged as true literary emissaries of our age. From Umberto Eco and Doris Lessing, to Philip Roth and JRR Tolkien, these legendary authors represent some of the greatest artists and thinkers of our century.
First editions of works by these authors make excellent gifts. Their universal appeal and perennial popularity among collectors mean that they’ll generally continue to hold value over time.
Hobbies and Interests
A fantastic way to select gift books is to consider the recipient’s hobbies and interests. Books about a favorite subject are always welcome, and they make lovely complements to the hobbyist’s library:
If you’d like help selecting the right books for everyone on your holiday list, or if you have questions about shipping options, please feel free to contact us.
The holidays have arrived, and with the season come hectic schedules. It can be easy to lose sight of the joy and celebration that also accompany this time of year. Our favorite children’s Christmas books beautifully capture those themes.
A Classic Christmas Tale
When Clement Moore penned A Visit from St. Nicholas in 1822, he had no idea that the poem would endure for over a century. In fact, the piece was first published anonymously. It was only later that Moore acknowledged authorship. We now know the poem as Twas the Night before Christmas, and many families now read it every Christmas Eve.
Children’s illustrators are frequently inspired by this beloved tale. Tasha Tudor’s rendition is particularly lovely. Renowned pop-up artist Robert Sabuda also created a wonderful limited edition of the book that people of all ages will cherish.
Modern Favorites
Modern authors and illustrators have followed in Moore’s footsteps, including many Caldecott winners. They’ve introduced new stories to our Christmas traditions:
Hilary Knight’s Christmas Nutshell Library includes Knight’s interpretation of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas, along with three other modern holiday tales.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg seized our imaginations and even inspired a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks.
Mother Nature can wreak havoc on rare books. Sunning, water damage, and humidity can all cause damage to your collection. Another enemy of your books may also be lurking on your shelves: the dreaded bookworm. They’ll tunnel right into the block, riddling the book with countless gullies and channels.
Bookworms aren’t really worms—they’re actually the larvae of several species of beetles. While these insects don’t generally attack modern books, they pose a significant threat to antiquarian books. The critters seem particularly fond of the glues used on the backs of older books, particularly those of Italian provenance. From the backs of the books, the insects often move on to the block, munching right through the pages.
You may have seen the telltale signs of bookworms: fine dust falling from between the pages when you open up a favorite volume, or tiny piles of paper dust on your shelves. These insects also don’t stop munching when they’re done with your favorite tomes. They may also feast on your bookshelves. A few simple steps will help keep your library pest free:
Keep food away from your books! I love a good snack while reading just as much as the next person, but crumbs in books attract all kinds of insects.
Use camphor or naphthalene as a deterrent. You can soak linen in either, and place it on the bookshelf. Re-soak the fabric whenever the scent fades.
Some experts recommend sprinkling fine pepper along the edges of the bookshelf, though Keating’s Insect Powder might be an equally effective alternative.
Don’t use pesticide or plastic wrapping on your rare books without first consulting a professional.
Maintain optimum humidity levels in your library. High moisture levels can attract insects.
If insects have struck your rare books, it’s important to act fast if you want to prevent further damage. To kill existing insects, place the book in a bag with a cloth soaked in ether. Repeat every two weeks for a few months to kill any other larvae that may have hatched.
If insects have damaged the boards of your book, talk to a professional book binder about your options. The boards may require replacement. This is often the best course of action, since the old boards may still contain insect eggs. A qualified book binder will be able to assess the damage and suggest multiple options for repair.
After investing in rebinding and repair, you may want to consider a clamshell case for your book. Made to precisely fit each book, clamshell cases offer extra protection from dust and moisture.
We all know that aroma. Perhaps it evokes trips to the library as a child, or the cozy ambience of a grandfather’s study. It’s the distinctive scent of old books.
The Science behind the Scent
Scientists say that “old book smell” is more than just mustiness; it contains hints of grass and vanilla. That’s because all the compounds used to make the book release distinctive odors as they break down. For example, lignin, which is present in all wood-based paper, is closely related to vanillin. As it breaks down, the lignin grants old books that faint vanilla scent.
It’s even possible to approximate the age of a book based on its smell. Chemists have identified 15 substances often present in books (known as VOC’s) that degrade (and therefore emit a gas) at a predictable rate. The researcher behind the project, Matija Strlic of University College London’s Centre for Sustainable Heritage, was inspired to investigate when he saw a conservator sniffing paper to assess its quality. Chemist Lorraine Gibson has taken Strlic’s research further, and is working on a test to help experts date books and other paper materials based on the VOC breakdown.
