As a reader (and keeper of books) one thing I especially like are bookends. I have some standard black wire bookends which do the job of keeping my books from falling over. But, they just do the job, nothing more. I prefer bookends with some drama, some personality and some mystery even. Sometimes I like a romantic style, sometimes architecture catches my eye and I have bookends which are not really bookends but chunks of rock and stone from old buildings.

Whatever bookends attract you they still need to be functional. The purpose of bookends is not to pose fashionable at the end of a row of books. Bookends need to hold up your books, keep them from falling over on bookshelves and then slipping and slopping their way onto the floor. Bookends are great.

I have a lovely bookshelf but... the sides were not designed with the idea of keeping books in place. The sides are left open and my books fall through if I don't use bookends to hold them in place. I also use this for my very small collection of video games and my even smaller collection of movies on DVDs. So, bookends aren't just for books and book readers.

Gargoyles Would Look Great on my Bookshelves

Don't those gargoyles look great. Sitting there, quiet, still and supposedly made of rock with rock for brains too. However, I suspect when you head off to work, school, or whatever it is you do with your day, the gargoyles will read your books. I hope you pick something good for them to read. Change around the books they hold too. You don't want to leave them with nothing new to read.

You don't need to leave your gargoyles milk and cookies, that would be silly. You're just thinking of Santa. But, a well placed bookmark would be a great idea to keep them from turning down pages to mark their place in your book.

Does a dragon count as a gargoyle? I think so. Dragons have been seen on the sides of buildings among the other odder looking gargoyles. I wonder if they all have their books tucked away up there, hidden from public view?

Gargoyle Girl, is/was a site by Gigi Pandian. It's still online but no longer updated.

When you don't have time, or money, for a full vacation, try a micro adventure. Mostly its finding something new, to you. Keep it simple, uncomplicated, not requiring a lot of planning. I've seen a lot of good ideas for little, local adventures. You can even combine ideas into one, as they suit you.

Your Own Old Neighbourhood

Explore a new or different neighbourhood. Walk down a street you haven't walked down before. Take a new route home from work. Try a new place for coffee. Look for a high point to see more of the area you live in and find other new places to walk another day. Look for historical/ ghost walking tours in your town or city, go on them. Go to a place you see everyday, at night. Look for houses with Little Libraries and exchange books you've read for those you haven't yet. Find festivals, events, workshops in your community - start looking at the library. Photograph an old cemetery.

The Great Outdoors

Start a new outdoor activity: fly a kite, plant a garden, have a picnic, go to the park, build a sandcastle, go swimming, or skating. Spend an afternoon blowing bubbles outdoors. Try geocaching or orienteering. Stargazing or moon bathing. Go out at night or very early in the morning. Make a campfire in your own backyard - bring marshmallows. Go beachcombing, rockhounding, or mudlarking. Walk barefoot. Forage for wild food.

Arts, Crafts, and Skills

Try something artsy or crafty. Never tried sewing, embroidery, crochet? How about painting, or drawing? Sculpture with paper, rock, clay, or something more unusual. Try cooking or baking with a recipe you saved but haven't tried yet. Learn to tie sailor knots. Practice your penmanship. Rearrange your furniture, be your own interior decorator. Play a game with just paper and pens, like retro Dungeons and Dragons. Go to an art tour, studio or gallery tours.

Get Active

Explore sports. Try tennis, hockey, ping pong, something you feel fit enough to tackle and haven't already done.

Another Time and Place...

Explore another culture or time period. Make a meal of authentic dishes. Add some fashion flair from another culture or vintage clothes, if you can find them. Learn another language, or enough of it to greet people and get directions. Follow and read a weblog from another country. Listen to a new style of music.

Sort out your sock drawer, really, don't keep socks without a pair.

Look for more ideas online if you haven't found one to start yet.