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Look!: Wood Books

092208book-01.jpgDon't judge a book by it's cover--just because it's made out of wood doesn't mean it can't be interesting... at least that's what we're saying about these wood books we saw at Moss last week. More after the jump.

 
 

092208book-02.jpgWe happen to be less than fans when it comes to paperback books. And when it comes to hardback books, we can't ever get ours to look organized on a shelf (which is why we don't use books as display). But we wouldn't mind lining up some wood books for an unpredictable look in the living room or a playful element in the hallway. You could even paint them to match your decor if you don't appreciate the organic look of the wood books.

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Comments (36)

This is one of those things that works OK for a retail environment - where the purpose is to sell the bookcase (real books would be distracting)

But to suggest that this is a good idea for someone's home is lunacy.

posted by bepsf on September 22nd 2008 at 2:46pm
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huh? what? really? I don't get it.

posted by lizanne on September 22nd 2008 at 2:46pm
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D'ya think one day we'll look back at our retail-inspired decorating, and laugh at ourselves? I can't imagine the need to fill perfectly good shelf space with wooden "books." Maybe wooden crates in which to store stuff, but not fancy schmancy blocks of wood!

posted by paintitbright on September 22nd 2008 at 2:47pm
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OK guys, did it suddenly flip back to April 1st? I thought this was a joke at first, then I realized this was serious. I am speechless.

posted by The Bretttorrium on September 22nd 2008 at 2:47pm
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yeah i don't get it either.

posted by animalhouze on September 22nd 2008 at 3:01pm
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OK, I'm not a big fan of paperbacks either but, wooden blocks in place of real books is too much. The books on your shelf can tell people about the things that you're interested in. What do wooden block say about you?

posted by modernguy on September 22nd 2008 at 3:03pm
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i would only want a handful scattered through the shelves which house magazines. i have some art magazines which need the support of book ends between them so that they won't lean and slip around. these wooden books would be an OK alternative but other than that, i'd pass.

posted by *heather leaf* on September 22nd 2008 at 3:04pm
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You can buy nice looking used books at most thirft stores for very little money---ones that have good looking hard covers

posted by poptart on September 22nd 2008 at 3:07pm
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I like these! Don't get me wrong, I read two or three books most weeks and even own a few myself, but these books are no less whimsical than ceramic animals. Cool look, too.

posted by krister on September 22nd 2008 at 3:13pm
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This is equal parts hilarious and horrifying, with just a dash of sad.

posted by edieb on September 22nd 2008 at 4:18pm
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I want one of those fake cardboard televisions from the furniture store.

posted by ohjodi on September 22nd 2008 at 4:20pm
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"books" is a pretty generous term. Just looks like cut wood planks. Shame, I didn't realize we were already living Post-Fahrenheit 451.

As someone who has a dedicated library with a 12' x 8' wall of books (which I constantly have to cull to keep from overflowing) I can't imagine needing fake books to take up space and be decorative (??)

posted by reb on September 22nd 2008 at 4:33pm
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I've posted this point of view numerous times already but here I go again:

Fake books are ridiculous. Books swathed in craft paper are ridiculous. Books arranged by color are ridiculous. Books arranged spines-in are ridiculous. If I walked into anyone's home and found any of these display options, I would conclude the resident was:
1) shallow
2) stupid.
Books are for reading. End of list.

posted by PhillyLass on September 22nd 2008 at 4:47pm
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dumb.

posted by TiffanyH on September 22nd 2008 at 4:52pm
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read.

posted by amt230 on September 22nd 2008 at 5:16pm
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Crack kills!
Stop it.

posted by sthrngrrrl on September 22nd 2008 at 5:29pm
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I have so many books, that something like this would be unnecessary.

posted by suzy8track on September 22nd 2008 at 5:33pm
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Planks of wood replacing actual books?? OMG, did Sarah Palin become president without my realizing it?

What's the point of bookshelves if not to hold books?

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on September 22nd 2008 at 5:57pm
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Just the other day I was thinking of building a shelf to house all the wood planks I need to display...NOT.

posted by Mrs.B on September 22nd 2008 at 7:19pm
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Totally ridiculous.

posted by jamiealyse on September 22nd 2008 at 8:57pm
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This post is like the times children at christmas discard the actual gift and focus on the box!!!!!!!!!! jeje hilarious...

Though I have to admit *heather leaf*'s idea is actually good... I also need support for those 'wobbly' books that start shifting and eventually wreaking havoc with the line...
and distorted books are a nag jejeje.

posted by Maroha on September 22nd 2008 at 9:44pm
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What?

posted by hrhprincessfiona on September 22nd 2008 at 11:33pm
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no.
not to be all cranky and all but, no.
books should be functional. and, other than as something that could be used to bonk someone on the head, these wood "books" are functionless.

Those trees died for you, why do you mock them?

posted by sciencegeek on September 23rd 2008 at 2:54am
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I have (almost) stopped commenting on the ridiculous posts that now seem a daily occurence on the AT site - they seem designed just to fill space and make it look like AT has a lot going on - probably good for the advertising revenue but useless for people who come here to actually look for good ideas for their homes

Please stop featuring crap like this

posted by Violetsrose on September 23rd 2008 at 3:06am
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What about using real books? They serve a dual purpose...they look nice and you can read them.

posted by LaurieLu on September 23rd 2008 at 3:19am
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what qualifies them as books? this is so silly.

posted by STYLeyes on September 23rd 2008 at 4:26am
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This was a retail/display environment... so please don't tell me Moss was SELLING these.

The only possible use I can think of for these is as supports/dividers in a very large bookcase.

Even then, I'd probably paint the name of the section they're adjacent to on them, ala ART, SOCIOLOGY, etc. That actually might be cool/useful.

posted by Valerie on September 23rd 2008 at 4:54am
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why?

posted by kiljoywashere on September 23rd 2008 at 5:03am
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Phillylass I arrange my books by color and I assure you I am not stupid nor am I shallow. I have an extensive reference library and I often remember my books by the color of the covers.

posted by larchgirl on September 23rd 2008 at 5:07am
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Enough already with the uniform book covers and fake book posts.

posted by gquaker on September 23rd 2008 at 5:25am
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stupid

posted by Carder on September 23rd 2008 at 5:31am
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Worst post ever! So dumb.

posted by Griffin on September 23rd 2008 at 6:40am
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I'm going to remember this...easily one of the most insipid things AT has ever posted...

posted by gordon on September 23rd 2008 at 7:00am
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Pathetic. Ridiculous. So absorbed with everything looking 'perfect' that you have to hide paperbacks and hardcovers behind closed doors and purchase fake "books" made of wood? I know wood is a renewable resource, but c'mon! WHAT A BENIGN WASTE!

posted by maggieann on September 23rd 2008 at 7:53am
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Idiotic.

posted by gryt on September 23rd 2008 at 9:58am
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lol i thought you were gonna suggest making book covers w/ faux bois paper.

posted by mariegael on September 28th 2008 at 8:50pm
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