December 2015 Staff Picks

Susan Rimerman – Director of Creative Professionals

Susan is a San Francisco Bay Area native. Besides traveling to the far edges of the globe with her camera, she writes short fiction, and bakes fabulous peach pies. Here are her top Blurb Bookstore picks.

Perhaps it was an ABC picture book that first ignited my passion for words and art mingling on the page. As a child, I heard the rhythm of language and felt the explosion of color, flipping from one page to the next. That’s why ABC books work so well as a format—both the expected and unexpected—and they’re not just for children.

Here are three of my favorite ABC titles in the Blurb Bookstore that expand the concept in new and surprising ways, sharing a glimpse into the creative mind of an artist.

ABC Paris by Yukié Matsushita

This is a lovely illustrated book that uses big French words, like Arc de Triomphe, and smaller French words, like arrosoir (watering can), with enchanting line illustrations. The pages slowly reveal the large and small pleasures of the city through open windows. The author chose the 8×10 trim size with standard trade paper and created her book with the Blurb plugin for InDesign.

The Alphabet of Architecture: A Primer on the Built Environment, by Will Adams

This book deconstructs the mysteries of architecture, sharing tools, processes, and creators involved in the built environment. Like a visual textbook, the author uses sketches, renderings, and graphics to communicate concepts—perfect for visual thinkers. Each lettered chapter is related to the next—from architecture to zoning. You can pick it up, browse, and start and stop anywhere. Adams selected the 10×8 landscape trim with standard paper using the PDF upload tool.

And for the shoe-minded a lovely picture book, The Shoephabet: Walking Through the Alphabet, by Sarah Steele, with illustrations by James Steele. The whimsical color-pencil drawings that accompany the text give personalities to each letter shaped shoe. “A” is a jazzy dress shoe who likes to play the piano. “C” is the hard working, heavy lifting work boot. The author/illustrator team chose the 6×9 trade trim with standard paper and used the Blurb plugin for InDesign.

Jessica Klimczak – Senior Manager, Social Channels & Community

I was born and raised in the Bay Area. Although I’ve been lucky enough to leave a few times, I’ve been even luckier to return. In my spare time I am an avid reader, photo taker, book-maker, and baker.

United States 2014 – Honeymoon by Alberto Colnaghi

I was originally drawn to this book due to the letterpress-style cover design. I was equally as intrigued by the description, which quotes lyrics from A Horse with No Name, by America. While cover and descriptions of some books can disappoint, this one does not. Its clean layouts, beautiful images, and minimal text truly showcase the beauty of simplicity. I feel as though I went on the author’s honeymoon (without being a weird third wheel). At the same time I felt inspired to visit all of these locations on my own, capturing my own moments in time. It is a true testament to how making a book, while potentially time consuming, can capture a moment, a memory, and lots of magic.

The ABC’s of Animals Doing People Things by Nathan Waak
So while unplanned, there is clearly an ABC theme coming to light in the Staff Picks for December. Maybe that’s because deep down we all have a secret love for order and lists and ABC books give us a structure we can rely on. I was drawn to this book because I have a 10-month-old son at home who loves animal books, noises, stuffed animals—you name it. Cute sentences for each letter of the alphabet coupled with adorable illustrations, this book is a great mix of kid friend and parent amusing to keep you entertained while inevitably having to read it 100 times a day, in a row.

TOM/FORD by Tatsyum

My first child was one of fur. Brisket is my five-year-old French Bulldog and he has increased and solidified my love of flat faced animals. I stumbled across this book while losing myself in the Blurb bookstore (a regular occurrence when looking for inspiration). My favorite flat-faced dog breed gracing the cover, coupled with one of the most well known designers of the decade, enticed me to look further. I was thrilled to see such an adorable collection of images! Frenchies have the most expressive and personable faces; like them, or love them—you will undoubtedly walk away from this book with a smile on your face.

Amelia Elsbree – Marketing Specialist

Amelia is from the Bay Area and can usually be found swinging on the dance floor or heading to the mountains for a weekend backpacking trip. She really wants to perfect a recipe for “healthy” cookies but can’t stop adding extra chocolate chips every time.

Swing, Baby, Swing by Norma Miller

As someone who fell in love with swing dance over a year ago and has been Lindy hopping ever since, I highly recommend this book. Written by Norma Miller, the Queen of Swing herself, the book chronicles the birth of Lindy hop in Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom, during the rise of big band music in the late 1920s.  Norma started dancing at the Savoy at age of 12 and recently celebrated her 96th birthday and a life-long career as a dancer, choreographer, actress, comedian. An all-around amazing lady!

South America by Bicycle by Ellen van Drunen

After a stint sting in Brazil, a trip around South America has been on my list for a while. The images in this book, of the breathtaking Mount Fitz Roy in southern Argentina/Chile, are enough to make me pack my bags and book a flight. Although my trip might not include a year-long biking tour, Ellen’s sense of adventure is quite inspiring.

S’more to Love by Hannah Kane, Tara Dawkins, and Chris Machuca

I’ve been daydreaming of s’mores for pretty much the entire past year. Now I can finally fulfill all my cravings with the recipes in this book. PB & S’more? Sweet Sassy Molassy S’more? S’moreberry Cheesecake? Yes, yes, and yes, please.

Find your own favorites in the Blurb Bookstore!