Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Printable

As a small side project, I've been creating a series of $0.99 printables for my Etsy shop. I've wanted to veer toward literary themes because I love the community I've found in the book world. (Especially today when I received some really wonderful surprises in my inbox... that will soon show up in my snail mailbox!)

I was thinking a lot yesterday about one of my favorite books, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I always end up drawn to it on September 11 each year. I think it's such a powerful work for those of us that have grown up in this post 9/11 world and I love all the stories Jonathan Safran Foer has shared about the writing process that went into it.

Although spurred by such a tragic topic, one of my favorite things about the book is the beautiful language Foer lends to his characters that have a difficult time communicating in tradition ways. Which is what inspired me to spend a little bit of time today to throw together this 8x10 printable for my weekly project.

Have you read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close? I never saw the movie because the book is so precious to me, and my group of friends. I'd love to know other people's opinions.

If you'd like to download the hi-res version of the printable, simply visit my Etsy shop and grab the instant download for $0.99. And let me know if you do. I'd love to know. Better yet, tag me on Instagram with a snap of it up in your casa.

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my favorite John Updike quote

Wee Edgar Allan Poe

one of my most favorite photos

Pocketbook of Lightning: Mine!

I love getting mail, but I love getting books in the mail even more. Jonathan Safran Foer's "Pocketbook of Lightning" was in my mailbox today and I'm tempted to read the entire thing tonight. Part of it is from "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" so that's exciting.

Pocketbook of Lightning

I was browsing The Book Cover Archive today and came across a Jonathan Safran Foer book I didn't know existed. I guess I'm not a very die-hard Foer fan.


I just ordered "The Unabridged Pocketbook of Lightning" off Amazon and can't wait for it to get here. I really like how simple and obvious this cover design is, and as with most Foer covers, the hand-written typography look.

Cover design by Ruslana Lyzchicko.

(image)

Ray Fenwick

Grain Edit did a small profile on Ray Fenwick today for his hand-drawn typography. After reading it, I visited his website and discovered I was already a fan of his work, I just didn't know he was the artist behind it.

Fenwick created the patterned covers for these books where two works by an author are bound.





My favorite is obviously the Jonathan Safran Foer collection, but I do enjoy all of these patterns and the entire concept.

(images via Fenwick)

Christmas Books

I was given these beautiful things for Christmas.

 
I am equally excited about all of them.

1. I loved "Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs" and own a few other Klosterman books. I've heard only good things about "Fargo Rock City" and look forward to diving back into Klosterman.

2. "20 Under 40: Stories From the New Yorker" wasn't on my Christmas list, but it should have been.

3. I've already mentioned "Tree of Codes" on here once and Jonathan Safran Foer numerous times, but I'll say it again, this book is absolutely beautiful and the die cutting is so delicate.

4. Right now I'm planning on tackling one assignment "Design School Confidential" every two weeks. The projects look great and should really push me with what I still have to learn.

There were a lot of books on my Christmas list that weren't under the tree, but luckily a Barnes and Noble gift card was.

Christmas List

So, this is basically the Christmas list I sent my parents this year, per their requests. I warned them it was going to mostly be books. Plus, a film scanner, a new pair of TOMS and an Out of Print sweatshirt.

For the details on the books on my list, click through the jump.

Tree of Codes

Jonathan Safran Foer's new release comes from The Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Schulz.



Teamed with Visual Editions, Foer has created a work from the words of Schulz that is sure to be as beautiful to read as it is to hold and look at. According to a video by the author and VE, Foer believes die-cutting is the "perfect intersection of the visual arts and literature".




To see the video of Foer speaking about the book, click through the jump, where you can also watch a video of people opening the book and reacting to its unusual format.

This book is definitely going on my Christmas list.

(Images and videos via Visual Editions)

Favorite: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

This is my 111th post. I figured, for such a momentus occasion, I should blog about one of my favorite books: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. (Also, the girl next to me on the red line today was reading it so my strong feelings have resurfaced and I feel compelled to make all my friends read it.)


Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer is amazing. I would try to explain the book, but I'd probably start crying in the process, or end up writing a novel about the novel. I suggest looking it up, or just buying the book, because you really won't regret it.




The book has a lot of pages that aren't straight text. Including pictures, photographs, single lines on a page. I think all of these elements make it a book that really pulls the reader in and engages them in Oskar's experience.

Also, the first day I bought this, we were on vacation in Arizona visiting some family. I was in the pool, reading (I'm not sure why I thought this was a good idea) and someone splashed water all over the book. So between the water-scarred pages and the fact that I let everyone who borrows it underline/highlight whatever they want, as I've done myself, the book has been through quite a bit. Which is one reason I love it so much.



To see a video about the novel, and Foer's journey writing it, CLICK HERE.