I’m not sure I have sufficient words to describe my admiration for this library, belonging to Alberto Manguel. It was mentioned frequently in both A Reading Diary and The Library at Night but words do not do it justice. Large tables like the one at the centre of the room are a must for any of my dream libraries – the perfect place to sit and copy out favourite passages or write down your thoughts on what you’re reading. It may not be my ideal room (it’s far too cosy for me) but it certainly has many features of my dream library.
The Captive Reader 
I actually feel a little overwhelmed by all the books in the room!
Yes, he’s managed to pack a fair number in given the size of the room! I think I’d prefer more blank space.
I think it would oppress me – make me feel a failure all the time! But it is lovely, nonetheless!
Manguel reportedly owns 30,000 books. This library doesn’t look big enough to house that number. Regardless, I love it and I want one!
I remember in A Reading Diary him talking about how the spare bedroom had been renamed “the murder room” since they were storing all the mysteries there, so, presumably, there are a number of books in the house too.
Be still my beating heart ♥
Glad you like it!
It seems a wonderful Library, a wonderful place
Glad that it appeals to you!
I would find this oppressive, I think. One thing I love in a library is light. I was lucky enough at one point to work in a University where the whole of one wall was windows looking out over a reservoir and distant hills. It didn’t distract me as I thought it might, but just seemed the perfect place to read. I keep meaning to pick up Manguel’s books. Thanks for the nudge.
I completely agree with you about the importance of natural light in a library. For me, libraries need to be bright and airy for me to feel truly at home in them. That said, too much direct light is bad for the books so where to draw the line?
Just to say I really like your Library Lust posts. When I see the title I immediately think ‘ooh good I wonder what it will be today.’
Oh I’m so pleased to hear that you enjoy them! I always love gathering the photos for these posts – definitely a fun activity at the end of the week.
A library is a beautiful thing!
It is indeed!
This would not suit me — though you describe it as cosy it seems a bit austere to me, and looks like a place to work rather than browse and curl up with something, which is what I’d prefer to do! and I agree with Annie about the lack of light.
I too completely agree with Annie about the light issue – I would want skylights at least in here – but then that’s my view as a reader and not necessarily as a book owner. As a book owner, however, I’d want to preserve and care for my books and exposing them to heat and sunlight would be to fail them.
For me, the red tiles, the warm tone of the bookshelves, the two seating areas with their comfortable chairs, and the general confines of the room are what makes the room seem cosy to me. But since I generally read sitting up, either in an armchair or simply a chair at a table, maybe I don’t associate having somewhere to ‘curl up’ with my idea of cosy?
Oh, I love this library, but, then, I haven’t met a library I didn’t love. It brings to mind a more formal library in a university setting, but, ah, I could find myself sitting on one of those comfy looking chairs and whiling away the hours.
I’m always recommending Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries. If you haven’t seen it, do!
I just love your Library Lust postings, as well as your Library Loot, and, of course, your reviews are always stimulating.
I haven’t seen or even heard of Home with Books but I’ll definitely be looking for it! Thanks for the recommendation.
I think the table is what makes ther room see more formal, giving it that studious atmosphere that is usually only found in school/university libraries, but that’s what I love most about it!
So glad you enjoy these (and other!) posts!
Thanks for this. I just started reading The Library at Night last night (thanks for that, too) and am happy to see this shot of the library he describes in chapter one, with the wall from the ancient castle at one end.
See also Roses over a Cottage Door’s posting today, as she takes us on a tour of her new bookshelves.
http://rosesoveracottagedoor.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-porn.html
It’s wonderful to finally see his library, isn’t it, after having read about it? Hope you’re enjoying The Library at Night!
I saw Darlene’s post yesterday and am quite jealous of her elegant shelves!
Beautiful! If I ever have a library that even resembles that one I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished my goal in life 😛
So happy you like it! And I hope that you one day accomplish that goal!
Love the soft lighting and the low beams. Too many books for me, though!
Oh, I’m just missing the fireplace — it looks like he’s sitting in my chair (but mine must recline 🙂 ). I agree with all of you that there is some natural lighting needed to make it a little more perfect — maybe skylights that are opaque so you don’t get direct light on the books?
This was such a nice picture to see after unexpectedly running errands all day in the cold drizzle. Thank you, ma’am, for another nice find!
Opaque skylights sound good to me! I definitely agree that a fireplace is important to the ideal library – so much ambiance not to mention warmth!
Glad this added some sunshine to your day 🙂
Wow! I think if that were my library I would never leave the house.
Glad you like this one!
Lovely library. Would love to visit, though I’m not sure I would want to live there.
That’s rather how I feel too.
I somehow missed this the first time around, and was reading some of A Reader on Reading this evening. I love the idea of books everywhere, but I agree with Harriet… the room is nowhere near cosy enough for me! I need sofas, cushions… and no table. I think we read in quite different settings – I huddle up on my bed or a big chair, with cushions and blankets and duvets all around me, and a cup of tea in one hand…