“He had withdrawn solely for his own personal pleasure, only to be near to himself. No longer distracted by anything external, he basked in his own existence and found it splendid.”
― Patrick Süskind, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m an introvert or a Cancer with Capricorn rising but friends:  I am a book worm which in the Webster’s Dictionary is described as : A person who likes to read books and who spends a lot of time reading and studying.  And I will read everything and anything.  At any given time, a normal day for me includes having 4 windows open on my laptop, reading Forbes Business, News, Fashion Blogs and Paranormal sites all at once.  I’ve compiled an interesting library with treasures over the years ranging from the metaphysical to famous novels.  These are a few of the titles I have in my collection and love to read (and have read) more than once.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer –  I first purchased a copy of this book while in University in Colombia.  I’ve read it in Spanish at least twice then bought it in English as well.  I can’t even begin to describe how quickly this story sucked me in.  The talent with which Patrick Suskind describes how terrible Paris smelled in the 19th century at the beginning of this book is unparalleled and his character Grenouille is both revolting yet so alone and pathetic, I couldn’t help but love him.

The Paris Apartment – Let’s stay in Paris a little longer. At least long enough to share this delightful little book I discovered years ago while researching how to decorate small spaces on a budget.  The author of this book owns a store with the same name in NYC.  She not only makes personal trips to the flea markets in Paris and curates each piece to bring back and sell.  She also organizes tours for people who want to join her.  This book will have you running to your nearest Sally Ann to find vintage pieces to give your home that  jai ne se quoi.

The Log Home Book – I will one day build my dream home somewhere in nature.  In the forest, at the edge of an alpine lake, on top of a snowy mountain or on a secluded cove along the BC coast.  In the meantime I have this book for inspiration.  The idea of mixing natures elements and bringing the outside in feels so organic and appealing to me. In between the logs and stone fireplace I will have to find a wall dedicated to the biggest floor to ceiling window where I will (in my dreams for now) look out at the trees, sip tea and blog!

The Little Black Book of Style – Written by Colombian fashionista (fashion director of Marie Claire and Elle Magazines) Nina Garcia.  I was gifted this book many Christmases ago by  my sister. The simple and practical advise in this book helped me build a wardrobe that is useful yet fun and the illustrations by Ruben Toledo are amazing as well as the interviews and quotes by Chanel, Dior and many involved in the fashion industry. Staples like a men’s style watch, a pair of ballet flats, owning a little black dress and how to style a white tee are just a few of the on point suggestions Nina shares.

Pacific NorthWest The Beautiful Cookbook – When I hear the term ” Pacific Northwest” I immediately am flooded by the warmth and cozy feeling of our evergreen coast.  Soaked by ocean storms, the smell of mist in the air and the vision of the fog that clings to the mountains tops on a grey day.  We are blessed with gifts from the ocean ; salmon, halibut, crab and these are exactly the kind of recipes in this book, unique to this part of the world. I keep this book in my kitchen in a little corner I’ve dedicated to recipes, cooking magazines and my beloved crockpot.  The photography is stunning, the actual recipes even more so. I’m so happy to have discovered and to own this book.

The Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells –  I call this my “Papa Smurf Book” because it’s as big and heavy as an old phone book and reminds me of the book Papa Smurf owned.  An excellent reference book for spells and magickal practices from different traditions. As you can imagine, with 5,000+ spells in this book, you will pretty much find anything you’re looking for.  Most of my occult books are mostly for collection purposes only but I will admit, I’ve consulted this book a couple times for people who have asked for “help”…Believe it or not.

Diary of a Wilderness Dweller – Every year around late fall, PBS will broadcast the documentary Alone In The Wilderness.  I think I’ve watched it 20 times.  It fascinates me that a person could go into the middle of nowhere and survive.  Chris Czajkowski, a single English woman was awarded crown land in BC’s Chilcoltin wilderness (near Nimpo Lake). She could have this land with the condition it be used as a wilderness retreat business.  She arrived in the 80’s, just woman and her dog and single handedly felled and peeled her own logs and proceeded to build 2 cabins.  She has since sold Nuk Tessli but still does wild flower photography hikes and tours there. This is her story. http://www.wildernessdweller.ca

I would love to hear what your favourite books are and hope you’ve enjoyed this entry.

Love,

Jennifer