Friday, April 13, 2012

Library

I ran out of time to visit some of Sydney’s libraries so instead I’ll give you a glimpse of my own library.
Yay for ebooks because I was running out of space
One of my favourite shelves

my favourite workspace

I included the last shot because it's in the same room as the bookshelves and Theresa once asked me to post a pic of where I did most of my writing. The cat sleeps on the back of the faded couch. In the winter I open up the windows and gorgeous sunlight floods the room.

For more inspiration on the sights and smells of libraries, go here to the Bookshelf Muse.


Do you have a personal library? Do you visit your local library? Where's your favourite writing nook?


Note: For the month of April during the A-Z Challenge I am pausing from my usual blogging theme of writing and social media tips. Instead I hope to share with you my photography. Much of it is inspired by the fabulous and helpful site, The Bookshelf Muse. Please check it out and enjoy.

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46 comments:

Charmaine Clancy said...

You have an awesome library! I want a library room... one day. For now I have a long living room (1910s house) and a shelf that runs all around (was probably a picture rail once). I've filled it and need more space, but like I said... one day.
The couch is a treat for me, I have to reach a goal before I let myself move there with my laptop :)
Wagging Tales

Unknown said...

Lovely, Large Library! :-) Thanks for popping by today :-)

Aldrea Alien said...

We've two bookshelves in the bedroom. They take up one wall. To save space, all my books go on their side in little towers. Yet some of the shelves are starting to get a double stack of books (one behind the other).
These are my keepers. There are around 400 of them. I’ve no room and I’m still looking for more.

Now let me tell you of the 'others' ...
The second bookshelf is -loaded- to its fullest capacity. You cannot fit another book on it. On either side of it are two towers of books and there are more in front of it (not quite reaching the top level of the bottom shelf). The one between the bookshelves is so jammed that I can take specific books out and not have the rest move. At all.
I've more in a cupboard attached to the entertainment unit (all up, six columns). I've three plastic storage containers, two big and one small, under the bed and another box of them just sitting in the middle of nowhereland.
Of those, there's easily over a thousand books. Maybe heading the two thousand mark by now.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I need to fly you to the US so you can make my library look like yours. Wow, are you organized!

Nick Wilford said...

I'm one of those people who's always nosy about looking at people's bookcases! I think they can tell us a lot about people.

I know what you mean about running out of space and ebooks being a boon. Books are getting doubled up on our shelves now.

I can't work on the couch, much as I would like to! It's too cosy and relaxing and I can never get my brain into gear. So it's the kitchen table for me.

Theresa Milstein said...

Ooo, I love your library. Mine is a mess because I have too many books for the shelves. I never seem to donate enough to make it prettier.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely library you've created for yourself! As a former librarian, I am embarrassed to say that books do not have a happy home in my house - they are scattered everywhere! It's a project for someday!

I love (and I blogged about it today for "L") The New York Public Library, mainly about their Library Lions. It's National Library Week in the States currently, and these fellows nearing their 101st birthday!

Aldrea Alien said...

I stopped going to libraries since the closest public library would charge me $2 per book because I wasn't a "local" (whereas my so-called local library isn't all that handy for me). Go figure.

And I wanted to be a librarian as a kid. Would help out all the time at the highschool one. ^_^

Jemi Fraser said...

So nice!!! I don't have space in my house yet to put my books out - mostly they're just stacked. We do have one lovely shelf built by a very talented friend, but no room - yet!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Great pics! This might sounds strange, but I'm not big on libraries. I love them, don't get me wrong. I'm just not a fond visitor. I adore books and the way some libraries and book stores present them to the reader. That's one reason I began my own sort-of home library. With four kids, I slowly began to accumulate book after book after book. Finally, I got shelves. I love organizing them and envisioning my books there, too.

Old Kitty said...

OH wow! Your personal library is amazing!!! What a great place to read, write and have the cat snoozing! Yay! Take care
x

Donna K. Weaver said...

Looks really cozy. *jealous* My library doesn't have any comfy chair because it doubles as my exercise room. =D

DEZMOND said...

well, thanks for giving us such small pics, I couldn't even spy on the books you have and couldn't check out if you have dust on the shelves :)

Mary Aalgaard said...

I'm ready to snuggle into this room. It looks so lovely and inviting.

Play off the Page

Bish Denham said...

Stunning library. I think I'm jealous. We have plenty of bookshelves and lots of books, in various rooms, but not a room like this.

Margo Kelly said...

LOVE IT!! Thank you for sharing pictures of your personal space! It's always fun to look into someone else's process and life. :)

Meradeth Houston said...

What fun pictures! Looks like you have a very comfy writing space :) I wish I had pics of my library before we packed everything up (though maybe it's for the better--it was incredibly over full!).

