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Dan Wagstaff

@danwagstaff.bsky.social
284 followers 358 following 301 posts

Books and stuff. Manager of expectations. Toronto. He/him. www.casualoptimist.com

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The Casual Optimist @casualoptimist.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Zachary Petit's best book covers of September + a chat with NYC-based designer Claire Sullivan about her design for Our Cut of Salt by Deena Helm @therumpus.net therumpus.net/2026/09/30/1...
therumpus.net
18 of the Best Book Covers of September 2026 - The Rumpus
Plus Claire Sullivan on designing the cover of Deena Helm’s debut novel Our Cut of Salt
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The Casual Optimist @casualoptimist.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Here are SPINE's September Book Covers We Love selections!
spinemagazine.co
SPINE-September Book Covers We Love!
Welcome to September’s Book Covers We Love! The full list is comprised of a selection of covers reviewed by a panel including Co-Founder of Chapman & Wilder, Cherie Chapman ; Author of the novels...
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Almost bookalikes? The cover of The Floating World by Ben Eastham published by Astra House was designed by Adrian Tonello; the cover of May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry published by Transit was designed by Jared Bartman. Both out in the US this month.
The Floating World by Ben Eastham published by Astra House, cover design by Adriana TonelloMay We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry published by Transit Books, cover design by Jared Bartman
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
ICYMI here are my book cover picks for the month :-)
casualoptimist.com
Book Covers of Note, September 2026
Hey. Hello. I hope you’re keeping safe and well. Things are a bit busy around here, so let’s just gone on with things shall we? Against Convenience by Gabe Bullard; design by Jason Rami…
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Boum!
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's a really big post this month! :-)
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People‘s Graphic Design Archive @peoplesgdarchive.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
New York City Ballet poster, designed by Edward Gorey in 1974 “Author + illustrator Gorey created posters for the gift shop, including this eye-catching lithograph of pointe shoes ascending from 1–5 position.” (Cooper Hewitt) Archived by @marinabyocean #PeoplesGDArchive #GDArchive
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Joan Barfoot in Toronto Life almost 50 years after Gaining Ground was originally published! torontolife.com/culture/joan...
torontolife.com
“The reviews are rapturous, and it astounds me”: Author Joan Barfoot on the ecstatic revival of her 1978 feminist novel, Gaining Ground - Toronto Life
The book, about a Toronto woman who leaves her family to live in the woods, is the latest must-read—50 years after it came out
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Drew Broussard @drewsof.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Also, I've said it for months and I'll say it again: MAY WE FEED THE KING is my favorite. It's top 3 of the year for me, it's such an astoundingly good debut, please read it.
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kottke.org @kottke.org · 21/09/2026
Cars, New York City (1974-1976). In the 70s, photographer Langdon Clay took photos of cars parked on NYC streets at night. “The cinematic images are a result of time exposure, sodium vapor street lights, and the tenacity of youth." [kottke.org]
kottke.org
Cars, New York City (1974-1976)
In the 70s, photographer Langdon Clay took photos of cars parked on NYC streets at night and compiled them into a project: Cars, New York City | 1974-1976. Using his Leica CL, Kodachrome 25, and a 40 millimeter lens,
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kottke.org @kottke.org · 18/09/2026
Instant click for me: how NYC street signs are made. “The sign shop…has a staff of 46 workers, including seven letterers who lay out signs by hand and a blacksmith who makes custom brackets to securely attach signs to traffic poles.” [nytimes.com]
nytimes.com
There Are Over 1 Million N.Y.C. Street Signs. Here’s How They Are Made.
From Cornelia Street to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the 46 workers in this Queens building bring to life the words and symbols that guide the city.
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Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
The Shining is my favourite horror movie. It is a masterpiece of a film, and it is made even better by the fact there are a lot of Canadian connections to it. From the hotel itself, to the work of Canadian artists found throughout its haunted interior. 📸 Warner Bros. 🧵 1/19
A intense close-up of Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance from "The Shining." He has long, unkempt dark hair, a furious expression with bared teeth and glaring eyes, clutching his chest in a dark jacket. The background is a blurry, snowy tunnel or maze, evoking a frozen, menacing atmosphere.
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Ward Jenkins @wardjenkins.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Today's a good time to reshare this thread. Fantastic whimsy - and I don't often use that term, but works perfectly here - from the brilliant Jim Flora. He's influenced oh, so many artists since he was rediscovered in the '90s. Enjoy! #wardsmorguefile
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Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Britta Teckentrup from her book The Chairs, about community, and hostility to, or acceptance of, outsiders. An important and beautiful story notable for its astonishing use of texture and of sunlight, moonlight and firelight. Prestel 8 Sept. @brittateckentrup.bsky.social
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Neglected Books @neglectedbooks.com · 08/09/2026
A minor publishing mystery. For a year or so after their publication of The Tin Drum, the English translation of Gunter Grass's novel Die Blechtrommel, Secker & Warburg featured Grass's own illustration of Oskar Matzerath on the spine of all of their books, even for a novel like Georgy Girl.