Banishing Other Odors from the Library
But what if a book has a stronger (and less pleasant) odor? Cookbooks, for instance, may smell of food if they’ve been stored in the kitchen. Other scents that may creep into your pages include tobacco or nicotine. Poor air circulation—along with the resulting mold and mildew—are also frequent culprits of malodorous pages.
While an unappealing smell doesn’t directly impact the value of a rare book, it can decrease your enjoyment of that book. If that’s the case, have hope! With these tips from the Dartmouth College Library, you can rid your volumes of unwanted odor:
Find a container large enough to hold your book, and another larger container with a lid. A garbage can and a plastic crate work well. Just be sure that the containers have never been used for food or liquid.
Place an odor-absorbing material (like baking soda, charcoal briquettes, or even kitty litter) in the larger container.
Gently open your book and place it flat inside the container. If you’re doing multiple books at once, you can also leave the books upright, with the pages slightly fanned out.
Put the smaller container inside the larger one, and close the lid of the larger container.
Check the book after several days. If the book still stinks, close it up again. If the offending smell has dissipated, put the book back in your library.
And a word about your library: it’s necessary to take a few precautions to keep the smell from returning. Be sure that the air circulates well in your library, and control both temperature and humidity. Gently dust your books on a regular basis, as dirt and other buildup can encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving? Perhaps it’s the golden brown turkey, or Grandma’s green bean casserole. But we know it’s probably the pumpkin pie…Whatever your Thanksgiving Day favorites may be, find some inspiration to shake things up this year.
Take a Cue from Culinary Visionaries
Whether you’re an amateur foodie, a serious cookbook collector, or a true blue epicurean, you’ll find inspiration in the words and work of great chefs.
Thanksgiving is all about comfort food, and no chef does that better than Paula Deen. Cooks love her rich, hearty recipes, and collectors love Deen’s status as an icon of the American culinary scene.
One woman singlehandedly changed the face of cooking: Julia Child. Enthusiasts still look to Child’s cookbooks for guidance on creating classic recipes—with a bit of flair. She remains a perennial favorite among chefs and rare book collectors alike.
If you want cooking the Thanksgiving meal to be a family affair, look to celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. A crowd favorite, Lagasse makes cooking accessible to people of every ability level.
Look to the Past for Inspiration
Cooking and cuisine have evolved over the years, and Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to revisit our culinary roots with rare cookbooks.
Even before celebrity chefs and fancy appliances, home cooking was still seen as an art form. Recall that simplicity with titles like Home Cookery, published in 1902.
Recall the rustic roots of modern Southern cooking with Cross Creek Cookery, a collection of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century recipes by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
Sure, Thanksgiving celebrates the beginnings of America. But that doesn’t mean we should stick only to American fare. The same goes for any cookbook collection; bring an international flavor to your table—and your shelf—this season.
Thanksgiving is all about tasting a wide variety of dishes. What better way to carry on that tradition with tapas from Spain? Bring a taste of robust flavor to the table this year.
The holiday also gives us an opportunity to visit with family. And the cuisine of Italy is synonymous with family-style dining.
As we head into the holidays, the kitchen and dinner table will be the center of attention. Now’s the perfect time to supplement your cookbook collection.
Charles Dickens has inspired generations of writers, readers, and book lovers. Born in 1812, Dickens earned the reputation of preeminent novelist of the Victorian era. His contributions to literature mean that Charles Dickens’ books remain incredibly appealing to rare book collectors. Bet you didn’t know these tidbits about Charles Dickens:
Dickens’ novels and stories first appeared in monthly or serial format. Most authors of his day would write entire novels, and publish sections at a time. Dickens, on the other hand, wrote each episode as he went along.
His novels and short stories are so popular that they have never gone out of print.
Dickens’ father, John, was a notorious spendthrift who eventually ended up in debtors’ prison. The rest of the family soon joined him–with the exception of 12-year-old Charles, who went to live with an old family friend.
Dickens was eventually forced to leave school and take a job in a blacking factory. He worked ten-hour days in often cruel conditions. Dickens’ experience there formed the foundation of Dickens’ opinions on labor and socioeconomic conditions.
