Tuesday

Bookcase of the Week - Starring... Antony John

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In today's Bookcase of the Week feature, it is with great pleasure that I bring you author Antony John's bookshelves.  That's as far as my intro goes... Antony the mic is all yours:

Hi Nely (and Nely’s readers)! Thanks so much for inviting me along today. 

Oh, and apologies for the quality of the photos. My camera is ancient, and ever since the elastic band holding it together snapped, I can’t take a picture without pressing in the battery with my left hand. Time for duct tape, methinks!




Okay, so I’ll start with my favorite writing spot:
Here’s my preferred table in my local coffee shop. I write here for two hours every morning (Monday-Friday), then pick up my kids and spend the rest of the day playing with them. It doesn’t look like much, I know, but there’s a nice fireplace for me to stare at when I’m in Deep Thought Mode (aka: dozing)

 
A funny thing: I always insisted I wouldn’t be proprietary about this table, but it’s gotten so that the baristas warn me when I arrive if someone has taken “my” table. And I must admit, I kind of hate changing my routine. Hard to believe I’ve become so curmudgeonly at such a young age!

Of course, sometimes two hours per day isn’t (nearly) enough to get everything done, and so in the evenings I sit in an armchair in the living room and try to catch up on emails. As you can see, it’s far too comfortable for me to stand a chance of being productive (and no, that kid’s shopping cart at the bottom right is not mine)
 

Before the kids head to bed, my wife and I read to them for a while. We’re fortunate to have a library with wonderful built-in bookshelves. (Our house is a hundred years old; I guess these things came standard back then!) There’s a comfy love seat where we can all snuggle up and read. It’s lovely.

I’d like to say that I read in our library, too, but actually I read all over the place. I frequently carry a book around with me as I’m pretending to do other more pressing things. It means I never get anything done—at least, not properly—but it makes me seem incredibly industrious. And that’s what matters, right?

As for writing inspiration, I don’t have to stray too far from home. Although I didn’t know it when we bought our house, our street has quite a literary history.

A hundred yards from my house is this apartment building where Tennessee Williams lived as a kid.

 Just beyond that is the house where T. S. Eliot grew up.
I was a big Eliot fan in high school, and walking past these houses every day literally gives me chills. I don’t imagine for a moment that I’ll ever possess a fraction of their talent and artistry, but I figure it’s good to set the bar high.

Thanks again for having me along today. Cheers!

Not only is Antony the author of the awesomeness that is Five Flavors of Dumb, but he is also giving one of you guys a chance at winning a brand new, shiny copy of Five Flavors of Dumb (insert crowd cheering here)


GIVEAWAY: Mr. John is giving away one brand new, SIGNED copy of Five Flavors of Dumb.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. If you'd like extra entries just say so in your comment or separate comments (extra entries for followers, Twitter, sidebars, All About {n} button, Facebook, etc.) Make sure to leave an e-mail address, especially if you are leaving comment under Anonymous.

Rules: This contest is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Winners will be drawn Sunday, November 14.


To learn more about author Antony John and Five Flavors of Dumb - please visit Antony's website.  You can also catch him on MySpace and Facebook.  And just a quick note, if you "LIKE" Antony's Facebook author page, you automatically get entered into a competition to win not only a signed copy  of DUMB, but also a copy of WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON signed by both John Green and David Levithan... How cool is that?  You know I already did  (haha)  so please drop by and check Antony's FB out. 

51 comments:

ParaJunkee said...

The cover sold me on your book Mr. John. I love it. The synopsis of course is great also ;)

My house is 100 years old and it didn't come standard with those great shelves...I think I should get a refund, because those are just beautiful. Sure beats the press board carp that most shelves are now made from.

A Watson said...

The title sold me right away, then after checking out what the book is all about, definitely want to read! Count me in please!

<3 Alexandra, A Watson Blog

al.wats@yahoo.com

Joli @ Actin' Up with Books said...

I love the bookcase of the week feature. I'd love to have built-in bookshelves, I have four 6-feet shelves in 2 different rooms and a side table filled with books, but to have them as a library would be awesome.

I'd love to win a copy of Five Flavors of Dumb! Please enter me in your contest with an extra entry for being a follower. I'm also putting you button on my blog for 3 entries (total). Thanks!

Antony John said...

Thanks for inviting me along today, Nely! I can't believe my laptop screen is that dirty. I'm such a slob!

ParaJunkee - yes, you should definitely get a refund on your 100-year-old house. Just contact the builders and I'm sure they'll work something out for you.

Teresa said...

What a fantastic post. I love peeking into the homes of others. This looks interesting and I"d love to read it.

teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

I am a follower.

Zoë said...

I'd love an entry and also one for being a follower.

This post makes me really want to buy an old house, those built in bookshelves are gorgeous!

strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

Sarah said...

