August: Last Month of Summer

August is my least favorite month of the year. I lose the will to accomplish in August. It's just too hot. I long for the first cool, crisp days of autumn, which are in all likelihood still two months away. September brings the autumnal equinox and the hope of a pleasant day now and then, but fall doesn't start in earnest until October here. So we muddle through August savoring the sweet consolation of cantaloupes and peaches and thanking God many times a day for air conditioning.

I think much of the nation must feel the same way about August, as it is short on holidays. With the exception of this coming Sunday night, which is Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night, a favorite with gardeners everywhere, there's not much to celebrate. So here are some books I think are cool. (Oh that word!)

National Clown Week - August 2-8


Here's your word for the day: coulrophobia (n): the fear of clowns. Let's be honest; clowns are scary. I don't know a single person who doesn't think so. Setting aside a week to celebrate them is likely a desperate public relations effort to redeem them in the public eye. But this little book from Jungae, embellished with an art postcard featuring the cover of a vintage piece of music, is very unique, and I like it quite a bit. Except for the clown.

Books from Guys

Etsy is almost entirely peopled by women. We know this. So I'm going out of my way to show you a couple of exceptional books from some male artists I admire.

This stunning book from Neilsenhandmade is titled Out of Balance. He harvested book cloth from obsolete and discarded books and stitched them together for the cover design. This is the only book he has for sale in his shop right now but all of his work is standout.


I also admire Jason's work at Jwaggone. The text paper in all of his journals is not only 100% recycled but also: processed chlorine free, "made carbon neutral", and both FSC and Green Seal Certified. The cover of this particular journal is made from plywood that he has painted with milk paint, which he says is "the greenest paint there is." Even though it's blue.