Monday, June 22, 2009

Reading In Bed


I don't know about you, but that is my dream bedroom. Well, almost. The bed needs to be big enough for two. That dreamy spot is actually a corner of Shakespeare and Company, a bookshop in Paris. Makes you want to move in, doesn't it?

If this were my bedroom I wouldn't need a nightstand piled high with books. I've asked it before, but I'm wondering... What's on your nightstand?



No idea where this picture came from. Sorry.

41 comments:

Mrs. E said...

I love that room! The Mr. would kill me! The only book on my bedside table-- Simple Abundance. I can't read in bed. I go straight to sleep. Now beside my recliner in the family room is another story!!

Joanne said...

I'm reading The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman right now. Like much of her work, it has a dark side to it, a bit mystical, but she's woven an intricate tale of three sisters that drew me right in!

Anonymous said...

My books reside on my desk and they are: The Bible, The Secret Life of Bees, The Shack (2nd read), Peace Is Every Step by thick Nhat Hanh.

I love the setup of the bookstore. It's so inviting!!

Unknown said...

A little Dr. Seuss, Captain Underpants, Junie B. Jones from my last sleepover with the girls when T. was on travel as well as Nora Roberts, The Book Thief, and Navpress facts of life books...

Anonymous said...

Very inviting!
Currently I have a "few" magazines to flip through; two books that I am currently reading (The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga and Portobello by Ruth Rendell and my notebook to scribble in white i am in bed :)

Ragamuffin Gal said...

I would need to add some fluffy pillows ~ but I could crawl right into there too! Hey! I'm calling you right after I post this ~
Love,
me

d smith kaich jones said...

Wow. What a wonderful spot. I'm with you - that would be Heaven! However, that said, I cleaned a bit this weekend, putting all the half-read books back on the bookshelves, leaving next to the bed crossword puzzle magazines, sketchbooks & a calendar/journal that I never write in. Lol! Next to my computer,though, stands a stack of books - 2 by Pema Chodron, Zen & the Art of Motorycle Maintenance, Under the Tuscan Sun, Lonesome Dove, Seabiscuit & Wind, Sand & Stars. All previously read many times, there for reference purposes. But also in that stack is Joanne Harris' The Girl with No Shadow, (the sequel to Chocolat),which I started, but only got a few pages into. I plan on starting again.

:) Debi

Gayle said...

I don't read in bed. I can't get comfortable sitting up in bed! In my living room I've got The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby right now. So much to learn!

Marilyn Miller said...

I have seen that bed at Shakespeare and Company and hope to see it again in September. Further up the stairs I was told there was a tea room. When I opened the door and peeked in there was a small group of people sitting around in semi-darkness reading poetry. It was very bohemian. Oh I wish I had been taking lots of pictures then.

On my nightstand is Simple Abundance, Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts, Unchristian by David Kinnaman, Practicing Peace in Times of War by Pema Chodron, and Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts. Oh my what a mixture.

Tracy said...

Ideal bedroom indeed...Both my husband and I are great readers, and both our nightstands tremble under the weight of stacks of books and magazines...LOL! Reading in bed is sweet delight at the end of the day. Right now I'm re-visiting Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence" for my classics reading series. Also reading a guidebook on Vienna... and dreaming... Happy Days, Relyn :o)

beth said...

what is it about summer that makes me buy and hoard books ?

I've got so many, but since they're all in my bedroom and I just got in from a long walk, my lazy butt doesn't want to go and get them....

but soon...I'll get all the titles to you :)

Lubna said...

Hi
Reminds me a bit of my bedroom. Well I do have one large bookcase in a corner.
Hmmmm... I just finished Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris (sequel to Chocolate) and The Road Less Travelled by Scott Peck. Also just finished re-reading Who Moved my Cheese.
Next on the list are: Banker to the Poor by the founder of Grameen Bank (Microfinance); and The Reluctant Fundamentalist.
I so love reading.
PS: I think I have a few reviews up on my book review blog, in case you'd like to visit.
Best,
Lubna

Journey said...

