Exhibit on Gifts & Books

I love that the Weston Library (a part of the Bodleian libraries) always has a free exhibit on. I saw one last week called “Gifts & Books: From Early Myth to the Present.” It was packed with all kinds of books!

I’m going to share with you some of my favorite things from the exhibit, but know that this is only a small sampling of what was on view.

I got to see some beloved literary texts: Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare’s First Folio, Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol, and Olaudah Equiano’s Interesting Narrative.

I got to see some amazing book covers by famous people: Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth), Francis Bacon, and the Duke of Buckingham.

Elizabeth made that book for Katherine Parr (her last stepmom–one who survived!). In the middle you see Francis Bacon’s sense of humor: if your last name is bacon you best be putting a boar on your book (it was his badge). Finally, the Duke’s so vain that he put a picture of himself on the cover!

I’m just gonna let the placard below explain the next set of items:

Of course, I had to try out the Love Letter Generator. It was hilarious. Here’s a close up:

“My fancy willingly pants for your eagerness.” “You are my ardent ardent.” oof. That’s the OG ChatGPT, y’all.

Then I learned about a popular practice called giving book tokens. It’s similar to giving a gift card to a bookstore. If you don’t know which book someone would like to read, just give ’em a gift card. Look at these adorable gift tokens–they’re not coins but paper, and the designs are cool.

The final thing I did at the exhibit was contribute to it! There is a sign upon exiting that tells you to write on a little card and hang it on the wall. So I did.

I wrote: “I gave my Dad Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and he loved it. It turned him into a READER.” And I hung it on the wall.

I love to give books to people, but I tend to give books I’ve read. Would you give someone a book you haven’t read? Maybe only if you know the recipient already wants to read it.

I got so much out of this exhibit. If you’re in Oxford in the next few months, check it out!