Thursday, May 14, 2015

She's Crafty | The Steampunk User's Manual

Steampunk is a topic I can endlessly spend time thinking about...

Steampunk Time Contraption by Don Urban. Some rights reserved.
Pulled Crystal by Tracy B. Some rights reserved.
Steampunk novel, The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack
(Available through Link+) by Mark Hodder.

Can you really blame me? Even when I just get a glimpse of something remotely steampunk I start dreaming about fantastical gadgets, wondrous accessories, and mysterious characters who jump through time and invent the perfect tool for every job.

Imagine my delight when I came across The Steampunk User's Manual: An Illustrated Practical and Whimsical Guide to Creating Retro-Futurist Dreams by Jeff VanderMeer and Desirina Boskovich! This beautiful tome is a comprehensive guide to the w-o-r-l-d of Steampunk, the whole shebang.


From steampunk two-dimensional art and jewelry accessories to chai cycles and robo-penguins; storytelling, music, and stage performance to large scale installations, architecture, and interior design. This book is an absolute feast for the eyes and mind. Not only does Steampunk User's Manual showcase magnificent work that will inspire and delight--you get an idea of what goes on behind the scenes of some of the featured pieces as artist's talk about creating their signature projects.

Though you do not need to be a DIYer to appreciate this book, those who are willing to push their craft to the next level or have a heavy DIY background can take inspiration from the User's Manual to help them create their own work.


More steampunk craft and art books:

Steampunk as a genre of fiction can be found in all age groups. What follows is merely a taste of what we have available for checkout and is by no means a complete bibliography of all our steampunk titles...

Picture books for children:
"P is for Periscope."

  Chapter books for children:

Teen fiction is bursting with steampunk titles and series:


Don't even get me started on what's available for adults!

Okay, maybe just a few:

Malia

Monday, May 11, 2015

Just Life| The Nightingale

I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but that is what attracted me to this new book called The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. 


The Nightingale is the tale of two sisters set in World War II during the Nazi invasion of France.

Viann is the older sister who lives a quiet life in the French countryside with her husband and her daughter until the Nazis takes over her hometown.

Isabelle is the younger sister. She is beautiful and rebellious who craves for her father's affection. She ends up joining the French resistance.

This book is the story of their survival, their tragedies, and their triumphs during World War II.

The Nightingale so far has been my favorite book this year.





Signing off until next Monday- Panteha