Luanne G. Smith said...

So many books!

I'm redoing my writing den this summer. One of the things I have to do is buy another bookshelf. I've got books double stacked right now, books piled sideways on top of other books. It's a mess. I'm quite envious of your organized space.

Tonja said...

I wish I had a wall or two of built-in shelves. We have individual shelves in every bedroom crammed with books.

Leovi said...

If, in a room like I have a library with a sofa to read comfortably, but lately I have opted for the eBook.

S. L. Hennessy said...

Yeah, my house is definitely starting to look like a library. But that's what happens when you refuse to use e-books (as I have).

Tara Tyler said...

i need to display my fave books while i still can! how are we gonna show off the ebooks we've read?!

Unknown said...

Love you library! I am a minimalist by nature, so I don't save things (probably due to the fact I was raised by a hoarder.) But right down the road I have a fabulous little rural library. I can request books and movies from anywhere in the large system and a few days later they arrive almost at my doorstep. ^_^

Suze said...

This was a wonderful, personal post. And I have a sense how much it 'cost' you to give us this peek.

Emily R. King said...

I like reading in bed. I feel like I'm "resting" when I do.

As for your library, beautiful! Anywhere where Winnie the Pooh is comfortable must be peaceful.

Nate Wilson said...

I have two personal libraries. One is in my house, split between four separate rooms. The other is a mile and a half down the road, where my wife is a librarian. (I share that one with thousands of other people, because I'm nothing if not generous.) Alas, neither of them currently has a Tigger-and-Pooh shelf, though. Methinks I may have to remedy that.

Tracy said...

great "L" word...I love any library as well as book stores. No, we do not have a room designated as the library in our house but plenty of book shelves :)

Rosalind Adam said...

Your library looks well stocked and so neat. Our book shelves are such a mess I wouldn't dare take a photo of them. Your work place looks almost exactly the same as mine. I'm sitting there right now with a big grey cat next to me.

Amy Saia said...

Very nice! Mine isn't quite so organized, and I also have a lot of old fabric bound Victorian books.

Joanne said...

Your library and writing den looks like heaven! I am neat and tidy when it comes to my library too, and my cat sits on my lap or next to me when I'm reading. Great post!

Unknown said...

You have a great library. Unfortunately I don't have one like that. Someday.

Nancy Thompson said...

I do have a pretty extensive personal library though I've stopped adding to it for the most part. I simply cannot afford it with the amount of reading I do.

So I turned to my public library. I love it. I can search and reserve books online, even using my phone to surf. They send the tome to my local branch then email me when it's ready. How cool and convenient is that!

As for my writing spot, I write my outlines sitting in my big comfy chair in front of the TV. But I write at my big desk in my home office. It has a huge window that looks out onto an enormous wetland and pond right next to my house. It's very inspiring!

Cynthia said...

Looks like you have an awesome library! I'm always quite curious to see the books others keep in their homes.

M Pax said...

Very nice. Part of my library is now in a corner on the floor. Ran out of space ... That's OK. What a wonderful room to read and write in.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Sounds like a beautiful house. I think 'more space' is something we will always need no matter how much space we get...much like time.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

wow! That's impressive!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I didn't have decent bookshelves for a long time so when I finally got some I organised all the books by author and even by publication, lol. I just love handling books.

Golden Eagle said...

My mom works at the local library in town, so I go there at least every weekend when she's there. :)

And is that a pink Dell computer? Love.

Carol Riggs said...

Impressive library--and a cozy workspace! I always write at my computer desk, but I USED to write my first drafts in longhand. Saves me a step if I don't, now. :)

Fairview said...

lovely

Wendy A.M. Prosser said...

Love the toy shelf! And am rather envious of that pink laptop. Though I think I’d fall asleep if I tried to work on the sofa!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

hehehe, yep, it is. My hubby bought it for me for my birthday a couple of years ago. Best present ever!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I still have to write in longhand to avoid the distractions of the internet--that's what that purple notebook is in the last picture--a detailed outline of the fantasy novel you've critiqued for me. Some chapters are written in there also.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Muwhahahhaha! I needed some way to hide the dust bunnies ;)

Betty Alark said...

An amazing collection of books, Lynda!

When, I was in college - the libray was like my second home. Libraries use to be one of my favorite places to hang out!

Before getting my labtop-libraries was were I spent most of my computer time.

At home I do have a small collection of books, however they are placed in my closet - don't have a book shelf.

Libraries are wonderful places!

http://bettyalark.blogspot.com/

Denise Covey said...

Love your library Lynda. Somehow I'd rather my library kept growing. How can you show off your ebooks? Maybe provide reading areas like at my State Library - have a Kindle, an Ipad, a Nook etc...

Denise