The book I chose was Storage and Display put out by Pottery Barn. Now I know that reference to Pottery Barn is beginning to sound a tad bit cliche and "unoriginal" in the popular world of design, and furthermore, claims to "Pottery-Barn-style-furniture" is the rage of Craigslist even though such items never look anything like what I would find at Pottery Barn (just my opinion). I feel a little bit embarrassed to admit my secret obsession...but it's true, I love almost everything they put together.Anyway, I'm dancing around my point. This book has taught me so much and given me so many new ideas that I feel rejuvenated and excited to organize and beautify every space in my house. Sure, I can't go out and buy a bunch of new furniture, but even just a simple idea about how to arrange books has created an intriguing corner in my small living room. Warning: I am completely blowing this way out of proportion and any ordinary person will probably browse the pages of this book and find that they already knew all that stuff. I have very little talent when it comes to simple presentation or even how to store everyday items efficiently. I organize, but have always felt like there must be a better way than what I come up with on my own.
So if you happen to have an urge to do some "spring reorganizing" ( I have this urge about every other month), you may want to check it out at the library. It's a fun read. I actually haven't read a bad book yet this year. If you need a good book to read, might I suggest:
January: The Giver. Yeah, I've read it several times before, but I wanted to start off the year with something I knew I would enjoy.
February: The Alchemist. A favorite.
March: The Screwtape Letters. I have always heard excerpts from this book but never read it in its entirety. Very insightful.
March: The Screwtape Letters. I have always heard excerpts from this book but never read it in its entirety. Very insightful.
April: The Secret Life of Bees. My friend/mission trainer suggested this one and she might be one of the most well-read people that I've ever met (along with Andrew's mission trainer....what is it about our mission trainers being the most genius people in the world?). Great suggestion.
I'm open for June suggestions. However, I might be reading the other books in the Pottery Barn series first!
12 comments:
Atlas Shrugged is amazing! I recommend it for June, July, or any month!
I run a book club in North Logan, UT, and we have had a lot of great books recently. The one that I LOVE and suggest for anyone and everyone is "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It reads quickly because it's written as a series of letters. It's a very fun book and you'll love the characters. Another book our club read recently and everyone loved was "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova. I'll give you fair warning, it's a tear jerker. I read the entire book on a flight from Atlanta to Salt Lake and balled almost the entire time. I'm sure my fellow seatmates thought I was such a boob. It is very well written, it just seems to flow, it's that easy to read. I have so many suggestions coming to mind, but I'll tell you one more that really stuck out. It's called "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See. It's follows a girl and her best friend through their lives in 19th century China, from foot binding (which is fascinating) to old age. It's filled with information about the culture and time period, but it's so easy to read. Have fun reading!
I don't know if I'm one to be giving literary advice because I thought The Alchemist was seriously AWFUL...beyond AWFUL!!! But, you can't go wrong with Dickens. I LOVE everything he has written. And I agree with Stevo, Atlas Shrugged is definitly worth reading. Ayn Rand is fascinating!
Stevo...It's like 1000 pages! All in one month? Maybe June, July and August.
Good to see someone getting in touch with their inner designer. :) My books have been mostly non-fiction lately, so I don't know that I have any you would be interested in. If you want something fun to read, I guess I would recommend "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Gilbreth. Not anything like the movie and very funny. You may have already read that one though. Other than that I read "Bend-the-rules Sewing" by Karol which is a good basic sewing book with some cute designs in it that could even rate as beginner level. I also read "The Host" this last weekend by Stephenie Meyer. Not a very deep book, but some fun sci-fi if you're interested. I feel guilty I haven't read anything more substantial recently. I attempted Anna Karenina, but my reading schedule didn't leave me enough time to devote to that kind of book. Heard its good though and still want to finish it. Also heard good things about Atlas Shrugged and the Potato Peel Pie Society books. I'll have to put those on my list.
I was a little intimidated by the size when I started reading it too, but I flew through it. I think it took me two weeks, reading on and off.
Thanks for the book reports! :) When I grow up... I want to have time to read more! I had to cut back to the Ensign and even there I struggle! I will have to put these books on my list for when I grow up. I did however read the Life of bees and liked it lots.
I was laughing out loud when I saw the pic of the PB book (I thought it was their catalogue!) Hmmmm...now that's a book club I would be happy to join!!! Great choices to start off with - they are all good reads, you're in for a treat. Screwtape took a little more concentration on my part, but cleverly done.
I would recommend the Restoration Hardware Catalog next! I think it would be a good and easy transition from this months read.
Two of my favorites are "A Year Down Yonder" and "A Long Way From Chicago" both by Richard Peck. Yes, they are for younger audiences but you will love them just the same...their grandma reminds me of someone but I can't quite place her....!
A couple of months ago our book clun read "The $64 Tomato" and I really liked it. Not too deep but very funny.
And by clun I mean club and you're welcome to attend if you'd like. I'm not too far away.
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