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Is There Life After Death- A Ghost Story “Hon, I promise I am not gonna do anything to ya. I won’t try to scare ya.” “I swear to God, Richie,” she persisted. “if you touch me…” she let the words hang as she usually did. That was enough of a threat for him not to [...]

I love bookshelves that look beautiful. At least, I like looking at them in photos.

This bookshelf really appeals to me on an aesthetic level. But when I think about organizing my books that way, having titles be facing in different directions, not being able to easily organize by author, title, etc, and also not being able to fit as many books into the space as I would a regular bookshelf, then the bookshelf loses its appeal for me.

What do you think about it? Do you care more about the function of a bookshelf, the ease of use, or the design?

Ultimately, I care about the ease of use and function of a bookshelf the most, though if I can add in something that pleases my eye, then I’m happy. I like wood bookshelves the best.

Check out some interesting bookshelves on this blog. I think most of them are not functional at all, which for me defeats their purpose–but many of them are fun to look at.

I love inspired and beautiful design and furniture, especially around anything books. The Kid Republic bookstore in Beijing has all of that, in a very kid-friendly, unique way. The bookshelves here have movement, curves, and a wonderful use of color, and are enticing, encouraging readers to touch and explore. Wouldn’t this be an amazing place to read? How I’d love to have bookshelves and design like that in my place! I feel happier, just looking at the photo.

Thanks to Sandra Love Nichol for the link.

Dutch student Jelte van Geest created an interesting idea as his graduation project for libraries: Take-A-Seat, or interactive seating. The idea is that a library patron flashes their library card in front of a seat, and the seat follows them around through the library, allowing them to sit down whenever they please until they’re through. It also allows easy, automated set up of chairs by librarians for, say, a reading or concert.

I find this idea both funny and intriguing–and a little weird, though I can see kids having a lot of fun with this. But what about the chairs blocking other people in between the shelves? I can see it causing problems. What do you think? Watch the video below to see. Found via Core 77.

I love book related items; both the reader and writer in my delight in them. And I thought this book bedcover looked both unique and interesting.

This “Bedtime Stories” blanket by designer Tiago da Fonseca has several linen sheets that have a bedtime story on it that you can actually read! You take a layer off (or add one on) to become cooler or warmer. A true booklover item. I love how it looks, and I like the idea, though I don’t think it’d work for me. I love books–holding them, the way they smell, turning the pages…. (Being a writer, I also wonder about the quality of the story–did a writer write it? What’s the content, the genre?) Still, it was fun to find and look at. I hope you enjoyed looking at it, too.

Jacqueline Wilson’s writing room

Over at Guardian, jumbled in with all the other writers, there are three children’s/teen fiction writers who have photos of their offices posted, as well as some dialog from them about their offices. The children’s and teen fiction writers include: Jacqueline Wilson, Mark Haddon, and Sue Townsend.

I think it’s intriguing to look at different writers’ spaces, to see the place where they work. I loved looking at the photos. Just as interesting as the photos, and sometimes more so, is what the writers have to say about their offices, or how or where they write. They are, of course, well written.

For instance, Jacqueline Wilson wrote: “Children are always asking me if I have a special place to write. Well, yes, I have a lovely study - but if I’m honest, most of my writing gets done in other places. I might scribble a few lines in my notebook when I wake up, or scrawl a page while I’m having breakfast. I frequently take my notebook out with me.”

And Mark Haddon wrote: “ The other thing I noticed was that I am surrounded almost entirely by objects I’ve made myself: the suspended papier-mache star; the painting above my head; the bits of collage lying on the floor waiting for a home.”

Interested? Want to check it out for yourself? Follow this link.

Ever since I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Castle in the Attic; The Secret Garden; Mandy ; and so many other wonderful children’s books, in some corner of my heart I’ve longed for a secret room or doorway that leads to a wonderful place.

And then I saw this article about how to create a bookshelf closet door, and wow, do I ever want to create one! A bookshelf that opens up into a secret room, however small (though it wouldn’t have to be small). It incorporates my love of books, and my childhood fantasy of having a secret room.

The article links to three different articles with instructions on how to make your own bookshelf-closet, or a way you can order one through Space X Doors.

Okay, who wants one of these? I sure do.

Thanks to A Designer’s Eye for the link.