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🦋 Christchurch, NZ Sharing the stories nestled between the pages. From the wonderfully weird to the seemingly insignificant with the hope of reuniting mementos or igniting that spark of joy for the wonderful world of books.

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Today's bookhaul...

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Mr. Silverstein, a Scholastic Book Fair blast-from-the-past. A minimal think piece in an era of maximalism.

Found between the pages is a note between Chuckles and Bootles noting, "I hope you enjoy & treasure this book as much as I do you. May you never find your 'missing' piece." Totes cute.

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Book: The Missing Piece Author: Shel Silverstein Published: 1976

Found: Loving note between Chuckles & Bootles Date: December 2004 Owner: "Chuckles"

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This was a find by my boyfriend, the jokester of the household. What caught my eye is the Bottleneck font that captures the characteristics of the era and the block colouring.

Between the pages was a postmark with a check mark next to a joke with what seems like a date and a check mark that I would assume alludes to a successful reception...

"84. 'Mummy there's a man with a bill at the door.' 'Don't be silly dear. It must be a duck with a hat on.'"

Book: The Right Joke for the right occasion A to Z

Author: Kevin Goldstein-Jackson Date: 1972

Found: Notes on a joke Owner: Colin C. East

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#redirection: Rescued this book from being tossed away. Held together by cloth spine binding and hardboard covers, this enables the book to be stood up next to the typewriter for ease of use. Typesetting this baby would've been a tedious but oh so enjoyable.

Book: Pitman's Business Typewriting: A Course in Typewriting for the Business Student Author: Frederick Heelis Published: 1967

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"Don't fall for the Pay Packet System because mum never knows how much Dad slices off the top nor when he get a rise or extra overtime. She we only wonder how he got the shiny new power drill or golf clubs."

A unique look into the kiwi household of the late 70's, Family Budget Planning is an interactive budget breakdown to get you on the right track with your money. I found the Average Spending Pattern page particularly enlightening.

Between the pages, the only interaction with the workbook was a circled passage: "Before we start let's all agree...all income is ours not... his or hers".

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Book: Family Budget Planning Author: W.L. Pound Published: 1976

Found: Circled passage Date: Unkown Owner: Unkown

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"It may seem unusual for a motor car manufacturer to sponsor the production of a book to be used be people when they are walking. Perhaps it is."

The Fiat Book of New Zealand Trees, the walking book of contradiction? Not at all. I've been told by many kiwis that the only way to get out and see New Zealand is by car. As a matter of fact, I've never been happier to see my car than after a 3-day hike on the Routeburn Track.

Between the pages, I found evidence that this little field book was put to use when little pressed leaves fell out. I even added my own when I came across a Totara tree on a recent walk.

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Book: The Fiat Book of New Zealand Trees Author: Nancy M Adams Published: 1967

Found: Pressed Leaves Date: Unknown Owner: CG Chamberlain/Maister

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Where else can you find a wok and Disney reference? Charmaine Solomon, Wok Cookbook

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As a kid growing up in the states, Disney theme parks were the ultimate dream vacation. Flipping through Steve Birnbaum's 1986 Walt Disney World Guide, a peek into a pre-digital Disney where everything appeared to exist in an era of true magic.

Between the pages, a magazine clipping describing California's Disneyland and on the back, an early bird purchase plan for a free admission to Knott's Berry Farm. With a magazine of Disneyworld Florida and clipping of Disneyland California one could assume someone had an amazing Disney holiday or a grand Disney mix up.

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Book: Birnaum's Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center Author: Steve Birnbaum Published: 1985

Found: Cut-out magazine article "Holiday Highlights: Disneyland" Date: Unknown Owner: Unknown

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Hey there! I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share what inspired this project.

As a huge book lover (surprise, surprise!), second-hand shop enthusiast and someone who happens to be a graphic designer, this account is my way of not only sharing beautiful books, but pieces of myself and the stories others left behind. A story within a story, ranging from the meaningful to the seemingly insignificant.

The idea for this project came about slowly. I visited my parents summer of 2023 and my mom needed assistance in sorting through our home library, deciding what to keep and what to give away. As began sorting, I stumbled upon delightful surprises tucked away between the pages: old photographs, receipts, heartfelt messages from loved ones, and even my brother's long-lost fake ID. These books were like time capsules, preserving precious memories. When I got back to New Zealand, I started to collect more and more books and eventually when I got around to actually reading them – a postcard fell out from addressed from daughter to father. From that moment on, I continued to stumble upon these little gems between the pages, fragments of stories. There is a special joy in filling in the blanks with only the context of a book.

