In a world where there seems no time to sit and contemplate the answer to life’s big, medium or small questions, Carol Bolt’s, The Book of Answers is an ideal companion for a quick fix problem solver. Taking the concept of the Magic Ball 8 to the next level, the popularity of this book and its wide appeal comes down to its simplistic but at the same time genius concept. Encased within the hardback cover, lay a host of possible answers to any ‘yes, no’ type question that may take your whim; ‘Will I receive a pay rise?’ ‘Does ‘XXX’ love me?’ Is purple really the new black?
Like all good fortune tellers, Bolt’s instruction on the back cover help add to the showmanship that is needed to build up the tension.
Hold the closed book in your hand; concentrate on your question; stroke the edge of the pages; sense the time is right; open the book and there will be your answer…
“It will create a stir.”, “Don’t be ridiculous.” “Of course.”
Carol Bolt’s, The Book of Answers, was first devised in 1998, where a 130 artist editions were printed. The following year Bolt’s book went into major publication, and has been in print ever since. From its humble beginnings, The Book of Answers has been translated into seventeen different languages, including Japanese, Italian, and Icelandic. There is even a version available to upload as an app for your i-phone.
For the majority of people who have the original Book of Answers in their possession, the book is simple a piece of fun. However, it has also been used as a useful tool for warm up exercises in team building and a way to gently break down barriers for people working with children. These and other examples go to show how a simple idea can be transformed into an interesting communication tool.
Bolt has gone on to release a further six book in this series, including Love’s Book of Answers, Soul’s Book of Answers and The Literary Book of Answers, where peals of wisdom are this time delivered from the likes of Shakespeare, “To thine own self be true,” Jane Austin, “Tread lightly” and Dickens, “Keep up appearances whatever you do,”
As well as her successful collection of ‘fortune telling’ books, Bolt is also an established artist whose work explores the world around her through words, humour and repetition. Having graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, in 1986, Bolt returned to education in 1994 where she gained a Master’s Degree for Fine Arts at the University of Washington. Since then she has won numerous awards for her artistic ventures, as well as exhibiting many of her works in Seattle were she now resides.
23rd April 2012: St Georges Day, Shakespeare’s birth date and also the day he died; it is 
also World Book Night tonight. Although only in its second year, the project has spread to Ireland, Germany and the USA. Tonight, I, along with 20,000 other volunteers will be giving out books chooses from a list of 25 titles to people who don’t normally read and encourage them to pick up a new habit. The titles chosen this year are: Read more
