Years ago while being interviewed for a pharmaceutical sales job I was asked “what books was I currently reading”.

I paused, thought and then answered, “the dictionary and the thesaurus”.

I did not land that job.

(I wonder what book would have gotten me hired!?)

I was single at the time and the idea of sitting indoors by myself and reading a novel or a lengthy piece of non-fiction was just not on my (very social) agenda!

But the truth was I really was reading the dictionary.  A great big lexicon was always open, sitting on an antique hutch in the apartment I shared with a girlfriend. Actually it was part of our humble décor.     

Any interesting word we happened to stumble upon in that dictionary was written on a scrap of paper and taped to our brown fridge.  Roomie and I then tried to incorporate these words into our vocabulary. (true story)

Fast forward to today; I am an avid reader.

And once again I was recently asked what books I had on my bedside table.

To be honest I don’t place books on my bedside table.  Its clutter.  For me. 

And the few chosen books I do keep in my home often do dual duty.  They must be a good read and look beautiful.

So right now I am reading, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO COCO CHANNEL from my stack of beautiful black coffee table books.   

I also just finished a John Grisham novel that someone passed on to me.  It is a beautiful mint green and chocolate chip coloured hardcover book.  Definitely a keeper to be used as a prop for my home staging business.     

Along with Coco Channel I am reading OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck.  This is the first time I’m reading this 1937 classic novel; I realize there is no time limit on being current!  This book also makes it as a beautiful staging prop due to the lovely lavender colour on the cover.  

Of course I always have close at hand my cherished copy of MARILYN by Normal Mailer.  It is a beautiful linen coloured hardcover book full of wonderful photos of Marilyn Monroe; although far too special to be used as a home staging prop. 

So…..what are you reading?  Or decorating with?

All Images by MODMISSY