Getting a peek of an avid reader’s bookshelf is one of life’s simple pleasures. If you’ve ever shown up to a house party and gone straight to the host’s bookshelf, you know how satisfying it is to snoop through other readers’ libraries. The editors of Room love reading (obviously), and we’re giving you a glimpse of our shelves and sharing how we get the most out of our sacred reading time.
Getting a peek of an avid reader’s bookshelf is one of life’s simple pleasures. If you’ve ever shown up to a house party and gone straight to the host’s bookshelf, you know how satisfying it is to snoop through other readers’ libraries. The editors of Room love reading (obviously), and we’re giving you a glimpse of our shelves and sharing how we get the most out of our sacred reading time.
Rachel Thompson
Do you like to organize or display your books in a particular way?
Each time I go to document my shelfie, I find my almost-three-year-old has rearranged my shelves, strewn books on the floor, added toys between pages. I’ve been moving heavier anthologies to the bottom, hoping this might be a deterrent, but the kid keeps getting taller. Soon, no book will be safe.
Note former Roomie Jen Zilm’s new book of poetry, prominently displayed in the floor showcase. Note also the ambitious rocking chair, where I imagined my child would sit quietly to read alongside me, while I lounged comfortably on the couch with my book by our sunny window, my favourite reading space.
What makes a great reading space?
A great reading space for me these days is one where I can hide out for a bit—which usually means out at a coffee shop. The few pages I manage to get through each day are typically read after I lay down, exhausted, in my own bed, following read-aloud renditions from the catalogue of Dr. Seuss, et al.