Library Rapture

This is my favorite recurring exhibit. Every year the AIGA displays some of the best in publishing. It causes some serious bouts of jealousy, but also some serious bouts of elation. And I think this was the most books I happened to already own. Sigh, McSweeney's. Timely, since Chronicle Books just released The Art of McSweeney's, which I'm reading right now.

The exhibit is twice as fun for always being held at the U of U Marriott Library. Laurie gave me a short tour through the Book Arts Studio to see her recent letterpress project.

The View From Here

McSweeney’s #33 is a triumph. The San Francisco Panorama is a one-day musing on what newspapers could be. It’s newsy, but it’s also spirited, vogue, earnest, and engaging. The Sports section comes with an illustrated baseball insert that makes even me wish I was an enthusiast. The Absolut ad makes me want a martini with Zooey Deschanel right now. Kudos McSweeney’s for imagining what newspapers could do to differentiate from the Web. Whatever they can imagine, they can pull off. I don’t always enjoy their contributors but when McSweeney's goes conceptual … they inspire and astound. I haven’t missed newsprint much since I left it four and a half years ago. Until now.

McSweeney's Collection Complete!

I'm thrilled to have finally completed my McSweeney's Quarterly Concern collection. It took me a long time to start. I actually remember skimming the first few issues and thinking this is unique; yet not really liking the stories. I actually recall holding boxed issue #4 (the most collectible one) and still not buying it. Seven years later I paid $100 for it. Some collections make you suffer. But McSweeney's also inspires. I am so jealous of Dave Eggers' graphic design achievements on top of his literary success. Just last night, randomly, I was thumbing through the current Print magazine and they had an article on McSwys knock-offs. It was very interesting because McSwys borrowed from older design and text standards, but somehow modernized them. So are copycats truly plagiarizing? Or has McSwys developed into a new idiom? Anyway, from my first purchase in Seattle to the used copies bought from Powell's in Portland, and local Ken Sander's bookstore ... I am caught up! So now I'm keeping a McSweeney's diary beginning with issue No. 1 and I'm going to re-read them all and record the good parts, as well as thoughts on McSwys. That way when I want a good read, I'll know what to skip over and where to indulge.