{"id":6659,"date":"2019-09-05T20:52:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T18:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/?p=6659"},"modified":"2019-10-19T11:15:15","modified_gmt":"2019-10-19T09:15:15","slug":"meine-schonsten-bucher-karin-von-little-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/2019\/09\/my-most-beautiful-books-karin-von-little-words\/","title":{"rendered":"My Most Beautiful Books \u2022 Karin from little words"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

As regular readers of this blog know, I love beautiful books. Holding an artfully and finely crafted book in my hands is a very special pleasure for me. I\u2019m not alone in this passion, but the love for beautifully designed books isn\u2019t all that common. I personally find it difficult to discover new, beautiful editions, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m starting a new series with this post: \u201cMy Most Beautiful Books.\u201d Selected book bloggers and book lovers will present some of their most beautiful German-language books here and offer a glimpse into their personal treasures and most magnificent collector\u2019s editions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I\u2019m very happy that I was able to win Karin for the first post. On her book blog little words (book-up-your-life.blogspot.com)<\/a>, she regularly presents gorgeous books and stages them beautifully in her photographs. I love browsing through her blog and have discovered one or two wonderful and at the same time beautiful books there (for example this one<\/a>). I immediately associate Karin\u2019s blog with beautiful books, and just by the way she presents them, you can tell how much she loves aesthetically appealing editions. You\u2019ll find many high-quality classics on her site\u2014books that are not only lovely to look at but also of the finest literary quality. For me, it was clear that a series about beautiful books could only begin with Karin. But now I\u2019ll hand over the word to her, and I hope you enjoy following her on a stroll through her bookshelf as much as I did.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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When I look at my book collection, I must admit that I have a weakness for beautiful editions. The so-called collector\u2019s editions often shine through gold embossing, exquisite illustrations, a decorative ribbon marker, or other details that especially appeal to the eye. Tobi asked specifically about these kinds of books, and I happily looked through my shelves to see what I could find. So here are a few tips for beautiful German-language collector\u2019s editions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Beautiful (classic) collector\u2019s editions for a small budget can be found, for example, at Nikol Verlag<\/strong>. \u201cOscar Wilde: Fairy Tales and Stories\u201d<\/strong> is one I especially like for its outer illustration, half-cloth binding, and silver lettering on the spine. Inside, there are lovely Art Nouveau-style illustrations that make the little book a visual highlight. Unfortunately, this edition is now out of print, but the publisher will release a new boxed set in September that includes all of Oscar Wilde\u2019s texts. Also worth noting is the new \u201cLinen Deluxe\u201d series<\/strong> from the same publisher. Many interesting titles were released there last month. I immediately went for \u201cThe Great Gatsby\u201d by F. Scott Fitzgerald<\/strong> in wine red! But the series also includes E.T.A. Hoffmann\u2019s \u201cThe Sandman\u201d and Stefan Zweig\u2019s \u201cChess Story.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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You can also always find beautiful, compact classics at Manesse Verlag. I\u2019m particularly fond of the new \u201cManesse Library\u201d<\/strong>. The colors are more vibrant, the ribbon markers match the covers, and the endpapers feature designs that relate to the text. Although it\u2019s hard to choose a favorite, I can highly recommend \u201cFrankenstein\u201d<\/strong><\/a> and the novels of Sinclair Lewis<\/strong><\/a>. I\u2019m sure there\u2019s something for everyone. Another gem from Manesse Verlag, though not part of the usual library series, is definitely \u201cWine and Hashish\u201d by Charles Baudelaire<\/strong>. The cover, with its velvety wine-red texture and additional gold embossing, is stunning. The essays collected inside are, of course, brilliant as well\u2014some more enjoyable than others\u2014but all worth reading.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Charming gift books with inspiring quotes from famous writers and philosophers can be found in the \u201cQuite Beautiful\u2026\u201d series from ArsEdition<\/strong><\/a>. The interior design invites you to dream, linger, and flip back and forth constantly. Perfect for gifting! There are currently six editions featuring: Oscar Wilde, Ringelnatz, Jane Austen, Goethe, Confucius, and Christian Morgenstern.
