Well this book is about...um...wait you know....stuff

Sometimes at Andrew's we take the liberty of stocking really random books that are a little bit hard to describe. Who says that books are boring? Not anymore! Check out the humour section for some really really strange books.

How to Make Your Cat an International Celebrity by Patricia Carlin

Complete with how to best present your cat's weird quirks and character profiles, we are both thinking hmm and how do I sign up?! I suppose I should get over my fear of cats first...There's also some tips of story arcs for your cat videos. Meow? Oh and if that isn't enough, there's also a baby centered one - although I feel like this may be bordering on illegal.

Crap Taxidermy by Kat Su

As you can probably guess, this book is about crap taxidermy. Although I feel like that is a bit harsh because I am sure that taxidermy is quite a skill to acquire. But on the other hand, if you were scared of taxidermy animals before, you'll be terrified now! They mainly have freaky eyes and weird poses. Some sun smart and others bloated after death. Yay.  

Daily Dishonesty by Lauren Hom

Simultaneously a collection of guilty admissions and lovely typography, I'm pretty sure I recite at least one of these lies everyday. Like 'I won't eat all the french fries' and 'No offense but'. Sorry everyone, at least I know that I'm not alone.

Read it and weep (except not really becuase we have a loyalty program!)

Did you know that we have a loyalty program at Andrew's?!

Well we do - surprise!

It is free to join and for every dollar you spend you accumulate points. At 240 points, you receive a $20 voucher to use instore. And! The points never run out. Pretty good huh? 

“Because that’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”

While we always love to hold and have of course our owns books, there are times when we have to just immerse ourselves in what is the greatness of book palaces also known as LIBRARIES!

So I guess we must begin at the very beginning - to what must surely be Melbourne's oldest library - The Melbourne Athenaeum Library. Established in 1839 and housed in the grand Athenaeum Theatre, The MAL is a step back in time to almost ceiling tall shelves, plush chairs and green reading lamps. Specializing in Biographies and Crime novels, you'll be glad you came! You might learn something new if you sign up for their excellent lectures and talks! Book paradise? I think so.

Melbourne Athenaeum Library
Level 1, 188 Collins St, Melbourne 3000
Tel: (03) 9650 3100

And of course, how can we talk about great libraries of Melbourne without mentioning the State Library of Victoria. Although non borrowing, you don't have to look far to find something bursting with knowledge! And look out for their every changing exhibits and talks. Don't forget that the Wheeler Center is just on the Little Lonsdale Street side. For insightful talks, workshops and everything in-between about writing, this is literary gold. The Children's Book Festival is currently on at the Library, packed full of cool things to do, not to mention Inspiration by Design: Word and Image from the Victoria and Albert Museum has some truly wonderful talks on. I can seriously not contain myself.

Happy reading everyone!

How much is that doggy (book) in the window?

We are pretty fond of our shopfront window displaying all our lovely new books inside. Children's writer Jon Klassen author of some great books like 'I Want My Hat Back' has since filled a shop window with... dirt to promote his (and Mac Barnett's) new book "Sam and Dave Dig a Hole". This is pretty cute. Do you have any ideas for our shop window? We'd love to hear them!


Watch it all happen here!

So The Nineties are In (Again)

What's old is new, everything old is new again, retro style and vintage power. Why do we always have an obsession of things from the past? I fall into the category of loving the past fashion styles myself and my mother has a passion for vintage furniture. But why? Well in terms of clothes, I suppose one reason may be that the 20th century had such distinct styles per decade and now in the 200s it seems anything goes! When archeologists look back on the photos they'll see an eclectic mix of everything before. Have you noticed all the black chokers coming back in again - often on teens who probably weren't around during the 90s! I'm not judging - I'm just as guilty of a little pick and mix myself but I wonder if these cycles will keep repeating until eternity... well maybe not eternity. Looking back at my parents' teen days they looked so daggy and then looking again more recently I realize that those chunky glasses frames are back in! So how does this relate to books I hear you ask? Well I guess that these blasts from the pasts permeate all areas of pop culture, not just clothes.

So here's a small collection of bringing the 90s back.

Kimbra - 90s Music is a sweet throwback to all the songs that were in their heyday about 20 years ago.

"Some old song I know
Won't get out of my head
Though the feeling's gone
The love ain't disappeared"

Althea and Oliver by Christina Moracho is a surprisingly honest look at the weirdness of growing up.When Oliver develops a disorder where he falls asleep for weeks at a time, it leaves his best friend (and unrequited love) Althea in the lurch.  The claggy film of yesteryear (without cliche) is plain to see as the pair of them navigate the pointy end of teen hood. 

" There are several enormous steel stockpots going. the walls are covered in vinyl contact paper with a rocket ship motif; row after row of Polaroid pictures of their friends are aligned on the refrigerator door, labeled with names and dates."

The Future of Us by Carolyn Mackler and Jay Asher is a bit more unusual. Instead of being deep set in the 90s, it migrates to the now when two teens stumble across their future 'Facebook' profiles. Weirder still is when they realise that by changing little things in the present, they can alter their future statuses. Part time travel part ... not, an intresting idea. 

"It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet. Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM. Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future."

