If the world of the spoken word and it's original ancient dramatists was enthralling for our forefathers then indeed the art of the written word has held our imaginations captive for a good couple of millennia.
It was the Irish writer Oscar Wilde that exclaimed that Art was not mimetic of nature according to some ancient, cryptic Platonic theory; but indeed it was the very vitality of nature that owed it's inspirations to Art Herself! Mankind and it's spoken and written words were not an ideal logical concept but the very source of inspiration that emboldens men's hearts to scale the heights of human endeavor. A book is a very precious thing that takes upon itself a life of it's own, and once perused with a decent brew of coffee at hand, becomes the friend of it's reader to share every moment of joy and sorrow within a world of personal solitude.
Large and small, thick and thing; all books are the welcome friends of the habitual cafe creature. So what really makes a good coffee table book? Well, there are some that go to cafes for a social tête-à-tête or romantic encounter and there are those that just want a moment of space for them selves for an act of satisfying self-indulgence. Mostly coffee is indeed a self-centered drink evocative of personal pleasures that soothe the troubled mind and so the type of person that just wants to lounge about really wants a moment of private escape from his or herself.
It was the Irish writer Oscar Wilde that exclaimed that Art was not mimetic of nature according to some ancient, cryptic Platonic theory; but indeed it was the very vitality of nature that owed it's inspirations to Art Herself! Mankind and it's spoken and written words were not an ideal logical concept but the very source of inspiration that emboldens men's hearts to scale the heights of human endeavor. A book is a very precious thing that takes upon itself a life of it's own, and once perused with a decent brew of coffee at hand, becomes the friend of it's reader to share every moment of joy and sorrow within a world of personal solitude.
Large and small, thick and thing; all books are the welcome friends of the habitual cafe creature. So what really makes a good coffee table book? Well, there are some that go to cafes for a social tête-à-tête or romantic encounter and there are those that just want a moment of space for them selves for an act of satisfying self-indulgence. Mostly coffee is indeed a self-centered drink evocative of personal pleasures that soothe the troubled mind and so the type of person that just wants to lounge about really wants a moment of private escape from his or herself.
Coffee table books are a necessity because they are enticing and offer the coffee consumer an anywhere but here moment away into a world of wonderful scenery and imaginative topics. The modern coffee drinker is usually an over-worked stressed out creature or an anxious student seeking essential quality Tine-Out from the daily mundane routine. Since most cafes are located in city centers it would not be unusual to find a consumer who just needs to ,mentally switch off and lose his or her self for a moment to retain a calm composure that a fresh cup of coffee can instill and infuse from within.
Usually, large and predominant upon the table before you the coffee book sits invitingly with an offer of friendship as you sit down, compose yourself and attempt your first sip as you close your eyes for a second for refreshment. Invariably the first sip always comes with a blink as the mind instantly recognizes the tantalizing tastes of coffee on the taste buds and signals to the mind the beginning of a warming of the consumer's very soul. The mind comes back from the first few sips and pours over the large shape of the coffee book which cannot fail to fade away from your attention. Thus, you as the coffee consumer, are inexorably drawn towards the invitation of the coffee table book and let your mind wonder over the various topics it would wish to show you.
Some coffee table books cover exciting far-away locations like the blustery isle of Skye in Scotland or the wilderness of an African plain with wonderful portraits of photography that captures your imagination all at once. Others may illustrate forlorn broken castles or ruins of romantic imagination to wist the mind within untold stories and possibilities.
Whatever the topic; the invitation of the coffee book is most assuredly welcome and a source of equal contentment for all cafe creatures that dwell within the world of a cafe and a book for a moment of peaceful solitude. We all have our foibles and our peculiar disingenuous moments and certainly a penchant for a decent brew should not rank as the most hazardous of frivolities. Decidedly, should the root of evil lie in ignorance then indeed the root of all happiness should lie in the open acceptance of knowledge and what better way to open the mind and gain a greater education than by enjoying a decent cup of coffee with a book at hand and hoping for more peace and goodness among mankind!
More coffee please!
Regards all ...
Pieter Bergli
More coffee please!
Regards all ...
Pieter Bergli
For those of my readers that have a penchant for art babble then kindly grab a cup of decent coffee and turn to:
and of course for lovers of art
https://www.pinterest.com/myartmusings/
and for readings in history there is my writings on the histories of the Napoleonic campaigns at
http://austerlitz-borodino-waterloo.blogspot.com/
Thank you.
https://www.pinterest.com/myartmusings/
and for readings in history there is my writings on the histories of the Napoleonic campaigns at
http://austerlitz-borodino-waterloo.blogspot.com/
Thank you.
