Room by Book//The Girl at Midnight

Carpenter Coffee Table from George Nakashima by Miriam Carpenter
Local Branch Library Cart (Grey) from The Land of Nod
Dillard Bookcase from Paul Michael Company
Sussy Wall Clock from Fab by NoDa Design Studio
The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Gray (book cover)

Room by Book//The Mind's Eye

Heller Studio Bocca Sofa from All Modern

Self Portrait 2000 by Chuck Close Limited Edition Print from Art Brokerage

Moresque Table and Ceiling Lamp by Alessandro Zambelli and Saleb from Do Shop

Fan Table Black Birch from Tom Dixon

The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks (cover)

Well, I had this piece sitting around and tragically this morning I heard on the news Oliver Sacks past away. Oliver Sacks was one of my heroes-- he got me intrigued into neuroscience and writing. The Mind's Eye is a collection of experiences Dr. Sacks had with his patients and himself. The couch looks one dimensional to resemble a lip, but some of the patients in the book couldn't see three dimensions. Chuck Close, a famous modern artist, is known for his deconstruction of faces; he also has prosopagnosia (face blindness) just like Dr. Sacks. The table and light fixture were more for visual play as the light is very asymmetrical, while the table is symetrical. My greatest sympathies to the family of Dr. Sacks and I do hope I've honored his memory.

Room by Book//All The Time in The World

All The Time In The World is a book with a romantic notion that certainly yearns for traditions long past. These traditions tend to be off the beaten trail, and the furniture is a testament to that exploring. The carpet is from a small, local rug shop in Instanbul that tells some story a weaver had in mineg long ago. However, the book has a slight objectification with Japan has shown with the Asian inspired sideboard. While rowing down the canals of Venice, a light fixture was found that had too much of a blend of Asian traces and classic Italian influence. The wall hanging was found in a little dusty antique shop in St Petersburg, even though the information regarding it was not understood. Overall, this time I just wanted the Room by Book to be an ode of unique things not found by the ordinary.

All The Time In The World: A Book of Hours (cover) by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins
Usagi Sideboard by Greentea Design
Proibita by Venetia Studium
Hereke Silk Rug from Ozturk Rug House
(Unamed but seems to be a wall hanging) from Russkaya Starina (rusant.ru)

Room by Book//Red Queen

Red Queen is set in a futuristic world that makes the reader feel totally foreign, but in reality is supposedly our future. The furniture shown here is both modern and a revival of more traditional forms of art-- how I imagine the Silver palace. The fox and the coffee table both have silver accents meant to be nod at the Silver culture in this book and are quite modern. Yet the ottoman and wallpaper both feel like they belong in the 1920s with the ottoman having bobbin legs which were the rage in the Victorian times, but the ottoman has a very clean cushion. I liked the darker theme of the wallpaper hinting at how controlling the Silvers are of Reds. The fox was supposed to be representative of Cal and how he is always changing with the reader never knowing what sly side of him will come next. The coffee table I imagine can also be spread with war maps and everything a prince needs. Overall I just wanted this furniture to exude coldness and detachedness of Silvers. Also my review of Red Queen is coming out soon. 

Red Queen (book cover) by Victoria Aveyard
Laundry for Hygge & West - Diamante in Gold by Hygge & West from Design Public
Hines Coffee Table Walnut by Apt2B

Bobbin Ottoman by Serena & Lily 

Silver Fox Ceramic Object by Jonathan Adler 

Room by Book//The Picture of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray was a classy character-- the type of man everyone would want to go to a party with. He had a brilliant circle of friends and they were all refined. The modern, refined feel I decided to throw in with the subdued colors and chandelier. However, I also wanted to put in a vintage feel with a classical couch, Victorian inspired throw pattern, and Mayan themed carpet. Overall, I have the vibe that Dorian Gray was an eligible bachelor who would've had a wonderfully decorated apartment.

