Dream Room In My Dream house!

A room lined with shelves and filled with books has always been a part of my dream house. Well, they are still just a dream! The only bookshelf I got cannot even hold all the books I have anymore. Hmmm... I really should get a bigger one, one of these days!

Just a couple of days ago, four more books were added to my collection. I was feeling a little guilty about it because they were an "impulse buy". They were on a sale shelf and I just can't resist going over and browse the covers. I decided I'll get only one, but then I saw one by an author whose other books I already have, so I was thinking it was too good to pass on. Then I saw another one which seems really interesting and so I got it too. Okay, one last look, and that leads to one last book (grinning)! Enough, I told myself, and went straight to the cashier, paid for them and went out of the store! Oh but yes, it felt so good!

This one really interests me and I started on it today. I'm beginning to like it already! The two illustrations are from the book. Aren't they nice?!

This picture quote says it all!

For The Love of Books!

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” ― Ernest Hemingway

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
These quotes best describe the way I feel about my books. They are one of my best company! There's no better feeling than reading a good book when you are alone. It is a solace to my weary soul. A cure to loneliness. A relief to the stresses of the day. A diversion to negative thoughts. That's besides the lessons and knowledge about everything in life that you can get.

I read a book when I'm sad, it cheers me up. I grab a novel and read when I'm feeling lonely, the characters keep me company. I browse my cookbooks when I don't know what to prepare for dinner, they give excellent ideas. That is what my books are to me, important and a great company!

First time I saw these books, I knew I wanted them! But I am the type who wants to pass the buying first and then go back for it when it does'nt leave my mind for more than a couple of days (Oh well, yes, sometimes by the time I come back, it is gone!). These books however, took me almost a year to get them. They were from a bookstore in my hometown where I only get to visit now during Christmas season. When I visited the bookstore last Christmas, it was such a surprise to see them still there! I guess, this is what makes them extra special!

My small collection of cookbooks! I love the Campbell cookbook, it's vintage! How great it would be to find more of that "A Little _ Cookbook" series. These collection is placed above the refrigerator.

According to designer Emily Henderson of the show Secrets From A Stylist, when displaying books, you should place the shorter ones on both ends and the taller ones in the center. That way, you are creating the illusion of a mountain of books. Clever right! The Thomas Kinkade Classic Prayers is one of my favorite. The prayers featured are heavenly and the illustrations, as one can expect from Thomas Kinkade are really beautiful. On this shelf, is also where my Elf-Help books are displayed. They are a series of self-help mini books. They were called "Elf-help" because they feature an illustrations of an endearing elf characters as they offer messages of joy, wholeness, serenity and healing.

Books on our coffee table. I know for a fact that one characteristic of a coffee table book is for it to be non-fiction. So, why do I have my Bridges of Madison County book on my coffee table? Well, I just like it there!

My unread books (all of them when I took the picture). But as of the moment the one on top, the Sweet Revenge is out of the list as I just finished it today. The Memories of Time Past is a coffee table book.

Danielle Steel is one of my favorite author. When my sister saw these collection in a garage sale, she bought it for me. How thoughtful! I just wish I still have my copy of my favorite ones. The Promise, The Rings and Zoya. They were borrowed and never returned.

My collection of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. I am missing number 7 (74 Seaside Avenue). Just a little fyi, you will know the order of the books through the first number on the title.

When it comes to mystery and suspense novels, Mary Higgins Clark for me, is one of the best.

A close friend passed on her books on infertility to me. She also had a hard time getting pregnant and she said these books help her cope with all the anxieties of infertility. But they were blessed eventually and had a son. As for me, all hope is lost as I came around the age where it isn't possible anymore.

Another Booksale Find

I only planned to go to the bookstore today to finally buy the organizer box that I have been eyeing and I kind of conditioned myself to just stick with the plan. As I entered the store, I was surprised to see two tables full of new stocks of books on sale. It's been a while since they have new stocks so, I browsed the books first. Such a great temptation to my "remember to save" motto for the day! But I saw these and they are so cheap and I just can't resist them!

A Great Time to Read

I have been reading the book, "The Bridges of Madison County" on and off for weeks now. Though the story is exciting and I love it, I can't seem to finish it since the gardening bug attacked me! But today, it's been raining all morning and the news said we are on a storm signal #1. That means a break from my latest obsession "gardening"!

So today, I just curled up on my reading chair and finally finished the book. As usual, after I read a very good book, it always makes me feel like I am really going to miss reading it.

Just my thought: I like reading the book better than having watched the movie version. I however picture the characters in the persons of Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep!

I think I am adding "a trip to Madison County to see all the covered bridges" in my bucket list! I had a virtual tour of it over the internet though!

