Le Train de Nulle Part (A novel without verbs )

Le Train de Nulle Part (The Train from Nowhere) is a 233-page French novel, written in 2004 by a French doctor of letters, Michel Dansel, under the pen name Michel Thaler. Notable as an example of constrained writing, the entire novel is written without a single verb.
In the novel's preface, Thaler called the verb an "invader, dictator, usurper of our literature". Considering the novel a step towards literature comparable with the artistic impact of Dadaism and surrealism, Thaler surmised, "The verb is like a weed in a field of flowers. You have to get rid of it to allow the flowers to grow and flourish. Take away the verbs and the language speaks for itself." Thaler went so far as to organize a well-attended, tongue-in-cheek funeral for the verb, at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Le Train

 De Nulle Part

Children's book

Hilarious. For all you new parents out there. :)

(Via New York Magazine)

Birthday book

My lovelies, I wanted to share my dad's 60th birthday present (just because I'm so excited about it). I made him a hardcover photo book filled with snapshots from all stages of his life. It was so much fun looking through family shots and choosing favorites, including a few he had never seen! (How hilarious is his expression in his wedding photo, by the way?) When I gave it to him this past weekend, he was so touched and couldn't stop looking through it. It was one of those truly special life moments.

(P.S. I made the book through Pinhole Press, and the book felt beautiful, with silky paper and a linen cloth hardcover. This book is the exact one I choose, but there are a bunch of other lovely options. Would be amazing to make a wedding album, too, don't you think? xo)

Tina Fey's new book

Tina Fey's memoir, Bossypants, comes out today! She talks hilariously about her life, from her awkward childhood in Pennsylvania and one-sided college romance to her days at Saturday Night Live and near-fatal honeymoon. The reviews are raving, and I can't wait to read it, especially the chapter on juggling work and motherhood, a topic near and dear to my heart. Are you going to read it? (Also, thoughts on the cover?)

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR BOSSYPANTS:
"I hope that's not really the cover. That's really going to hurt sales." (Don Fey, Father of Tina Fey)
"Totally worth it." (Trees)

My favorite photo of Tina, from an American Express ad a while back:

Embroidered book covers

How breathtakingly gorgeous are these embroidered book covers by Jillian Tamaki? She made them for Penguin Books, and rumor has it that they'll be available this fall. SO beautiful. (I'm sure Jane Austen would have wholeheartedly approved. I love Emma's little freckles!)

P.S. More + amazing + book covers.

(By Jillian Tamaki, via Black Eiffel)

Jane Austen comic

Speaking of Jane Austen, here's a little comic. ;)

(By Kate Beaton, via Kat)

Cup-of-Jo Gift Guide Part #4: Your Best Friend Who Wears the Prettiest Lipsticks and Knows (and Keeps) All Your Secrets.

A cozy cardigan, $72. (I love this mustard yellow!)

A cute striped tote, $39.

Ponytail styling lotion for the perfect high pony, $22.

A custom portrait of her beloved pup, $300...or one of these adorable (and more wallet-friendly) animal prints, $20.

New York pencils to inspire her to visit, $11.

A morse code necklace that spells "friend," $36.

Caramel marshmallows with sea salt and toffee crumbles, $13.

A rad street-style memory game from Amsterdam, $17.

A pretty pink bralet that you know she'll love, $36.

The world's cutest coffee-table book, $31.50.

P.S. More gifts for best friends...

Brooklyn Diary

Our girl Lena just curated a new book, Brooklyn Diary, which takes a look at the daily lives of 21 Brooklyn artists, documented by 10 Brooklyn photographers. They reveal their favorite neighborhood spots and offer peeks inside their quirky homes. Part-coffeetable book and part-travel guide, Brooklyn Diary will be released on October 11th. I'm really excited for it. Congrats, Lena!

(These photos show Anna and Tim Harrington and their sons Benji and Casper. As lead singer of the punk band Les Savy Fav, Tim is known for his crazy theatrics--he must be such a fun dad. Anna and Tim also run the textile company Deadly Squire. Their photos make me want to pickle vegetables and buy a pool.)




(Photos by Jessica Antola)

Nature prints

Loving the artwork from Miles of Light. (Aren't the bookmarks pretty?)

Guest Post: Summer Camping Trip

An inspiration board for a summer camping trip. Left to right, top to bottom: 1. Vintage postcard; 2. A Field Guide to Weeds book; 3. address book; 4. botanical chart card; 5. Billykirk overnight bag; 6. Roger Miller album; 7. Cole Haan boots; 8. field sketches by William Berry; 9. striped bathing suit; 10. vintage Minolta camera.

-- By Anna from Rifle Paper Co.