Scene of the Blog Featuring Gilion of Rose City Reader!

I first became aware of Gilion's blog, Rose City Reader, through LibraryThing. Gilion and I have a similar problem with lists of books: we love them. If we were waiting for the "surprise" visit from Publishers Clearing House, we'd both probably be making new book lists.

More than anything, I love the content and the eclectic mix of books Gilion shares with everyone. If you haven't ever visited Rose City Reader, I certainly hope you take this opportunity to do so. Please say hello to Gilion while you're there!

Gilion contacted me shortly after I began Scene of the Blog to let me know that she was interested in participating. However, she and her husband had just begun work on their new library, and she wanted to wait until the room was finished. I think you'll agree that it was worth that wait.

Before I turn the reins over to my guest, I thought I'd remind you: if you'd like to see any of the following photos full size, just click on them. Over to you, Gilion!

The pink chair is where I sit with my laptop and do most of my blogging. This room was a bedroom that we converted to a home library. It's my favorite room of the house and where I would spend all my time if I could.  

The shelves to the left of the window hold "hobby" books -- travel, gardening, house stuff, scrapbooking, needlepoint, etc. The big basket at the top is full of stationery, cards, stamps, and pens to write notes. The blue vase on the bottom shelf is full of maps. The shelves to the immediate right of the window are full of my non-fiction TBR books, in roughly alphabetical order.  The shelves on the other wall are Hubby's books, which are 90% non-fiction, mostly history, shelved in chronological order by subject.

This is the wall I look at when I blog.  It's inspiring because the shelves are filled with my fiction TBR books, in alphabetical order.  That is, except for the horizontal stack on the bottom, left shelf.  That's my stack of "guilt list" books that I've received from publishers, authors, and LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. I'm working on that stack.

The kittens are Ella Fitzgerald (on the table) and Billie Holiday (on the bench), collectively referred to as the Jazz Cats.  Before the kittens, I used that table for jigsaw puzzles, but kittens and puzzles do not peacefully coexist.

I've been known to blog when I am at work (don't tell my partners). My desk may look like a bomb went off, but the scene of the Willamette River is peaceful.  Well, it's peaceful in a Portland gray, industrial kind of way.  

As I told Gilion when I emailed her to let her know that I'd received her photos, I think I'm in love! There is something about the blend of colors-- the wood, the fabrics on the chairs, floor and windows, the baskets and other accessories-- that I find very evocative. Gilion's blogging haven revs my imagination into a higher gear, and I can see myself curled up in that room by a roaring fire (the fireplace is complete with a fender) while rain lashes at the windows. See? I even invent the weather and room details that aren't there!

And... who wouldn't love the names of her cats???

Thank you so very much for allowing us this glimpse into your creative space, Gilion-- it's beautiful!

There will be no Scene of the Blog next week due to the Christmas holiday. Mark your calendars as a reminder to stop by Wednesday, December 29, when you'll be able to peek into the creative space of another book blogger. Happy Holidays!