How to Create The Perfect Book Nook

Maybe you remember that Tracy and I started a book club with our sister Tiffany and our best friends a several months ago? We both are avid readers. We are constantly ordering books from Amazon, picking out armloads of books from discount racks, and we are frequent visitors to the library. We buy, borrow, and trade books. Books are swapped between us and our friends so much that we all always have a stack of books to read. Do you enjoy reading? It is seriously my favorite hobby. What's not to love about it? You can learn tons of new things, visit far off places (or completely imaginary worlds), and it's so much fun!

If my future home could have a library in it I would be tickled pink. I know it might not be reasonable to think that I could some day have a library all of my very own, but my home would definitely have to have a comfy spot for reading. If I can't have a library, I definitely need a cozy book nook.

The perfect book nook for a book worm like me would have to be a comfy spot with lots of light. If it could be by a window it would be awesome to have the natural light streaming in. I also imagine that this would be "my spot" as Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory would say. It would be decorated to suit my needs. So what would the perfect book nook need?

ONE // White Book Shelf: If I can't have a library, I need at least one book shelf to display all of my favorite books. My favorites include Pride and Prejudice and the Harry Potter series. This shelf would contain books that I love to reread.

TWO // Pink Stripe Pillow: Pillows are a must because comfort is key. I can read for hours at a time, if no one disturbs me.

THREE // Classic Book Set: Pretty books like these could find a home on my shelves. I love the classics, fantasy books, and mysteries.

FOUR // Diamond Print Chair: A beautiful and comfortable chair is also key. A chair is enough for this spot, because when you are reading you don't need other people sitting around you trying to talk to you. I love chairs that are pretty prints like this one.

FIVE // Table Lamp: You can't read if you can't see. Lamps like this would be great for an end table beside my chair.

SIX // Pink End Table: An end table is needed next to my comfy chair to hold things like a lamp, the book I am currently reading, or my cup of coffee.

SEVEN // Gold Agates: Beautiful agates like these would make excellent bookends for my book shelf. Last Thanksgiving I purchased a set similar to these while Tracy and I were in NYC for the holiday.

EIGHT // Emerald Lattice Print Rug: A rug like this one adds a pop of color to my book nook. Also on those cold Winter days it will keep my feet off the cold hard wood floor.


via: 1

5 Books Destined to Become Classics

1. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - This sequel to the book To Kill A Mocking Bird that is set two decades later. If you are a fan of the original this is a must read so that you can context and depth to what you already love about the original.

2. Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi - Set in the year 1953, a woman (named Boy) marries a man with a daughter named Snow. Then they have a child together, a daughter named Bird, which reveals they are light skinned African Americans who are passing for white. This has some elements of Snow White but with conflicts dealing with racial identities. It is a must read.

3. Uprooted by Naomi Novik - This new book is definitely going to be a fantasy classic. It has been compared to Grimm's Fairy Tales. This book has a new take on a "dragon" who requires a new girl every ten years to be his servant. If you are a fan of the fantasy genre then this is for you.

4. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - In this book set during WWII we see how the paths of a blind French girl and a German orphan boy cross. We follow the characters as they make decisions that question their morality and need for survival on a daily basis.

5. So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson - Ronson has traveled the world to interview people who have been publicly shamed by some mistake that they made. People who end up getting laughed at, demonized, and some who even lost their jobs because of their mistake. This book focuses on the fact that these people where publicly shamed and criticized for their actions on the internet. If we take part in this, what does this say about us?


via: 1

3 Books I Recently Read

Recently, I read three really great books and I wanted to share them with you. I like to read a books for various reasons, so I am constantly reading books from different genres. These 3 are books I think you will also enjoy, but other than these my recent reads include a book about mathematical functions and another book about thinking outside the box.

Lilly: Palm Beach, Tropical Glamour, and the Birth of a Fashion Icon: This book offers insight into the life of Lilly Pulitzer. It was very interesting to learn more about her life and the ups and downs of her business. Plus I loved all of the photos.

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban: This inspiration memoir about Malala, who was brave enough to fight for her right to an education was wonderful. It was also touching that in a place that valued sons more, her father also fought for her rights. Loved this book.

