There had been a new arrival of books at work. A delivery I had been waiting for since the beginning of April. The bookshelves that once displayed art books were now glistening from far. I inched closer to get a better look at the covers that were drawing me in. From a distance, they looked like they belonged to various art movements of the 20th century or a gallery wall. But as the saying goes “never judge a book by its cover” because in actual fact these beautiful facades held (fictional) stories from the nineteenth century. A period noted for its admirable writers.
Taking my time looking over each cover and reading the titles. I tried to draw a link between the stories and the designs. Nineteenth-century authors meets twenty-first-century designers. I picked up my classical favourites and skimmed through the pages as fast as I could, one line is enough to inspire me. For a long while, I was in search of The Dracula. I’d either find it, check the price and put the book back or not find it at all and wish I had bought it when I had the chance. Having forgotten about the novel, here it now was in front of me looking bold and beautiful, in a red leather jacket. There’s something extra special about classical novels to have lasted centuries and still make limited edition (cover) appearances selling in their tens of thousands. They are not just a one time read. Their style of writing is studied repeatedly during English classes and looked upon for reference or research. I for one still turn the pages of Charles Dickens books to brush up on creative writing.
After not much contemplation, The Dracula (book) was purchased, bagged up and now added to my reading list. My mini home library received an attractive package in the shape of vintage glamour. Make some room matte prints. From school till now I have read classical books in all backings, a penguin classic paperback, an everyman classic hardback and also digital (back). Thanks to Project Guten, who have done a fantastic job of adding around 22,000 classical books online to read for free. This was a project that started off in 1991 as adding one book a month and now three decades later has advanced to 400 books a month.
Book covers have continuously received makeovers swayed by the changing trends. I wowed at the latest looks. A compilation of simplicity and ceaseless patterns. 3d jackets coated in single, metallic colours. I’m cheering on modern artists for bringing to the surface unique designs.
Blame It On Art 