Growing up, my mom was always pushing me to read books (which I'm so thankful for now!). Her favorite thing to do is read, which has definitely rubbed off on me (the best of times happens when my thumbs are flippin' pages and my imagination's turnin' flips). She'll start a book and won't be able to put it down Prologue to About the Author (depending on her busy schedule). You're sure to find her engulfed in the latest Michael Connelly, Mary Higgins Clark, or, her childhood hero, Nancy Drew (it's no wonder she grew up to be the crime scene investigating forensic mad woman that she is what with all the mysteries she helped Nancy solve). And, most of this reading took place in a cozy nook of the house. Whether it be in a warm corner of my parents' screened in porch, or next to the cozy fireplace in a big over sized chair. Well, like mother like daughter I suppose, because I, too, want a designated cozy comfy reading space for all those hours I'll spend with Pat Conroy, Michael Connelly (yes, just like mom), and a host of others.
Now, I know reading actual pages is a dying pastime these days with all the electronic forms available, but in my opinion there is nothing like the actual bound materials. I love the smell of books. I'm a nerd that way I guess. Especially new books with crisp pages. I could go on about the smell, but for fear of losing my readers, I'll stop there. But, books are best. I can't imagine holding my phone flipping "pages" the same way I do with the actual novel. Plus, books make me cry, at least the ones I read do. I can't be crying on my phone, that's a hazard, right? And, I know there's a lot of people that just don't read. They'd rather see the movie. Why let your own imagination pick the scenery, the casting, the accents, the view points, the clothing, etc. when you can be, um, lazy (too harsh?) and have Hollywood do it for you? But, I'm telling you, there's a reason people always say the book is better than the movie... because they ARE (unless you just like to skip 200 or so pages from a story to get to the bottom line). I can thank my mom for this opinion. ;)
(in all honesty, I love a good movie, too)
So, a reading nook has to take place in the Houston House. I told my dad about my ideas, and we brainstormed options for built ins to add on to the hubs' office/ our home library. I showed him images from Pottery Barn (just love how they decorate shelving):
And, here's what he has come up with:
Can you imagine all the adventures, mysteries, and dramas that will be lining these shelves? I can't wait to install these in our house, and maybe one day soon purchase that big comfy reading chair! So, Dad, thank you again for custom-built awesome furniture. And, Mom, thank you for passing on the art of loving a good book.