The bedroom is lovely - with a few pillows and a soft light - I would be in dreamland. On my nightstand currently is the alarm, a picture of my family, my grandkids, and books - the Screwtape Letters (library disussion group), The city of Falling Angels, and The Historian. Books are such inspiration and escape!

Gigi Thibodeau said...

This photo looks a bit like my whole house! Hee hee. My husband and I are both English professors, so books are in every part of every space in our loft. I love this photo so much, Relyn! Right now, I have a few interesting books going, including Reverence: Renewing a Forgotten Virtue, by Paul Woodruff. I highly recommend it. I'm also reading Kim Addonizio's Ordinary Genius, which I'm using to help teach my creative writing students. Another fabulous book that I read recently was Lynda Barry's What It Is--an amazing guide to creativity. I'm always reading several children's/young adult books at a time because I have the great joy of teaching children's lit classes to future teachers. This week the class is reading Charlotte's Web and Bridge to Terabithia. How lucky am I that I get to talk about such great books with enthusiastic and caring students?!
-xo

spread your wings said...

oh that is a dreamy spot – so inviting.
my bedside has alarm clock, a lamp and the book "Off Season" by Anne River Siddons. a nice summer read for me.
by the way i have enjoyed your book reviews on Goodreads - so helpful. I think I want to get "The Girl with No Shadow" next.

Char said...

on my nightstand? my iPod and docking station, a lamp, a cross given to me by a friend, an old book, kleenex, cough drops (allergies!), and assorted paperbacks by my favorite authors.

spudballoo said...

Oh no I couldn't sleep in there, I'd spend all night tidying up and having nightmares about the clutter LOL!!

I emailed you 5 questions about you BTW, did you get them?

On my nightstand, a pile of photography mags and books, a couple of novels I haven't opened...um....that's it!! Need a good book methinks.

TheChicGeek said...

What a cool room :) Being that I live in California I would be afraid in an earthquake I would be dead under all those books! LOL

What's on my nightstand? Dragonfly in Amber....wonderful read :) Loving it!

Jessica said...

Reading in bed is my favorite...late in the evening or early in the morning. Either way it is a great start or end to the day. I'm topped full of books to read (for enjoyment) next to my bed right now.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

I've actually been to that room...stayed down the street from the place. It is totally awesome when you go in...books everywhere with the best smell. I've been crashing late at night so currently, my nightstand is devoid of books. That needs to change pronto!!

My Castle in Spain said...

Love you for this post Relyn!
as a student i used to go a lot to Shakespeare & co, it was such a mythic place, loved the spirit round there...

so tell me, is your bedroom a bit similar, dear friend?
:-)

(on my nightstand, there's a photo of my chéri and First Love by Tourgueniev, don't ask me why, just sat there for ages...)

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN said...

That is the most awesome room EVER!!! I would probably never leave...

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

That's my kind of room, for sure! Books, books everywhere.

As for my nightstand, no books there because I have never learned the art of reading in bed. But in my reading corner in the living room, there are several books that I delve into. A lighthearted one that I just finished is Alexander McCall Smith's "The Unbearable Lightness of Scones" and I loved it! Just right for airplane reading on the return from London to Los Angeles after 3 weeks in England!

Suvarna said...

That is a dream bedroom all right. On my night stand is "The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doige a fascinating read about the plasticity of the human brain. And something my husband picked out for me, "Shantaram" which is a novel set in India by Gregory David Roberts. I'm only on the first chapter so the jury is still out. And three others I have the intention of reading that I haven't cracked yet "Cereus Blooms at Night" "The Time in Between" and "The God of Small Things" some day soon ......

Unknown said...

Hi Relyn,

A lamp, a mug of hot water and 'World Without End' by Ken Follett. Very simple!

Elizabeth Brinton said...

R,
Is the blog world not cosmic? I woke up this morning thinking our bedroom needs to become a grown up bedroom with a little more thought into the arrangement and furnishing. The first picture that comes into my mind: Lined with books, so close you don't have to get up to reach them! Perfection!
Great picture.
E

SE'LAH... said...

