Summer Reading and Penguin by Design
It is, I think, the first truly summery day in London. Bright blue skies, fluffy clouds scudding by on a gentle breeze and a heat that knocks you back as you walk out of the door. Too hot for gardening - that will have to wait until this evening, so the joys of an afternoon on the terrace with a good book and cool drinks await. Perfect.
And talking of a good book, here's what I'm currently reading.
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Time Traveller's (Traveler's ?) Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (now, isn't that just one of the most wonderful names you've ever heard?)
Henderson's Spear by Ronald Wright
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
The Life and Times of Allen Lane by Jeremy Lewis, and
Phil Baines' Penguin by Design, A Cover Story 1935 to 2005
This last, Penguin by Design, arrived just recently. I thought I'd enjoy dipping into it after a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum which is currently hosting an excellent little exhibition to mark the 70th Anniversary of Penguin Books. (The particular significance of penguin is that they were just about the first mass market paperbacks - but more on this perhaps when I've finished reading The Life and Times of Allen Lane, the founder of penguin.)
The V&A is marking the 70th anniversary of Penguin Books with a display of some 500 of Penguin's iconic book covers. Drawing on material from the Penguin archives that has never been exhibited before, the display will show how Penguin has responded to - and influenced - changing trends in British culture. On view will be classic orange fiction paperbacks, the striking monochrome cover of Ulysses and the menacing design of Anthony Burgess' Clockwork Orange. The display will also include contemporary covers by artists such as Peter Saville and Sara Fanelli ( Winner of the V&A Illustration Awards 2004).
In recognition of the 70th anniversary of Penguin Books, the V&A is displaying some 500 of Penguin's iconic book covers. The exhibition draws on material from the Penguin archives, much of which has never been made accesssible for the public before. It shows how Penguin has both influenced and reacted to the shifting trends in British culture. the exhibition includes the familiar, classic orange fiction paperbacks, the striking monochrome cover of Ulysses and the iconic, menacing design of Anthony Burgess' Clockwork Orange. Also included are contemporary covers by noted artists such as Peter Saville and Sara Fanelli, the latter of whom won the V&A Illustration Awards in 2004.
Further details of the exhibition, which runs until 13th November 2005, can be found here
