Ex Libris Anonymous — Local services in Olympia

Sometimes I go to Ex Libris and find nothing that strikes my fancy. Other times, I need everything I see. This is the wonder of these beautifully spiral bound journals from salvaged books; there is always something new in the shop. From ancient history in the form of storybooks from my childhood to interesting and classic covers from someone else's treasure, with the eclectic selection of titles that change regularly. I've also found out that if I snooze I loose because many are one of a kind. I've collected journals covered with my favorite fairy tails, my old college art history book, a vintage cook book, the parakeet care book I got when I was 6 and most recently an etiquette book just waiting to be filled with ideas.

You can't judge a book by the cover, so even if the cover may be a tad dated, the coil is new, springy & sturdy while the paper is heavy with a welcoming writing surface. Pages from the original book peppered among the blank sheets are nice little surprises.

The BEST part of owning one of Ex Libris Anonymous' journals is when you run into someone else who is using one. The knowing look; the little smile; the silly comments like "I loved the chapter about preventing parakeets from going carnivorous" from someone clutching a journal with the Pokey Little Puppy...

Ex Libris Anonymous has only one drawback, and that is that I am tempted to buy hundreds of these wonderful journals made from vintage books. They make creative, personalized gifts for anyone who likes to write, draw, keep lists, watch birds, jot recipes, make notes about dreams, collect autographs, or just doodle.

I love the way Jacob leaves some of the original pages from each book interspersed with the blank page in the spiral-bound journals. Without that little flair, I never would have known that a luna moth can smell another moth that is nearly a mile away. That was in my "About Animals" journal. I have a French Conversation book journal on the way, complete w/ a charming drawing of monsieur sporting a beret in front of the Tour Eiffel. Jacob also leaves original inscriptions and margin notes on some of the pages, giving tantalizing hints about the person who owned the book in its earlier incarnation.

As someone who loves books, I'm delighted to support a company that finds a new purpose for them, re-creating them so that they can be treasured...

It doesn't better than Ex Libris. It just doesn't. What do you want from a business?

Fair price? These hand crafted journals/sketch books/ OCD lovin' list holders are $14!

Support a small business? Jacob is owner extraordinaire, and polite and hard working to boot. He truly appreciates your business.

Unique gifts for family, friends, coworkers, baby showers, work party, thank you, etc.? There are such a plethora of books to choose from at Ex Libris (in person at the Portland, Ore. storefront or online) that you'll be hard pressed to not find something for someone in your life. The most recent one I purchased was about Canada. But I have also bought those with classic Pooh, weather terminology, and songs of praise themes, to name but a few. When I give an Ex Libris journal as a gift, it shows thought for the individual not some mass produced item anyone could have gotten any where.

Environmentally minded? These are old books with wickedly cool covers that no one wants to...