bookish birthday presents

Voracious readers almost always get books or reading-related items as gifts. The most recent birthday for this reader was no different.

I received books - 

The Complete Works of Shakespeare

This one hasn't arrived yet, Russell bought it "new and used" from Amazon so we'll see if it's actually the wished-for David Bevington-edited edition when it arrives.

Fundraising the Dead by Sheila Connolly

A cozy mystery (and the first in a new series) set in a museum cum research library. The only problem: per the back-cover text the archivist turns up dead.

The Novel Cure by Susan Elderkin and Ella Berthoud

The subtitle (From Abandonment to Zestlessness: 751 Books to Cure What Ails You) of this very recent release says it all. This book went straight to the top of my wishlist as soon as I heard about it.

Perfumes: The A-Z Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez

A reference book that includes reviews of 1200+ fragrances.

Sock Yarn Studio by Carol Sulcoski

Full of diverse non-sock patterns that call for the most collectable of all yarn: sock yarn.

And two blank books (pictured below)

The design of the one on the right is a close-up of hand-knit fabric.

I also received some items that were inspired by books -

Once by Nightwish CD

Because it has a song entitled "Nemo" (presumably inspired by the character from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) that popped up on one of Russell's Pandora stations and that I appreciated at the time.

Parade game, designed by Naoki Homma

An Alice in Wonderland-themed card game with fantastic new art work.

The Swarm game, designed by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer

A board game based on the novel by Frank Schätzing, which I haven't (yet) read.