Credits:
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (book cover)
Jacqueline Chandelier designed by Aerin from Circa Lighting
Bellflower Sofa from Apt2B
Matrix Black and White Rug from Thrive Furniture
Jacquard Wool Throw from Zara Home

Room by Book//Mortal Heart

Room by Book is a feature done by yours truly where I bring my love of interior design and books.

Gravity Stool by Jolan Van der Wiel
Handcarved Menagerie Dining Table by Anthropologie
Eloquence One of a Kind Antique Armoire Flemish Pale Seafoam by Layla Grayce
Mortal Heart (bookcover) by Robin LaFevers (Goodreads)

Mortal Heart is set in the wind-swept and what I think is romantic land of Britanny. Now Britanny is a part of France, but still retains its individual culture, along with its own design heritage. The stool I originally saw in The Globe and Mail and was fascinated. The Gravity Stool would be something a nun would sit on as it looks like a rough, ancient stone stool. The Menagerie Dining Table represents the medieval time period with the animals the nobles would've hunted and the duchess would've loved the curious animal carvings. Annith is a lover of simplicity, but still would need a place to hide her weapons-- what better place than her seafoam dresser? These three components are not from one place in the book, but a lookbook from the entire Mortal Heart.

Room by Book Marina

Room by Book is feature done by yours truly where I put together collages of rooms/furniture that fit the book. All credits are below the picture.

Castilian Octagonal Center Table b Hekman
San Antonio's Siamese Twins, Daisy and Violet Hilton (1920-1935) from The New York Public Library Digital Gallery
Corbel Bookend from Restoration Hardware
Cotton Lawn Fabric - Robert Kaufman London Calling Collection Paisley Print from Guthrie&Ghani
Marina (Book Cover) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Marina was a gothic tale set in Spain in the 1980s and well the setting was just splendid. The table reminds me of Oscar's school which is a castle up on a hill overlooking Barcelona. He soon meets Marina whose father German was a famous painter. They live in a mansion but are desperately poor and German holds onto his glory days in the 1950s and 1960s. The Siamese Twins poster would be a vintage poster from just prior to his own prime. The paisley curtains would hang eerily in their ballroom that has pictures of Marina's (dead) mother. German's daughter Marina does not go to school but rather knows all she does from their library; from where the bookends look rather dusty and debilitated. This book made for a wonderful Room by Book having a gorgeous setting.

Room by Book Monument 14

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne Book Cover
Marais Coffee Table Galvanized by Inudstry West
Industrial Swivel Stools by Three Potato Four
Vintage Faceted and Acid Etched Glass Pendant by Modern 50
Metal Bookcaase by Loki Custom Furniture

I finished Monument 14 in spurts and went to see Emmy on tour. From the tour I got spoilers and I can't be okay with the fact to still write a review like that. Here is a Room by Book I haven't done in forever. Most of the furniture is industrial style to reflect the futuristic nature of the book. Metal is one of my favorite accents and I like how its used in all the pieces.

Room By Book Dear Killer

Room by Book is a feature done by yours truly where I put together collages of rooms/furniture that fit the book. All pictures' credits are below the picture.

Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell
Card Catalog Notes from Papyrus
Ashby Sleigh Bed- Rustic Pine Finish from Pottery Barn
Mercury Glass Bottle Vases from West Elm
J. Queen New York™ Chantilly Comforter Set from Bed Bath & Beyond

I wanted to show Kit's room and how it was described in the book. Most of the furniture is pretty plain has you can see in the bed and in its comforter, though the comforter has a slight frills that a mother would insist on. The vase reflects on how Kit remarks about how her mother has many collections to try and calm her impulsive behavior. One of her mother's collections was a collection of vases. The one extremely creative piece is the Card Catalog Notes from Papyrus. This is the box that Kit would keep her letters in. This was one of the more challenging Room By Books to do as it was balancing creativity and plainness so not to look fishy, but still look teenage.

