Eat this Book

blog-bookbinding21

During the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent some time in the bookbindery (a.k.a. my dining/kitchen/studio table), working to replenish the supply of books that I’ve published through my small press. With Lent just around the bend, I’ve been particularly focused on shoring up my stock of my book Garden of Hollows: Entering the Mysteries of Lent & Easter. Drawing on the texts and images that the Lenten season gives us, Garden of Hollows invites readers to contemplate their lives in the light—and shadows—of the stories that lead us toward resurrection.

I established Wanton Gospeller Press in order to create small, intimate, artful books of a sort that traditional publishing houses typically can’t offer. Although I’m continuing to work with publishing houses, I’m grateful to have a pathway that enables me to develop my own vision for a book and handle its production from start to finish. I do virtually the whole shebang myself: writing, artwork, design, making the covers, and binding the books. The process is labor intensive, but I enjoy the rhythm and being engaged in each step of bringing a book into the world.

With this round of book making, I’ve added a couple of new, artful elements, including gorgeous endpapers made of mango papers that come from Thailand. The paper is beautiful, translucent, and has mango leaf inclusions, as you can see in a couple of the photos above. I’ve selected a different mango paper for each of my Wanton Gospeller editions; for Garden of Hollows I chose a lovely pale green.

My sweetheart Gary says using mango paper is a good choice, as readers can eat the endpapers if they start feeling peckish along the way. That’s actually a great image for these books, and for the process of lectio divina (sacred reading) that gave rise to them. The Dominican nun who first taught me about lectio sometimes calls it lectio bovina, in respect of the way that this form of reading invites us to chew and chew on a sacred text until we gain the nourishment it has to offer. Garden of Hollows grew from a long process of ruminating on the sacred stories of the coming season. I pray that this book, in turn, offers some of the sustenance that I have found.

I would love to share these Wanton Gospeller Press books with you! For more information and book excerpts, click on Wanton Gospeller Press, where you can order either from Amazon.com or directly from me.

Happy munching!

9 Responses to “Eat this Book”

  1. Sunrise Sister Says:

    I ordered your little book prior to vacation and have it now here with me in Maui; I look forward to traveling through Lent with it.

    I was really touched to see that it was a handmade piece – the papers lovely – I felt honored that though I had purchased this, a book, a thing, an object, an item…..it came with a tremendous amount of love and respect in its structure. Thank you so much! Your careful attention and respect for the season is evident without even reading a word!

    • Jan Richardson Says:

      Thank you, Sunrise Sister! How lovely to imagine my book on Maui! I’m grateful for your support and for your thoughtful words; they are a gift, and sustenance for my path. Have a wondrous vacation, and may the landscape of Maui offer you many delights. Safe travels.

  2. shawnarenee Says:

    Your book looks elegant and gorgeous. I’ve been looking for a book to travel through Lent with, and I just ordered one. I cannot wait to see it and see your beautiful work in person.

  3. shawnarenee Says:

    I just received Garden of Hollows. It is is exquisite! You do wonderful work.

  4. Karen Pugliese Says:

    Eager to receive Garden of Hollows, which I’ve just ordered “from the kitchen table.” Thought you might want to know that Amazon no longer has copies and doesn’t know if and when they will carry any more copies.

    Know too that your work has touched not only me, but many others through my ministry as hospital chaplain, retreat director and spiritual director. Looking forward to your companionship on my Lenten Journey.

    • Jan Richardson Says:

      Thanks so much, Karen! Amazon just recently sold their last copy of Garden of Hollows; I’ll be replenishing their supply before Lent begins. I’m grateful for your order and will ship your copy shortly. Many kind thanks for your words; they are manna for my path. Many blessings to you.

  5. Glenda Says:

    I was interested in this book — but the book is not available with Amazon; didn’t see how to order it from W- Press. . . Please let me know.
    Thank you.

    • Jan Richardson Says:

      Thank you, Glenda! I’d be pleased to make a copy available to you. I’m out of stock and haven’t had time to create a new supply; I’m hoping to do this early in the Lenten season, but please know that, one way or another, I’ll at least make a copy to send to you! Am on my way out of town and will be back in touch after I’ve returned. Thank you and many blessings!

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