Fantastic photo. On my nightstand, my lamp, an inherited piece from my friend who left us too soon, a heart from my sister, my clay pet by my daughter, a pottery piece, my Ethiopian Orthodox cross and lots of books beneath.

Cam said...

Eat Pray Love, and Where the Wild Things Are!

I'm with you on wanting that little space, it is perfect!

Wendy said...

Yeah, they'd have to call security to get me out of there.

A Cuban In London said...

Sorry, erm... no, I want light, plenty of it. I want to be woken up in a bath of morning sunbeams creeping through my bedroom and comfortably propping myself up in bed and picking up the book from the floor. The one I was too tired the night before to finish.

I love the shot, though. The light hitting the mid shelves. Thanks for this post, now go back to sleep :-).

Greetings from London.

Caroline said...

The four agreements
High Tea
Wishing...

What an incredible "book nook!"

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Why should a picture of a corner of Shakespeare and Company, make me sigh of sadness? Because we walked by, but didn't go in. -le sigh-

Really, we didn't. It was 10 years ago and my husband had given me/us spring in Paris as a 40th Wedding Ann. I'd always wanted to visit Paris, so this was stupendous.

But we had been following a syndicated series, much of which was set in Paris. And I wanted to visit places used in the filming. So familiar to fans, etc.

Around the corner a bit, from Shakespeare and Co., was a little old church which was used for a so-beloved-character's 'home.' I fear I was more interested in getting to this little church, than in Shakespeare and Co. -blush-

It was wonderful though, to actually walk at/in those places [from the series]. I did love being able to do that, so much. That, and all of our 8 days in the City Of Light.

Aunt Amelia

Martina said...

Hi there Relyn! Thanks for your lovely comments! Maybe you'll hop on the "4 things" bandwagon too!? Perhaps I will get around to talking about my time in those wonderful places sometime soon! So..on my bedside table: ikea lamp, tivoli radio, small container for ear plugs (my husband snores A LOT!), my book and a glass for water..very thrilling indeed!

Martina said...

Oh...forgot to note the book I have just started...Carlos Ruis Zafon's long awaited second book... The Angel's Game. His first book was the Shadow in the Wind..wonderful...I hope his second is as good! Night night..

Martina said...

Yayy!! I don't know too many people who have read it either!! So, very exciting to find you loved it!! I was planning to keep it for my hols at end of July but I am really bad at delaying gratification - tee hee..will keep you posted! Will go visit little birdie now! Night night (again)...I really must go to bed!

christina said...

Oh yes, I can see myself resting just fine there. Zzzz...
wrapped in all those pages.
I have tons of books on my night stand. "Madness", "Bird by bird" a 17 century French prayer book. A lamp. And each night, I knock everything off while trying to flick my lamp off. ; )

xo

Unknown said...

what a great shot!!!!!
see my pics

www.ginaspics.net

greetings from Germany

Gina

Elizabeth Halt said...

very cool!

I don't have a nightstand, but I do have a dog crate. ;) I try to keep it free of books, but occasionally Steering by Starlight winds up on there anyway.

Anita said...

I know this spot well...this store was on my way to and from classes at the University of Paris. A couple times a week I would stop in and browse, chat with George ( the owner) and hang out. Once I saw Princess Caroline reading a book in a chair upstairs...

Memories...

Anita

Dutchbaby said...

Oh to have books everywhere you look, within reach. Jacqueline Kennedy used to decorate her home with books. Her coffee table and end tables consisted of stacks of books.

On my nightstand: "To Kill a Mockingbird", "A Prayer for Owen Meany" (John Irving), "Beautiful Brows: The Ultimate Guide to Styling Shaping and Maintaining your Eyebrows", "Self Storage", "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", "The Dream Book", hand lotion, tissue, sony radio alarm, cell phone, old princess-style landline phone.

dulcy said...

Well, I for one, can attest to what a super dad you've got! He's always been so thoughtful and has done several nice things for me over the years (especially sending you over yesterday on "the mission"). What a marvelous time I had visiting with you and Sloane!

xo
dulcy

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