Room By Book Dreams of Gods & Monsters

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor book cover

Diamond Ikat Indigo Rug from Dwell Studios

Chesterfield Sofa Duck Egg- Devon Linen from Canvas

'Queens Jubilee' tea tray tin retro style from It's Vintage Darling 

Red Wood table Tall from Treasures of Morocco

Peridot Wallpaper- Bark from Serena & Lily

Eye Teapot from Astier de Villatte

I really liked putting together this Room By Book because I loved Dreams of Gods & Monsters. I wanted Akiva's simplicity to be seen through the geometric pattern of the table and wallpaper, but has Karou's artists eye in the rug. Karou's individual style is seen in the retro tin tray and eye teapot. The couch was a compromise with a vintage look, but a modern indigo color. This furniture would be their room on earth.

Room By Book Valkyries RIsing

Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson book cover
Verna Pinwheel Rugs- Blue from Pier 1 Imports
Noguchi Coffee Table with walnut base by Isamu Noguchi from MOMA store
Pierced Ginger Jars from C. Wonders
Norwegian Horse Decoration from Ryder Antiques (19th Century)

Tsarina by J. Nelle Patrick

Lomonosov Cup and Saucer Made in Russia from One Kings Lane
A Very Fine of Antique Russian, Empire Period Patinated and Core Bronze Candlesticks made in 1810 from Alexander's Antiques dealed by 1st Dibs
Side Chair by Conrad Henninger made 1887 from Metropolitan Museum of Art
Card-Table Decorated with Marquetry Showing a Chess Board and an Architectual Landscape from Hermitage State Museum (Made in Russia Late 18th Century)

Since Tsarina was all about moving form the old to the new I wanted to show how that happens. The table, candlesticks, and teacup are all fairly traditional from before 1900 to show where Natalya comes from. The yellow chair symbolizes the dawn of the new age with new ideas. Natalya in this book grows from being a spoiled rich girl to knowing that wanting something means sometimes standing up for something. Natalya embodies the lesson we all need to learn, to acknowledge our history, but to also stand up for and embrace the present.

Room By Book The 100

Room by Book is feature done by yours truly where I put together collages of rooms/furniture that fit the book. All credits are below the picture.

The 100 (book cover) by Kass Morgan

Maxime Dining Chair (Green Velvet) by Johnathan Adler

Pablo Tube Top Table Lamps by Pablo from Design Public

Loyal Blue by Sherwin-Williams

West Street Quilted Coverlet Set by Z Gallerie

Hancock White Bookcase by CB2

This is what I think Wells' room on the Phoenix would  be like. The furniture is simple like the bookcase, but they have fancy/rich versions of it. The bed sheets are monochromatic, but have texture. The chair is modern, yet has a lime color to it. The hint of being on spaceship comes from the dark blue paint, just like a night sky. The utilitarian design of the bookcase shows that resources are scarce. 

Room by Book Curtsies & Conspiracies

Room by Book is feature done by yours truly where I put together collages of rooms/furniture that fit the book. All pictures' credits are below the picture

Swan Art Poster- Albert Blue by Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpaper based on illustrations Walter Crane
Sofa 1840-1860 England from Victoria and Albert Museum
German Black Lacquered Telescopic Music Stand Circa 1860-70 by J.Ch. Detmering, Hamburg from 1st dibs
Persian Garden Carpet from Iran second half 18th century from Metropolitan Museum of Art
Curtsies & Conspiracies (book cover) by Gail Carriger

Room by Book The Girl With Borrowed Wings

Room by Book is feature done by yours truly where I put together collages of rooms/furniture that fit the book. All pictures' credits are down below.

17th- 18th century Thai cabinet from Metropolitan Museum
Early 20th Century Table from Punjab, India from Victoria and Albert Museum
Lola Mundo designed 1986 by Philippe Starck from Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Stool by Chokew People in Angola in early 19th Century from Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
The Girl With Borrowed Wings (book cover) by Rinsai Rossetti

Review Ignite Me

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Available Now

Book Three (Final) in Shatter Me Trilogy

Bookologist Analysis: This book was the epitome of licking flames on top of the shelves.

