Think Warm Thoughts

I know what you’re thinking — it has been an extremely mild winter in the Midwest. I’m lucky to have moved to Chicago during a warm spell, so as to ease into the winter weather. Still, I’ve found myself on a couple of occasions, freezing atop the Belmont train platform, thinking of the warm summer days and bright floral colors to come. And while the lakefront Chicago winds whipped around my building last night, I found myself sifting through vacation photos from my trip to San Francisco last summer.

The first grouping of photos was taken while visiting the Golden Gate Park Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco. I’ll post more photos later this week from this same trip.

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park | San Francisco

Street performers under the bridge in Golden Gate Park.

Golden Gate Park | San Francisco

Book Review | Seating Arrangements

I recently discussed the cover of Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead — designed by Elena Giavaldi. This post, however, will focus on the novel itself.

Book by Maggie Shipstead, Cover design by Elena Giavaldi

A debut work by Maggie Shipstead — graduate of the Iowa’s Writers Workshop and recipient of the Stegner Fellowship of Stanford University — Seating Arrangements is a well-written story, with rounded and realistic characters. The book received high praise from well-known book critics from reputable publications, such as the NYTimes, and a fairly good review from the Washington Times as well. And yet, for me, something seems amiss.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t pretend to be the novelist Shipstead has clearly proven herself to be — the plot moves steadily, the language is precise, and Shipstead can be quite humorous. That said, I found myself wanting to send the majority of the characters to time out, as they most reminded me of children behaving badly.

The protagonist of this novel is Winn Van Meter, an ivy league graduate, husband to Biddy, and father to pregnant bride-to-be Daphne and formerly-pregnant jilted Livia. The setting, a New England summer home on Waskeke island, complete with beaches, estates and an exclusive country club that continuously shuns Van Meter, is described in great detail and leaves the reader longing for a beach vacation.

The drama of the story hinges not only on the pre-wedding activities of Daphne, her fiance Greyson Dugg, his immediate family, but also on Van Meter’s dip into a mid-life crisis that leaves much to be desired of his character, his role as a husband, as well as a father. The most likeable characters, however, turn out to be the family Van Meter deems to be his personal enemies.

While the book jacket does, indeed, point out that this story is meant to be a satire, I quite agree with the latter part of Washington Times review; Shipstead doesn’t quite achieve that satirical slant.

All that said, I don’t mean to tear this book apart. I think Shipstead is a talent to watch, with an impeccable eye for detail, and a way with words, to say the very least.

Scenes from the City | Downtown Chicago

One of my favorite parts about living in East Lakeview, is that I can jump right on the express bus off my corner and head downtown in seven minutes flat. Some nights, I return from a long day at work, drop off my work bag(s) and head downtown just to remember why I moved here in the first place. This place is inspiring — the architecture, the people, the lake — I find I form a hundred different stories in my head while riding the train, waiting for the bus, or walking the streets. The problem is finding the time to get them all down on paper.

Here’s one particular photo of downtown I am excited to share from an evening walk. Enjoy.

Chicago | Water Tower Flag Flying

Scenes from the City | Awash With White

I can’t seem to get a good grip on the weather here. I thought Kansas weather was hard to predict, but wow…Chicago is a whole different beast. That said, I’ve been privy to some really beautiful walks during soft snowfall. Here are some recent images taken while commuting between offices à pied.

But before I go, let me say this — winter weather is meant to be enjoyed while listening to recordings of poems by Robert Frost read by Robert Frost. There’s something about the saltiness of his voice and the briskness of the air, it stirs something inside. Trust me on this, give it a go.

Northwestern University | Evanston

Northwestern University | Evanston

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, Unless It’s a Beaut

Recently, I’ve been noticing more and more beautifully designed books popping up at my local bookstore in Chicago. And here’s the thing — I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but when it’s a work of art in itself, are you really hurting the author by picking up a well designed book over a boring, mass-produced jacket that likely dons the hard covers of every other book published by that author (or every author under contract with the publisher) over the span of several years? I think not.

While I love reading, the truth is that I know very little about the publishing process. From what I’ve heard, however, authors have very little say in the design of their book cover, and that is a damn shame. After all, there would be no cover without the book, am I right? Still, were I to publish a novel, and were I then told that the following jacket designer was taking charge of the visual presentation of my words, I would hand over all rights. Seriously. Check them out for yourself.

Book by Maggie Shipstead, Cover design by Elena Giavaldi

With that in mind, I decided this blog should pay homage not just to authors, but to book jacket artists and designers as well. So I will be posting — in addition to book reviews,  photographs and general ramblings — beautiful or interesting jacket covers as well.

The first cover (book review coming soon) is for Maggie Shipstead‘s novel “Seating Arrangements,” and is designed by Elena Giavaldi.

What I most enjoy about Giavaldi’s design, is the homemade element — it looks as though she has been outside painting with water colors on the very island in which Shipstead has set her characters.

Secondly, I’m a big fan of the lobsters and the natural intrigue they create. Why lobsters? Are the lobsters in love? What do those adorable lobsters have to do with seating arrangements…oh wait…

But once you read the novel, you realize the lobsters actually take part in several of the inter-woven plots throughout the book itself. And truthfully, after finishing the book, I can’t think of a better image — except perhaps a whale — but for reasons you’ll understand after reading the novel, you’ll favor the lobster choice like me, I’m sure.

As I’m sure you can tell from Giavaldi’s portfolio, her design aesthetic is wide-ranging.

What do you think? Any jacket covers you favor? If you’re interested in other jacket cover designs, try a simple search in Pinterest; there are some pretty amazing designs out there waiting for you to discover, and who knows? Maybe you’ll crack a spine you may have otherwise missed.