Books about reading and books

There are books about books and publishing houses. Since Chappell [256-257] mentions Penguin Books, I thought you might enjoy looking at their history of the company http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/aboutus/aboutpenguin_companyhistory.html  and a history of the company "Penguin by Design: A Cover Story 1935-2005 " by Phil Baines  http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780713998399,00.html

At the same time, you might also enjoy reading about publishers who used different forms of printing, such as microprint. In this case, Oxford University Press which funded the Oxford English Dictionary (begun in 1857). While it had been printed in many formats and versions, and on a variety of media, the microprint edition (which they call Compact) is probably the most commonly found in homes. Here's an image of the page. Those who do own it, probably purchased it new through one of the many book clubs (that's how I purchased it), or used when someone moved and had to part with the amazing etymological dictionary. Today it is available online through its website or through a library. You can read about the history of the OED here http://public.oed.com/history-of-the-oed/   Notice that it was first printed in fascicles (gatherings) and distributed to libraries and subscribers. Remember how we looked at imposition by examining the Italian Ephigraphical dictionary when we met in September. If you are interested in reading about the OED's first editor James Augustus Murray, check out Caught in the Web of Words: James Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary by his granddaughter K.M. Elizabeth Murray or Simon Winchester's The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary (P.S.). Both provide a fascinating view of the construction of large reference books, think Ann Blair.


I don't want to be distracted by the growth of the publishing industry or the creation of 'big books'. There are other articles and books that discuss the rise of reading, its importance in society, and proliferation in the 20th century. "Turning the Page" by Joan Acocella (New Yorker, Vol. 88 Issue 32 (Oct 15, 2012): 88-93) is a review article about women as readers throughout time. The article focuses on nineteenth century women readers, but provides an overview of the class of women who were literate in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Europe.

While you work on your exhibit about a specific book and author, think about the supporting materials that will bring your title and project to life in the eyes and minds of the viewer. You might highlight a publishers' binding or a special printing feature. 

For those of you who want to read more about publishers' bindings, view the website Publishers Bindings Online http://bindings.lib.ua.edu/