Summer Books & Reading Lists

Should we confess to re-reading books this summer with not one visit to a bookstore in two months? To looking just past the pile of New Yorkers & New York Review of Books? (Of course, we've read the Vogues, are you kidding?) If you're in the same situation & haven't kept up with what's new, National Public Radio has an excellent section of their website devoted to Summer Books & Reading Lists.

Off to the bookstore this weekend.

ciao/xo/GG

PS: If you'd like to look at Olivia, the magazine that Liivia is reading, here's the website. It's in Finnish but it's pretty to look at. And you can always use Google Translate.

(photograph by Liivia Sirola)

Book of Life Butterflies

Artist David Kracov was commissioned to create an award to be given in honor of, and named for, the late director of Chabad's Children of Chernobyl. Called the "Book Of Life," it was inspired by the extraordinary life of Rabbi Yossi Raichik, a man who saved thousands of children's lives from the devastating effects of the Chernobyl disaster. The metal sculpture has pages filled with words from those he touched, and also features a flurry of butterflies, each representing the 2,547 children he helped save and give new lives. --via My Modern Met

The rest of the post & David Kracov's website. The photographs there are much larger & gorgeous. So beautiful & inspiring!

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by David Kracov via My Modern Met)

Milk + Bookies

MILK+BOOKIES is a non-profit organization that exposes young children to how great it feels to give back while celebrating the love of a good book. At Milk + Bookies^TM events, boys and girls are provided the opportunity to select, purchase and inscribe books that are then donated to their peers who do not have access to books of their own. The fun-filled events feature music, story time and, of course, milk and cookies. --Milk + Bookies

What a great idea! The video is terrific too.

ciao-meow/GG's editor

(photograph via Chicago Public Library via Pinterest)

Summer Reading

We don't subscribe to the light-reading-for-summer program. Mix it up. Check in with Tina at the English Muse. She regularly asks her readers what they're reading; the comments are full of good ideas. Us? We're reading a great biography of Oscar Wilde, rereading Anna Karenina & The Bay of Noon. New-to-us reading: the latest from Andrea Camillieri & Donna Leon.
For ideas for children, visit the excellent children's site on The Guardian. There's a cute video for making art.

ciao-meow/GG Summer Central

(photograph credit of Emma Stone in her swim cap, we're still looking - via automatism)

Ms. Smith Goes to Washington

Patti Smith will be reading from her award-winning book Just Kids at the National Portrait Gallery this Saturday, 11 December 2010 at 2pm. She is so much fun to meet--you should go if you possibly can. It will be very crowded, guaranteed. But hanging out early at the Portrait Gallery is no punishment! (There are nearby cafés for some good hot chocolate.) Sadly, Giulia's editor has an ironclad obligation at the very same time (mimph).

Here's Patti's website to sign up for announcements.

ciao-meow/GG Central

Sunday Style - Let's Bring Back

30 Things that Need to Stage a Comeback - Pronto! What's on your list? There's a slideshow compiled by Lesley Blume on The Huffington Post. She has a new book based on her columns Let's' Bring Back (started in 2007). Accuse of us of sentimental hogwash, we don't care. How bad can it be to wish for a return to manners, libraries, picnics, cool hotel lobbies, & hats on men? Waste some time, you know you want to, & vote for your faves. (Annie Hall still via Huffington Post under Long, Leisurely Evening Walks)

ciao-cheeky-meow/GG & her editor

GG Chic - The Catwalk Cats

Ooh la la. It's raining, as people say, cats & dogs. We love this adorable French cat with beret by Claire Owen. It reminded us of genius Grace Coddington's wonderful The Catwalk Cats. Here's a link to a Steidl Books illustration slideshow from the 2007 book. (No, we don't own it but someday...Giulia needs to earn some pocket money. We'll let you know how that turns out. Ahem. She's asleep right now, of course. Rainy day deep sleep.) We're also reminded of a favorite artist who channels cats, Jamie Shelman. Have you visited her Small Expectations blog? No? Immediately go there, well, here.

ciao-damp-meow/GG's editor

(French cat by Clare Owen via Audrey Hepburn Complex)

Buy a Book, Help an Animal

It's a deal. We hang our head in shame for using an lolcat, but at least he/she looks like Giulia. This cat looks like it needs a good book to dig its claws into. The following is via our favorite bookstore's website. GG is low energy these days. Giulia would like to add that WARL cats are as nice & cute as can be...it's not all about the dogs. Don't forget about Thursday evening's fall fashion event to benefit the Washington Human Society (& Hope for Henry, here).

ciao-floopy-meow/GG's town crier

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Politics & Prose is delighted to support the local community with Partnership Fridays by joining with area businesses, government agencies and nonprofits, and the schools or literacy projects they support. On September 24, the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) is holding its Partnership Friday on September 24. As part of their event, the League will be hosting a "puppy playpen" in front of the store from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Take this opportunity to talk with WARL staff and learn about adopting a pet. For more information about WARL, call 202-726-2556 or visit their website.