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
If you only read one book about running away to live in the woods this fall, please make it Gaining Ground by Joan Barfoot.
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Graham Annable @grickle.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Me like caffeine! #grickledoodle #muppets #coffee #cookiemonster #cartoon #art #drawing #funny #humor
A shaggy, wide-eyed blue "coffee monster" gleefully drinks from one of many mugs spread across a diner counter, surrounded by coffee pots and cups while a bemused customer watches — a humorous depiction of obsessive caffeine consumption.
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Rebecca Colesworthy @rcolesworthy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I’ve deleted The emails That were in My inbox And which You were probably Hoping I’d answer Forgive me They were torturous So long So old
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
And while I'm down a vintage book cover well, David Pearson's side project The Book Cover Review is great... bookcoverreview.co.uk
bookcoverreview.co.uk
The Book Cover Review
The Book Cover Review brings you 500-ish word reviews of beloved book covers – both new and old – from a range of voices around the world.
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Alvin Lustig too. Just an incredible body of work... alvinlustig.com/book-jackets/
A Season in Hell book jacket designed by Alvin Lustig (1945)Amerika book jacket designed by Alvin Lustig (1946)
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Just thinking about favourite book covers again and was reminded that Paul Rand designed so many bangers! www.paulrand.design/work/Book-Co...
The cover of The Second Men designed by Paul Rand (1956) The book cover of The Condemned of Altona design by Paul Rand (1963)
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Graham Annable @grickle.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Clark Kent should really only clean his glasses in the privacy of his own home. #grickledoodle #superman #clarkkent #superheroes #cartoon #funny #art #humor #drawing
Office workers stare as Clark Kent takes off his glasses to clean them at a desk nameplate reading "C. Kent" beneath a bulletin-board poster asking "WHO IS THE SUPERMAN?", jokingly revealing Clark Kent’s secret identity.
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I was just asked what my favourite book covers are, and oof where to start?
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Steven Seighman @stevenseighman.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I rounded up some of my favorite August movie posters over at @filmobsessive.com today. It was a great month for creative, effective design, including works for controversial re-releases, indie docs, throwback horror, and more. Check it out here:
filmobsessive.com
August Movie Poster Roundup: Devils, Docs, and Origami
A collection of the five impeccably designed movie posters that stood out from the crowd during the month of August.
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Josh Cook @joshthelibromancer.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Must read from @jpinckney.bsky.social It's focus is bookselling in the face of the "end of reading" but I think it points towards many different pathways out of our current omnicrisis
defector.com
What Do Booksellers Make Of “The End Of Reading”? | Defector
If you haven’t yet encountered the cover story for the August issue of The Atlantic, I have some bad news to share: “The End of Reading Is Here.” It’s an intentionally provocative headline for a sligh...
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I forgot that Zachary Petit (formerly of PRINT) is doing book cover round-ups for The Rumpus now!
therumpus.net
15 of the Best Book Covers of August 2026 - The Rumpus
Plus Rodrigo Corral on designing Life of M and branding Rachel Cusk’s books
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Benjamin L. Clark @benjaminlclark.com · 01/09/2026
Architectural Digest has a fun article about design and Peanuts. (Yes, I was interviewed for it. It was a fun conversation!): www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-se...
architecturaldigest.com
The Secret Design History of Peanuts
As a buzzy NYC pop-up exhibition celebrates the strip’s cultural legacy, AD explores how Charles M. Schulz documented the evolution of the American home, from iconic Eames chairs to ’80s chintz
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
If you didn't like my August book cover picks, here are Lit Hub's. There's not that much overlap in our selections this month...
lithub.com
The 11 Best Book Covers of August
Another month of books, another month of book covers. The books of August were as lush as you might expect, though not always in the usual ways. Here are a few of my favorites from the end of summe…
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Posted late yesterday so still technically in the right month, here is my August book cover round-up!
casualoptimist.com
Book Covers of Note, August 2026
Hey. Here are this month’s book covers of note… Blue Giant by Jordan Prosser; design by Design by Committee (UQP / August 2026) Fried egg covers are a thing apparently? The cover of Gun…
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Martha Rosler 'Cleaning the Drapes', from the series 'Bringing the War Home: House Beautiful', 1969-72
Photomontage:
A woman vacuums the drapes. She opens them to show a scene of WWII soldiers in a foxhole in a rocky landscape.
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
First time I've come across the term "loneliness influencer"!
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Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
My latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com
Two books talking 
Younger book  "What's happening?"
Older book  "The wheel of life has turned, my child... Our time on the front table of the bookshop is over, and, like brave birds flying south for the winter, we summer books must journey back to the shelves."