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, beTstselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end

This book was a stunning conclusion with the minor flaws that each writer falls into. The book had the necessary things to make it a peaceful and accepted conclusion. The character changes in the book were sudden and violent.  I felt  it could have been able to be tweaked just a bit more.

Juliette in this book at a snap of fingers threw down the walls. She decides this after a conversation with Warner. She decided enough was enough and she wanted to be a leader.  I didn’t think it was realistic that she was able to turn herself from a timid shy little girl to this badass no nonsense girl in that short of a time period. Overall I like the new Juliette more because now she was out of her shell and used her powers to the fullest extent.

 Adam on the other hand just changed. I mean I used to think that he had actual feelings for Juliette, but then he just went total berserkos. He became violent and uncaring toward his friends and Juliette. Even though I was never a fan of Team Adam I never thought he would become so violent by breaking things over Juliette. A word of advice- never get into an argument with him. He likes protecting innocent quiet girls. He’s not ready for someone who speaks their mind.

Warner on the other hand in this book changes in a way that leans toward the positive side. He keeps on saying that he doesn’t want someone who thinks of him as a pity project or something to fix. I personally think Juliette still wants him to see the light she subtly guides him towards; she want hims to see it as a self-realized goal. She wants him to develop (not fix or repair) into someone who is more forgiving and lenient. In this book you really do seem him try to take the higher road and not kill someone at whim. He controls his outrages easier and starts to show emotion in public. He doesn’t kill Kenji for not agreeing with him for example. I like the newer Warner as he pushes Juliette to be a person without the shell and wall she made herself. Warner or should I say Aaron’s development was much more realistic and better for him overall than all the other ones.

I have to say I love the smaller characters in this book. Kenji was just the best friend you would want. A guy who has your back and stands up to even his dude best friend about you and won’t take crap about Juliette. He also has a sort of attitude that makes him be painfully (and hilariously) honest with Juliette. He tells her what he thinks no matter what it is and that makes him the conscience that Juliette need. Even if it means dissing Adam or telling her that Warner might break his heart. Kenji is the definite comic relief. James is such an innocent child that tries so hard to be mature. It is heartbreaking that he has to spend his childhood around so much fighting. James now is terribly honest on what he thinks of Warner or Juliette right to their faces. He will tell Warner that he thinks he is scary or Juliette that his brother is worried sick about her. He is the innocence in a world full of violence and terror. Castle draws back in this book and doesn’t really say much which is disappointing since of the important leader role he had in Unravel Me (I still think he should be a woman). The other ones that survived were just hard to keep up with overall which is kind of sad.

There are certain parts of this book however that I didn’t like so much. The romance in this book was dragged on a little too much. You could feel her decision already made (I was happy about that one), but still you had to play with her emotions that have been tangled up since Juliette got out of the asylum. I mean all the fights and all the little scenes were they really necessary? (No) I also didn’t like the lack of world building. I wanted to know more about the Reestablishment and who they really wanted to be.  I would have also liked a map to see the different sectors. The world could have described in how it worked better than it was. Tahereh also left out the plot twists she is so famous for. The plan went a little too easy considering the amount of protection and difficulties should’ve been. I thought the plot could’ve have been more dramatic and planned out with more turns such as a spy or hitch in plan (shakes head).

Overall I felt the book lived up to the praise. It was a good and filling conclusion to the end of the Shatter Me trilogy though I still feel Unravel Me was by far the best book in the series. This book showed the true character put under stress. People turned evil and true friends were shown. Remember the best way to learn if a person is a good person is to put them under stress. I mean Tahereh Mafi proved in this book under stress she is an okay writer.

Room by Book is feature done by yours truly where I put together collages of rooms/furniture that fit the book. All pictures' credits are down below.

Barcelona Stool by Ludwig Mles van der Rohe

Coral Bell by Sherwin-Williams

Eastvold Class Coffee Table by 2modern

Vintage Moroccan Battani Striped Rug by canvas

Ignite Me (book cover) by Tahereh Mafi