I wasn’t able to get up a Bookshelf Traveling post, hosted by Judith, last Friday, so I’m bringing that post to you today. Most images can be clicked on to enlarge or to show a zoomed-in photo on the books in the picture.
Unlike much of America, I have spent the entire COVID-19 pandemic making my way into work every day in my office, rather than working from home (or, as some unfortunate people, not working at all). Much of my building is empty which reduces my risk and I’ve appreciated the small bit of normality this has given me over the past several months.
I have always subscribed to the “nesting” idea of a work space, that in order for it to be a productive space there needs to be a bit of you scattered around. For me that means books. What you will see here today is the current book occupants of my office. This changes at times depending on my mood.
The opening picture shows a small pile of books on my Varidesk standing desk unit that sits on my actual desk. I generally have a couple of books here that I am in the process of reading a bit at a time during lunch breaks. Some of these may actual travel back and forth with me each day.
The image immediately above is the top shelf of the bookshelf that sits directly across from my desk. I admittedly have only read a few of Jane Austen’s novels, but I love these Everyman’s Library editions and I am a big fan of most of the film adaptations of her work, so I like seeing them. the framed postcard on that shelf is art by Anne-Julie Aubrey, whose work I adore.
The second shelf down holds my Haruki Murakami collection. I was introduced to his work many years ago by my good friend Cameron and instantly understood why Murakami’s work made such a powerful connection. My first experience was with the short story collection After the Quake. Quickly after that I read After Dark, and discovered that he is as talented in the novel format as he is with short stories. I read the collection Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman over the course of a couple of anniversary vacations to our beloved Hermann Hill Inn and Vineyard. I’ve also read Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, finished on a business trip to Washington, D.C., the collection The Elephant Vanishes, listened to the audio version of his nonfiction book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, and have read some of the stories in Men Without Women. This is one of those rare instances where I’ve actually read most of the books on one of my shelves!
The next shelf down sports a few older copies of Ian Fleming 007 novels that Mary found for me at a book sale. Again, a rarity, I’ve actually read all three of these, albeit in other copies that I have at home. Also pictured here is a business card case with the cover art from the original A Stainless Steel Rat paperback, given to me by my friend Chris and some Fallout, Star Wars, and Doctor Who toys.
And finally, I even have a couple of books stashed in one of my drawers. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is a book our Leadership Team is currently reading and discussing. This Alien Shore and Second Foundation have two of my favorite Michael Whelan covers and these are extra copies I have so I like having them close. I brought in Foundation’s Edge to begin reading over lunch at some point. The Toff book, a character I’ve enjoyed over several novels, is sadly here because I needed to use a small older book to prop up the angle of my monitor when using my standing desk back before they replaced my monitor with the current model. The Edna St. Vincent Millay book is here because I like to bring it out as part of my work decor on occasions. Millay is another poet I enjoy and this Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets volume is lovely.
Do any of you have books with you at your place of employment, or if retired did you do so back when you were working? Does anyone else just feel more comfortable when books are nearby?
I hope everyone is having a wonderful week and that you are able to have at least some moments where you are taking solace and comfort in a good read.
Carl, that is a lovely space and such a good idea to place some special books of your own in the area. You keep the area so neat, I was very messy when I worked and kept papers piled everywhere. It was a major endeavor to clear my office of all of that when I retired (last December). I did not ever keep any of my books there. Although I had two co-workers I used to give my mysteries to when I was done with them.
I love the editions of Jane Austen books and the Bond books. I read all of the Jane Austen books in 2017, except for Sense and Sensibility.
My office hasn’t always been neat. I have worked here for almost 21 years, and I’ve noticed that during the times where I had bigger offices I tended to let things get more cluttered. Now that I’m back in a smaller office, my second time in this particular office, I’ve found it much less stressful to have mess everywhere. I’ve also been here long enough that I don’t feel guilty with having a clean space, thinking others may have the impression that I am not working hard. 🙂
That is fun that you used to share books with co-workers. Many years ago a therapist who worked here and I would exchange books. She was such a sweet lady. She passed away a few years ago after a long bout with dementia. I still miss her.
That’s a real home from home, it must make going into work every day more relaxing than an impersonal space would be. I worked in libraries so was surrounded by books and I didn’t have a personal work space – just ranged all over – so there was no chance to have anything of my own there.
If you couldn’t have space of your own, working in a library (or bookstore) surrounded by books is a pretty cool option. I definitely don’t feel stressed by the environment when I come in. I make sure to clear my workspace every night before leaving which also helps.
Forget the books; I love the pottery on the shelf next to your Murakami collection!
Thanks! They are really just inexpensive things I found at a home store because I loved the color. The small, earth-toned color one is precious to me because it was one my daughter made in a pottery class she took as an elective at a junior college. And the three-drawer shelf is something my Dad made for me when I gave him measurements and asked for something to put supplies in as desk-drawer space is always limited…especially when you fill one with books and stationary!!!
I have a Murakami shelf as well and was lucky to be named an ambassador for one of his books so on that shelf are two signed copies. I can’t wait for another book to come out but wait we will because it takes two years to translate once a book is announced. My fave, Kafka and Wind-Up.
That is awesome, what an honor. And that is fun that you have signed copies as part of that. I admire translators, it must take incredible skill to be able to get all the nuance and emotion, etc. into a book so it is as impactful in the translated language as it is in the original.
Of course the Pandemic isn’t over!
I didn’t have books at work other than all the work-related stuff, dozens of big three ring binders of it, and other things. I did keep a current paperback in the car, to read during lunch, but that was it.
Nope. May be a long time before it ends…or restarts…ugh…
Having a book close by for lunch is always a good plan!
It’s nice you can take & have some books at your workplace, which must be comforting. I’m semi-retired but when I worked full time at a newspaper … we just had dictionaries and grammar and style books. Not as fun. But I have too many at home. Enjoy.
It is nice that they let us decorate our offices, within reason. I do remember a staff member many years back whose office looked like she moved in and lived here, complete with a faux fireplace. That was going a bit too far!
Thanks for coming by to visit and for leaving comments, I really appreciate it.