In London the 35th Diagram Prize is going to be awarded soon to the oddest book title of the year. Will it be Lofts of North America: Pigeon Lofts; How to Sharpen Pencils; Goblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop; or (my favorite) How Tea Cosies Changed the World? These four gems (all real books!) are on a short list of titles competing for this year’s award according to this Chicago Trib article. Leave it to the Brits to have a prize like this–one that combines pure whimsy with acknowledging an author’s gumption in pursuing a topic close to his or her heart. I love it!
Click on the titles above to see the cover design, and in the case of How to Sharpen Pencils, to request the book from one of our sister libraries. Some of the others are available in book stores.
Barbara L.