For almost four years, Dickens served as a court reporter. That inside look at the court system informed novels like Dombey and Son. It also provided Dickens’ contemporaries with an enlightening glimpse at how England’s court system really worked.
Dickens met his first love, Maria Beadnell, in 1830. Her parents disapproved of Dickens and sent Maria to boarding school in Paris. Most scholars agree that Maria was the inspiration behind Dora in David Copperfield.
When Dickens published his first work, Sketches by Boz, he certainly chose an odd pseudonym. Dickens had nicknamed his brother “Moses,” which when pronounced through the nose, sounds like “Boses.” Boz was the shortened version of this nickname.
For years, Dickens’ full pseudonym was “The Inimitable Boz.” Eventually he dropped “Boz” and was known simply as “The Inimitable.”
Dickens, an avid abolitionist, made his first visit to the US in 1842. He carefully documented the atrocities of slavery. Dickens also visited President John Tyler.
In May 1846, Dickens undertook to establish a home for “fallen women” at the behest of Angela Burdett Coutts. He became extremely active in daily operations, and even interviewed potential residents personally.
In 1858, Dickens separated from his wife, Catherine, with whom he had ten children. He embarked on an ambitious reading tour, sometimes doing both matinee and evening performances.
Dickens burned virtually all his personal correspondence in September 1860, ostensibly to destroy evidence of his affair with Ellen Ternan. Ternan received an annuity from Dickens when he died, and it is hypothesized that the two had a child who died in infancy.
Dickens exercised an odd obsession with the paranormal. He was one of the early members of The Ghost Club, an organization devoted to investigation of paranormal activity.
Collectors of Charles Dickens rely on the definitive bibliography compiled by John C. Eckel in 1932.
The process of gilding has existed since ancient times, when both Greeks and Egyptians covered wooden statues in metal. The technique was picked up by book binders as a means to protect pages from the oils and dirt of human hands—in addition to making the book itself more beautiful.
Modern bookbinders use a variety of highly specialized techniques to gild books, usually with gold or silver. The gilding process has, naturally, evolved over time as technology grants more available tools and knowledge. Gilding may be applied to the cover, spine, and block of a book. If the pages are gilt, you may see rare book sellers describe the books in one of two ways:
All edges gilt (AEG): All three sides of the block are gilt.
Top edge gilt (TEG): Only the top edge of the block is gilt.
Individual pages within the book may also be gilt. These are described as being illuminated.
Caring for Books with Gilded Designs
Gilt edges can be susceptible to scratches and other physical damage, so they should be handled with care. Gilding on the spine and cover may be particularly vulnerable, since they have no protection. A few options are available for preservation of gilt edges, covers, and spines:
They can be enclosed in archival mylar protection. The “plastic” can protect the gilding from wear due to rubbing.
Like all rare books, books should be protected from sunlight. A custom made slip-case or clamshell-case are most suitable ways to protect books from sunlight and general damage.
Meanwhile, when you handle books with gilt designs and pages, it’s important to be gentle and treat the books with care. Avoid placing the book on rough surfaces and cleaning or wiping them with chemicals. Consult an expert before cleaning a gilt book.
Award-winning children’s illustrator Charles van Sandwyk has developed a reputation for drawings and watercolors that look like they hark from ages—and places—past. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1966, van Sandwyk grew up surrounded by art. His father was a graphic designer, and their home was filled with a wealth of antique prints and paintings.
The family emigrated to Vancouver in 1977. By that time, van Sandwyk had already developed a knack for calligraphy. During secondary school, he began experimenting with copper plate etchings. Van Sandwyk followed in his fathers footsteps, entering the graphic design program at Capilino College in Vancouver.
After completing that program in 1986, van Sandwyk departed for Fiji. His family had spent time there during his childhood, and he remained deeply connected to the place. Van Sandwyk continues to spend several months each year in Fiji.
As an illustrator, van Sandwyk looks to his childhood for inspiration: the birds and animals of South Africa and Fiji; the artwork and gardens of his parents’ home; sepia photographs of relatives; and the illustrated books he read in his youth. “To many people my work appears to have stepped out of another time and place,” he says. His works include the following:
The definitive source for information about editions of van Sandwyk’s work is Charles van Sandwyk: An Interim Bibliography. The bibliography is an indispensible resource for avid collectors of van Sandwyk and related ancillary materials.
Which children’s illustrators made an impact on you and your family?
