My gaze often lands on these bookshelves.
I love books. I read them in various ways: through the library, via a used bookstore, on my Kindle, through advanced review copies, and in their brand spanking new form via a bookstore. I have hundreds of books (I’m afraid to count them. I might be horrified. Or not.) The bookshelves upstairs in the bedroom are crammed full. They’re the deepish Expedit shelves from IKEA, which allows me to place books two deep on the shelves.
Anyway, back to the bookshelves. It occurs to me that, even though I am being very selective about the books I place on our den shelves, I will run out of room before long.
Then what will I do?
Side note: Did you know I’ve reviewed over 90 books on this blog and the book blog? I have to say I’m impressed!
I donate a lot of books to our local library. They, in turn, sell them to raise money. I never take them to a used bookstore, though I loved used bookstores, only because I feel better about donating to the good cause that is our local library.
But, gosh darn it, most of the books I acquire I want to keep. They are the map of my reading journey. They tell a story about what I’ve read, the reading phases I’ve gone through, the worlds I have visited in my imagination. Some are old friends that I revisit like clockwork. Some are reference books that also require revisiting. All of them are beautiful.
A book is a beautiful thing.
If I had a dream I would like to come true, it would be to have enough space here at the cottage for bookshelves in every room – preferably built-in bookshelves. Alas, we are limited as to wall space here simply because we have so many windows.
But wouldn’t that be scrumptious? Bookshelves in every room?
Let’s play a game. Let’s say that I was ordered to furnish a small home with only two things I love to collect. Only two collections.
I could have a bed, a sofa and a chair or two. Some lamps. The basic necessities. And some device that would let me play music.
Two collections? I would choose my books and my pottery.
That would be enough. (We’re not counting living beings here, of course. Don and Scout are a given.)
If you had to play the same game, what would you choose?
Happy Sunday.
Good Morning Claudia, I would choose my material for my quilting and books but I would sneak in some of my favorite china or bowls that I love! Doris
Good answer, Doris! I might have to sneak in a few things, too!
Claudia, What a hard choice. I love my books too….but I think I would want my pictures of family/friends/travels and art objects(paintings and things Ted has make for me) Claudia, you made me look around at all this stuff and say to myself…it really means very little to me. Then why do we buy “stuff” so often. LOL. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
I know. We could get by on a lot less. But I do like my collections!
Claudia, it would be books and photographs. If photographs are not considered collections, I would say anything framed, which would include paintings and photos. Basic necessities, great books and meaningful, beautiful things to gaze upon…….seems like a pretty great way to live!
I thought about framed things – framed artwork I would miss, but I think I could get by without it….but photographs are another story!
My books and my knitting supplies. No question.
Blessings,
Betsy
Very firmly said, Betsy!
First I would cry! Then I would choose pottery and my Paris collection. I would have books but not ‘collect’ them…does that work??
hugs,
Linda
You may be cheating, Linda….but that’s okay!
After looking around, it seems I collect a little bit of everything! I would choose my books – they make a home so cozy – and my green depression glass. I love the color green. There is something about this glass that is so peaceful.
The shade of green in depression glass is lovely, Mary. I can see why you’d want to have it around you.
In recent years I realized I collect lamps– they all work as long as I have bulbs — so I won’t count them!
Okay!
Hahaha! I’m having a bad connection on my wifi- I guess my full comment DIDNT go through- humph!
My ‘collections’ would be– books and yarn ( hooks included)
I also said I’m enjoying reading everyone’s responses! Crazy wifi!
Oh, that explains it! xo
How funny, I’ve actually ‘played” this game.
After the demise of my first marriage, I packed up my daughter, my paintings and my books (in order of priority) and left to start again.
It was oddly liberating – like an episode from “The House of Eliott”.
No regrets leaving behind twenty or so years of accumulated “stuff”, but looking back I should really have thought to take the shower curtain.
Oh darn it! I bet you still think of that shower curtain, Barbara.
