THE WALRUS SAID . . . . . . . . . being a bookish blog

Saturday, June 6, 2026

The Biblio File: images of bookplates, for bibliophiles

David Levine on writers: David Foster Wallace

David Levine (1926-2009) was one of America’s most prominent illustrators during a career that spanned decades. No less an authority than Jules Feiffer described him as "the greatest caricaturist of the last half of the 20th century,” although Levine continued to work in the early years of this century as well. Levine’s subjects included himself (above) and people from many walks of life. Authors, scribes and scribblers were a big part of the mix, as these caricatures make clear. 

Lit Toons: Cartoons with a bookish bent


First Lines: Anne Rice


"I see . . ." said the vampire thoughtfully, and slowly he walked across the room toward the window.

Interview with the Vampire
Anne Rice

"They say it's your birthday" - writers born on June 6



V.C. Andrews  (1923)
Maxine Kumin  (1925)
Thomas Mann  (1875)

Friday, June 5, 2026

The Biblio File: images of bookmarks, for bibliophiles

And you read your Emily Dickinson
And I my Robert Frost
And we note our place with book markers
That measure what we've lost