Younger book "But I like it here!"
Older book "All things must pass. The beach reads table you knew is already gone. The time of autumn books is upon us." 

Younger book "Will we ever return?" 
Older book "The cycle is eternal: the Christmas bestsellers and prize nominees will come and go, but people will always want something nice to read on holiday."
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The Casual Optimist @casualoptimist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Here are this month's book cover selections from the folks at SPINE:
spinemagazine.co
SPINE-August Book Covers We Love!
Welcome to August’s Book Covers We Love! The full list is comprised of a selection of covers reviewed by a panel including Co-Founder of Chapman & Wilder, Cherie Chapman ; Freelance Designer Mar...
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
George Booth New Yorker April 5, 1976 #NationalDogDay
Caption: "Write about dogs!"

Description: A woman yells at a man sitting at a typewriter in a dumpy house filled with dogs.
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The Casual Optimist @casualoptimist.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Designed and illustrated by Holly Ovenden, these new covers for the TInder Press editions of Andrea Levy are lovely!
casualoptimist.com
Tinder Press Andrea Levy
These lovely covers for the new editions of the late Andrea Levy's six books were designed and illustrated by Holly Ovenden for Tinder Press in the UK. The colour palettes are great!
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Ward Jenkins @wardjenkins.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Sanka coffee ads illustrated by John Falter, 1960. #wardsmorguefile
Illustrated ad for Sanka coffee featuring a blonde woman enjoying a massive cup of coffee.Illustrated ad for Sanka coffee featuring a man in a suit enjoying a massive cup of coffee.Illustrated ad for Sanka coffee featuring a brunette woman holding up a massive cup of coffee.Illustrated ad for Sanka coffee featuring a brunette woman taking in the fragrance of a massive cup of coffee.
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Dorothy, a publishing project @dorothyproject.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Friends, book reviews are drying up. We all know this. But it's worth repeating. Advance reviews we used to (gratefully!) count on are no longer a given; we're not getting them. Newspapers where intrepid reviewers used to talk about our books . . . well, you know. PLEASE, if you read our books . . .
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Graham Annable @grickle.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Disguise. #grickledoodle #raccoons #robbers #masks #cartoon #art #drawing #funny #humor
Two raccoons, one wearing a bandit eye mask and holding pistols outside a bank,  hands the other one a simple black eye mask as a gag, captioned "Here, put this on."
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Jacob Kramer-Duffield @jaykaydee.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This is spectacular.
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Comics in the Spooky Age 🧛‍♂️🧟‍♀️🎃 @comicsinthega.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Today is the birthday of cartoonist Ernie Bushmiller (Aug. 23, 1905-Aug. 15, 1982). Best known for taking over the comic strip Fritzi Ritz and creating Nancy as her niece in 1933.
A black and white photo of Bushmiller at his drawing table.The first appearance of Nancy from January 3, 1933.A postage stamp featuring Nancy and Sluggo.