GG Reads Persephone Books

Busted. She listens to books read aloud to her. We recently received the lovely Persephone Catalogue, the Persephone Biannually, & a lovely bookmark. What more do you want? Some books? Yes, us too. We only have one so far. But go here, & read about the publishers, the Bloomsbury bookstore, & how to sign up for snail mail of your very own. Also, the really sweet Persephone staff writes a blog that we follow. (We were pleased to see their post about neighborhood book shops--they included the one we frequent in Washington, DC.) GG wants to go to London & hang out there. (What does she care about rain? She doesn't go outside unless in her travel bag.)

Persephone is devoted to publishing neglected literature written by women; the books are lovingly designed with such an eye to detail that you might forget to read it. (Don't do that!) Here is a beautifully photographed & written post by our pal in San Francisco, Tina Tarnoff of Thought Patterns. (While you're there, please check out Tina's beautiful art & jewellry. Some of which we do own & wear proudly.)

ciao-cheerio-meow/GG's literary editor

(Persephone book images via Thought Patterns)

Sicilian Sunbrella - Week's End

Have a wonderful weekend. We'd hoped to have comprehensive news of Darfur Peace & Development Organization (DPDO) latest basket shipment & the 2009 Annual Report. But there is just too much to do; information will be posted next week. Meanwhile, have a relaxing weekend; we're jumping up & down in front of the World Cup action. GG is asleep now, content that South Africa & Mexico tied. (She hates for anyone to lose.) GG's editor is enjoying in L'odore della notte (The Smell of the Night) by Andrea Camillieri. Somehow, we'd missed this one. Excellent!

ciao-bella-meow/GGCM

[Sicilian beach umbrella by Giampaolo Macorig via flickr]

GG, Alice, & a Big Rabbit

As a friend of ours used to say, "It's a real Monday morning..." Yep. All Day. Still, we are seriously thinking of bidding on one of two items over at Made4Aid. Why don't you join us & have a little competition? The starting bids are surprisingly low. (Even for our coin purse.) And with that, we leave you until probably tomorrow afternoon. Because it is a real Monday here. All Day. If you know what we mean.

ciao-groan-meow/GG's editor

[illustration by Arthur Rackham via Liam's Pictures from Old Books]

Felinity, Part II

More charming illustrations from our Italian book....see here for part one. Computer troubles again.

ciao-meow/GG

Felinity

Well, the book to which we refer is titled Giochi per gatti di casa (Games for house cats) by Rita Persichini & it was a gift from our friend Maria Caterina di Perugia. Here are some of the darling original illustrations by Lorena Dominici. We keep the book propped up on one of the bookshelves...not that many people notice; there's quite a mash-up on those shelves. But someone noticed recently & GG immediately started to show off her silly ability...she didn't need the book, of course. It's just for our amusement. For lots o' cat drawings (& other art), visit Small Expectations. We do every day.

ciao-meow,
GG/mgmt

(images in the collage via scan; we've searched high & low for a way to give credit where it's due. The booklet was published in December 1996 & says "Copyright MCS editore, Perugia."

When in doubt, make pasta...

...or if it's too early, put on the kettle. And for good measure, put in a picture of AH. And if you possibly can, buy some white tuliips (or look at a few bunches). Goodness, we've so much to do, especially reading. Doesn't matter if it's a holiday here in the U.S. Here's the fastest pasta recipe we make. Very Roman, very Audrey, especially in her personal Roman period. (photo Bob Willoughby/MPTV via scan from audreystyle by Pamela Clarke Keogh)

ciao-busy-meow,

GG's editor

PS: Catapalooza Valentine's Day was stellar. Report forthcoming.

Out of Exile

An important event notice for Tuesday, 10 February, in Washington, DC. If you're here or will be here, there might still be room for you; give a call or send an email (see below). Putting Darfur together with Southern Sudan, & other areas of the country that are in turmoil or on the verge, is essential to address the problem of the murderous regime in Khartoum. The various states of Sudan do not want to secede...some see it as their only chance to actually survive.

Every single person we've ever met from different states, always, always refer to themselves as "Sudanese." Below is the press release from Enough Project's website. Again, we are sorry for the slapdash nature of this post but it's the fastest way & they've already written it. Many of you admire (for good reason) Dave Eggers & he will be there, too.

