I love technology. I’m still amazed by touchscreens and mobile phones and a million other modern things; things that would have seemed like Star Trek space gadgets to me if I could have seen them as a kid. As I wander around in semi-amazement at the technology that seems to change daily, George (12) sees the home wireless network as being as normal as water coming out of the taps. This makes me realise that it’s only by reference to what you think of as your baseline, that you can see progress.
For me, books are that baseline. Don’t get me wrong – the internet has been a world-changing phenomena and will continue to increase the part it plays in our lives exponentially. But books will always be there, without power, without wireless signals and definitely without passwords. It does strike me as I write this though, that blogging would be a bit pointless without the net [might need to rethink this] I watched an online video about an Amish woodworker this morning [hmm, more internet, maybe more rethinking] talking about their community not necessarily resisting change, just being slower to adopt modern progress, although I did note that somehow he had no trouble adopting the sliding table saw and orbital sander. My point is, I think, that contrast is what makes the new stuff seem more amazing and the old stuff seem more grounded i.e. it’s all good.
I love to own and read beautiful books; those from Lost Art Press which you see on the bookcase being some of my favourites. Not only are the books filled with fascinating [admittedly somewhat niche] detail about the craft of woodworking, they are beautifully made objects in themselves. Twenty years ago I used to mess about with computers and technology in my spare time and spend working time mainly doing things with paper. Fast forward two decades and now work life seems to be filled with technology whereas wood, paper, books and tools are the things I want in my spare time.
Anyway, if you like books you need a bookcase, so I made one.
Ed
Jean
March 8, 2014
That’s a really beautiful bookcase.
I’m with you on the need for books, I just like holding one in my hand and turning the pages. Even choosing one is total joy.
You can’t get that wonderful bookshop smell from a kindle or tablet either. (Yet.)
We’re house-hunting at the moment and last weekend we viewed a young couple’s house where there wasn’t a single book to be seen anywhere but they had two ginormous TV’s and an impressive collection of designer platform shoes displayed on a purpose built shelf in the wardrobe!
House-hunting has been a real education………
lovinghomemade
March 8, 2014
Love books, love bookcases – yours is great!
notmhs
March 8, 2014
I couldn’t agree with you more. Books are special. I love your small bookshelf as well.
Sally
March 9, 2014
I love Ed’s ‘things we make’ especially in wood. My grandfather was a master carpenter so I was brought up to see the beauty in a dove tail joint or a well fitting drawer.
Sophie
March 9, 2014
Completely agree with you! My kindle had been vey useful but nothing beats having a real book in your hands!
KerryCan
March 9, 2014
You make some very interesting points here, about the changing roles of technology and books in our lives. How nice to have the skills to make such a perfect little bookcase (and I bet you could make a computer table, too!)
Anne MC
March 10, 2014
Hello,
it’s always such a pleasure to see pictures of your latest wood design and read the accompanying text. Thanks for mentioning the Lost Art Press : I’ll have a look hoping to find a book for my brother who is also a good cabinet maker in his too little spare time.
Anne MC
Dee at the Carlton
March 15, 2014
I love books & you have made interesting points. I love the feeling of old books, leather bindings are so tactile & beautiful & there is so much pleasure in paging through beautiful old books.
Andy from Workshopshed
March 21, 2014
That is a lovely book case, I’ve not yet ventured into anything quite that ambitious yet.
rammkatze
January 3, 2015
Oh, I was hoping for pictures of WIP. I don’t make things out of wood myself (sadly) but I love seeing how they’re done. Beautiful bookcase. 🙂