A day early, but just in time to build up a little book(shelf) envy for the weekend: a peek around the studies or home libraries of famous writers. Some impress us with their tidiness…
British writer Ali Smith takes a more relaxed approach to bookshelves…
Others excel in collecting precious items not just in the kitchen, but also in their study.
One might expect Karl Ove Knausgård to dedicate a lot of time and thought to his books. Sure enough… and he smokes too!
Of course, you expect a trendy office for fashion journalist and co-founder of Clique Media, Hilary Kerr.
But then again, simplicity is best. Here is Louis de Bernière’s garden shed – things don’t get much simpler than this! Proving that all you need to write is willpower.
Haha lovely fun post… and yes definitely a few envious oohs & aahs!
Studies/libraries are definitely my equivalent of ‘man caves’…
You almost caught me out, there. I was beginning to wonder what I’d done with Thursday! Great post, as ever. Delighted not to be identifying with the fashion journalist.
That’s because I had no time to write anything coherent or half-way intelligent today (nor am I organised enough to plan my posts way ahead of time), so I freed up my Friday to work on something else. Yes, not enough books in Hilary Kerr’s office, right?
Not nearly enough!
Haha!! Are those Billy bookcases in Knausgaards den ?!!!
Knowing the Scandinavians, very likely…
I do love seeing where writers write. I’ve actually been in Ali Smith’s den as she’s a friend of mine, though when I was last there, the books were about two foot lower. It’s reassuring to see others collect as fast as I do!
Oooh, how exciting to know Ali Smith – I love her relaxed pose. ‘I know I’ve got a book addiction problem but I’m cool about it!’
Oh, those are all such lovely places to write!!! So warm and welcoming! And all of those books, too. I honestly would find it hard put to choose which one I like best.
Seems clear to me that writers like to read – or at the very least surround themselves with favourite books. Just in case the urge to dip into something takes over…
Really liked this. Am off to put a stool in the garden shed and rename it my ‘writing studio!’
I don’t have a shed, but was wondering if my compost box might do…
Actually, don’t answer that last question of mine. Given the rubbish I write, the compost box might be the only suitable place…
Great post. I love Nigella Lawson’s study. I’m only not so keen on her meat-heavy cuisine.
I love her study too, although I could not help wondering how she reaches the uppermost bookshelves.
Great pics, as ever. Now, if only my study looked like Colson Whitehead’s…
Love this! I’m always fascinated to see the tools of the writer, environment included.
And I love the new look of the blog! Very fresh and modern.
Thank you – I like to keep it simple, but it needed a freshen-up, I think.
I love Ali Smith’s den! BTW, I added a picture of my own workspace on my “About” page… It looks pretty tidy from that angle but don’t be fooled…
We always tidy our workspaces for the ‘close up’, don’t we?
Ali Smith’s book piles sent me over the edge – how does she find anything? Love Nigella’s.
I had a tutor whose desk was a real mess, but he always knew precisely where to find anything. A profound mystery.