Outside, I enjoy those books too--- my late FIL went to school with Ferrol Sams and we love his novels. I hadn't realized he wrote essays as well. "When attending art shows, I swear off coffee table books but I am weak." We share that weakness, lol. Seems I am "always" never going to buy another huge book... Beagles, that room is fantastic, and I do see your pile of books peeking out from under that chair to the left :-) I'm with you on the kindle, but every now and then I like to hold a real book. Even though I find myself pushing the edge of the page instead of turning it (hanging head). No screen can reproduce the heft and color of those prints in large books, there is something about a good quality art print that is somehow more convincing than an image on a screen. Sloe gin, over the past decade or so I've seen many people putting lovely shelving in their dining rooms to combine functions or simply bring books into a room that doesn't often see them. I love that look, of a literary dining room! And your basket sounds eminently practical, we use our shagreen boxes and ceramic bowls for the same purpose--- the "stuff" has got to be corralled somehow. I have seen that Circus book, Robo, and the Atomic Ranch book also, they are both marvelous! It's clear that our collective enjoyment of these tomes is at least partly for the esthetic quality of the books themselves in addition to the content. I suppose that's what makes them "useful" decor :-) In some cases they might function purely as decor, as the leather books you've used, tinam. Have you seen the book purses that are so popular in some circles? Kate Spade has or had a few, and there's quite a cottage industry on Etsy making real old books into small handbags. They aren't a tenth big enough for me, but I love looking at them!

The only inanimate object that calls to me (other than fabric, as I am first of all a quilter, and therefore a fabriholic) is a book and the inclination to touch, to smell, to surround oneself with them is similar with both. My bookcases are stuffed full, as are my shelves of fabric - it's almost like hoarding - and when I've finished a really good book that I've really immersed myself in, yes, there are a few moments of indecision while I quickly pick out the next one to begin - I cannot be without an ongoing book, just as I cannot be without a quilt in progress - it's just too unsettling. Books draw me to them - I could have over 100 books not yet read in my shelves, and I'm still seeking out more. (I don't loan out any book ever - did it once, and not everyone respects books - let alone that it was someone else's property!)

Vee - Thanks for the kudos. You're right, I do have a FT job and a DH who is, I am happy to say, much more domesticated that I am. He does the majority of the cooking/clean-up while I clean the house every day in small parts (mostly putting things away type of thing)... Plus it's lucky that DH is quite understanding about my need to read (as I have always been a big reader since he has known me), so he just goes to the back of the house and either watches tv or plays his computer games. However, we do work on spending quality time together so it all rather works out in the wash. Every now and then, a book may cross his path, but not often. It's good to have different interests... One thing that we DON"T have and a lot of people do is kids and I think that gives us a lot more freedom than otherwise...

Thanks Donna, the blue butterflies one I did in honor of my mom. Soon after her passing I, my sisters and my niece had some very interesting and touching blue butterfly experiences. Lisa how fortunate for you that you were introduced to the coloring. I first saw the use of coloring as therapy when my mom broke her hip. In the recovery facility they used it to help them relax and focus on something other than their pain and situation they were in. My mom enjoyed it very much even though her hands were twisted and deformed by Rheumatoid arthritis she was able to do some very pretty work. I am glad I decided to give it a try. Interestingly enough as a child I was never really into coloring and was not very good at it either. I feel your addiction pain lol.