I was going to write about Why We Read What We Read tonight, but it is late already and Dancing With the Stars starts in half an hour and well…
I do have another nice book to tell you about. Danielle had it listed on her site a couple of weeks ago and I immediately reserved a copy at my library. The Simple Home: The Luxury of Enough by Sarah Nettleton. I am a sucker for books like these. Big glossy photos of beautiful homes. And these homes are mostly small homes (really, a couple are less than 1,000 sq feet), homes that are simple and light-filled and clutter-free. Homes built with or remodeled with the environment in mind. Homes that use local materials or recycled materials. Homes that fit into the history of the landscape they are built on. Homes that are unique and perfectly suited to the occupants. And best of all, homes that are comfortable.
In a lot of books like this I would never want to live in any of the homes because I’d be afraid of messing up the perfect placement of the pillow on the sofa or putting a smudge on the gloss of the hard wood floors. But these homes, while gorgeous, are all homes I could imagine myself living in.
One of the fun things about reading a book like this is that it sparks ideas for my own house. I certainly can’t afford an architect to come and design a remodel for me. But I can get ideas about flooring, about creating clean lines, about color and light, about creating the simple life that would lead to the keeping of a simple home.
On a side note, school started yesterday! The quarter looks like it will be a busy one. I hope you don’t mind if I share some of the articles I will have to read or topics of discussion (ethics, intellectual freedom, etc) I will have to participate in. One of the assignments which I am very happy about is that I have to read a banned or challenged book from one of the American Library Association’s lists. It turns out I have read quite a number of the books on their lists already and while it is tempting to read a kid’s book like And Tango Makes Three, I have decided to read Lord of the Flies. It is one I have not read and have always wanted to. Nothing like killing two proverbial birds with one stone!
I’m a sucker for books like these, as well. In fact, I think I’ve perused this one at Borders in the past. I have a few books that are similar already.
You may like a website I found at a friend’s blog today, if this is your kind of thing. I know I do and will be spending a fair bit of time there in the future… http://zenhabits.net/ For your enjoyment.
I need to see if my library has that book, too! It looked so tempting in the catalog. I love looking at books like this as well, but I know what you mean by not really wanting to live in them–they do look very perfect. I’d feel too guilty if I spilled even a crumb on the immaculate floors! I am looking forward to hearing about your classes–so please do share!
Seems I need to get my hands on that book as I set up my new home. And what a great assignment, reading a banned book. I’ll be interested to hear your take on The Lord of the Flies, a book I’ve never read either, mainly because I’m positive it will be too upsetting.
I love the idea of the small, uncluttered homes, but neither of my two biggest hobbies/interests—reading and cooking—lend themselves well to a lack of space. Not to mention the cats like room to RUN!
Good luck with the new semester! I haven’t read Lord of the Fliles yet, either – it’s on the proverbial TBR list. And I’m very much looking forward to reading what you have to share with us from school!
Oh lovely assignment! Isn’t it exciting to be in school again? You’re making me want to go enroll in a course — and since I’m a teacher, I can take courses for free (provided I have the time). Hmmm …
Keri, thanks for the link! The site looks like one I will enjoy.
Danielle, I hope your library has the book. If not, it would be easy enough to peruse in a bookstore.
Emily, I’ll be sure to let you know whether Lord of the Flies is too upsetting.
Heather, A couple of the houses had libraries but interestingly, there were no photos of them probably because they would ruin the uncluttered look of the rest of the house. So sad that books count as clutter.
Courtney, thank you! I thought I must be the only one who hasn’t read Lord of the Flies. I feel better now knowing neither you nor emily have read it either
Dorothy, it is exciting and a bit anxiety producing because it has been a long time. That is so cool that you can take classes for free!
I had been wondering if you had started school already. Yay. So you will tell us more right?