infomancer

I have an infatuation with books.  Sure, I like to read them.  But more than that, I like to look at groups of them.  My preference has traditionally been for older books – those with a slightly musty smell, that have accumulated the oils of hands turning pages.  But with all the amazing design for hardcovers lately, it’s hard to pass them by.

Coralie Bickford-Smith is a senior cover designer for Penguin.  I’ve often drooled over books with covers she’s designed, and only today discovered it is she who is behind them. 

I particularly enjoy the 1001 Arabian Nights series.  The one above manages to appeal to several of my many types of geekery. 

And I absolutely love all the covers in the Gothic Horror series.  They might be a bit too scary for me to read (I still get nervous thinking about The Hound of the Baskervilles, which I read almost 20 years ago), but boy, would they look splendid sitting together on my shelf.

[all images via Coralie Bickford-Smith]

I tend not to read owner’s manuals.  I much prefer the trial and error method.  A while ago, though, I stumbled on Quirk Books’ Dog Owner’s Manual.  Now, I don’t have a dog, but I spent the next half hour reading this book, stopping occasionally to slap my knee with laughter.  (no joke – I really do that)

Complex issues like how to raise a baby or deal with a teenager are put in terms that are more easily understood in our technology laden society. 

Cats are equipped with auditory sensors, a waste ejection port, and propulsion apparatus.  Toddlers come with recommended upgrade accessories, including an upgraded recharge station.

In order to help you keep your product at optimal performance, the manuals cover such topics as basic programming, fuel requirements, maintenance, advanced functions and troubleshooting.

Other topics include brides, grooms, pregnancy, home, and sex.

Why not collect all 10?

[images via Amazon]