So, I mentioned in my weekly good stuff about the papercut books that were in this months vogue? Well, the artist who made them is called Su Blackwell, and here’s some of her amazing work….

I’m a great fan of anything connected to fairytales and stories, and as an avid book collector the book sculpture that Su Blackwell creates are just… ah! fabulous. You may have seen some of the alice in wonderland ones around before, I sure have!

This one’s the Wizard of Oz, which is super ace I think. I think that the books used are the actual stories that the scenes are from, which makes these even more special.

So? Who is it? For me, it’s Neil Gaiman. It has to be. I’m not some kinda fangirly ‘omgosh he’s so in vogue’ kinda fan. I’ve been reading and rereading his books and graphic novels for nigh on 7 years now, having been introduced to him by Adam. Last night we got to go to a reading/q&a about his new book, ‘The Graveyard Book’. It was an epic encounter, for many reasons, and definitely deserves a whole blog post about it!

Shitting hell though, the motorway was well packed up when we set off causing us to be a few minutes late. We even RAN from the carpark to the venue, which made me get asthma, tuh. Sorry if anyone there heard a coughing girl whilst Neil was reading :/ Anyway, luckily we didn’t miss anything ‘cos there was this n00b from the University talking for a few minutes beforehand. We did manage to get there in time for the epoch opening band though :D So, kids, apparently Jonathon Coulton (you know, the guy who wrote that song at the end of the orange box?) was playing at one of the Academy’s that night too and loads of geeks people had emailed Neil to complain about having to make one of the hardest decisions of their lives. Neil, being the ever so kind man that he is, wanted to reward those who’d made the right choice at attending his event by arranging a special 2 song gig by Paul & Storm and Jonathon. Totally rocked my almost-asthma-attacking socks! I have a couple of short videos somewhere.. Anyway, Jonathon sang Skull Crusher Mountain which was fantabulous.

Ok, so after the intro band, Neil started reading from ‘The Graveyard Book’. Unfortunately we didn’t have the time for a full chapter so we got half of chapter 3. The book sounds so so good, even though it’s a childrens book (think… coraline, but aimed at slightly older kids) it still has that Gaiman edge that makes such a special read. I’ve yet to read it in full so I’ll talk about it more when I’ve completed it.

There was then a Q&A, much hilarity ensued when someone asked about what it was like meeting Steve Ditko. Not ‘cos of Ditko himself, rather who Neil met him with… the currently infamous Jonathon Ross. Oh-a-ho-ho!

Yes, anyway, then was the signing… I asked Neil how Robopanda was doing… He said he hadn’t had chance to play with him much. Bah! I got my new copy of The Graveyard Book signed and an aged copy of American gods that belongs to Adam (it’s been read twice by Me, Adam and Adams brother.. it’s kinda like a relic). Yes, super fun times!

Taken by Adam with super blurry camera!

A weekend or two ago, Adam and I paid a visit to a Castle in Northumberland. This magical place was where parts of the Harry Potter films were made! :O Amazing.

Firstly, they have this amazing Treehouse (based on Rivendell I believe, you know, Lord of the rings style) in the gardens of the castle. It’s actually a restaurant which is kinda cool!

1. Alnwick castle, 2. Dragon slaying at Alnwick castle, 3. View from Alnwick castle, 4. Alnwick castle Quidditch, 5. Alnwick castle, 6. Alnwick castle Lamp

I had a super fun time running around pretending it was Hogwarts, much much fun! We also got to go to an amazing second hand book store in Alnwick, called barter books. UK people, if you ever get a chance to go there, go in a second! They have like, thousands and thousands of second hand, amazing smelling, fabulously aged paperbacks and hardbacks. And you can just sit and read them! With a coffee! and a toastie! :D

I have an addiction to books, pretty books, big books, bound books and old books. I can bind books, and have done in t-shirts, newspaper and old paper. I just love books. So here’s some of the books I’ve purchased over the past couple of weeks.

A lovely version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (paper back)… (did you know paperbacks are only really built for reading 3 times?… which applies to some of my further purchases).

3 Paper back Sherlock Holmes books in anticipation of the two films that have been confirmed!

A new paperback version of American Gods, because our old one is falling apart due to too much reading! & this one is in the new cover styles of the Neil Gaiman books. I must say, American Gods is possibly my favourite Neil Gaiman book.

Lets see. Oh, I also bought a paper back copy of Anansi Boys… because hardbacks weigh too much to carry around with you most of the time. Also with the new cover (I say new, they’re a couple of years old now..).

I also picked up a Marie Antoinette book in an effort to learn more about stuff. Stuff including the French revolution, oddly. A what more decadent way to begin?

A couple of weeks ago I picked up The End of Mr.Y from waterstones as it was on offer, and mentioned physics, curses and Victorian England. I’m reading it right now actually, and it’s pretty tastey!

My new favourite haunt is the £2 book shop in Huddersfield’s town centre, many a good book can be found in there (if hunted for correctly and with vigour). So a fair few of the above books only cost me £2 each, ha-mazing I hear you say. Yes, it truly is. Much like my next two £2 purchases…

This is for you, hardcover, by Rob Ryan. Granted, my copy had a bit of a scuffed dust cover… but who needs dust covers when you have a glorious red hardback? Along with this, I bought a book with a cover designed by Rob Ryan… how exciting! The book does sound interesting, too. The book of lost things, by John Connoly

Last but not least, I also purchased the second Lucifer Box novel (if you haven’t read any, you really must!). The Devil in Amber, by Mark Gatiss (yes, of the league/dr.who writing fame).

So there you go. I think I may have missed a book or two there, but who knows. My addiction to buying books is rampant, but it’s a good addiction.