We don’t mean to sound the alarm, but with the anticipation of the holiday season coming up just around the corner, now is a great time to start mentally preparing to do the holiday shopping next month! Of course, if you’re like some of us early birds, you know that this is actually the best time to shop before the crowds and the hustle-and-bustle begins.
Either way, we’d like to take a moment to remind you that it’s Bookshop Day; shopping at small, independent bookshops is a great way to support your local community, boost regional economy, and make a real difference in the lives of people who run them! Plus, we’ve found some excellent books about woodworking and carpentry that you can order through your local bookshop to give as gifts to your favorite carpenters *wink wink*.
Building: A Carpenter’s Notes on Life & The Art of Good Work by Mark Ellison chronicles his 40+ year journey through the homes, businesses, and most beautiful spaces you’ve ever seen! With anecdotes on each interesting and challenging project, insights into client/carpenter relationships, and all of the life lessons learned along the way, this book is a surefire hit for any creative craftsperson in your life. Get insights into the industry from one of the world’s greatest, and enjoy the creative storytelling, photographs, and sketches that built Ellison’s lifelong career.
A Splintered History of Wood by Spike Carlsen explores the history, versatility, and interest of this everyday material that we all take for granted. Readers will be taken on a journey of the evolution of woodworking and carpentry, lumber and wood, and the lifelong impact these have on people from all around the globe. Through thoughtful research and engaging enthusiasm, you’ll learn about woodworking through the eyes of an aficionado. A perfect gift for the holiday season!
Why We Make Things and Why it Matters: The Education of a Craftsman by Peter Korn is an insightful look into what drives us to create, explore fine craftsman skills, and the passion behind these exquisite and vital handicrafts. The author explores the hows and whys of how making objects can shape our identities, how creative work enriches our community and society as a whole, why we are driven to create, and what insight we can learn about ourselves in the process. It’s a poignant piece of non-fiction that belongs on every carpenter’s bookshelf.
The Age of Wood: Our Most Useful Material and the Construction of Civilization by Roland Ennos has been considered a groundbreaking text in the history of how wood, trees, and lumber have played in our global ecosystem and economy. Blending a history lesson with science, this non-fiction book explores the connection between humanity, society, and nature and the interconnectivity between. From Southeast Asia to West Africa to North America, the journey across the globe spans the topics of primatololgy, anthropology, archaeology, history, architecture, and carpentry throughout human history.
Built: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures by Roma Agrawal is presented by the incredibly inspiring woman who engineered the Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building! Roma Agrawal explains the origins and evolution of construction from mud huts to skyscrapers, and explains how humanity has made such strides and feats. Through vivid storytelling and passionate research, she shares a thoughtful insight on how careful engineering can help prevent disasters and tragedies. By blending history with personal anecdotes, scientific and mathematical perspectives, and unique illustrations, it’s a unique look into something that intertwines our everyday lives and society.
As a fellow small business, we love to make sure that we’re supporting other local, independent establishments. If you’re looking to acquire the books above, we suggest putting in a call or visiting one of these incredible local booksellers!
Amazing North and Central New Jersey Bookshops