Of course it was liberating – take what really matters and leave the rest.
We had to stay in a borrowed apartment for three months until we could take ownership of our new place. With all that was happening, I suppose I hadn’t really given the term “unfurnished” much thought. No shower curtain made for a few entertaining moments the first night.
We draped a tablecloth over packing boxes for a table, arranged my daughter’s stuffed animals around the room and played “The Flame Trees of Thika” for a few months. With very few possessions to dust, we had time to make up stories and games. My daughter actually looks back with some fondness at what could have been a scary time.
Your post topic made me ponder this thought – if you could pick two people (real or fictional), who would you ask to dinner? Why do I think your answer would surprise me?
Hmmmm. Interesting question and one I should pose on the blog, don’t you think? I’ll have to think about who I would pick…
I’m sorry…I can’t play a game that only limits me to two! I agree with the books and pottery…but I must also have plants…I cannot compromise on that! My addiction to greenery started in the 70’s and has mushroomed! Has your snow melted yet?? ;)
I love my plants, too, but I could get by without them if I had an outdoor garden. Which I do!
The snow that fell on Friday melted, thank goodness. But there’s still quite a bit of snow on the ground. Since the temps today and tomorrow are going to be cold (in the 30s) it will probably be another week or so until it all disappears.
It is very simple. I could not live without books. :)
And there you go. I agree.
I collected so many things over the years, it is hard to select Two! Books, without question, and old linens. Trying to find loving homes for some of my stuff these days.
Oh, that’s something I have to do, too. Perhaps this spring and summer I will finally get around to sorting everything, Dottie.
My two favorite collections would be my books ( I love to read better than anyone I know) and the home décor pictures I’ve collected through the years. I have to admit though that I would absolutely not be able to function without paper and something to write with. I need to write like I need to breathe. Anyone who knows me well knows how I love to write but none of them can understand how strong that need is. I think most folks think I’m a little strange because they would rather do anything besides write. I just love the written word. It’s something I feel in my soul.
Good for you, Janie. I love to write, too, so I completely understand that need of yours.
My books, my small (in number) Jadeite collection, and, if I can have a third, my ironstone butter pat collection (small in size, should barely count extra).
Oh, I love Jadeite. Every time I see it, I want to start collecting again!
This kind of makes my head hurt. I wish I could be as swift and forthcoming as so many above who have declared their favorites. wow. Books for sure. But I have so many seasonal “collections” of things…. right now I am loving looking at my bunnies and lambs and chicks….. and when I put those away, I have a collection of birdhouses and birds which come out for the summer, and then there are the pumpkins in the fall, and dear Christmas things. I would miss so many of them…… can’t wrap my head around this one, kiddo. I think that translates into: I have too much stuff. But the collections only come out in “bits and bobs” :-) throughout the year, so maybe that is why I would miss them, as I don’t look at any of them all of the time.
Ah, but as much as you love them, I bet you could get by without them…or maybe not! I find when I work away from home that I’m amazed by how well I get by with very little. Whether that could stand the test of time, I’m not sure.
I would choose my books and my needlework. It is a dream of mine to someday be surrounded by bookshelves, a good light, and a needlework basket. I have given away at least 5 times more books than I now have!
I can’t even begin to imagine how many books I’ve given away. A lot. But if it isn’t a book that I want to keep, I’d much rather someone else get a chance to enjoy it, too.
I would choose my books and the collection of letters written by my Daddy.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
When I start to think about it, I’ve got letters from my grandmother, letters from her sister to her right before that sister died in the flu epidemic in 1918, there’s a whole host of things I wouldn’t want to give up. But I could do it…I think.
Hmmmm….only two things? Well, I, too, would choose books…but my second choice would be kind of two-fold. I would choose my sewing machine/fabric. oh- no-wait—I would choose books and my dishes/china….oh-wait. Claudia–this game is WAY too hard. xo Diana
It’s really hard. I keep thinking of things that I would find it very hard to give up!
