Bookshelf | Side Table Books

Today's post is inspired by Amy's post, where she got the idea from this post that Kiki mentioned once on her blog. 

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I'm a big lover of books, that really isn't a secret. The two storage drawers under my bed are filled with books and I have a giant tub in storage full of books that are dying to get out and be on a shelf again. Since I'm living at home right now, I don't have room of my own to spread them out here and there or have a room that is solely devoted to my books. My dream house definitely has a small library with a giant over-sized chair in it. I'll probably live in that room alone if it ever comes to being. 

When I had my apartment at college, my coffee table and side table had a couple of books on them for when company came. My favorite was a photo book I made of landscape pictures that I had taken while living in New Orleans. It is full of the architecture of the city, the people, downtown, uptown, and everywhere in between. One of my friends even thought I had bought it while down there! A compliment I was very excited about. The day it comes out of storage, I will definitely share it with you guys! Now, I do not have a coffee table, but I do have a side table in my room that has a nice little collection of books. They all have one common theme as well: California. 

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This is one of my favorite parts of my room, when I found this old map of California at an antique shop I knew I needed to have it. I have a serious thing for maps. It's the perfect compliment to go along with those books down in the corner.

Low quality pictures, I'm sorry!

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This was one of my most favorite series when I was a kid. So, when I discovered this whole box set at a consignment shop, I knew I wanted to snag it! Sadly, I always forgot to go back and pick it up. But, my mom surprised me with it for Christmas! It was one of the greatest gifts ever! 

I found this old children's hymnal in a thrift store, mainly with the intention to do something fun with the pages. I went through and found some of my favorite hymns and then framed them around my room. 

I acquired this book when I was cleaning out a room at church when in Tahoe. After visiting San Francisco for the first time, I fell in love with the city. This is an old travel book that has information all about the area around San Fran up to the Oregon border. 

This is one of my favorites! I came across this book when browsing through a thrift store in Tahoe. John Muir was a naturalist, author, and one of the earliest advocates for the preservation of wilderness. He fought hard to preserve Yosemite Valley and for that I will always be thankful. If you ever get a chance to visit Yosemite or any of the Sierra Nevada area, do it! It is some of the most beautiful area I have ever seen. I'm looking to read this book entirely this summer.

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Just for fun, here are some of my most favorite quotes by John Muir:

"The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark."
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." 
"One day's exposure to mountains is better than a cartload of books." 
"Going to the mountains is going home." 
"The mountains are calling and I must go." 

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I picked up this book when I visited Alcatraz in 2012. I'm also a big fan of museums and historical places. This definitely is one of those places. First, you get to take a ferry ride in the Bay to "The Rock." Then, you can take a self-guided, audio tour of the old prison. Some of the world's most notorious criminals were placed at Alcatraz, like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. Going into that place you literally step back into time. This is an interesting article to read to learn more about Alcatraz. #5 was one of the most interesting things I learned on my tour to the island. 

National Geographic is by far one of my most favorite magazines! The ultimate dream would be to have an article and my photography in that magazine. Oh, to dream! I also love the Traveler magazine, which takes you all around the world and gives perfect ideas for places to see and things to do on your next trip abroad. This one had a special article on San Francisco, so naturally, I kept it and it made it's way into the side table collection.

This book is by far one of my most favorites in this whole collection! It is all about San Francisco, written in the 60s. The pictures are all black and white (love!) and there is a grid of the city on the inside covers. It is fun to see how the city has evolved and grown since these pictures were taken. But, the beauty has always been there. Just look at those photos of The Golden Gate Bridge! Swoon!

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Books I Hope to Add to the Collection 

Another favorite side table book I have is 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler's Life List. There is also a second edition out now with more places added! If I even get 10 of these places marked off my list I would be happy. 

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge. 

And these Disney Art books: The Art of Tangled, The Art of Brave, and The Art of The Princess and the Frog. 

And Jimmy Fallon's Thank You Notes 1 & 2. 

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What are some of your favorite coffee table books? Do you love travel guides or books on one particular place? 
I'd love to know what is on your table or night-stand!

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