We adore singer & musician Emmanual Jal; he wrote the afterword for the book Out of Exile: Narratives From the Abducted and Displaced People of Sudan. Much more on all of these folks & their art in coming weeks. (Emmanuel will be in NYC for a special performance on Thursday, 12 February & we think it's at Faison Firehouse Theatre but the website is a bit confusing between the first page & the schedule. See his website & assorted great videos, here.)

OK, here's the press release below (or go to Enough Project)

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Out of Exile: Narratives from the Abducted and Displaced People of Sudan

Featured Contributor:

Dave Eggers, author of the novels A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and What is the What

Featured Author:

Craig Walzer, editor, Out of Exile

With Special Guests:

Abuk Bak Macham, refugee from Southern Sudan and featured subject in Out of Exile.
Franco Majok, one of Sudan's "lost boys" who recently returned to Sudan to build a school in his native village with donated funds.

Moderated by:

John Prendergast, co-chair of the Enough Project, the Center for American Progress's initiative to end genocide and crimes against humanity

Out of Exile brings the crisis in Darfur and other parts of Sudan out of the policy realm and into the lives of people who never meant to carry the label "refugees." Decades of conflicts and persecution have driven millions from their homes in all parts of Sudan. Many thousands more have been enslaved as human spoils of war. In their own words, the narrators of Out of Exile recount their lives before their displacement, the reasons for their flight, and their hopes of someday returning home.

Out of Exile includes the personal stories of 17 Sudanese people, as told to Craig Walzer, a former legal services adviser to Darfuri and other Sudanese refugees in Cairo. They describe life in the major stations on the "refugee railroads": in the desert camps of Khartoum, the underground communities of Cairo, the humanitarian metropolis of Kakuma refugee camp, and the still-growing internally displaced persons camps in Darfur.

Copies of Out of Exile: Narratives From the Abducted and Displaced People of Sudan will be available for purchase. The editor will be available to sign books following the discussion.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Program: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Admission is free.

Light snacks will be served at 6:00 p.m.

Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Nearest Metro: Blue/Orange Line to McPherson Square or Red Line to Metro Center

RSVP for this Event

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We hope to see some of GG & her editor's readers (including the poems) there. If so, please do come up & introduce yourself; we tend to be a bit shy at these functions. GG can't make it but will be there in spirit. (Even though she works hard on behalf of humanitarian causes, GG is too distracting & she tends to want things done her way...after all, her occupation is "an opinionated cat.")

bisou, xo GG Central Mgmt.

(book image via Enough Project website)

Revolutionary Road

Before the movie, you have time to read/re-read the novel. We adore Kate Winslet & look forward to the film (& Leo, of course)...but with some trepidation. Having any connection with the late novelist (which we do) causes some concern. We're on the verge of letting that go, though. Film production promises on RR have come & gone for so many years that we decided to believe it when it actually happened. That time is nearly here.

ciao...

front cover via half dead printer again:)
other photo via About.com: Hollywood Movies

Literacy is the best remedy

©iStockphoto.com/Emrah Turudu

GG & her editor are happy to post about UN Literacy Day especially in connection to Darfur Peace & Development Organization's Text Book Drive (see Book It! post). The Darfur Schools of Peace benefit from direct supporters & from UNICEF. Please read these links on the world-wide celebrations of International Literacy Day.

Quick Facts

The United Nations' (UN) International Literacy Day is held on September 8 each year. In 2008 the day focuses on the relationship between literacy and health, with the slogan “Literacy is the best remedy.”

©UNESCO 1995-2007

Still in France...Balenciaga, La Coquette, & Département Féminin

Giulia & her editor continue their "staycation," entranced by new & old books & blogs...all things French...a few finds today...a beautiful book on Balenciaga (who after all, influenced the great YSL).

Département Féminin is a way to faux-shop (you can for-real shop, too, but then that means you would be in France & not reading a blog by a cat, uh, une chatte ou la gattina). Another site, Giulia likes is BHV -- where, it is promised, there is 'tout pour trouver son bonheur.' If you can't understand that, it is time to break out the book that Signorina GG received for Christmas last year, Better Reading French by Anne Heminway.

La Coquette is by a French-American woman who lives in Paris...so far we find her funny & spot-on about many things French and American. Her tagline is: "Don't Hate Me Because I Live In Paris." OK, we'll try. Fume.

Les Parisiennes

Giulia's editor started her Christmas wish list when she saw this lovely book celebrating French women. Some of our best friends are French!