I, too, am a voracious reader, Claudia, and have quite a collection of adult books and children’s books (former first grade teacher). I would choose my books and my collection of lady head vases – I think I have about 60. Since I have recently started the dollhouse and miniatures hobby, I may have to stretch and include those things, too.
Oh…forgot about the dollhouse! Perhaps we could consider that a piece of furniture??? It’s on a piece of furniture here at the cottage, so maybe I can think of it as ‘attached’ to the furniture.
Oh, forgot about the piano! Oh no.
I don’t think of books as something I collect, but in the strictest sense of the word I guess I do, so for me the answer to this question is my books and my baskets. I’ve loved and collected wicker and wood baskets since I was a teen. I’ve never counted them but probably have between 40 and 50, and am pleased to say that almost every one is currently being used, in various capacities, in the various rooms of my house. A great thing about collecting baskets, I’ve found, is that I don’t need a lot of space or a special piece of furniture to display them. All I need to do is use them. Enjoy your day! PS – did you dunk your day-old doughnut in your Peet’s? Yum!
I bet you have a lovely collection, Janet. No, no dunking. I’m not a dunker. Coffee and the donut should never meet! Except in my stomach, of course.
I have several small collections that it would be hard to pick. I love books, but I gave most of mine away to good homes except for my most loved favorites that I read over and over again. However, I could get those from the library. So I would pick my Mother’s beautiful paintings that I have hanging in every room in my little house, as I could never part with them….and my small doll collection which includes four generations of my family’s most beloved childhood dolls. My granddaughter has told me she would like all of the above passed down to her someday, which makes me very happy!
I have some paintings by my father – forgot about those! I bet the doll collection is lovely, Lily!
Cool question, but hard to answer! One collection would definitely be my books, including my cookbooks. But, a second collection? First thing that came to mind was my plants. But then, what about all my pretty kitchen things and dishes and kitchen tools?
It’s hard to narrow it down, Melanie!
If I had to choose only two, they would be books & fiber (yarn & fabric).
Good to both yarn and fabric under the heading Fiber – that way you get to take them both along!
Hi Claudia, books and pottery sound like great choices. I would have a hard time not collecting tablecloths and antique linens, along with antique glassware. Maybe we could live next do to each other and share our collections! xxoo
That might be the way to go! Good idea!
I read most of my books on NOOK now so I don’t have a collection of those. I would say my dollhouses and material.
Good choices, Teresa. I might have to sneak my dollhouse on my list, too!
Oh my goodness … definitely a great question Claudia! The first choice would be easy – I’ve been collecting vintage Schilling tins, bottles, boxes, etc. for over 35 years. It gives me nightmares (literally) to even think of parting with any of it. The other would probably be my grandma’s salt and pepper shaker sets that I inherited.
Your collection sounds wonderful, Debbie!
I’m doing a really huge cheat and say my crafting supplies (that encompasses my yarn, fabric, beads, and needlework!) and my collection of miniature animals.
You are welcome to that cheat, Wendy!
I would pick my books and my photos. My books are who I am, how I feel, where my adventures begin, my friends. If I were to only be able to pick one thing though, my photos would win. Hands down. They are irreplaceable. I have many photos that are the only one left. So many people are gone that I love, but they are still with me in my photos, and in my heart.
Photos, especially of loved ones, are precious indeed.
Such a hard decision but as I’ve pared down my eclectic book collection – including cookbooks – recently, I’d take them (can I sneak photo books from my travels into the collection too please?), and my white ironstone/vintage china collection – which I could use if I had no regular dishes to eat from, ha ha!
Mary x
Yes, you can sneak in your photo books, Mary!
Considering I’m just down the road from the library, I’d let go of the books and keep my art and pretty dish collection. I actually use different dishes every day and it brings me such pleasure to sit down to a pretty dinner (since my cooking’s not so great lol)