Skip the book wallpaper, create your own home library
From book nook to full library, here are 10 supplies you'll need
Although U.S. citizens are encouraged to get the latest round of COVID-19 shots, as of May 1, 2024, hospitals are no longer required to report COVID-19 hospital admissions, hospital capacity or hospital occupancy data. Not reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths may calm some people’s nerves, but out of sight is not out of mind for others, specifically considering the World Health Organization believes the coronavirus death toll is 20 million (almost three times more than the 7 million guesstimated fatality numbers). While the T.I.s of the world unfortunately think cutting off your TV magically “kills corona,” truthfully, social isolation helped to avoid spreading the disease to a much larger and more sensitive population.
During social isolation in 2020 to 2022, there were four sets of people staying at home: guardians who were pulling their hair out trying to help their kids with homework, introverts who worked from home and were perfectly comfortable the whole two years, social butterflies who were bored to tears and counting down the days until the next Verzuz, and homeowners who were living in hardware stores while moonlighting as interior designers and overanalyzing every inch of brick. Slowly, each group returned to a new normal.
For those who didn’t return to an office space, Zoom and DialPad users have still stopped seeing as many fancy backgrounds. The virtual-conference-included backgrounds are go-tos, if not just blurring the background altogether.
But why did the library background have to stop? Colorful as they were, this background served a larger purpose — instigating more education and creating a pleasant corner to escape into sci-fic, romantic, memoir, history or whatever other book genre you enjoyed. Even if you don’t have an empty library room with hot pink walls like Vice President Kamala Harris, you still have a shot at creating your own home library. Skip the fake book wallpaper, and create your own legitimate book nook or library space before your next meeting.
Here are 10 supplies you’ll need to get started.
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a percentage for each purchase with my referral links.
1. Comfortable, sturdy chair
While your office chair is made for working at a desk, if you’re looking for a space to read, you’re going to need a sturdy and comfortable chair that you can snuggle up in for hours. Skip the chairs with wheels. Find something sturdier where you can stretch out.
2. Coffee table
It doesn’t have to be a table that’s too complicated or intricate, just something sturdy enough to sit your hot chocolate, eggnog, tea or whatever else you’re drinking on, along with your book(s) and snacks.
3. Bookshelf
You can’t have a library with no books. However, you don’t have to have a massive bookshelf behind you in order to use it for backgrounds. A wall shelf, a floating shelf or a traditional bookcase all work.
4. Pillows
At some point while reading, you’re going to want to take a nap or lean on a pillow. Whether you make the entire floor a bed of pillows or just lean one against a desk chair or wall is up to you.
5. Bookmarks
Sure, you can use neon page markers or index tabs to mark pages, but there’s something about a bookmark that makes a library official. Skip the cheap, laminated, plastic kind. Go for something sturdier that will last as long as your books.
6. Snacks
You can either go healthy or load up on sugar and salt. The choice is yours, and so is the book.
7. Lamp
You’re welcome to use your ceiling lights, but sometimes all it takes for a book nook or library room is a single lamp on the table.
8. Dust Rags
No, it’s not the most fun part of having a library, but books collect dust. And if you want your library room or book nook area to be inviting, use a microfiber cloth to dust off the area. This also keeps pests such as silverfish away, a nuisance who loves to eat paper!
9. Chargers and plugs
If you’re someone who loves an audiobook or ebook, you’re going to wear out your battery after a good read. Make sure to have correct chargers for your smartphone, tablet or whatever other device you prefer.
10. Drinks
Whether you’re drinking wine, whiskey or water, reading is one of the most thrilling things you can do. And if your drink can match the theme of your book, even better. Skip the plastic cups. Enjoy your drink in the most fun way you can!
Let your imagination take over, and make this home library your very own. Happy reading!
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the monthly posts on the third Friday.
If you’re not ready to subscribe but want to support my writing, you’re welcome to tip me for this post! I’ll buy a dark hot chocolate on you. Thanks for reading!