Friday, September 26, 2008

Home Library Party !


A Book
by Adelaide Love


A book, I think, is very like
A little golden door
That takes me into places
Where I've never been before.

It leads me into fairyland
Or countries strange and far
And, best of all,
the golden door
Always stands ajar.



Welcome, to the Home Library Party!

This idea came about when I remembered my dream of having my own reading room someday, where family and friends can escape into a quiet place and read, and be satisfied.

Now, let's celebrate, and have a tour, shall we?
Please click on the pictures to enlarge
and visit other libraries by clicking on the links...

Books have always been a most very important part of my life.I love to rest and relax and rejuvinate at bedtime with a great book. My Son's original paddington bear from England ever present as are flowers from the garden and a glorious cup of tea. It always makes for the most sweetest dreams. Books are a gift you can open again and again.






I read on the bed too... I write notes on little cards that I use as bookmarks. Jeanne and I have at least one book in common:



Some of us read outside. I do that when my son plays on the driveway. Cielo of The House in the Roses reads at her outdoor sanctuary, on her back porch, overlooking her garden. You will find her here in the spring through the fall, reading and taking in the gifts of literature, and nature. It's no wonder she's so filled! If you click on her picture below, you'll see what I mean.



About the flashing "Sit Long Read Much" picture: It was created by Cielo. Grab it!

Books are so important. They make great company. Books educate and inspire. Books give solace, bring people together, and sometimes, change our lives.

Meet Nola, of Alamo North:

" Come and see my library at Alamo North. There's nothing big and fancy; not even a bookcase (yet), but it's a warm and cozy place where I can snuggle up with my kitties and a good book. Drop by when you have a minute, I'll be waiting to see you! "



Patti of Dreams and Decor has a very interesting and creative way to use and display old books:

"The photo is of a little "table" I made from stacking up some encyclopedias my Mom was getting rid of (the ones we had when we were kids. ) Just enough room to set a drink and possibly….a book! "



What do you think?

Richie of Richies Inspirational Designs shows some amazing libraries at her space. When she's home, like a queen, she can feel like she's at a spa when she starts reading.


And here's a friend whom I thought of first, when this idea came to mind, because I very well remember where she reads. I could picture it in my mind.

Mary of Little Red House. Do you know that her father built the bookcase, and the entire house?

"The sofa is one of my favorite places to sit and read, especially on a sunny morning. Most of the books on these shelves belonged to my parents. I keep a lot of my decorating books under the end tables here, but we have a lot more books in our family room. We are definitely a reading family. :) "




Books bring people together - as parents read to their children, teachers to students, and as people gather in book discussions in person, or online! Families read together too. You might want to picture Laura's family read together here... She mentioned that her husband built the bookcase himself. I wouldn't do justice to it though if I told her story, so see and learn more at her place, Amongst The Oaks.



Last but not least, mine... what used to be an eye sore is now organized. I finally put this bookcase in order, and integrated it with the rest of the furniture in our great room, after 4 years of living in our home. The whole room isn't perfect, but it's the best it can be and that satisfies me.

Before and After (not much difference)



The lamps play a part.

And there's a little man in the house who reads, too. This is his reading corner and mine.

He made me go to the library and yes, read.



I can't believe I'm taking photographs of my books.
The baskets on top store my cd's, and the one in the middle tier holds my magazines.


Books, magazines, music, and movies.

hot tea, and a recliner.

Bliss!

(see that couch? the man of the house reads there)

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great places to read. I love to read too, like you said a whole new world opens up.
I am sorry for not sharing my library photos, but my home is still in chaos. I am very proud of my library which I inherited from my grandfather, actually I took all the books after they stayed for years in a garage. I am planing to make a reading nook for myself, so when I make all that we can make another library party.

Have fun reading.Suzy

Jeanne said...

A beautiful posting.
Thanks for including me..........
Love you and all you share.
A toast to glorious books and you~

Mary said...

I think that a lot of us here in blogland share a love of books and reading. Thanks for sharing, Jeannie!
xoxo,
Mary

Amongst The Oaks said...

Thanks for sharing this great idea Jeannie. I enjoyed participating. Let's all encourage others to read by sharing our books. It's always fun discussing them when they're returned.
Laura

Nola said...

Jeannie, Thanks for the great idea of a library party and for putting it all together. I'm off now to go see everyone else's spaces!
I'm glad to see your son enjoys books, too. The love of books begins early in life, I think.
Have a beautiful day!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Books have always been one of my closest friends. I surround myself with them, and can't imagine a world without books in it. Thanks for the tour. I was a little late getting up to par, due to some computer snafus, but I shall take photos for my post today and link back to you.
Brenda

Chubby Chieque said...

Oh Jean!

What a lovely "Lib aprty" you have. It really makes my brain awaken. As internet toke over mine for awhile.

I comprises my hubby to be a good reader again, HE HE...

Have a wonderful w/end.

hugs,
//chie

Anonymous said...

Wow... this was really neat!! My bookshelf resembles Nora's up there. hee hee. I'm sorry I missed the deadline! Our internet at home is really weird, and this week it's been s-l-o-w, even more so than normal.

Great idea for the library party- I love seeing others' libraries!

sonia a. mascaro said...

I love books, too!
You have a beautiful blog!

bj said...

ooo, Jeannie, I didn't know about this and I would have LOVED showing off my great library. Maybe you can have a MR. LINKY sit up and declare a few days of JUST READING SPOTS and we can all join in. I am so sorry I missed this one.
Really enjoyed looking at everyones little spots for 'getting away' in a great book.
Love, bj

Nance said...

Great party, Jeannie! If I have my way, I'll be curled in a sofa or recliner everyday reading with a cup of tea and cranberry sconce!

Sorry, I didn't make it to your party, got busy with our church bake sale.

Rhondi said...

Hi Jeannie
What a fun idea showing where we keep our books! I realy enjoyed it. Next time maybe I can participate.
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog.
Hugs, Rhondi

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hi there Jeannie,
Oh, aren't books wonderful?!...so full of different energy and inspiration. I have them in bookcases, stacked up, in canvas bags, baskets..well everywhere..LOL I'm kind of in between (in a temporary place right now) so it's impossible to organize the way I want to. But the best part is that they are with me! Lots of other stuff went into storage but not my books. :0)
I enjoyed your post alot!

Stephanie

rivergardenstudio said...

I love your post on libraries, and reading, and places to read! Thank you for sharing this, and thank you for your note on Thankful Thursday, that we are all connected and no one is truly alone.... I love that... Roxanne

Debra said...

What wonderful libraries, and lovely peeks into other readers reading spaces. I love books. Each one has a personality of it's own. Great post!

Hugs,
Debbie

Magnolia Street Style said...

I'm so sorry I missed the Home Library Party. It looks like so much fun. I have accumulated many books at yard sales and estate sales and I love each and every one of them. Someday, I will actually read them all. My most recent purchase is "Marley and Me" which I found for 25 cents. It's on my table calling me every day.

Stop by, you've been tagged.

FrenchtipsAndRedNails said...

Ate i love that Julian has his own little place to read(and has a collection of books too!) Super adorable. Lovely lovely home! Wish I can come visit. :)