June 29, 2009

Tale as Old as Time.

The Home Library


When I was two, Disney released The Beauty and The Beast. Every little girl wanted to be Belle simply because she was a princess. I wanted to be Belle because the Beast gifted her with a massive library to die for. I have always been a fan of reading and made a mission to create my very own library. Although I do love to visit the public library, I have always insisted on only buying books to read. How else will I collect enough books to start a library?? Two years ago I worked at a used bookstore where I was paid in ... BOOKS!!! To this day, it is the best salary I have ever had. Everyday I would work four hours and leave with half a shelf of books. My mother was not too happy when she walked into my room and realized that my two bookshelves were over flowing and that I was now using my floor as a storage unit. My mother was especially not a happy camper when I refused to donate some books (or worse, throw out old magazines, I shudder just thinking about this.) It goes without saying, I will be purchasing some new shelves for my condo.


I love how these books were shelved according to spectrum, I have been looking for new ways to shelve my books (alphabetically is so last year) and this is perfect.





I also love this random assortment of shelves, I will definitely be begging M.O.D. (my other dad~AKA Mr. Decor~my handy dandy stepfather in shining armour) to install a wall of shelves like these somewhere around my condo. I do not know if there is room but rest assured I will make room.
Side note: love love love the built in log holder. Umm, MOD? I need that for my fireplace.
(I found both these photo's on my new favourite website Apartment Therapy.)


My Top Five Favourite Books

The Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
If you are a boy and your name is Holden or if you are a boy and you know who Holden is and have always said you would name your first child Holden ... call me!!!
I first heard about this book from a one Brandon Jordan (this is a whole other post in the making) and I have since passed it on to several other people. It is a compelling story, that I believe everyone should read once in their life (although I can guarantee you will read it more than once, I am about to go on my tenth reading.)
A Separate Peace - John Knowles
I don't know, are you catching a pattern? I love a good "coming of age" tale. If you know any others, please, pass them on!
Edie - Jean Stein
My favourite biography for my favourite girl! Another great biography (well autobiography) is D.V. by Diana Vreeland, they both lived fantastic, enviable lives! Maybe not so much Edie but I think you get what I am saying...
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
My mom came home with this novel one day and handed it to me. She told me I would love it. She was right. Some days I can totally relate to this novel. I am not saying I am going to have a mental breakdown or make like Sylvia herself, and kill myself, I am not saying that at all. I just have days where I totally get it.

My Top Five Authors
JD Salinger
I am completely smitten with Salinger's writing style.
Chuck Palahniuk
I've never met a Palahniuk I didn't love.
Augusten Burroughs
My new favorite author. He's a little too out there for my mother though.

Jacqueline Susann
Last summer I went on a Jacqueline Susann binge, it was amazing!
Stephen Chobsky
I am 172% sure Chobsky is a genius. If only he would write another book (he wrote one book, 10 years ago.) I hope he doesn't pull a Salinger. Sigh.

Speaking of books, I recently read Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I am going to need to read it again. This has been the most amazing story I have ever read. Christopher McCandles has to be one of the most intriguing human beings I have ever come across. I am in awe in all that he accomplished in his short life. He has done everything I want to do, and everything I am afraid to do. He lived.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Great ideas for books. I love to read to. I have a book club and we are always looking for good reads. My husband read Into The Wild and loved it also. I'll be looking forward to hearing future book reviews. :)

Your blazer is darling!

~Liz

The Quintessential Magpie said...

You are a girl after my own heart. I love books, and I worked in a book store in grad school. And one time when someone stayed in our beach place, they cut up some of my magazines without asking, and I was steamed. Can you even imagine?

I list Faulkner, Welty (her short stories are wonderful), Langston Hughes, Shakespeare, Twain, Auchincloss, and Shel Silverstein (children's books which are really adult books) among my favorites. Robert Rimini is an outstanding historian who makes history come to life on the page. He is a Jackson scholar.

Happy Reading...

Sheila :-)

Linda said...

Ok, I'm officially in love with your blog and am so glad a sweet lady pointed me in your direction. First, I love the way you write. And, secondly, your topics are fun and whimsical (right up my alley).

I appreciate the book list and am looking these up for my daughter's collection, as she too loves to read. I do as well, but she's the one lately, up until all hours, after computer time is done, immersed in her books. It is indeed Summer - the time to do as one pleases. :-)

Unknown said...

isn't amazing how simmer time as I call it here in Arizona, brings is to our library again and again? I have a book in my pool/beach bag... a book in my car and my library card is full! Your lovely Mother guided me here... I'm so glad she did... Beautiful blog... Take good care of her as I am sure you are...
Have a wonderful week end and a fabulous 4th!
~Really Rainey~

Dawn @ alteredartists said...

Loving your blog, huge book reader myself. Have you been to Shelfari? I think everyone can use a little perspective. I think everyone needs to read "The Color of Water" by James McBride if you want another book suggestion?

Happy Reading, love your apt ideas.

~Dawn

Anonymous said...

okay two things.. what is with the 172% reference.. is this number of significance? I'm curious is all.

Second... I prefer random on my artistic side by my ocd side say alpha. I think when it comes to books, my random side would win. Why... I find it some how comforting to look through book titles like a walk in the woods without a path. You tend to "take in" more NOT knowing what could be next... unanticipated somehow.

I love books.