And now for another completely random event being celebrated in June — National Ballpoint Pen Day! That’s right, June 10 is the day to take out your pen and write or draw something pen-worthy!
I have to admit that NBPD immediately made me think of writing, so I was prepared to search the library’s collection for writing guides (of which we have many, by the way). But this is one of the things I love about looking for items in the library’s catalog: I often come across unexpected titles. It turns out that the term “ballpoint pen” brings up some intriguing results. In addition to the expected titles about writing and drawing, I discovered a book about the invention of the ballpoint pen; a guide to making custom pens; a tribute to handwriting (and penmanship); and an adorable picture book about a leopard named Leo who receives a pen as a birthday gift. Wow. I love the library.
Observing a day devoted to a classic writing implement can be pen-tastic. How, do you ask? Well, if you have a penchant for pens, all you need to do is check out this week’s reading list to become a true pen master. No pens, er, puns, intended.
- “Ballpoint: A Tale of Genius and Grit, Perilous Times, and the Invention that Changed the Way We Write” by Gyorgy Moldova.
- “Ballpoint Art” by Trent Morse.
- “Framed Drawing Techniques: Mastering Ballpoint Pen, Graphite Pencil, and Digital Techniques for Visual Storytelling” by Marcos Mateu-Mestre.
- “The Gift” written by Alain Serge Dzotap, illustrated by Delphine Renon.
- “The Missing Ink: The Lost Art of Handwriting” by Philip Hensher.
- “The Pen Turner’s Bible: The Art of Creating Custom Pens” by Richard Kleinhenz.