It's not often that I come across something truly meaningful, but in this account, I will share the wonderfully weird and the visually captivating, with a sprinkle of knowledge along the way. I currently reside in Christchurch, New Zealand, which is where I've mainly sourced my day-to-day finds.

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"Men who read more achieve more"

English Pottery Figures navigates 2 decades of pottery history into a 30-page thesis followed by line-art illustrations and black and photography plates. Lovely text wrap cover design and white block lettering on the black hardcover cloth.

Between the pages, I found a vintage book slip from Technical Books Ltd. located in Wellington, NZ and few vintage supplier stickers.

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Book: English Pottery Figures 1660 to 1860 Author: Reginald G. Haggard Published: 1947, 1952 reprint

Found: Technical books LTD purchase slip + stickers Date: Unknown Owner: Unknown

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As we welcome in the New Year with Tết and Chinese New Year, my post today is a magazine I came across from my year: 1995 the year of the pig.

Mangajin was a magazine that celebrated Japanese culture and language, its last publication was in December 1997 due to financial hardship.

I found it timely to come across my exact zodiac year as the New Year approached and even further that I am (slowly) learning Japanese. Focusing on advertising in the internet era, this issue was a neat peek into how language learning began to rely on digital as a vital tool in language progression and proficiency.

The Letters to the Editor article caught my eye "Kimba vs Simba" as that is something I've always wondered as a kid... those who know, know.

Book: Mangajin Issue #46 1995: Year of the Boar

Publisher: Mangajin, Inc

Date: February 1995

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Sharing something a little different. In New Zealand/Aotearoa today we are celebrating Waitangi Day: A special day for those all over the nation, representing diverse cultures, to unite and connect with the Māori community and acknowledging and show respect for the rich history, vibrant present and promising future of its people and cherished traditions.

I am sharing a thrift shop find that is a stunning collection of Māori songs from Barbara Ewing in the 1960's. An advocate for Māori rights who from a young age began to practice Te Reo - against her mother's wishes. Barbara graduated with a degree in English and Maori, which she finished while working in the Department of Māori Affairs (now Te Puni Kōkiri) and as a Vocational Guidance Officer for Māori girls.

"If you learn another language you often learn other things as well. And working in the Māori Affairs Department meant I learnt an enormous amount about aspects of my country which I felt, even then, that many people weren’t aware of at all."

What: Maori Songs I Love Who: Barbara Ewing When: 1967

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Souvenir Typeface got me like 🤤 Cookbooks are not usually in my library but this book is eye-tantalising for the typeset lovers.

I spotted this beauty, Wok Cookbook, in 2 different op shops 550km apart from each other, passed it up the first time and felt it must be fate the second. Between the pages, I found the brochure "How Butter Makes it Better" which was an amusing find considering butter is not a typical Asian staple and is rarely featured in any of the recipes in this book. Nonetheless, an interesting read. "People mistakenly believe butter to be more fattening than margarine. In fact butter supplies fewer calories than margarine and up to 20% less than other fats".

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Book: Wok Cookbook Author: Charmaine Solomon Published: 1979

Found: "How Butter Makes it Better" brochure Date: Unknown Owner: Unknown

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I can't help but be drawn to a vinyl book cover. This is Collins Concise Guide to Photography. Inside is captivating; layout, illustrations, and imagery are mesmorising and meticulously thought through.

Between the pages, I found a vintage film processing envelope seemingly unused. A blast from the past. The owner most likely had been living in or around Brisbane, Queensland. I wonder what kind of guidance they received from this book...must have leveled up from amateur.

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Book: Collins Concise Guide to Photography: The Professional Manual For the Amateur Photographer Author: Michael Freeman Published: 1984

Found: Unused film processing envelope from Cut-Price Photo Date: Unknown Owner: Unknown

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Mount Cook/Aoraki in New Zealand has a special significance to me as I had the incredible opportunity to live and work in the national park last year. So this book I thrifted was an awesome find and contained a sneaky old newspaper article! Mount Cook Holiday is a detailed tour through the park paired with unique illustrations on every page. Between the pages, I found a folded article that details a commercial perspective on tourism in the country. What caught my eye is the article was published a couple of years before the book which makes me curious about the connection between the two. #returntosendernz #RTS -—— Book: Mount Cook Holiday Author: John Magurk Published: 1972 Found: The Press cut-out newspaper article “Mt Cook Well Placed For Growth Ahead” Date: August 26, 1970 Owner: Unknown