Bookshelf: Ian Stevenson's guide to life via the bizarre contents of his bookshelf

Date
8 September 2012

This selection was always going to be a weird one, but I simply was not prepared for the glorious selection of books that illustrator/artist Ian Stevenson has shared with us. These strange manuals and guides are less of a library, more a cynical-yet-affectionate glance at the oddities of human behaviour. I imagine there will be many readers who share a mutual love for this kind of book, maybe you could go to a car boot sale with Ian and find some more? Alternatively, visit his website and buy some Christmas presents for your equally cynical and hilarious friends.

The Family Knitting Book

This book is amazing! My whole wardrobe is knitted, I’ve got suits, shoes, the whole lot. I also used some of fashion photos in the book in some of my work – I painted on them to create a new scene and reveal what I imagine was really going on. After having another look at this book I’m going to do some more.
The Family Knitting Book

Word Processing

Published in 1985 this all you need to be at the cutting-edge of technology. Whenever I’m having meetings I like to use the latest computer buzz words. I’m ready to go, at the insertion of a floppy disk and a flick of the switch.
Word Processing, 1985 Ed, Soft

The Official Gladiators Traing Programme – Shape Up To Play, Get Ready To Win.

Whenever this program is recommissioned I’m there! Until that glorious time I will continue to wear my lycra training gear underneath my clothes and wait for the call.
The Official “Gladiators” Training Programme: Get into Shape and Get Fit to Win

Customizing Vans – Packed With Tips & Ideas To Get You Going…

Sometimes I read this book naked and as God intended. I saw the greatest van recently in the local supermarket carpark and someone had customised it to look like The A-Team van. Or it could have actually been the real A-Team doing a weekly shop as you must be able to fit loads in the van.
Customizing Vans

Roofing – Quick Guide, Step By Step Installation Techiniques (Over 1.5 million copies sold)

I’m always helping my neighbours out by mending their roofs. It’s surprising but many of the skills I learnt in this book are also transferable to car maintenance and surgery. What this book can’t teach you isn’t worth knowing.
Roofing (Quick Guide Series)

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About the Author

Liv Siddall

Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

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