Adventures in Stationery: A Journey Through Your Pencil Case

by James Ward

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published September 11, 2014

About the author

James Ward is the cofounder of the Stationery Club and the Boring Conference, featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Observer (London). His blog, I Like Boring Things, has been featured in The Independent and on the BBC website. He lives in London, and The Perfection of the Paper Clip is his first book.

Reviews

[Fran Light]

I came across this book in a local 'free library' and picked it up thinking it would be informative and possibly mildly amusing in places. I didn't expect it to be especially gripping or fascinating, after all, it's a non-fiction book about stationery of all things, how enthralling can that subject be? Very, as it turns out!

I read the first chapter, on the paperclip, and was transported into a world of design, engineering, creative genius, patent disputes and dogged determination. I was brimming over with fun paperclip facts in the office the next day, though I'm not sure my colleagues were quite as fascinated by the subject as I was. They definitely weren't scrambling to borrow the book once I've finished with it. They don't know what they're missing!

Now I've read the whole book, I feel like I have been inducted into an exclusive underworld society that knows all sorts of stationery secrets and stories, and I appreciate the humble pen, pencil, stapler, notebook and school protractor all the more for knowing them.

Written with wit and humour, and obviously meticulously researched, this book is a gem. I have read some great novels this year, but this non-fiction read surpassed them all.

I was really surprised to see that only a handful of people have reviewed it here, but I'm going to do my very best to get all my reading friends to give it a go as I have no doubt that they will quickly be as hooked on the content as I was.

[Maria Pigueta]

Un llibre 100% recomanable si ets una persona apassionada de la papereria; recorre la història d'alguns objectes que omplen els nostres escriptoris i entrellaça anècdotes personals i tocs d'humor. M'ha encantat!

[Rebecca]

Found this by accident on the Libby app. Charming, funny, well researched; I want the physical version as it’s an all time favourite!!

[Angela]

As my Father has said on repeat since I could understand words, “The right tool for the job.”, that is EXACTLY how I feel about my office supplies.
This book hit the spot for my obsession and adoration of all the gadgets, implements, gizmos and things that sit on our desks.
A delightful and informative read. I am so glad I stumbled upon this book looking for something else. It was meant to be.
We can still stand up to our tech overlords and grab a post it and pen and write it down and stick it to the man! Lol!

[Russell Murphy]

Well written and researched. Entertaining

[Pramitha Kamath]

Frankly...a good book about the history of stationery. Pretty detailed. However, I am not a huge fan of non fiction.