News
The Great Gatsby Teacher Contest May 14 2013
Now that's a teacher you want to respect.
One of the things that makes a great work of literature great is the energy that teachers put into teaching it, generation after generation. Here’s a well-deserved contest to reward all those teachers.
Tell us your best story from your students or pass along the best quote you heard from a student while you were teaching The Great Gatsby. Leave your response on our Facebook page. We'll pick our favorite and give him or her one of our Gatsby shirts. We’ll pick a winner at the end of the month, so enter now and spread the word.
...And We're Back! May 03 2013
I’m back! Mark’s been dutifully
manning the store while I was in relaxing in Argentina, and since
sales were up while I was gone, I’m thinking of leaving again.
While away I took a bookish break from vacation to see the Feria de Libros in Buenos Aires.
An entire convention center of books. Swoon.
I’ve been to lots of book festivals, but most of them would have gotten lost between the booths at the Feria de Libros.
Most of the books were (obviously) in Spanish, and thus out of my reading range, but just seeing the sheer volume of books and the huge crowds was inspirational and impressive. Jorge Luis Borges would have been proud.
So many books...
I did find an English language stand and picked up Henning Menkell’s Kennedy’s Brain, but… well, more on that book on my Goodreads account which I have tried and failed to link to our Facebook. It says it’s linked, but it lies.
But among all those books, not a single book T-shirt. You hear that, Mark? Next year, business trip to Buenos Aires.
Books and Bars April 10 2013
Pictures of books in bars!
http://flavorwire.com/382271/15-amazing-book-filled-bars-where-wed-like-to-drink
Unfortunately, they missed Bourbon and Branch's library room:
Books all along the left side, velvet wallpaper all along the right. Tin ceiling above. Bourbon straight ahead.
A much better view of the books, plus a random young lady. What's more likely to light the books on fire? Her, or the candles?
The main area of Bourbon and Branch is great, but the library room? When we dream about drinking, we are doing it here.
Of course it helps that I got to hear Craig Clevenger read there during Litquake.
Have you been to Litquake? One of the best book festivals of all time. And if you want to volunteer to help out, we know a person.
Which segues nicely into my thoughts recently about how perfect our shirts are for wearing at book festivals. The weather is beginning to turn, and festivals season is nearly upon us. You'll be browsing tables of used books, smoothie in hand and warm spring sun on your bare shoulders, practically tomorrow.
If you're in our old hometown of Baltimore, you'd better be going to this one: The 10th Annual City Lit Festival. George Saunders is going to be there! Yes, that George Saunders.
Got a favorite book-themed bar? Tell us on Facebook.
Librarians Everywhere April 02 2013
The Flip-Over-Your-Face Shirt Trend March 25 2013
How kind of the model to wear an undershirt.
The long history of T-shirt innovation received another chapter recently with the advent of the flip-over-your-head T-shirt design. At the first glance of this T-rex model we were smitten. But like all good things, familiarity and imitation have bred ennui. There are few iterations of this design worth the glance we've given the mighty T-rex.
So, should Dust Jacket leap aboard this rattle-trap train?
We're going with no. We take a firm stance against the unexpected baring of mid-rifts.
But if you have a great idea for a flip-shirt (perhaps "Ask me about my Grendel?" Or does that sound like something else?) do let us know. We're always willing to innovate.
Dust Jackets... of the Future! March 15 2013
One of Tales of the Rocket Patrol's finest issues, in our opinion, though "Attack of the Alien Princess" was remarkable for so many reasons.
We hope you like our custom pulp sci-fi magazine cover. You can create your own at the Pulp-o-mizer.
It must be one the most enjoyable little fragments of the internet we've stumbled upon in a long time, pleasingly easy to use, and with instructions delightfully written throughout in the hyperbolic style of the pulps.
If you've got a favorite pulp sci fi story you think would make a great T-shirt, let us know!
Fahrenheit 451 Book Cover March 13 2013
Designing a book cover seems like a common Design 101 class assignment, and Fahrenheit 451 a particularly common choice of books. Not many design students do it as well as Elizabeth Perez, though.
I'm curious as to whether the match on the cover is a printed graphic or a die-cut piece of the cover. In the most awesome of worlds it would be an actual chemical-coated match, but that's probably a bad idea, since that awesome world would probably burn down pretty quickly if it was a real match.
We've Always Found Books Sexy... February 21 2013
...but it took a group of Canadians to show us just how sexy books could be. Help these fine ladies spread the sheer and unadorned joy of Canadian literature by funding their Indiegogo project. Your funds help encourage 12 Canadian authors to get naked. We're all for it, and when these bare bibliophiles desire once again to don threads, we have some t-shirts we'd like to suggest...
Books Worthy of Tears February 14 2013
Nathan Bransford recently posted the query: which novel made you cry the most?
The answers from his many readers were inspiring, in part because so many people expressed such heartfelt appreciation for the works of so many different authors. I'm sure I'm missing a few, but here is my list?
