My Dream Reading Space & Library

While I was scrolling through  Arhaus a couple of days ago, I was inspired to write a post describing my dream reading space! I don't know why it didn't come to me sooner! I think all bookworms occasionally imagine the perfect reading space, so I'm so excited to share mine with you all!

I've always told my husband that when we finally get our home, it must have an extra room which will be our reading space and library! I can't tell you how many times I've looked for the perfect sofa, lighting and the most important item to any bookworm’s space bookshelves! I have fell in and out of love with so many, but enough babbling and let’s get to it. 

My reading room must have a large window, where light can shine in through the day. So, I can read without artificial light when it is sunny, and watch the rain when storms roll in! I just love rainy days, and think they are perfect for reading; love to see and hear the rain as I read. The picture below is exactly what I am talking about. Picture found on google!

As a Beauty and the Beast fanatic and a bookworm, one of my all-time favorite scenes is when Beast shows and gifts Belle his library! I've always wanted one of those beautiful classic shelves that have the ladder, just in case you can't reach those top shelves. I found the perfect one on the Arhaus website! This shelf would look beautiful!!! There is one that takes up the whole wall and it is perfection! I could not find a picture, but click here and it will take you right to it! 

Now on to the sofa that I would put in front or near to window! There is so many sofas, but for me it would just have to be comfy, somewhere I could sit for hours, and not have to be changing positions. It would also have to match my theme or it would drive me nuts!!! I found the perfect sectional sofa on the Arhaus website, they had so many, but this one was my favorite! you can check out their sectional collection here to pick one you would like!  There is just so many ways one can sit on a sectional and get lost in a book, it also does not hurt that is gorgeous! 

Lighting is something essential for a library! I know that the large window will provide light during the day, but we will still need light for those late nights, when we can't put that book down, or those gorgeous rainy days! Guys, I am drooling over these lights they are gorgeous! picture was found on pinterest! 

A room is nor complete without a rug, where I can lay just in case I am not feeling the couch! This rug caught my eye first and I feel like it brings my room together! It’s so beautiful! you can find it here.

This was so much fun!!!! I really enjoyed sharing my dream reading space with everyone! Looking at furniture was also fun! I would love to read what you would add in your room or how it will look. Let me know on the comment section! Doing these made me excited for when I get to shop for my reading space! 

SandraTheBookWorm

Interview with Author Tiffany McDaniel

Tiffany McDaniel

Author of

The Summer that Melted Everything!

1)      Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m an Ohio poet and novelist.  Other than writing, I love plants and gardening.  I also love art, and dapple in everything from charcoal to watercolors. 

2) In your own words, please describe the book.

The Summer that Melted Everything is about a man who one day puts an invitation in the newspaper, inviting the devil to town.  A boy, claiming to be the devil, answers the invitation, only this boy is not your stereotypical devil of red flesh and horns.  This so-called devil’s arrival coincides with the start of a heat-wave that threatens to destroy the town’s very sanity.  As the summer unfolds, the boy’s presence has tragic consequences on the town and everyone in it.  Who is the real devil?  That is a question The Summer that Melted Everything sets out to answer.

3) What was your inspiration behind your book?

I always say what inspires me are the characters.  I’m inspired by them to write their story and truth to the best of my ability. 

4) How did you come up with this title?

It was one of those hot Ohio summers that I felt like I was melting.  Out of true heat, the title was born.  I usually start writing a new novel with two things: the title and the first line.  These two things really lead the entire rest of the story.   

5) When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid.  Writing is the first thing I remember doing as a child without being told to do so.  There was an innate desire to write down what was in my head.  I’ve always written short stories and poetry.  When I was eighteen was when I wrote my first novel. 

6)Is there any author or book that influenced you in anyway either growing up or as an adult?

I came late to reading the authors who I consider to be among my favorites now.  I’ve always written more than I’ve read.  For some authors, they read more than they write.   Some of my favorite authors are Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson, and Donna Tartt.  There is also the poet James Wright, who is from my land of Ohio.  I can’t say these authors have inspired me, because by the time I came upon them I already had a few novels written, but they are authors who I rank among my favorites thus far and authors I recommend everyone check out. 

7)How long does it take you to finish a novel?

On average it takes me about a month to write a novel.  When I say it’s a quick process to lay the bones down, you have to understand writing a book is like building a body.  You lay your bones down, and then you began to build up the layers of tissue, muscle, and skin in your drafting stages.  Then you add the cosmetic features, like freckles and moles, fingernails, and all those particular swirls of fingerprints.  These other layers can take longer as you’re drafting through.  In addition, the quality control comes during the cosmetic stages when you read the novel a million times to make sure everything is as it should be. 

8)  So far, what has been the greatest moment in your writing career?

