Commonplace books are not merely static collections of disparate texts; they tell us a great deal not only about the reception of literature over time but also the lives and experiences of their compilers. This example, crafted by Rachel Stanco, similarly explores premodern texts with a personality and energy unique to its creator.
Reading Rachel’s commonplace book is like walking through a guided tour of meaningful scenes: she mediates moments of joy, grief, and empowerment found across a range of premodern literary works. From unique expressions of love and loss to unlikely human-animal friendships, her book pairs literary excerpts with earnest commentary that isn’t afraid to tackle pressing questions. All the while, Rachel has created her commonplace book digitally, opening up creative avenues beyond pen and page for each of her fourteen entries.
A bio for Rachel Stanco is in the works!