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Dan Wagstaff @danwagstaff.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
The Beaksie Boys.
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Ward Jenkins @wardjenkins.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Ads for E.E. Tigert Limited, from the Toronto Art Directors Club Annual - art designed and Illustrated by "McLauchlan" - 1960 and 1965. #wardsmorguefile
Fun, stylized ad of an artist working at his drafting table and is on the phone.Fun, stylized ad of a guy holding a huge T-Square ruler that incorporates the "T" for the name "Tigert", which is the name of the ad agency.
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kottke.org @kottke.org · 21/08/2026
What a great idea for a book: Cookbooking: A Fan’s Guide. “An eclectic, visually stunning pop-history, Cookbooking explores the most influential and beloved cookbooks through photographs, listicles, graphics, and snappy writing.” [bookshop.org]
bookshop.org
Cookbooking
In short, Cookbooking is a celebration of the genre and an exploration of what makes books filled with recipes so engaging, collectable, and such excellent companions in bed.
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J. L. Westover @mrlovenstein.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Secret Panel HERE 🐢 patreon.com/mrlovenstein/posts/response-time-167299662
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Catsuka @catsuka.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
First trailer for "Blue Eye Samurai" Season 2. Coming to Netflix in January 2027. Still animated in France. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M4-...
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The Casual Optimist @casualoptimist.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
A lovely series design by Violet Dine and Rodrigo Corral for the new Picador editions of Édouard Louis
casualoptimist.com
Picador Édouard Louis
I really like this new series design for Édouard Louis created by Violet Dine with AD Rodrigo Corral for Picador (US). The custom font was created by Trent Howell inspired by Jean-Luc Godard title cards.
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Nicolette Jones @nicolettejones.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Estonian textile artist and illustrator Kertu Sillaste from her picturebook I Am An Illustrator, a lively introduction to the possibilities of the craft. This image makes collage an appetising technique. Graffeg 20 Aug. Translated by Adam Cullen. @graffegbooks.bsky.social
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Fantagraphics @fantagraphics.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
SCAM ALERT: Do not order from www.fantagraphics-us.com, it is not a legitimate website! They have cloned our real website and are stealing people’s credit card information. If you want to order directly from us, please do so at www.fantagraphics.com.
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Michael Arias @michaelarias.net · 17/08/2026
#Tekkon tonight in #Toronto revuecinema.ca/films/anime-... Monday August 17th @ 06:45 PM
revuecinema.ca
Anime At The Revue: TEKKONKINKREET (2006) – New 4K Restoration!
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Sam Thielmonster @samthielman.com · 16/08/2026
DOG: COME IN, AND SEE THE ART OF THE OLD MASTERS, ITS FREE, AND HIGHLY EDUCATIONAL

Sign: ART
EXHIBITION

Caption: ART COMES TO COCONINO - AND KRAZY ITAT IS KONSUMED WITH A KOPIOUS KWANTITY OF HURIOSITY
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