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!!!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chobsky

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.