Etiquette & Espionage: I picked this up for a light and fun read and I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved the main character Sophronia and read exploits!

Bookworm: Books For The Francophile

Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic
How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are
The French Cat (furry felines photographed with lovely French backgrounds!)
The Sweet Life in Paris
Paris: An Inspiring Tour of the City's Creative Heart
Tout Sweet (for anyone who has ever dreamed of starting all over in France)
Parisian Chic: A Style Guide (tips of becoming effortlessly glamorous)
At Home with Madame Chic
Mastering the Art of French Eating

I am not sure when my fascination with France began or even why but I am without a doubt smitten with all things French. Another thing I love is books so you can certain that I happily collect any book about France that I can get my hands on. The newest book in my collection is this book that Jessica got me for Christmas. I love flipping through its pages when I have a couple quiet minutes. Above are a few more of my favorites. Do you have any suggestions for books that this Francophile should read?

Chair Shopping

Petal Pink Scoop Arm Chair / Ocean Blue Tufted Chair / Dotted Chair / Canyon Chair / Navy Velvet Chair / Fuchsia Dome Chair / Black and White Stripe Chair / Antoinne Tufted Chair
I am in the beginning stages of planning how to create a little reading nook in my home. I want to create somewhere quiet where I could curl up with a great book for a few hours or spend some time blogging. I currently do most of my blogging sitting on the sofa in my living room but often I find it has becomes to distracting for me (I'm looking at you Netflix). The first and most crucial part of my planning process is finding the right chair. It needs to be incredibly comfortable but I also want it to have a little personality. I love elegant tufted chairs, chairs in beautiful colors, and in cheery prints.

Do you have a little peaceful nook in your home where you can block out distractions? Or do you have any recommendations on where I can find the perfect chair?

Bookworm: Reading List

It by Alexa Chung
Refinery29: Style Stalking by Piera Gelardi and Christene Barberich
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
I Was Here by Gayle Forman
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
It Starts With Food by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (current book club pick)
Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
I'll Drink to That by Betty Halbreich and Rebecca Paley
Over the last four or five months I have greatly increased the amount of books I have been reading. Starting a book club with Jessica and several friends was a great idea. I have always loved reading but several years ago it greatly tampered off because I never made time for it. When the idea of starting a book club came to me I immediately thought that at least I would be reading one book a month but it has rubbed off and now I finish several books each month. For our February book club meeting our friend choose this book but I hope to also work my way through the other books above in the next couple months. What are you currently reading?

Chit Chat: Book Club

A little over a month ago we (me, my sisters, and two of our best friends), decided to start a book club. We all love to read and to share what we have read with each other. We also feel that we don't get to hangout often enough. Because of this we thought a book club would be an excellent idea. We each are going to take turns hosting the meetings and choosing the books. It was decided that we would meet once a month and each month we would have a different book to read. Whoever is hosting for the month gets to decide the book and provides the food for the meeting.
Last Saturday we had our first book club meeting. I hosted and the book that we read beforehand was Wicked by Gregory Maguire. We met on Saturday and enjoyed some delicious food. Tracy helped me make a Cheesy Chilli Dip, Peanut Butter Mousse Cups, and Peanut Butter Cookie Bars. We ate and we had a great conversation about the book. We talked about what we thought about the book in general, about specific parts of the book, and about the characters. We discussed what we liked about the book, what we didn't like, what made sense, and what didn't make sense. Afterwards, we also had a great time talking about other things, catching up with each other, and making future plans.
As for the book have any of you read it? What were your thoughts? I have to admit that it was definitely not what I expected it to be. I found the book to be very confusing. Not that it was a difficult read or anything. It's just that so many things happened that we never fully find out about. Like what's up with the resistance? What happened while she was at the convent? I think there were interesting things happening in the book but a lot of them were never completed. I also found how some of the characters behaved to be very strange and some them acted in very illogical ways.
Are you in a book club? Have you ever thought about starting one?