Recent Book I Read

I just finished the book "Back to Blossom Street" by Debbie Macomber. I love it! I love the characters. It was a good and heartwarming novel. I think, a very recommendable book for arts & crafts lovers. Debbie Macomber really writes beautifully. I'm looking forward to my trip to the bookstore to get another book.

Review: The Secrets of Rosa Lee

Since I was so into crafting activities the past couple of weeks, my reading time has taken a little back seat and I only get to read just before I sleep. The other night, I finally finished the novel "The Secrets of Rosa Lee" by Jodi Thomas. It was a good book and the story is interesting. Of course, it has a mystery and detective sense so I enjoyed it.

Now, I'm on to a new novel. "Quentins" by Maeve Binchy. Quentins is a restaurant featured in Tara Road so I am curious about it's own story.

Books and E-books!

The other night, I was lurking at the girltalk forum where the topic is e-books. The girls were comparing the e-books they have, as well as, telling each other how and where they got theirs. Most of which, they said were free so they started to collect. I also have some e-books, but they are mostly cookbooks and arts & crafts. I love them because they were well illustrated and has very user friendly instructions. Anyway, the girls mentioned about some interesting novels, so I searched for them. I did find the novels, but when I started reading it, it doesn't feel like the real thing. I mean, it doesn't feel like I'm reading a novel. Of course, the story is the same, but I would still very much prefer holding and flipping a soft bound pocket book!

Booksale Good Finds

Another trip to the Booksale has given me three good find books! After finishing Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, I still felt like reading some more of her novels. So today, on my trip to the mall, visiting Booksale is one of my top itinerary. After about an hour of browsing the shelves (with a little bit of crouching to see what's on the lower shelves), I settled to get three novels. Two of which were by Maeve Binchy, the "Silver Wedding" and "Quentins" (which was featured on Tara Road, so it really got my fancy). The other one is "The Secrets of Rosa Lee" by Jodi Thomas. I was really happy with the price... a good 80.00 Philippine pesos for the three books! Some books of the same author are still being sold at 75 to 105 per book. Can't wait to read them and see if they're worth it...lol... because I'm actually pretty sure they are!

Goodbye... Tara Road!

Today, after two long nights of reading Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, I am putting it to the bookshelf. It was really a good read and I'm actually sad that I finished it already. The story is quite interesting and very engaging, that I can't seem to put it down even if it's already around three in the morning! Today, I am still yearning to read more. I can't seem to wait to go to the mall and look for another novel!

Tara Road... First Chapter

Started reading Tara Road today. It was a novel by Maeve Binchy. It was one of the books I bought at the booksale three days ago. It's pretty good, well, I couldn't really say so since I'm still in chapter 1. But in any rate, the story seems interesting. Looking forward to continue reading it in a while. I'm still so happy though that I got the book for only P15.00!

Art de la Soul

I was in a booksale yesterday browsing the cookbook section when I chanced upon an arts & crafts book. It was priced so cheap from what I think it's worth, so I did not think twice in buying it. The book is titled "Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul" Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life by Kathy Cano Murillo.

I can say that the book is really a crafter's dream book. It features simple, pretty and chic craft projects. It is also full of funny and witty stories from the author. Her tips and advises are so inspiring as well.

I just love the book! I can't wait to finish reading it and try my hands on the projects.

Momilies & More Momilies

Momilies & More Momilies As My Mother Used to Say by Michele Slung

I recently bought this book at a booksale for a good price of P20.00! Not only is the price good, but the book itself is really a good one. I enjoyed reading it to myself, as well as, I had fun reading it to my three grade school nieces. They too liked it!

The book is a compilation of phrases and anecdotes that were spoken by mothers. Some are serious and some are quite funny... and you really have to read between the lines to get what they mean.

Some of the phrases that I like are:

"Don't cross your eyes or they'll freeze."
"If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing well."
"Be careful what you wish for, you might get it."

Trip from the Bookstore!

Went to several bookstores yesterday looking for a local home decorating magazine where it featured houses from my hometown and the home of my high school classmate. Sad to say, they are not available anymore.

Anyway, as I was browsing some cookbooks at the Booksale, I saw this arts & crafts book with a very low price (not surprising since it's a book sale, some books do happen to get lost!). I know it would be a good book and with it's price, it surely is a good buy. The book is "Crafty Chika's Art de la Soul" by Kathy Cano Murillo. A craftaholic Mexican-American from Phoenix, Arizona.

The other book I bought is Tara Road, a novel by Maeve Binchy. It was priced really cheap, so I didn't think twice in getting it. I cannot tell yet if it's a good one, but I have read quite a few novels by Maeve Binchy and I did liked them. So, I'm pretty sure this one will be worth it.

I will be posting my review after I'm done reading the books in my Reading Matters page.