I've been hearing great things about his book! I'd love to win a copy. And wow, great bookshelves. riddikulus.sarahATgmailDOTCOm

Anonymous said...

Ok so I want that chair in the living room...:D

I would love to read Antonys book...

willowdust@gmail.com

Lu said...

I love the bookcases! The chair is great too! Looks like the perfect reading spot for me. I could curl up in the chair, reading the books, and my son could amuse himself with some of the toys that are on the shelf!

I would love a copy of Five Flavor of Dumb. (Great title) Please enter me.

lusravesandrants AT gmail DOT com

Lu said...

I follow through google friend connect!
I have your button on my blog http://lusravesandrants.blogspot.com

lusravesandrants AT gmail DOT com

Tales of Whimsy said...

OMG I LOVE that coffee shop!

(not an entry)

Missie, The Unread Reader said...

Plllllllleeeeeeeeeasssssssssse enter me! I would love to win this one! Love the title and the cover.

Fun, funny author. Super awesome pictures, and of course I love the coffee house bit. That table is totally yours! Put a sign on it. :D

I went to England about two years ago and visited the church were Eliot ashes are buried. Talk about a chilling and extraordinary experience. I also got visit Tomas Hardy's cottage. So cute! Magic was totally in the air!

Thanks for sharing!

Book Chick said...

How cool that you live on such a literary street! I've heard great things about Five Flavors of Dumb-can't wait to read it. I follow this blog.

Ringingbell02@aol.com

Benita said...

What a great post! Please count me in. I'd love a copy.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

What a great post! Please count me in. I'd love a copy.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I loved this post! Thank you so much for sharing with us! I would love a copy of this book!


Susandyer1962 at aol dot com

cindysloveofbooks said...

I love the built in bookcases. I am hoping to get some built like that in my family room. The space looks inviting.

cindysloveofbooks said...

I am so bad i forgot my email addy

cindysloveofbooksarcATgmailDOTcom

Holly said...

Wow, what a great place to live. I lovee the pretty street!

Myranda said...

His home seems so inviting. I loved his bookcase.

I am a follower.

horselovercutie@yahoo.com

Michelle said...

Fantastic! I just adore the look of built-in book cases, they're so wonderful.

Abby said...

I already have a copy of FFD, so no need to enter me in the contest, but I just wanted to say that this is a really neat feature! It's a cool way to get a little glimpse into the writing life of an author. Thanks! :)

Onge said...

Great post!! I love the built-in bookshelves. I'm jealous! Thanks for the awesome contest. I'm a twitter (@chickenherder) and gfc follower.
chickenherder@hotmail.com

Chrystal said...

Love love love the built in bookshelves. So jealous.

The book sounds completely up my alley so count me in.

chrystal(dot)mclean@yahoo(dot)ca

:)

Edna said...

Very cool that your house is 100 years old. I love the shelves.

GFC follower and twitter follower (@ineedsafe)

nalynboni AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

Love your library. We have been building and putting up book shelves all over the house. The only two room without them are the bathrooms. My husband built 54 bookcases for the library where I worked. We have 40+ here at the house and I still have boxes of books with no place to put them. I need to do some serious weeding, but there are many I won't part with. I collect old books and love them. It must be the librarian in me.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

Anonymous said...

I am a GFC Follower.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

Anonymous said...

I am an Email Subscriber.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

degood said...

I love the title of his newest book. Please enter me.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

degood said...

I follow with gfc as degood

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Ruthie said...

I absolutely love the pictures...especially the one with the purple chair in the beautiful golden room.
Please enter me, thanks.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

email subscriber

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

fb follower

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Liz H said...

This book sounds so incredible. Thank you Mr. John!

+1 GFC
+1 Twitter follower @elharkin1

elizabeth.harkinson[at]gmail[dot]com

Teril said...

That is a great cover!
I love the rustic cabin look, and nice book case there.

GFC

terilhack AT yahoo DOT com

Erin said...

What a fun post! He had some great pictures. It's always interesting to know a little bit about what goes on behind the book.

Please enter me.

Erin D.
erin(.)dubrock(@)comcast(.)net

Unknown said...

Love the library! Built in bookshelves are the best!!

the Moorhouse's said...

thank you for all the giveaways!

Unknown said...

I loved all the pictures! I'm especially jealous of the coffee shop, it looks lovely.

Thanks so much for the giveaway! I'm a GFC follower.

texas_gal45(at)hotmail(dot)com

Laura H. said...

Thanks for the giveaway! That coffee shop looks nice and cozy!

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

E-mail subscriber.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

GFC follower.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Networked Blogs follower (Laura Grassie Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Twitter follower @MamaHendo3.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Goodreads friend (Laura Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/3894223342411777

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Posted giveaway on FB: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=107779942626329&id=1336711064

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I am a follower! :)

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Granic said...

GFC follower. BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

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