The Book Thief - a popular one among the commenters on the original article, and for good reason.
The Westinghouse Game - I read this book as a when 10 or 11. I remember the story being powerful, but I remember even more being heartbroken by the thought that I wouldn't get to spend any more time with the characters.
The Cold Equations - I'm cheating a little bit, as this is a short story. Science Fiction mentions were rare among commenters. This story feels at first like it's got that cold lack of humanity that makes many people prejudiced against spaceship stories, but it's packed with humanity. Best of all, you can read it here, for free.
Give it a chance, and don't be ashamed if you find yourself crying into your t-shirt.
The "It's Almost Spring" Sale has Commenced February 11 2013
Indeed, truth is stranger than fiction. All three of our shirts are now just $12 each. What strange and mighty force has caused such financial opportunity for you?
Our greatest desire in these cold and dreary February days is to see green leaves once again, but our second greatest desire is to see you wearing one of our shirts. Thus we've temporarily lowered the prices on all our shirts, saving you the princely sum of $6 per shirt. What can you do with $6? Here are some suggestions:
- Buy a great adventure novel from a great online bookstore. (and still have $2 left over)
- Buy some personalized book plates.
- Help print a calligraphy book for Afghan students.
Go shop and save, and don't forget to like us on Facebook or join our mailing list so you don't miss out on future deals.
Tested October 10 2012
Lest you think we toss our shirts into the maw of the public untested, Mark and I want you to know that we carefully test each shirt.In the past week we've each worn The Mediocre Gatsby tee on multiple public forays. We've visited bars and restaurants and attended house parties, concerts, and music festivals. Throughout our rigorous testing, we've collected dozens of smiles, nods, and more than a few "nice shirt" comments.
We will not go so far as to say you will attract hordes of the opposite sex by wearing this shirt, but the bright yellow color is sure to attract the eye, and the witty play off a beloved American classic is guaranteed to win approval.
The Montag work tee is not without its fans either. Rather than wow revelers, we have garnered the most praise when wearing it at the library, where thoughtful (dare we say brooding) types are wont to give us an approving nod.
Exceptional News for the Mediocre August 21 2012
Beer and T-shirts August 12 2012
Here in the dusty, book-filled confines of DustJacket Central, I’ve been thinking about the charismatic character that sells Dos Equis. I’ve been thinking about him because I don’t always wear T-shirts, just as he does not always drink beer. And yet I now sell T-shirts.
We don't expect you to wear T-shirts all the time. You're literary types, oft seen in tweed jackets or in long skirts and fetching blouses, and constantly with book in hand. We do believe, though, that if you want to wear a T-shirt you ought to be able to wear a good one. You ought to be able to choose a shirt of high-quality material with a design that will impress friends and relatives.
You may be more inclined to waistcoats, cravats, or sweaters, and that's OK with us. In fact, we encourage you to look as dapper as possible at all times. That's why we started DustJacket Clothing. There will come a day when you'll want to wear a T-shirt, and we're here to make sure that when that day comes, you look just as dashing in a T-shirt as you do the rest of the time.
A Tasty Teaser June 20 2012
Today we have for you a visual nibble, a tiny artistic morsel to whet the sartorial appetite.
To what great work of American literature might this shirt refer? We will not insult your intelligence by telling you. We will purloin a moment of your time, however, to tell you that the full version of this fine feast of T-shirt art will be available for pre-order soon. Possibly, we dare to hope, as soon as next week.
RIP Ray Bradbury June 06 2012
Ray Bradbury passed away this Tuesday night. This USA Today article has a lot of interesting facts about the prolific author, including the fact that he refused to drive a car or fly. How did he get around on book tours?
One thing the USA Today article doesn't mention is the fact that Bradbury inspired our first shirt, the Guy Montag Work Tee. We suggest you get yourself one and wear it to your local library to pick up one of Bradbury's many amazing works.
Faster is Worser May 14 2012
Can an author double his or her output and maintain the same quality? Can any other profession?
The New York Times, trend-inventor extraordinaire, recently published an article on how the electronic publishing world has tossed authors onto the vicious treadmill of public desire.
Here at Dust Jacket, the e-pocalypse can't force our pace. We're committed to quality like Florentino Ariza was committed to Fermina Daza. That doesn't mean you have to wait till time and cholera wipe out all your friends before you see some new shirts. Remain loyal and you'll see new designs by next month, plus some teasers to keep your interest piqued.
Books for Men April 30 2012
Fear not, fairer sex: we soon hope to have our designs printed on babydoll shirts or other female-specific tees. Our current shirt does look quite fetching on the female form, however, so don't hesitate to try one out.
In the meantime, though, ladies and gentleman alike might find this article interesting, about why men should read more fiction. It also includes some great links at the bottom. We particularly like the 100 Must Read Books for Men. You'll be seeing more than one of those classics appear on a shirt here.