A Bibliophile Sanctuary

Books, coffee, and cats; what more do you need? A library is a bibliophile's sanctuary. One of the perks of being a library assistant is that I am surrounded by books everyday.  I tried to capture this peacefulness with A Bibliophile Sanctuary treasury on Etsy.

A Bibliophile Sanctuary

Thank you to all of the shops for the inspiration.

From the Stacks

No matter how many books I read, the to-read pile continues to grow.

I shouldn't be allowed in the stacks—physical or virtual.

Book Challenge Update

My 2013 book challenge is going well. I have already read 23 books this year. If I keep the same pace I will pass my 100 book goal around August. While I am glad that my challenge is going well, being able immerse myself in the pages of novels is the greater reward.

Reading opens our eyes to the world around us. What have you been reading lately?

The Presence

"Walking the stacks in a library, dragging your fingers across the spines--it's hard not to feel the presence of sleeping spirits."

Robin Sloan, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

Book Challenge 2013

I read 88 books in 2012. You may remember I originally created a goal of reading 50 books in 2012. I completed my goal on October 1, 2012, so I challenged myself to 35 more books by the end of the year.

Here is a list of the books that counted toward my achievement.

1: The Treasure Is the Rose
2: Fresh Brewed Life
3: The Historian
4: Dance in the Desert
5: The Woman in White
6: Phantastes
7: Inner Simplicity - 100 Ways To Regain Peace And Nourish Your Soul
8: The Christian Atheist
9: Heaven Is for Real
10: Northanger Abbey
11: Classic Novels
12: Crazy Love
13: The Scarlet Pimpernel
14: Fish!
15: The Swan Thieves
16: Gateway
17: Keep It Real
18: City of Fallen Angels
19: Clockwork Angel
20: The Frenzy
21: Pretty Dead
22: I Am Number Four
23: The Arm of the Starfish
24: Water for Elephants
25: The Power of Six
26: Messenger
27: Lost Voices
28: Misguided Angel
29: Crafting The Personal Essay: A Guide for Writing and Publishing Creative Non-Fiction
30: Lost in Time
31: The Age of Miracles
32: Eleventh Grade Burns
33: Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George Madonald, G.K. Chesterton, and Others 2nd edition by Hein, Rolland published by Cornerstone Press Chicago Paperback
34: No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog [Paperback]
35: The Night Watch
36: Pegasus
37: Quiet
38: Divergent
39: Delirium
40: The Thin Man
41: The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Prose Poetry: Contemporary Poets in Discussion and Practice
42: Clockwork Prince
43: Beastly
44: American Gods
45: The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction: Tips from Editors, Teachers, and Writers in the Field
46: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
47: The Immortal Rules
48: Writing Magic
49: Robin McKinley: Girl Reader, Woman Writer (Scarecrow Studies in Young Adult Literature #41) [ ROBIN MCKINLEY: GIRL READER, WOMAN WRITER (SCARECROW STUDIES IN YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE #41) BY Perry, Evelyn M ( Author ) Nov-16-2010
50: Seafaring Lore and Legend
51: Pandemonium
52: The Day Watch
53: Beyond the Writers' Workshop: New Ways to Write Creative Nonfiction
54: Insurgent
55: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
56: Myth and creative writing : the self-renewing song
57: The Cambridge companion to creative writing
58: Defusing the Angry Patron
59: MFA in a Box: A Why to Write Book
60: Empowering Your Library: A Guide to Improving Service, Productivity, & Participation
61: Son
62: The Iron King
63: Organizing Your Craft Space (05) by Packham, Jo [Paperback (2006)]
64: The Casual Vacancy
65: Everything You Need to Know About Creative Writing: But Knowing Isn't Everything?
66: Sea-Thrift: A Fairy Tale (Illustrated Edition) (Dodo Press) Ill edition (authors) Radford, Dollie (2008) published by Dodo Press [Paperback]
67: Cupcakes and Cashmere: A Design Guide For Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space, And Entertaining With Ease
68: The Rise of Nine
69: Monstrous Beauty
70: The Iron Daughter
71: Fairy Tale
72: The Brides of Rollrock Island
73: Men Who Wish to Drown: A Tor.Com Original
74: The Sharp Time
75: The Iron Queen
76: City of Lost Souls
77: The Iron Knight
78: The Art of the Moment: Simple Ways to Get the Most from Life
79: Library Management Tips That Work (ALA Guides for the Busy Librarian)
80: Tithe
81: Art of Doing Nothing, The: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself
82: Valiant
83: Training Library Staff And Volunteers to Provide Extraordinary Customer Service
84: Warm Bodies
85: The Lost Prince
86: Ironside
87: Beautiful Creatures
88: Creating The Customer-Driven Library: 1st (First) Edition

My goal for 2013 is to read 100 new books.

Read {Banned} Books

In honor of Banned Books Week (September 30th - October 6th, 2012), let's flood the bookstores and libraries and buy controversial classics! Or participate in a Banned Books Virtual Read-Out.

I read banned books pinned in the page; via Stick Em Good

Information is power. Reading stretches us; it helps us see the world in new ways.

Don't let someone tell you what to think.

Read {banned} books!

Library Paradise

Paradise pinned in La Vie Boheme; via 24 Media

Breaking the Silence

It's been a slow week for a Shimmering Star. Our internet went down on Wednesday, and I struggled for 35 minutes to upload my Wordless Wednesday post from my phone. Although the internet was fixed yesterday I didn't post because Matt and I went to Los Tres Amigos for dinner and then saw Prometheus.

Meanwhile, I have been doing a lot of research. My local library subscribes to the Craft and Hobbies Reference Center database. What a valuable resource!

I also borrowed a few craft books.

I am exploring the combination beads and fiber to create mixed media accessories, decor, and jewelry.

Stay tuned for the reopening of my etsy, With Eyes Lifted!

So Little Time

I have been preoccupied with my training. It has been a long time since I have been encouraged to learn. The beauty of my job is I will never stop learning. Libraries offer so much free data and information to the public; they're such a valuable resource. As Frank Zappa said, "So many books, so little time".

It is nice to be challenged.

Everyday Wear

Three Day Weekend

Retail workers rarely get to enjoy the holidays. Libraries are not open on most bank holidays, so this weekend was my first Memorial day weekend off in twelve years. I spent time with friends and family, took several long walks, ate far too much food, and bought a new couch.

In short, it was amazing.

Encourage Literacy