A study

    "I like a great library next my study; but for the study itself, give me a small snug place, almost entirely walled with books. There should be only one window in it, looking upon trees. Some prefer a place with few, or no books at all - nothing but a chair or a table, like Epictetus; but I should say that these were philosophers, not lovers of books, if I did not recollect that Montaigne was both. He had a study in a round tower, walled as aforesaid. It is true, one forgets one's books while writing - at least they say so. For my part, I think I have them in a sort of sidelong mind's eye; like a second thought, which is none - like a waterfall, or a whispering wind."

J.H. Leigh Hunt, My Books, another passage from The Book Lovers' Anthology: A Compendium of Writing About Books, Readers and Libraries.

 

    The picture - perhaps a modern version of Leigh Hunt's ideal - is of the Scholar's Library by the New York architects Gluck+ which I found thanks to this blog.

Comments

[Joan Kyler]

I don't know if I could read or write in this room. Too many distractions! I'd be watching everything outside the windows.

[Freda]

I coulc read, write and LIVE in this room! Thank you for the link to the interesting blog Cornflower.

[LizF]

While I would dearly love a room like this, I think I, like Joan, would spend most of my time looking out of the windows watching nature, than actually doing any work!

[Cornflower]

It might not be the most comfortable place to work in at night - with no curtains and the lights on, the occupant would be highly visible while anyone/thing outside would not!