Bookshelf Tour

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I first read this book my junior year of high school.  This book quickly found its way into my top 10.

Fun fact about me:  I love bookshelves.  I mentioned this months ago, but I'm finally getting around to the tour of my own.  This is something that I have wanted to do for a while as I love seeing what others have on their shelves.  It's interesting to look at the different tastes people have in literature; it's like a little window into who they are.  I have highlighted some books in particular that I love or think are gorgeous copies.  I couldn't help but add a few of my husband's titles in the mix as well.  He has started collecting Folio Society editions that are so lovely.  I have also inserted pictures of each shelf with its contents to give a better picture of everything on my shelves.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

This is one of my husband's Folio Society copies.  Something that I love most about their books is the attention to detail.  Each copy's cover is a work of art.  Pictured is one of several illustrations found inside of the book. 

Tolkien A Dictionary by David Day

I got this book for Christmas several years back.  I had just registered for a literature class focusing on Tolkien just before Christmas, and my parents thought it was a fitting gift.

In A Galaxy Far, Far Away a New York Times publication

This book was a gift that I got for my husband for Valentine's day this past year.  I always try to get books or things that are keepsakes for Valentine's day.  I was pretty happy with myself for gifting this book to him (and myself).

Dracula by Bram Stoker, Barnes and Noble edition

This book was a gift from my husband several years ago.  He got me this book for my birthday soon after I had read it for the first time in my Gothic Literature class.  Dracula is probably my very favorite book.  I love how the setting throughout the novel is as important as any of the characters.  This is a must-read.

Out of The Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis

This book was also a gift from my husband.  I got this one for Christmas which is probably why I am always reminded of Christmastime whenever I think about this book.  The imagery that Lewis creates in this book is so vivid and his writing is beautiful.  

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

I have collected different editions of Arthur Conon Doyle novels since I was around 14.  This is my Penguin Classics edition of The Hound of the Baskervilles and is one of my favorites. This is another that is in my top 10 favorite books.

Macbeth by William Shakespeare feat. a ring of hearts because I'm obsessed

Macbeth is my favorite work of Shakespeare's.  I have honestly lost count of how many times I have read this.  I love everything about this play:  the characters, the atmosphere, the language, etc.  I was lucky enough in my undergraduate career to take a Shakespeare class, and what I learned about this work and so many others is invaluable.

Queer by William S. Borroughs, On the Road by Jack Kerouac, and Manatee/Humanity by Anne Waldman

These are all novels that I read during my senior year of college for my Beat Generation class.  I fell in love with each of these books for one reason; they were all so raw.  Not pictured here is my copy of Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg.  This class gave me such an appreciation of the Beat Generation and everything that its authors represented.

Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

Can I just take a moment to say how much I loved this?  Having read it during college as a creative writing major, it gave me hope.  It allowed me to think that maybe my essays, my poems, and my voice would someday be heard by a multitude.  Also, I'm a sucker for a good essay.

One More Thing:  Stories and Other Stories by B. J. Novak

On a similar vein, another book of essays that I loved is B. J. Novak's One More Thing:  Stories and Other Stories.  I was actually recommended this book by my husband (then boyfriend), so we have two copies of this sitting around now.  I laughed so many times while reading these essays, and I think you would too.

My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme

I got this book from Sundog Bookstore in Seaside, Florida, several years ago.  My husband and I were walking around the store trying to find our beach-read for the week when I found this.  I love Julia Child's recipes, and now I love her story even more.  This is such a great little book and it makes me think of that week at the beach now too.

Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding

Okay, to preface this, I typically don't go for book covers like this, but I found it for $3.00 at a used bookstore and got it anyway.  I love Bridget Jones.  I love her, the book (I haven't read the other two), the movies; I relate so much to her.  She's a very together woman (I can lend myself this compliment), but she never fails to embarrass herself by saying or doing something stupid (and this truth).

The New York Times 36 Hours:  Europe ed. by Barbara Ireland 

This is one of many travel guides that I have, but this is my favorite.  I went through a phase where I bought travel guides frequently.  I don't know if I just liked having them in case I decided to go to wherever was pictured or if I just liked looking at them.

Van Gogh:  The Complete Paintings by Rainer Metzger and Ingo F. Walther

Last but not least, this book was a gift from my husband this past Christmas.  He was so thoughtful to get this as he knows that Vincent Van Gogh is my favorite artist.  This book has each work done by Van Gogh, and I love keeping it out on my coffee table for guests and me to leaf through.

As promised, here is my entire bookshelf.