Your Library Must-Haves

By Lev Novak

When moving to a new apartment, it’s important to set up your place as a home. Books are awesome for that; they combine the simple joys of reading with the “look at me” factor of proving your literacy. So, what sort of books do you need in your new apartment? Look no further.

1. Something Easy And Re-Readable for the Bathroom

All great apartments have reading material in the bathroom, but not all reading material was made equal. Bathroom reading material isn’t just old magazines- it should be something that shows an extension of your wit, and something worth re-reading and flipping through, over and over. Forget the iPhone games, for a minute: now you’re a reader.

I recommend collections of Onion articles- of which there are about a half dozen- as a good fit for a bathroom reader. It’s funny, and huge, so you have lots to see, but each individual piece is short. A comic collection (either newspaper or classic) is also a good fit.

Do not put a good novel here: you do not want your guests overstaying their particular welcome here.

2. Something With Personal Value By Your Bed

Some nights you won’t be able to sleep.

Maybe y0u just aren’t tired yet- maybe you’re feeling anxious, or maybe you woke up in a hungover haze, the kind that forces you into a waking fog. Either way, looking at a screen before bed disrupts your sleep- the light or something disturbs you in a particular way- so now is the chance to read. Here, go for something a little longer but still easy. You want something that could engross you if you really can’t sleep, but not something so new and stimulating that it will keep you awake. For this particular purpose, I recommend old favorite books under the bed. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, for example, is a book that fits the description perfectly: it is the best Harry Potter book (yeah, I said it) and it’s not too intense or suspenseful. It combines nostalgia and a hint of actual interest in the perfect “can’t sleep” way.

3. Schoolbooks By Your Computer

When you’re browsing the internet, those books will help remind you of the actual work you have to do. And, furthermore, when the mood does strike you to work, you’ll be able to do so effectively and efficiently. It’s a tiny little reminder that will also help you be more productive when the time to actual work does come upon you.

4. Good Books On a Shelf

That’s right: have some good books.

Books are cheap- thanks to libraries, they’re even free. So read some. They look cool, they make you smarter, and they’re pretty low-risk. Look; I love television. I love the internet. You should enjoy both those things- but additionally, you should also read. I don’t mean that as a criticism- I mean I recommend it because it’s fun. Also, you can leave good books lying around to impress visitors, and it’ll give them something to do while it’s not their turn on the N64 (bring an N64.) Maybe they’ll be so engrossed you can sneak in another round of Mario Kart.

See? Books just helped you play video games. Now, go get some.

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