Bookishness: Week of December 12, 2011


Gold medal stories In celebration of the 2012 olympic year the BBC’s annual short story award, usually known as the BBC National Short Story Award, is going international. Says this year’s chair, Clive Anderson, “Given the popularity nowadays of the Tweet compared to the full length letter, the YouTube clip compared to the boxset and a soundbite rather than a long-winded speech, the short story ought to be taking the literary world by storm.” While the winner will not in fact receive a gold medal for their story, they will be awarded £15,000. Entries are being accepted from authors worldwide, provided they have a history of publication in the UK, until February 27, 2012 at 5 pm GMT.

Awesome People Reading  Caution: any amount of time spent perusing the 59 pages (and counting) dedicated to photos of awesome people reading will likely lead to at least 30 new celebrity crushes (along with a renewal of affections for long-time favourites like Kate Winslet). (via Lovely Little Shelf) 

A bookish crafternoon In the mood to make something? Have some old books that you’re okay with cutting up? Enter this tutorial on creating bookish (indeed, book) picture frames. Aghast at the idea of destroying books? If you’re alright with cutting up junk mail, these lovely snowflakes are an alternative. Also: examples of the magic that can be created when one “destroys” books.

Bookmobile Remote control books: an attempt to convince kids to read more? Nope. BMW commissioned Stefan Sagmeister to create a book on their history. Regardless of whether it’s a worthwhile read, it sure is fun to watch it zip along sidewalks.