Tea-Scented Books

Do you like to sip a nice cup of hot tea while you read? Well, don’t throw those tea packets away–scent your book with them. Next time you make a cup of tea with an individually-wrapped teabag, use the wrapper as a bookmark. (NOTE: NOT the teabag, the wrapper it came in!) The pages of your book will be lightly scented. This seems to work best with strong, spicy teas like chai or Earl Grey; green teas are just too mild to produce much scent. But the effect is delightful–imagine opening the book in fifty years and on top of that lovely old-book scent you get a whiff of yummy tea!

Fancy-Lookin’ BookThongs

Yes, I like the bookthongs–you know, those beaded strings they want you to pay $5 for at Books-A-Million. But–poop on giving people $5 for beads on a string, when you can make your own, as many as you want and done any way you like, for a fraction of that. Also makes a fun group project and possible fundraiser at your next used book sale. ^_^

All you need is some colorful waxed string (which can be a bit pricey; you can substitute regular embroidery floss, but it’s harder to work with), beads, and a needle small enough to go through the beads. Tie a knot in one end. Put your beads on any way you like, as many as you like. (I like to use pretty seed beads and beads with letters on them–for friends who loan me books I make thongs that say things like “YOU ROCK”.) This is the “end” of the bookthong. When you’ve beaded to your heart’s content, tie another knot close to the last bead, big enough that the bead won’t slip over it. Measure out enough string to fit into a mid-size book–say, 8 inches or so. Tie another knot. Put a few more coordinating beads on, and tie that off. Cut the string. Voila, a bookthong!

B.O.O.K.

–A bit of nerdy bibliophile humor sent to me by the lovely and talented Catherine.

Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade named: BOOK! BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It’s so easy to use, even a child can operate it.

Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere — even sitting in an armchair by the fire — yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc. Here’s how it works:

BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder, which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence.

Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in information density; for now, BOOKs with more information simply use more pages.

Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it.

Unlike other display devices, BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, and it can even be dropped on the floor or stepped on without damage. However, it can become unusable if immersed in water for a significant period of time. The “browse” feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet and move forward or backward as you wish. Many come with an “index” feature, which pinpoints the exact location of selected information for instant retrieval.

An optional “BOOKmark” accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session — even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers. Conversely, numerous BOOKmarkers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number of pages in the BOOK.

You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with an optional programming tool, the Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus (PENCILS).

Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a new entertainment wave. Also, BOOK’s appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are reportedly flocking. Look for a flood of new titles soon!