Bookwork: Summer 2014

#GIRLBOSS / The One & Only / The Matchmaker / One Plus One / I Love You More / The Vacationers / Landline / The Fever
Jessica and I both love to read but our taste in books tend to be greatly different. Above is a list of books that I have either read already this summer like this one or intend to read in the upcoming weeks (next up is this). Each of these books would make a fantastic beach read or a great way to spend a lazy afternoon after you skip out of work early. Perhaps my favorite read in recent months is #GIRLBOSS. Definitely an aspiring read and full of great tips and motivation if you dream of owning your own business or looking to find a little push with your career. What great books have you read this summer?

Bookworm: Favorite Coffee Table Books

I have a huge obsession with coffee table books with this, this, and this being among my favorites. I often have to remind myself that I can only store and display so many books in order to keep myself in check. A beautifully styled coffee table is one of my favorite elements to a home. I have rounded up a few more of my favorites below. What is your favorite coffee table book?

American Beauty / Domino: The Book of Decorating / IMPACT / Vintage Cocktails / The French Cat / French Essence / Vogue Living / Dior Impressions
via: 1

Chit Chat

Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Even as a child I loved reading. Our parents always read to us as kids at bedtime. We would always snuggle together on mom and dad's bed and listen to the story. Afterwards we would go to our own beds to go to sleep. At school we had the AR Reading program where each book was worth so many points and after reading it you took a short quiz on the computer to obtain points. All through school I always had the highest amount of points each year. Yeah, I am a geek.
It is just so easy to get lost in a good book. I always have a stack of books by my bed that I want to read and even though I have that stack I will still buy new books! Tracy complains when I am reading because I won't talk to her or do anything else until I finish the book. I love books that I can just loose track of time with. That I can spend hours reading and then look up and wonder where all the time went. I love books that make me laugh out loud and books that leave me in anguish until I can find the time to keep reading to see what will happen next. You know the kind of books I am talking about, right? The kind that leave you wanting more once you have finished the very last page. What are your favorite books? Have you read any books that you think everyone should read? Give me recommendations please.
Here are a few of my thoughts on books:




via: 1, 2, 3, 4

Must Read Blog Posts

Source: etsy.com via Tracy and on Pinterest

I don't know about you, but this has been a busy week for me. This weekend I am going to spend time doing the things that I want to do, not the things that I have to do. I already have a few things that I would like to do this weekend. I want to take some time to work on a baby quilt for a friend. Her baby shower is at the end of April and I hope to complete the quilt soon. I also want to spend some time baking and trying some new recipes. Last, I also want some time to read.
Maybe you are looking for some great reading this weekend or discovering some fantastic blogs? I have put together a small list of blog posts that you just have to read:
1. Sartorial Sidelines has some amazing clothes, like the blazer in this look!
2. What Mimi Writes has a great Spring wishlist.
3. A Prince and Prozac has posts that always make me laugh.
4. Navy & Orange has a beautiful blog and I love the mint green items in this post.
5. 9 to 5 Chic has a beauty essentials post here that we all need to read.
6. Dilan Dilir always has beautiful photos and I love the clutches in this post.
7. Always Maylee always has stunning outfits.
8. Here & Now has fantastic fashion sense and the most romantic engagement story here.
9. Laughing Latte has an amazing recipe here that I can't wait to try.
10. Circle of Chaos has a beautiful Spring is coming post that has inspiration for us all.

If you haven't viewed these blogs yet, they should be next on your list. Do you have know any must read blogs or a favorite blog, that I need to check out?




source

An Open Book

Reading a good book is one of my favorite things to do. I can sit for hours and just read and relax, especially if it's an interesting book I will just keep reading to find out what is going to happen next. Today, I had to take my Grandma to a doctor's appointment and we where there for four hours, seriously. I had a new book in my purse so I killed the time by reading it. It was almost a disappointment when she came out ready to go (even though it had been four hours), because I only had around 40 pages left! Now, I am still in suspense as to what the ending is! I will definitely have to finish it before bed tonight.
Since reading is a passion of mine I love to shop for new books to read. Sometimes I shop online for used books, but I would much rather go to a bookstore. Just like I can spend hours at a time reading, I can spend hours in a bookstore just browsing the books and taking my time to decide which books I would like to buy now and which ones I will hold off on. I almost always buy a mystery or too, they are my favorites. I like to try to figure out who committed the crime before the heroine/hero solves it to see if my suspicions were correct.

So why don't you crack open a good book and relax?
Star