A two-sided love story

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As my book club friends would know, I judge books by the cover. I’ll buy a book that pops out on a shelf and catches my eye, if only for that reason.

Such was the case with Theodora Goss’ The Thorn and the Flower, a one of a kind accordion-fold bindingĀ  in a vintage-y floral scratchboard slipcase. It was a chance find — I have never seen a novel in accordion (or concertina) style before (normally picture books, hand-crafted books, and sketchbooks) , and all I could think of was how good this book would look on my bookshelf!

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International Book Giving Day

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I’m down with a cold (or possibly an allergy), but I didn’t want the day to end without writing about the International Book Giving Day.

The International Book Giving Day is a wonderful initiative that aims to get books in the hands of as many children as possible. Those joining in the celebration can either give a book to a friend or relative, leave a book in a waiting room or lobby, or donate a book to a charity.

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The Woman who Died a Lot

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I’ve been following Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series for years now, so I got the 7th book, The Woman Who Died A Lot (TN-7), as soon as it hit the shelves in Manila late last year.

The holiday rush was setting in, and I had a demanding client on my hands so I was determined to lose myself in a good book (pun intended), and Thursday Next has proven to be an old reliable.

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Lemony Snicket roundup

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I realize I’ve read a lot of Lemony Snicket in the last few months, without really meaning to. I must confess that I was not a fan of A Series of Unfortunate Events (although I loved the movie), so I didn’t feel compelled to read more than the first few books.

This Lemony Snicket phase started when his collaboration with illustrator Maira Kalman caught my eye: Why We Broke Up (not as Lemony Snicket but as Daniel Handler) andĀ the picture book 13 Words. Then I remembered I also had a copy of the picture book, The Composer Is Dead, illustrated by one of my new favorites, Carson Ellis. And then I saw Lemony Snicket’s latest book at the bookstore and figured I might as well review these books all together, so I also got a copy of Who Could That Be At This Hour?

Odds and Ends

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I love books and everything to do with them — bookmarks, book plates, reading implements, book-related toys and accessories and other bookish ephemera.

I’ve amassed a veritable loot over the holidays, thanks to some very thoughtful people.

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