There have been so many advances in technology which have provided us with more and more sophisticated forms of entertainment. We can pass our time watching TV and movies, playing computer games and surfing the internet. Despite these advances, however, reading has shown no signs of ever going out of fashion. Reading is the perfect way to relax, to learn something new, and to embark on a literary adventure. Immersing yourself in a good book is like teleporting into another world, but to make sure that you can make the most of your reading time, there are some essential things that you will need. Creating the perfect reading den takes a little planning and some careful thought.
This article is a guide to the must-have things in every bookworm’s home.
1. A Solid Bookcase (or Ten!)
The first things that all bookworms need are some solid bookcases to keep all of your beloved books. For many of us, one bookcase just isn’t enough, but unfortunately too few of us have the luxury of our library. One great thing to do is to spread your books around your home so that they don’t clutter up one room. Identify which room you tend to read in the most and place a bookcase in there with all the books that are only your to-read list. This bookcase should be updated with books from the other bookcases around your house. If you and your friends and family members like to lend each other books, keep books that your loved ones may be interested in reading in the bookcase in your living room, kitchen, or wherever you tend to socialize with visitors to your home. That way they will be able to check out your bookcase and see if there is anything that they are interested in reading.
2. Strong Shelves
If the space in your home does not lend itself to bookcases, or you just have so many books that you need extra storage, you can use shelves to keep your books. Shelves are a great alternative to bookcases because they don’t take up any space on your floor. You can hang shelves at any height, which is ideal for freeing up extra living space in a house with limited area for storage. There are some great shelving options out there that come in different sizes and finishes and that will suit any home. We did a quick online search and found the EZ Floating Shelf which doesn’t have any visible brackets but is still strong enough to hold all your favorite books. Floating shelves can be added to any room at any height and enable you to make your books into a real eye-catching feature. Add some stylish bookends or your favorite plants or statues to the end of the shelves and they will make your book collection look awesome.
3. Beanbags
The best way to enjoy a book is sprawled out somewhere comfortable and there is nothing more comfortable than a quality beanbag. The great thing about beanbags is that you can squish one into the corner of a room and make a little reading nook. Set up your beanbag in a corner that gets a lot of sunlight with a little table for your tea and a few plants and tapestries to set the reading mood. It can be so easy to make your own literary Shangri-La with just a beanbag and a few little extras. If you live somewhere a bit chilly and love to snuggle up with a book when it gets cold, pair your beanbags up with a thick fluffy blanket and settle down to read.
4. Reading Lamp
A reading lamp is an absolute essential as for many of us, the only time we get for reading is in the evening when we can finally settle down for a couple of hours after a busy day. You must choose the right kind of reading lamp because the wrong kind can cause damage to your eyes. You must avoid blue lights when reading as this can strain your eyes and affect your sleep patterns. Particularly if you like reading in bed, get a reading lamp that uses amber light or red light as this will protect your eyes and allow you to sleep well.
5. A Reading Journal
If you are an avid reader, then you probably enjoy writing too, and a reading journal is a great way to reflect on books that you have finished. Try to find a cool journal and treat yourself to a nice pen and every time you complete a book, jot down your thoughts, favorite chapters, questions you would like to ask the characters, or some interesting quotes that you want to remember. A reading journal is great for when you read a book for the second, third or twenty-fifth time so that you can see if you get a different perspective this time around, or notice something that you didn’t notice before.
6. Your Favorite Mug
A good book and a mug of something warm are a match made in bookworm heaven. Especially when you are lost in a story, the last thing you want to do is get up and refill your drink, so the bigger your mug, the better. For many of us, one mug just isn’t enough and there are bookworms out there whose mug collection is overshadowed only by their book collection.
Sadly, so few of us have our own library to shut ourselves up between the stacks, but there are some really easy things that we can add to our home to create our own literary haven. The most important thing to consider when optimizing your home for your reading needs is to make sure that it is comfortable and that there are plenty of storage options for all of your books. Once you have these essentials in place, add little items that make your space lovely and cozy. Reading lamps, journals, and your favorite mugs are just what you need to help you escape with your favorite book.
