Willis Talk

Books on Bikes

2007-09-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

Now is the perfect time for bike riding. It is cooler but not too cold.

Here are some images from On Your Bicycle and The Bicycle, two books about the history of the bike.

Retro Boook: Gifts to Make Yourself

2007-09-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

Ugh, this book is wonderfully hideous. You would make these gifts for yourself if you didn't like yourself too much.

Okay, I'll admit it, I would totally want this if I were a little girl. It beats lead poisoning any day.

Nightmare fuel.

Allover Patterns for Designers and Craftsmen

2007-09-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Nothing much to write here. The pictures and title say it all.

Retro Book: Camping and Outdoor Cooking

2007-09-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

Though we are nearing the end of summer, Texas stays so warm that it is great for summer activities well into October. And what could be more of a summer activity than camping?

People in the fifties were a hardy bunch who enjoyed activities like "foil cooking" and creating picnics just for teens. I think this has something to do with the fact that cable television wasn't around yet, but I digress.

Camping and Outdoor Cooking is one half cookbook, one half lifestyle manual. With recipes for everything from Frog Legs to Dude Corn to Bear Steaks to Fried Squirrel, these people were no strangers to heart disease. The recipes are weird but delightful. Just be warned, there are some images that are not so politically correct.

Retro Book: For Whom the Cloche Tolls

2007-08-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

And you thought that all the kids are self-centered with our myspace, and blogging and the media's infatuation with Paris Hilton. This woman's journal takes it to a new level, albeit a fun one.

For Whom the Cloche Tolls is billed as a "Scrapbook for the Twenties," and indeed it does deliver rich tales of the twenties with lively illustrations.

Fiction: Asthmatica

2007-08-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy Canadian Literature jokes, (and who doesn't?) this is the book for you. Actually, even if you don't like Canadian Lit jokes, this is still a good book.

His style is a little like Durang or Leyner. These stories are short, but perfect for summer relaxing. I was especially fond of the story about the boy who was in love with his vacuum.

Film Art: An Introduction

2007-08-06T10:58:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why film buffs go nuts over Citizen Kane? Bordwell &Thompsons' book breaks apart scenes from movies to explain film technique .

Fun and filled with pictures, the 8th edition of this book really makes you think about things like, how deliberate is the placement of that lamp in scene 4...which could be a good or a bad thing :) Enjoy!

Retro Book: Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book

2007-07-31T07:17:00.000-07:00

For sheer retro bliss, you cannot beat Better Homes and Gardens. A lot of these styles have come back in fashion, others....not so much.

This particular volume is a treasure trove of modern furniture. There is a sprinkling of early 60's in here up until the mid 70's. Check out this flickr set.

Retro Book: Clothes: Part of Your World

2007-07-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

This lovely number from 1973 teaches tweens and teens how to sew clothes and pick the appropriate cut for them. The illustrations are gorgeous and stylish for the time. A lot of the advice is still true today.

Retro Book: This is Texas by M. Sasek

2007-07-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

Finding this was one of those moments when you stumble upon something completely wonderful by accident. I found This is Texas in the stacks and then found out there is an entire series of these books that we own.

The art is wonderfully retro and though a lot of the landmarks in this book have changed, it still gives me fond memories of my home state.