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - okay I admit it that this actually a book from 1999 but with its movie revival, it is definitely making a comeback. Getting a new generation into the Smiths and woodwork (?), a coming of age story that makes perfect sense.

"Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody."

A Book Is Like An M'n'M, but With a Less Tasty Outer Shell And Slightly Papery Inside

It has come to my attention that I judge books by their covers. I'm Sorry but it is true. It has also come to my attention that most of the cover designs that I like are all done by the same illustrator! So today dear friends, I challenge you to think a little more about book covers. I know I definitely hate new, ugly movie covers of books - why ruin a good thing with the face of a celebrity?! (sorry) But book covers are one of those things that we take for granted. Really they have such a big impact on how we choose, read and recommend books to others.

Why do you pick the books to read that you do? Is it the title, images or colours? The big questions of life I know.

Well to lighten the mood, I though I'd shed some light on my current favourite illustrator Allison Colpoy. Her designs are beautiful, simple yet intricate and totally different. Is it weird that a good cover can make you want to buy that book IMMEDIATELY even just for the cover? Story of my life I tell you. 

She's done a number of books for Penguin and they are all stunning. Good choosing Penguin! She's even featured before on the excellent design blog 'The Design Files' in which she tells a little more about herself.

This series of Australian Classics for Kids makes me want to cry. Seriously.

Not to mention Madness - what else can capture the MADNESS happening other than a crazy ballpoint?

Or how about 'Out of Shape'? This is definitely me in the mornings...

Argh I'm in love with her covers. That's all I can say. Who is your favourite book cover designer?

HELENE'S TOP FIVE MARCH PICKS

It's that time of the month again! The time for March picks by our staff that is! It was going to be top six but a last minute cull narrowed it down. It's a tough choice for all of us... It is also oddly animal themed today but enjoy! 

I can tell you that I am also enjoying this wrapping paper background too. We do free gift wrapping!

So we have:

Dogs About Town by Louise Glazebrook 
A happy look into 'how to raise a dog in the city'. A must for any prospective or wistful dog owners!

Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane
There is no other way to explain this book apart from giving you the blurb...So here it is!
"One morning Ruth wakes thinking a tiger has been in her seaside house. Later that day a formidable woman called Frida arrives, looking as if she's blown in from the sea. In fact she's come to care for Ruth. Frida and the tiger: both are here to stay, and neither is what they seem." What?!

H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald 
What do falcons and grief have in common? An honest look into coping and struggling with grief intertwined with the taming of the wild. 

WOW: Experimental Design for a Changing World
Well, wow! This book is simply gorgeous and will have you sniffing the pages.We promise. Covering a number of different objects, this is pretty funky. 

Horses in Australia: An Illustrated History by Nicolas Brasch
Regal, strong and stunning are some words to describe the magnificent beasts within. Whether you are a horse lover or just interested, your eyes will be opened to a whole new world!

As a child, Helen Macdonald was determined to become a falconer, learning the arcane terminology and reading all the classic books. Years later, when her father died and she was struck deeply by grief, she became obsessed with the idea of training her own goshawk. She bought Mabel for £800 on a Scottish quayside and took her home to Cambridge, ready to embark on the long, strange business of trying to train this wildest of animals. - See more at: http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/helen-macdonald/h-is-for-hawk-9780099575450.aspx#sthash.jtOfHYrK.dpuf

As a child, Helen Macdonald was determined to become a falconer, learning the arcane terminology and reading all the classic books. Years later, when her father died and she was struck deeply by grief, she became obsessed with the idea of training her own goshawk. She bought Mabel for £800 on a Scottish quayside and took her home to Cambridge, ready to embark on the long, strange business of trying to train this wildest of animals. - See more at: http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/helen-macdonald/h-is-for-hawk-9780099575450.aspx#sthash.jtOfHYrK.dpuf

So I'm Looking for this Book that has...Obsessive Hobbies

Excellent! This is the second edition of our new segment 'So I'm looking for this book that has...' and while they are all very specific, this weeks one is a collection of about as specific you can get! 
So let's get started then...

How to Design a Chair by the Design Museum

Now this is for the true chair connoisseur or aficionado if you prefer. Covering some of the most beautiful modern chair designs, How to Design a Chair will have you scouring the internet for an awesome vintage find. I know my mother already is...

Garlic by Penny Woodward

Apparently it can deter vampires, make your breath smell and evoke the French countryside: is there anything that garlic can't do? Well now you can know for sure in Garlic! Whether you like to cook it, grow it or just look at it, this book is sure to bring your level of obsession to a whole new level...

Brick edited by William Hall

First off, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKS EVER! AND IT SMELLS NICE! (refer to previous post) AND! The front cover dust jacket is embossed WITH THE PATTERN OF BRICKS! Forgive me if I can hardly contain myself but this book is packed full of stunning brick buildings from around the world. Never again will bricks be seen as boring. Is this my new obsession? Probably yes.

And finally..

BEER: A gauge for enthusiasts by Greg Duncan Powell

Well yes, I'm afraid to say that this is the way that we will end today's post. If I were a birdwatcher, this would be my book to identify birds. Similarly, if I liked beers this would be my book to identify beers. Both local and international beers, the book also tells you what the beer is best served with and when...'sipping by open fires I believe'.

If you have a specific compulsion, let us know! Maybe someone's written a book about it...