Catching up on some more reader correspondence!
From Carol:
You probably already know about this—the Voynich manuscript—but I was looking at some cool pictures on National Geographic and thinking about how, really, it’s just someone’s very beautiful notebook!
And I’ve crossed the line into custom-made—this week Staples is making three wire-o-bound graph paper notebooks in a specific size to match the planner I use, and I can’t wait to get them. Wondering if any other readers have tried this. I looked long and hard online for a way to order custom notebooks (picturing a nice “build-your-own” website with a wide choice of paper, covers, sizes, bindings, pockets etc.) but no luck.
I had never heard of the Voynich manuscript– what a cool find! As for custom notebooks, I have tried to make some custom notebooks, and alter notebooks I’ve purchased in various ways over the years. I’ve heard of other people contacting printers to have notebooks made to their own specifications, sometimes just for their own use and sometimes to sell (I’ll be reviewing one such project soon.) Anyone else have stories to share?
From Dave, an interesting article he describes as “Endorsing the personalization of one’s books and the enhancement of the
reading experience through marginalia.” I remember reading this article, which I’m sure will bring out passionate disagreement among book lovers– the author argues that you should use the book you’re reading as almost a notebook, jotting your thoughts and reactions in the margins. But some people hate to mess up their books! I’ve definitely done it both ways myself, but I tend to prefer to write about books in my notebooks. How about you?
And Alex shared a link to an Etsy shop called Cleverhands, who make a variety of straps to hold pens onto notebooks. They also make some notebooks too!
Thank you loyal readers and contributors! Keep ’em coming (and I’ll keep being backlogged for months)!
I have a cleverhands book band and it works very well on my Hand*book square book.
I find the Voynich manuscript fascinating — I can’t imagine the time it would have taken to create a whole new language, although it has been done before in literary circles. Truly a mystery, and I wonder if it is indeed a medical text since there’s so much focus on plants…
As for writing in the margins of books, well I tend to do that and underline passages a lot, depending upon the text. Right now, I’m reading a Robert Frost text that includes some of his essays and speeches along with his poetry, and my pencil has been marking phrases and passages, things that intrigue me or inspire me. It never occured to me that people would think there was something wrong with writing in books:)
I think the author of the article hit the nail on the head for at least part of my resistance to e-books. It’s just not the same as taking the time to really become one with a book by turning the pages, bending the spine or writing in the margins…I have read a grand total of two ebooks on my husband’s Kindle since he got it last Christmas and probably 6 more real books.
Thanks for enlightening us and sharing these things with us Nifty!
re writing the margins
I love Alan Fletcher’s book ‘The art of looking sideways’ but couldn’t bring myself to use it like I wanted to — having it to hand always etc.- my wife bought me a second copy to scribble in and take to the bar, and lob into the car… it became a feature of lunchtime chat at the bar– what’s the new thing today, Rowland?
but can I do this with other books . . absolutely not . . .
Ah well . . .
Obligatory xkcd on the Voynich Manuscript
http://xkcd.com/593/
I am salivating over that bookband thingy-I clicked the link to take a look. They are pricey!