Similarly designed are the Herder Verlag \u201cWisdom\u201d series<\/strong> featuring famous figures. I was again drawn to the Oscar Wilde volume (sadly also out of print, though secondhand copies can be found), while the Ringelnatz edition is still available. The bright color immediately catches the eye, and the gold shining through beneath the dust jacket is delightful to see.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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If you want to go further back in literary history, I recommend the linen edition of \u201cTristan and Isolde\u201d<\/strong> from Insel Verlag. Consisting of two volumes\u2014one with the story itself and the other with commentary\u2014you can spend quite some time delving into Middle High German (don\u2019t worry, a modern German translation is also included) and its literary context. I must admit I would never have picked up this book without my studies. But if you take the time to read the commentary and explore the motifs and period, you\u2019ll surely find it rewarding. And with such a beautiful edition, it\u2019s even more enjoyable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Two newly added editions on my shelves are \u201cPan\u2019s Labyrinth\u201d by Cornelia Funke and Guillermo del Toro<\/strong> and \u201cThe Most Boring Book in the World.\u201d<\/strong> The first is the novel version of the famous film classic and a real eye-catcher. Whether you\u2019re starting to read, removing the dust jacket, or deep into the story, there are illustrations everywhere that make the book special (and I haven\u2019t even started reading yet). The second book was published in early September by Atlantik Verlag and\u2014contrary to its title\u2014is anything but boring in terms of design. There may not be gold embossing, but there are many puzzles, comparison images, and even little sheep along the page margins. What always wins me over is an interesting spine design\u2014and this one looks great on the shelf once you\u2019re done reading.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Of course, I also have to mention the B\u00fcchergilde editions<\/strong>. Not every cover appeals to me, but there are still some truly special ones. For example, \u201cHeart of a Dog\u201d by Mikhail Bulgakov<\/strong>. The story itself is remarkable, but the B\u00fcchergilde\u2019s design elevates it even more. There are countless illustrations and small details throughout the book. As a little highlight, it even includes an \u201cinteractive element\u201d (similar to the MinaLima editions, which are now also available in German).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A novel that doesn\u2019t feature particularly elaborate illustrations or \u201cspecials\u201d but still impresses through beautiful design is \u201cOne Hundred Years of Solitude\u201d by Gabriel Garc\u00eda M\u00e1rquez<\/strong>. I especially love this edition because the cover and spine are stunning, and the endpapers are also delightful. Sometimes it\u2019s the small details that make a book a treasure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Two editions of Stefan Zweig<\/strong> are also among my favorites. The particularly elaborate edition from Topalian & Milani Verlag<\/strong> contains two stories: \u201cBuchmendel\u201d and \u201cThe Invisible Collection\u201d<\/strong>. These were the first Zweig texts I ever read, and I was immediately fascinated by his powerful language. All the more delightful that the book is adorned with numerous illustrations that make reading a special experience. They lean slightly toward the darker side, but for fans of the author\u2019s stories, this book is a must. The second collector\u2019s edition comes from S. Fischer Verlag, titled \u201cDecisive Moments in History\u201d<\/strong>, one of Zweig\u2019s most famous works. It also features gorgeous illustrations, perhaps a bit more \u201cdreamlike\u201d than in the previous one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Three collector\u2019s editions that focus even more on visual design are \u201cThe Fox and the Star\u201d by Coralie Bickford-Smith, \u201cThe Little Prince\u201d by Antoine de Saint-Exup\u00e9ry, and <\/strong>\u201cEast of the Sun and West of the Moon\u201d<\/strong><\/a> illustrated by Kay Nielsen<\/strong>. These are perfect for anyone who loves fairy tales and enjoys letting their thoughts wander, as the illustrations so strongly complement the text that you truly lose yourself in the stories. Especially in Kay Nielsen\u2019s works, you can feel the cold of the landscapes and the yearning of the characters, which bring the Scandinavian tales to life in a new light.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Another beautiful edition that takes a slightly different approach than the ones mentioned so far is \u201cIf I Could Tell You Just One Thing\u2026\u201d by Richard Reed<\/strong><\/a>. Here, well-known and inspiring people share advice for life\u2014without being preachy! What motivated them? What have they learned? Alongside these wonderful quotes, each person is accompanied by an illustration. The book\u2019s page edges are a vivid orange, giving it a distinctive look.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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When talking about collector\u2019s editions, one cannot overlook the books from Mare Verlag<\/strong>. They especially appeal to readers who enjoy stories about or set at sea. Personally, I\u2019m very fond of the new edition of \u201cTypee\u201d by Herman Melville<\/strong><\/a>! When placed side by side on a shelf, these books look like a little rainbow\u2014which of course adds to their charm. The editions are bound in linen and usually come in matching slipcases. Very appealing and of high quality\u2014perfect as gifts for bibliophiles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Finally, I want to mention \u201cS. \u2013 Ship of Theseus\u201d by J. J. Abrams and Doug Dorst<\/strong> and the \u201cClassics Reimagined\u201d series from Coppenrath Verlag<\/strong><\/a>. Abrams and Dorst\u2019s novel-within-a-novel is one of my absolute favorites among collector\u2019s editions. It looks like an old library book filled with inserts\u2014newspaper clippings, postcards, letters, etc. Many readers find the story itself challenging, but I loved the concept and execution. It reminded me a bit of Marisha Pessl\u2019s \u201cNight Film\u201d and plays wonderfully with mystery. (The German edition was published by Kiepenheuer & Witsch in a limited run, but the English edition is still available.)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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In a similar style\u2014with ten removable inserts (character sheets, family trees, postcards, etc.) but with a more floral pattern\u2014come the Coppenrath editions, which already include several novels by Jane Austen and \u201cJane Eyre\u201d by Charlotte Bront\u00eb (with more planned). I think they\u2019re wonderful because they help bring classic texts closer to younger readers and refresh their somewhat dusty image.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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I hope you enjoyed the first post of this series and found plenty of inspiration for beautiful books. If you\u2019d like more, I recommend visiting Karin\u2019s blog little words<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What are the most beautiful treasures on your bookshelf? Do you already own any of the books mentioned here? Should this series continue? Who else should share their most beautiful books here?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As regular readers of this blog know, I love beautiful books. Holding an artfully and finely crafted book in my hands is a very special pleasure for me. I\u2019m not alone in this passion, but the love for beautifully designed books isn\u2019t all that common. I personally find it difficult to discover new, beautiful editions, … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “My Most Beautiful Books \u2022 Karin from little words”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6956,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"Meine sch\u00f6nsten B\u00fccher \u2022 Karin von little words - lesestunden","description":"Wie regelm\u00e4\u00dfige Leser dieses Blogs wissen, liebe ich sch\u00f6ne B\u00fccher. Ein kunstvoll und hochwertig gemachtes Buch in H\u00e4nden zu halten, ist f\u00fcr mich ein ganz beson"},"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_slim_seo_primary_term_category":0,"_slim_seo_primary_term_post_tag":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[212],"tags":[209,207,208,211],"class_list":["post-6659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-my-most-beautiful-books","tag-special-books","tag-karin","tag-little-words","tag-schmuckausgabe"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/meine_schoensten_buecher_karin_beitrag_neu.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6659\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}