The London Centre for Book Arts is a project by artists Simon Goode and Ira Yonemura. The Centre opened in 2012, the studio supports and promotes book arts and artist-led publishing, offering access to resources and a space for knowledge sharing. Taking cues from other 'book centres' Goode and Yonemura have tried to re-imagine and build a new model for this type of service from the ground up. They do really beautiful work, and their new tote bag is going everywhere with us our own summer wanderings this year.
Ruby Woodhouse is a UK-based designer/photographer who works across several disciplines. Fashion styling, interiors work (including work with the impeccable furniture project 1 9 3 4), and vintage clothing collections are just the beginning of her creative métier. We were thrilled when Ruby brought aspects of these pursuits to her gorgeous list, one of the most beautiful we've ever received.
Taylor Davis-Van Atta is the founder and editor-in chief of Music & Literature magazine, "with offices in Montpelier, Vermont, and Paris". Taylor's reading list is a lot like his magazine: a serious and fascinating overview of the arts that bypasses the obvious with a breadth and depth that won't insult anyone's intelligence. I, for one, am rushing after several of his recommendations already, and M&L issue 6 is definitely being added to my reading this summer as well.
Amy Audet-Arcand is one to watch. A student and artist, she first caught our eye with her fantastic Instagram feed, containing her paintings, drawings, sculptures and inspirations. Based in Montreal, Amy fell in love with Surrealist literature while traveling in Paris, finding the movement's close ties between art & writing irresistible.
Tucker Nichols is a Northern California-based artist whose work is shown in major museums and galleries throughout the world. We love the color, wit, simplicity, and beauty of everything he does, wether it's a simple illustration for the New York Times, a sculpture made of everyday objects, a wall-sized painting or a children's book. He stretched the notion of summer reading list for our feature, saying this about it:
"Every time I stay in a cabin somewhere I fantasize about getting snowed in and having to read everything on the shelves over the course of six months or whenever the seal team repels in to airlift me out. So this tower of books is less what I’m reading this summer and more my own fantasy cabin library if I had my four year old daughter with me. All titles are books I own, compiled off the top of my head, and of course I’ve already thought of many more that should be on here. I’m also curious about what a book really is—before it’s read, while you're reading it, and after. Of course it’s a physical object, but more importantly, it's the idea of that thing, and so not so different from its title written on a scrap leftover from my paper trimmer. So this pile of strips is both something I just threw together and will now add to the recycling bin, and also the most important collection of things I’ll think about all day. How have these books changed me? Why do I still own them? How many will I go back to and reread? What are these things anyhow?"
Greg Lutze is the co-founder and "Chief Creative Officer" of the photo editing app, VSCO. Frequent visitors to our Oakland shop, the people at VSCO are based here, and their enthusiasm for and involvement in a wide range of creative work is contagious and evident every time they come in. Our favorite kinds of guests!
I was curious to see how Greg, a major mover in how the world presents their lives on Instagram, would present his own personal book suggestions, and I was pleasantly un-surprised that the photos are beautiful and that the books, from a self-described "avid bookworm", were all 100% solid summer reading.
It's time once again for one of our favorite yearly features here at BOOK/SHOP, the Summer Reading List Series. As before, we've collected lists from a wide range of people we know and admire, and I'm excited to share them with you from now through August. Also, as usual, I'm kicking of the list with a selection of books I'm looking forward to digging into this summer. Check back here often for new lists!
Ruby Woodhouse
