Interview with Kim Heijdenrijk, Kimbooktu's Book Gadget Guru
Have you ever struggled to find that perfect gift for the avid reader in your life? Did you know there is a definitive source for every book gadget imaginable: http://kimbooktu.com
Kim Heijdenrijk is the bibliophile and blogger behind this amazingly creative blog. LitMinds recently conducted an interview with The Netherlands native about her passion:
1) Can you begin by explaining Kimbooktu and what led you to create a blog about gadgets for book lovers?
I was fantasizing about having my own bookstore one day, which I do quite often. I thought of names that would be appropriate for this bookstore and came up with Kimbooktu. I think of reading as a journey. The writer of the book starts the trip and the reader decides where the trip goes and how long it lasts. I immediately thought of 'Timbuktu'. Synonymous for as far away as possible. Since I am a fan of word play I brought my own name into it and Kimbooktu was born.
Since I probably will never own my own bookstore, I decided to use the name for my website. For years, I was always searching for a webpage on book related products. One site that lists all the good stuff. I never found one. When I had some time on my hands, I started one myself. I could not believe the amount of people who were also looking for a page like it. The response has been overwhelming. After reading, the website is my biggest hobby.
2) How did you become a book lover?
In my teens I read a book every once in a while. When a friend of mine gave me a trandslated Dutch novel, "The Discovery of Heaven" by Harry Mulisch, everything changed. Finally I found some reading that really took me on a journey. After that, I read all his work. Then I became addicted to reading. And collecting. Since Mulisch sparked my bibliophilia, his work is my main collection. I have almost every title he ever wrote, which is a lot, in first print. Besides that I have a rule about books. Never borrow them, never loan them out. Since I read a lot and I always buy my books, the amount of books is growing fast. Not to mention my fiancée also loves to read. But he's more into fantasy.
3) Part of your job seems to be about finding new, exciting items out there in the world of books. Can you share a couple of the more innovative ideas you have seen?
There are so many great bookish ideas. The first innovative idea that I can mention is The Slanket. Especially in Winter time I love to sit on the couch and read. To stay warm I wrap myself in a blanket. The
Slanket is a blanket with arms. The idea is simple, but you have to think of it. I would love to own one.
Slanket is a blanket with arms. The idea is simple, but you have to think of it. I would love to own one.
The second gadget I like are those invisible bookshelves. They come in all sorts of shapes. I like products that save room and provide for housing your books. Invisible bookshelves look great and you can stack loads of books on them.
4) What is the funniest, weirdest, or silliest gadget you have posted on Kimbooktu?
The weirdest must be an audio cd that's called "The little guide to your well-read life". It teaches people how to fall in love with books. Quite bizarre. Another strange one is a perfume that has the odour of old books. The scent is called "In the library". I would love to smell it.
The weirdest must be an audio cd that's called "The little guide to your well-read life". It teaches people how to fall in love with books. Quite bizarre. Another strange one is a perfume that has the odour of old books. The scent is called "In the library". I would love to smell it.
5) You recently started a discussion on LitMinds about the best book you ever read. Why did you ask this question?
I know it's quite a hard question to answer. But I had my reasons for asking it, since LitMinds at this point is mostly visited by American book lovers. I am Dutch and am always curious to know "the best of…" in the English literature. I read a lot of books in the English language, because they are usually very poorly translated into Dutch. And it often takes the publishers about a year to get them translated, which is, obviously, way to long. Since not all American titles are available in my country, I always want to make sure that there is not something great around that I've missed. So I asked the question to get some tips, basically.
I know it's quite a hard question to answer. But I had my reasons for asking it, since LitMinds at this point is mostly visited by American book lovers. I am Dutch and am always curious to know "the best of…" in the English literature. I read a lot of books in the English language, because they are usually very poorly translated into Dutch. And it often takes the publishers about a year to get them translated, which is, obviously, way to long. Since not all American titles are available in my country, I always want to make sure that there is not something great around that I've missed. So I asked the question to get some tips, basically.
6) What is the last book you read that really affected you?
It not often happens that a book makes me cry. I think only three authors managed to make me weep until now. When they can, it's a good thing. Art is emotion and books are art.
The last book that got me to tears was In the Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. I thought the story was wonderfully put together, a little predictable at times, but very well done. This novel has a lot of genres worked into it. The end was very moving. Since I could not lay it aside, I started reading in the afternoon and finished it at four in the morning. The exhaustion might have had something to do with the tears, but it was one of the best books I have read yet. The book takes place in Barcelona, and there is now a little booklet with the In the Shadow walking tour. If someone is planning to go there, I would say: read the book and do the walk! I know the city and I am sure it would be great.
The last book that got me to tears was In the Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. I thought the story was wonderfully put together, a little predictable at times, but very well done. This novel has a lot of genres worked into it. The end was very moving. Since I could not lay it aside, I started reading in the afternoon and finished it at four in the morning. The exhaustion might have had something to do with the tears, but it was one of the best books I have read yet. The book takes place in Barcelona, and there is now a little booklet with the In the Shadow walking tour. If someone is planning to go there, I would say: read the book and do the walk! I know the city and I am sure it would be great.
7) What do you like about the LitMinds community?
I like the fact that LitMinds brings people together. And that the people are friendly. I have not seen anybody yet that responded negatively or rudely to a question. Instead, the members try to answer the questions of others as well as they can. And that's how it should be. It is a community. I think LitMinds is a fantastic initiative.
You can check out Kim's LitMinds profile here.