I always seem to be reading 5 or 6 books at a time and have a habit of taking books out of the library a little faster than I can read them (especially this time of year!) 

Although I do love fiction (especially if it was written for the younger crowd – most of my favourites are children’s literature, it’s a job hazard I think) most of what I read would fall into the non-fiction category.

Here’s a sneak peek of what is on my night-stand (or, rather, on my nightstand, on the floor by my bed, resting on my favourite chair, sitting on the kitchen table…you get the idea) 

Although I have moved past parts of this book (essential sewing equipment, measuring, using a commercial pattern) I love all of the step-by-step diagrams for making simple pattern alterations and am really excited about the chapter on making your own patterns.  The full-colour pictures and diagrams really help in understanding the process – I might just need to purchase this book (because although I keep renewing it, I think the library might want their copy back at some day….)

This book, although older and not in colour, has really changed my understanding of patterns.  I am only partway through and already feel like a more confident sewer.  I am no longer afraid of darts!!  I am pretty sure I could now tackle moving, removing and designing darts of my own – which is a huge step for this direction-following, the-pattern-designers-made-it-that-way-so-it-must-be-right sewer!

I took this book out of the library because I wanted to improve my food photography.  Tom Ang thoroughly covers EVERY kind of photography in this book, except for food.    On the bright side, it has encouraged me to play more with my camera and has definitely given me some ideas for improving some of my other photographs.  Anyone know where I can learn to take a good food photo?

I feel like I have read a tonne of these craft business type books but it has been nice to see where the authors agree and disagree.  I do appreciate that Meg touches on internet use both for marketing and sales and love the vignettes of successful crafters – will I be included in their number one day?

 Outliers is still my favourite Malcolm Gladwell book, but I always enjoy how he looks at things from different angles and really makes you think about everyday things in a new way.  “The Ketchup Conundrum” and “John Rock’s Error” are two of my favourite chapters in this book so far.

Ok…so I’m not really planning on making a six-figure income from this blog (I think I have enough jobs!) but I was hoping to find some tips on being a better blogger, (if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well, right?) and I was not disappointed.  Lots of great tips and ideas here.

This book is full of yummy-looking bread recipes.  I loved the corn bread recipe and cornmeal crackers are next on my list of things to make.  This is another book I could happily withhold from the library for another few months!

 And that’s it!  (Well…there are the two I just picked up from the library, and the three that  I haven’t started yet, but we won’t count those just yet….)  Just a few to peruse in those minutes before I drift off to sleep…

What’s on your night stand?  Any recommendations for my next library trip?