Here at Books Tell You Why, we love all things Charleston, especially the Charleston Library Society. Recently the Society opened up a new bindery and asked an emerging talent in the book binding world to take its helm. At 22, Brien represents a new generation of dedication to rare and antiquarian books. Brien was kind enough to chat with us about how he discovered the craft of book binding, the projects he's worked on, and the future of his craft.
Today is the birthday of legendary author JRR Tolkien. To celebrate the day, we sat down to talk with Pieter Collier, leading Tolkien collector and scholar. Since 2002, Collier has maintained The Tolkien Library, a website dedicated to all things JRR Tolkien. Collier has been fascinated with Tolkien since childhood, and he's built an incredibly impressive collection around the author.
Today families around the world gathered around a Christmas tree to open gifts. This tradition seems as old as the holiday itself, but in reality these practicesand many othersare relatively new inventions. And Charles Dickens can be credited with introducing or popularizing some of our favorite elements of the Christmas holiday
This holiday season, many of us will be traveling to see family and loved ones. Perhaps you're heading to a warmer locale, where you can thaw out for a bit, or maybe you're going north to enjoy a white Christmas. Either way, these holiday travels can turn into unexpected, er, adventures. As you prepare for your own expeditions, draw some inspiration from these fearless explorers and survivalists.
Clement Clarke Moore forever changed our Christmas traditions with his iconic poem, A Visit from St Nicholas, now better known as The Night before Christmas. Thanks to Moore, Christmas became a more child-centered holiday, with gifts and goodies for the younger generation.
On December 7, 1933 the United States lifted its ban on James Joyce's Ulysses. Federal Judge John M. Woolsey presided over the Supreme Court case. After taking a month to read the book, Justice Woolsey said that the book was not only not obscene, but was also a work of literary merit.
On this day in 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament. The four-page document contained less than a page explaining the prize that would bear his name. A scientist, writer, and political activist, Nobel sought to encourage exceptional work in several fields: physics, medicine, chemistry, peace, and literature.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! While today means turkey and stuffing, tomorrow means the biggest shopping day of the year. If you'd rather skip the Black Friday mayhem, find the perfect literary gift for everyone on your list--without even leaving the house. Here's a look at some favorite books that make exceptional holiday gifts.
