Books galore

This 1924 photo of an Egyptian bookseller is part of my collection of Lehnert & Landrock photos and heliogravures. This image was produced from an original L&L plate at the Cairo-based publisher and bookstore.

Is there such a thing as having too many books? I don't think so. Here's an excerpt from Australian poet's Zora Bernice May Cross's (1890-1964) take on the subject:

"Oh! Bury me in books when I am dead,
Fair quarto leaves of ivory and gold,
And silk octavos, bound in brown and red,
That tales of love and chivalry unfold.
Heap me in volumes of fine vellum wrought,
Creamed with the close content of silent speech;
Wrap me in sapphire tapestries of thought
From some old epic out of common reach.
I would my shroud were verse-embroidered too---
Your verse for preference—in starry stitch,
And powdered o’er with rhymes that poets woo,
Breathing dream-lyrics in moon-measures rich..."

Undoubtedly you're familiar with prize-winning photographer Steve McCurry's astonishing work in Southeast Asia and Afghanistan. His new book In the Shadow of Mountains, features gorgeous portraits, landscapes and street photography taken over the last 27 years in Afghanistan. It's published by Phaidon and you can order it here.

If you're not familiar with Jeffrey Yamaguchi's excellent ideas in 52 Projects, you should be! His book (and his blog) is chock-full of creative projects for everyone. Check out his new book Working for the Man. I suspect anyone who's ever worked in an office - particularly on software and computer development projects - will relate to Jeffrey's wry look at daily challenges in Cubicle Land.

Comments

[Marcelo]

My compliments for your great shots.
Can I use some as inspiration for my paintings?
Kind regards

Marcelo

[Frida]

I love the poem and thanks so much for the heads up on the new book by Steve McCurry - you know I want that one.

Your brocante finds are always so much fun to peak at!

[maddie]

Tara ~ I keep coming back and staring at this image ~
I am so madly in love with it ~
what a beautiful beautiful photo:)

[tinker]

Well...if you have enough bookcases - which we don't at the moment, but neither of us can bear to part with our books, so we'll live with the stacks, I guess. Till some more cases can be found.
Love the photo!

[Gillian @ Indigo Blue]

OOOohhh, there I go again with the OOooohs. But the photo...lovely.
I like that Lehnert. He is good!
xo
Gillian

[Jeffrey Yamaguchi]

Thank you so much for mentioning the new Working For The Man book! I really, really appreciate that. Best, JY.

[gautami tripathy]

That picture look like from India although you did say it is an Egyptian bookseller.

I am glad I came here. I was missing your post!

I love to read. I write reviews too.

http://readingandmorereading.blogspot.com

For me, there can never be too many books...

[Claudia]

There is NOTHING better, nothing more titillating than walking in to a dimly lit bookstore with shelves upon shelves, laden with old, slightly dusty books. The scent of parchment, leather and ink melded with the allure and promise of words never read, adventures to be had, wisdom to gain, is enough to send this book geek right over the edge.

[Heather T.]

Never too many!!!

[Jeanne]

Here's to books, books fabulous books.
Love you
Jeanne

A book is a gift we can open again and again.
Love and hugs and smiles across the miles

[Rethabile]

Heck, bury me in books, too, when I die. Skip the romance literature, though. All the other books will do.

What a picture this is!

And thanks for the introduction to Bernice May Cross.

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

I love books ....and I particularly like this picture

[chiefbiscuit]

Books, books, glorious books! Oh. was that mean to be food? But aren't books the food of the soul? So maybe it makes sense after all ;)
BTW I have awarded you an award over at my place.

[marja]

Oh beautiful poem and picture Tara. I also would like to be buried in books. That's easy because from every libary sale and garagesale I go to, I come home with boxes full. My husband loves it. Not ! Blogging took away my reading time but alas there are no 48 hours in a day.

[marita]

unfortunately books seem to loose the battle against dull electronic games and computer gadgets - at least concerning the younger generations. would like to go back in time to stand in awe before the scripts of the library in alexandria before it's final destruction, to touch and read just a few scripts that were lost for ever, still not known and never will to us 'modern' men left behind still searching in the dark...
and perhaps finaly start to believe ... for it is written!!

[M erisi's Vienna]

Excellent and very touching image!
"Books open
and you fall in."

[AscenderRisesAbove]

amazing photography; really like the sepia tint.

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

Gems, both! Thanks, Tara! K.

[Amber]

Oh yes. Bury me in books, too! Can you do that? Get buried in books? Or turn me to ash, and add me to the paper. That would be cool. But only of a great book! Maybe a reprinting of 'Forever Amber' ?? hehe

:)

[Mary T.]

I'm so glad I found time to come and read your site today! I've not had a lot of time this week, and I love the whole 52 projects idea! Bookmarked it! What a great find. I'm off to read some blogs and get caught up with the rest of the world. Thanks!

[naturegirl]

Tara I love the poem! The image fits perfectly! One surely gets lost in a book - a pure luxury! Hugs aNNa.
.so pleased that you got in on my ,,,GIVEAWAY,,, I thought they were the cutest old bags!

[Vida]

I have about 75 (at last count) cook books, most of which I have never cooked anything out of BUT I learn from ever one of them... novels well there might just be a few of those (more than cook books because after all they are smaller and easier to store) and magazines well they don't even count... the answer to your question Tara, can you have too many books, NO, NO, NO, they are life and they are education of life, I cannot be without them or I am nothing, I NEED them to survive... it's that simple... they take me to place I want to go... Vida x

[Colette]

Heavens, no, you can never have too many books. They are vital to me; it would be a miserable existence without them.

Beautiful photo! xox

[cheeky]

There is something soothing about being on the company of books. Their presence makes the room comfortable and warm. What is it about being in a bookstore? I somehow travel the world when I'm in one.

[rochambeau]

This photo is beautiful, and you must feel fortunate that it is part of your collection! The prose are beautiful too.
I am not familiar with Jeffery Yamuguchi, but I look forward to finding out more. Most people like to do lots of things. The photo above reminds me of my husband his one passion is reading. He lives to read! I feel fortunate that I learned to read and that I enjoy it so much. Reading has changed my life!

[La Belette Rouge]

This is a beautiful blog and a lovely post. I am so happy to find you. I am off to more deeply explore your blog and the lovely links you offered.
Merci,
LBR

[Cherie]

Tara, you find some of the most interesting places for us to check out!!! And books?? This poem is lovely...one can never have too many books!! Perish the thought!!

[somepinkflowers]

to say you can have too many books
is like saying

you
can have too much s*x,
can have too much chocol*te.

see...

:-)

NO WAY.................

[Cre8Tiva]

do bury me in books...that is how i want to be...my library ismy best friend...blessings, rebecca

[Bhavna]

Tara, this is such beautiful image! I like the way he is reading a book..so engrossed..

And thanks for the links..will definitely check them out!