30 June 2009

House of Beauty & Culture Book of...


"DISPENSARY TO THE SOUL"
Library Inscription in Trajan's Forum

bust from the estate of YSL

Recently a favorite blogger- House of Beauty and Culture- stopped curating his almost daily postings. A favorite, an inspiration. It seems much like a favorite book- reading through and when finished- You don't want it to end- You don't- but it does. You remember it, quote it- it leaves a lasting impression.
now playing





What Books are on your Summer reading list?

Downcast Eyes: The Denigration of Vision in Twentieth-Century French Thought
by Martin Jay


Bright Young People: The Rise and Fall of a Generation 1918-1940 by D.J. Taylor


Rougues' Gallery by Michael Gross

Iris Origo by Caroline Moorehead

Maeve Brennan: Homesick at the New Yorker by Angela Bourke

Little Me by Patrick Dennis

Diary of a Drag Queen by Daniel Harris

Madeleine Castaing by Jean-Noel Liaut

Geoffrey Beene by Kim Hastreiter



Is there one book you honestly don’t expect to get to? Why?

Don't think I will finish the Castaing book. Only because it is in French and requires a greater degree of attention.


Where do you read and When? Does the genre you are reading dictate the place you read- in other words, Do you take just any old book to bed?


I read on the sofa, better known here as the raft of the Medusa, in the living room. The book and time depends entirely on the mood. Which works well as there are usually three on the go.



What is you all time Favorite Book for its sense of place?

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin




What is your favorite Genre?

Biography and art/fashion monographs.

What is your most recent purchase in this category?

why?

I find creative people interesting.

What is your Security Blanket Book?



What about Books you are reading for a second or third time? Why? Any disappointments on second reading?

Don't reread per say, I dip back into for favourite passages.

Latest Obsession Author, Designer, Photographer?


Going out on a limb here –define LIBRARY in the nontraditional sense?

Anything (whether it be fabric samples, images, or music) that is referenced and serves as an inspiration.



...this answer I adore. It says what I could not quite put into words. Indeed, that is what the Blog -House of Beauty of Culture was for Me- and likely other of its readers,

An inspiration.

A constant source of joy, humour, of learning-

A Library.



photograph from HOBAC's latest obession





*all grotesque letters from Bibliodyssey.

How do you define A Library? a beautiful book waits for your answer-What does a Library look like at your house? music, textiles, children's books, photo albums? I'd love to hear about it-the book HOME awaits you- HOME by STAFFORD CLIFF (pb) "5o Tastemakers describe what it is, Where it is, What it means."

12 comments:

  1. I do so miss HOBAC. HIs wonderful blog was a regular stop for me over coffee. And such a delightful book list. Of course I would expect no less.

    A couple of years ago I converted a dressing room off my bedroom into a library. We were drowning in books....teetering stacks by every chair. It was the best thing I ever did. It's even Edward's favourite room.

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  2. He is sorely missed, if not only for his music choices!
    I love his answer of what a library is -he is SO right! For me it might be some pieces of porcelain in my collection, or even more importantly, my photographs I take everyday. I have 10,000s on my computer. Thank god for digital cameras!

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  3. I miss him too! Just finished reading Bright Young People about a month ago- perfect for the Summer.

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  4. What a lovely treat to hear his voice again. I have created "libraries" in almost every room (not room in bathrooms, but the dining room is now in my sights). I like living with spines. I like being able to pick up a book anywhere I have a free moment. I appreciate the comments by HOBAC and AD that a library is larger than books alone. In that vein, I think a library is a collection of pieces of our heart and soul.

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  5. Truly and madly love HOBAC and miss him terribly. So good to read his words again. He was such a clear and unique voice in blogland.

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  6. to All- a collective- COME HOME HOBAC ! I hope we will get to hear from him again. What a wonderful blog- One of the 2- I can site that continued to inspire me- I am sure you all would agree. I am so lucky to have been able to post his list and share it! hey.

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  7. Who was he? where did he go? I feel as though some exotic bird flew into the room, out the window and I missed it.


    A library for me could be a small horse carrying it's weight in gold bars. Only these bars are the beacons revealing worlds that were previously unknown to me. As long as we have books, anywhere will do.

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  8. A blogging tragedy but thank goodness you nailed his reading list!

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  9. Clarity- I am surprised you didn't run in to him on carnaby street! Enjoyed reading thru your blog. HOBAC- House of Beauty and Culture is in London somewhere Calling. A terrific blog that has decided to stop the presses. I am sorry you missed it too- I do hope he returns at some point- Keep the windows open! thanks for visiting. LA

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  10. I hope HOBAC will check in with us sometime. thank you for the comments- Home before Dark I have a beautiful HOME book for you. g.

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  11. HOBAC, if you're reading this -- come back! I miss you every day.

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  12. Mamcita- couldn't agree more. Sorely missed, I hope HOBAC will return! lets keep the idea alive. .g

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