Tuesday, August 23, 2016

My New Home of Books Part One: The Reading Nook

One of the greatest pleasures of setting up my new home has been establishing a real reading nook for the first time.

Believe it or not, I am not a big one for reading at home. Most of the time I read on the train, or in a coffeeshop, or in a waiting room. Curling up on the sofa is nice but it makes me sleepy. And there always seem to be so many distractions- housework, the cats, sewing. And, to be perfectly honest, I can concentrate better when there is more noise around rather than less.

So when we moved into our new place I was determined to set up a great space for reading. I found a corner in the second bedroom that became my sewing room, and I think I've hit on the right formula.

First up, a comfy chair that isn't too comfy- I can stretch out and it has great back support so I don't automatically fall asleep.  The pillows help keep me sitting up straight.

Next up, a small bookcase for my current read, a few magazines and the world's cutest mug rug for my cup of coffee. I won this in a swap at my quilt guild's spring retreat. Adorbs!

I also keep my Kobo tablet nearby so I can put on one of my favorite Pandora stations to keep my brain focused. I prefer to read to The Smiths or classical guitar.

Then there's the bookcase with its huge selection of TBR books, including a separate shelf for nonfiction so I can easily grab that next bedside or gymbag read.

See? No end to the choices here and yes that shelf is double-stacked. Never let it be said I don't support my local booksellers.

What does your reading nook look like? What do you dream of when you dream of the perfect space to read? I think if I could have anything, I'd have the coffeemaker right next to me and a rack of mugs but that's it. This space is pretty perfect!

5 comments:

MaryKate said...

I love your reading nook! It looks absolutely fabulous and I really think you got the chair right. I feel the same way about reading on the couch or in bed--I don't want to feel sleepy. That chair looks like you've got that taken care of :).

I think my reading nook would be similar and definitely would include a coffeemaker or one of those electric water boilers for tea close by.

Tea said...

I have a double stack problem. Drives me nuts. What's behind the first set of books? Like your mug rug.

Unknown said...
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ChaosIsAFriendOfMine said...

I love your space - it looks very cozy!

Judith said...

Your reading nook is wonderful, stacked with your TBRs--how perfect!

My favorite place to read these days is in the large loft that is above our living room. It has a lot of light, thanks to two skylights and additional lamps. It has a really comfy double bed that Ken made of solid oak back in the early 1990s.

The bed is supposedly for company, but I use it as my special restful reading place. My books are in bookcases all over the house, in every room. I go on book tours all over the house from time to time to organize and rearrange and cull out books for the library book sale, but if I were to do it again, I would have more bookshelf space in the loft, with those TBRs staring me down as I rest on that bed.

Oh, by the way, I'm a double-stacker, too. Why did I think I was the only person to do that? It is a little inconvenient at times, especially when I need a book in the back stack.

I enjoyed reading about your nook--how nice!

Judith (Reader in the Wilderness)