 For me, getting published has been an uphill battle, so I'd say one of the greatest moments has been seeing one of my books on the shelf.    

9) Have you written a book that you love, but you have not been able to publish?

I have eight completed novels.  One day I hope to see all of these stories and characters out in the world.

10) What Advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Never give up.  While The Summer that Melted Everything is my first published novel, it’s actually my fifth or sixth novel written.  I wrote my first novel when I was eighteen, and wouldn’t get a publishing contract until I was twenty-nine for The Summer that Melted Everything.  It was a long eleven-year journey to publication, full of rejection and perseverance.  My writing is dark, and I was often told I was risky to publish.  If I had given up, I wouldn’t be where I am today, with a book on the shelf.  So to all the writers out there on the journey to publication, I say, don’t let rejection destroy you.  Let rejection empower you. 

  

FUN QUESTIONS!

1) If you had to describe yourself in three words, it would be….

I think the true test of our character is how others describe us.  But I know the things I would like to be thought of as being, which is kind, creative,and thoughtful.   

  

2) If you could be a character in any novel you’ve ever read, who would you be and why?

There are a few characters I’d like to step into the shoes of, so perhaps this is why my answer changes every time I’m asked this.  Today I’d say Hercule Poirot.  I love Agatha Christie and her detective is one character I always love to spend time with, so to actually be him solving these murders would be a pretty wonderful way to spend the day.

3)What’s your favorite movie?

I have a hard time pinning down my absolute favorite because I love film, but some of my favorite movies are Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, Little Shop of Horrors, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

4) If you were written about in the newspaper, on the front page, what would the headline say?

I’ve always wanted wings and to fly, so perhaps one day a headline will read: “Writer sprouts wings and flies away”

5) If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be and why?

There are lots of people I’d love to meet.  Today I’ll say I would like to meet Howard Carter.  But more than meet him, I would have liked to have been there when the tomb of Tutankhamun was unearthed.  I love archaeology so it would be pretty incredible to be present in a moment when one of the most astounding archaeological finds was discovered.  

What Comes of Eating Doughnuts With a Boy Who Plays Guitar

Book Review!

Title: What Comes of Eating Doughnuts with a Boy Who Plays Guitar

Author: Nicole Campbell

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: June 17, 2015

Genre: Contemporary

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Buy Book: Amazon, iBooks, B&N, Kobo

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Synopsis:

Courtney Ross has lived her whole life doing everything by the book. That’s gotten her good grades, the title of captain of her team, and the gift of being a nervous wreck most of the time. She will be spending the summer before her senior year with her best friend, Vanessa, in her tiny hometown of Gem City, Ohio. Courtney’s hoping for a chance to breathe and maybe to get a tan. What she doesn’t expect is Ethan Fisher and his guitar. She must answer the age old question, what does come of eating doughnuts with a boy who plays guitar? 

In her touching debut novel, Nicole Campbell delivers a perfect summer read. Readers will re-live their first relationships (the good, the bad, and the overwhelming), or imagine the spark of what the future might hold in this story full of the type of intensity only found in young love.

My Thoughts:

I was sent a copy of this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is the perfect summer contemporary! It had me hooked from page one and I could not put it down! I fell in love with every single character, they became my friends and the love interest had me head over heels. The author took me back to my high school summer days, when I would go out with all my friend and falling in love for the first time oh, those were the days. I loved the authors writing, especially when it comes to character development.

Courtney has always been one to follow the rules, she’s top of her class and captain of her cheer-leading squad, but this summer she is going to be spending it with her best friend Vanessa in her hometown Gem City and Vanessa loves to push Courtney out of her comfort zone. I absolutely loved Courtney, she was such a relatable character and I just saw so much of myself in her. I was always the shy friend who had to be pushed to do fun things, still to this day I overthink everything. Courtney’s development throughout the book is phenomenal! She stops holding back, overthinking and decided to just have fun this summer. Ethan is our love interest and gosh, do I love this man! He was sooo swoon worthy, but of course like any real guy, he has his flaws and I loved that about him; it made him feel real! I fell in love with all the characters including Vanessa and her boyfriend, Luke! I cannot wait to read more about those two.

The ending broke me! I was sobbing so much I had to stop and take a breather, I was so happy I had the next book! The authors writing flows so well and she hooks you from the first chapter! This novel made me laugh, cry and reminisce about my old summer days; I can’t wait to devour more of her novels. I also absolutely loved how in the header of each chapter there is a song title. I decided halfway through the book to look up the playlist the author has for her novel and gosh, I was so happy I decided to listen it to it while I read! It was such a whole new experience, and took the book to a whole new level for me. This novel also helped me get over a horrible reading slump, after trying several other books I might add.  I recommend this to anyone looking for a summer contemporary! 

SandraTheBookWorm