Toni Ridgway-Woodall
Toni Ridgway-Woodall is a Library Assistant in the Reference and Local History department at CDPL.
Have you ever chosen a book just for its beautiful cover? This month, we have gathered an array of books with exceptionally beautiful covers, spines, and interior pages. You may find marbled papers, embossed letters, unique illustrations, or other hidden gems. The following is just a highlight of the visually-impressive collection we’ve assembled for you at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
Prehistoric Antiquities of Indiana (970.4 Lil) was published in 1937 by Eli Lilly. Born in Maryland and then relocating to Kentucky, Lilly moved to Greencastle, Indiana when he was 14 years old. He pursued several distant business opportunities but always returned to Indiana because of his love for this landscape. His book focuses on the earthworks and mounds created by the indigenous groups of this region, and he describes the ceremonial objects and implements that were left behind. Due to his well-known expertise in chemistry, he uses a substantial amount of this book to discuss the different materials used, such as copper and coal. Several professional archaeologists, historians, illustrators, and photographers also contributed to this work.
American author Paul Theroux published The Tao of Travel (918.4 The) in 2011. He has traveled the world, lived in numerous locations, and even taught English abroad. This book is a collection of great observations and pleasurable insights based on five decades of Theroux’s nostalgic adventures, his favorite travel books, and a bit of how-to knowledge. Excerpts and quotations from the writings of his favorite globetrotting authors are also featured, including Ffyona Campbell, Emily Dickinson, Marco Polo, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Freya Stark, John Steinbeck, Rebecca West, and many more.
Respected philanthropist and writer Dave Eggers divulges the embodiment of storytelling and adventure in his 2018 book The Monk of Mokha (921 Alkhanshali, M.). This intriguing tale is a true story about a young Yemeni American from San Francisco named Mokhtar. He travels to rugged, mountainside farms to learn more about the rich history and traditions of coffee in his ancestral land of Yemen. Meanwhile, foreign relations take a turn for the worst and he quickly finds himself trapped by a civil war with little hope for escape.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Drunken Botanist (581.632 Ste) and Wicked Bugs (632.7 Ste) by Texas-born author Amy Stewart. She incorporates the perfect mix of historical information, detailed descriptions, creative illustrations, expert interruptions, and practical recipes in a compact yet legible format. Plus, these titles are perfect reading for the upcoming Spring season!
Interested in learning (and seeing) more? Eager to pick up and explore these beautiful books for yourself? Then stop by the big display table next to the Reference desk on the second floor at any time during regular library hours (Monday-Thursday 9-9, Friday-Saturday 9-5, Sunday 1-5). Browse as much as you like, take your time, and get ready to enjoy some unique examples of artistic skill.
