Read This is a new Scout column that details book selections by authorities, luminaries, institutions, and locals that share deep affections for the written word. To kick things off, we asked for four titles from Larissa Beringer and Hillary Webb at The Emily Carr University Library.

1. So This is Permanence: Joy Division Lyric and Notebook / Ian Curtis ; edited by Deborah Curtis & Jon Savage (London : Faber & Faber, 2014)

HW – Do you like Joy Division? I do and have always been fascinated with lead singer and lyricist Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in 1980 at the age of 23. This beautifully bound book begins with a foreword by Curtis’ widow Deborah and an introduction by writer Jon Savage, then dives into reproductions of Ian Curtis’ handwritten lyrics, poetry, and notebook pages, offering readers an incredibly personal experience and a window into his creative process.

2. The Principles of Uncertainty / by Maira Kalman (New York : Penguin Books, 2009)

HW – An inspiring and magical collection of whimsical illustrative paintings and text by Maira Kalman, based on her year-long illustrated blog she kept for the New York Times. The book contains snapshots of everyday life and captures fleeting moments in time, all the while asking existential questions about life, death, family, love, and fashion – What is identity? What is happiness? Why do we fight wars?

3. The Thing, The Book : A Monument to the Book as Object / Jonn Hershend & Will Rogan (San Franscisco : Chronicle Books, 2014)

LB – From the curators of the experimental magazine, The Thing Quarterly, this striking cloth-bound publication invites a group of artists’ to respond to the physicality of a book. Each unique contribution creates an independent work brought together in an exhibition in the form of a book. Includes projects by Miranda July, Ed Ruscha, Mark Dion, Kota Ezawa, Tauba Auerbach and more.

4. Converging Lines : Eva Hesse and Sol Lewitt / Edited by Veronica Roberts ; with essays by Lucy R. Lippard, Veronica Roberts, Kirsten Swenson (New Haven : Blanton Museum of Art in association with Yale University Press, 2014)

LB – This beautiful publication celebrates a friendship between two of 20th century’s most profound artists’ and explores the influence they had one another’s art. Eva Hesse and Sol Lewitt first met in late 1950’s New York which marked the beginning of their friendship until Hesse’s death in 1970, at the age of 34. A collection of essays, including one by Lucy Lippard, unpack the artist’s shared interest in geometric shapes, lines and the limits of the picture plane. Sol LeWitt’s postcard’s to Eva Hesse should inspire every reader to rekindle a friendship this summer with a simple letter!

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The Emily Carr University Library is dedicated to supporting practice and research on campus and throughout Vancouver’s creative community. They specialize in collecting new artists’ publications, graphic novels, exhibition catalogues, and international art and design magazines. Emily Carr University of Art + Design (est.1925) is a world leader in education and research. Encouraging experimentation at the intersection of art, design, media and technology, our learning community merges research, critical theory and studio practice in an interdisciplinary environment.