
The Read Well Podcast Design the Perfect Reading Space | EP 119
Nov 24, 2025
Thatcher Wine, the founder of Juniper Books and author of For the Love of Books, dives into the art of designing the perfect reading space. He emphasizes creating an inviting room that fosters focus and engagement with text. Discussing his book The 12 Monotasks, Thatcher highlights the importance of slowing down and monotasking, which can transform reading habits. He also shares practical advice on organizing bookshelves, dealing with limited space, and the impact of distractions like AI on the literary world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Humble Origins Of Juniper Books
- Thatcher started Juniper Books by selling thrift-store books on eBay with a $25 investment.
- He evolved to curating customized libraries and designing printed book jackets to make books feel like art.
Design From A Clean Slate
- Start with a blank set of shelves and keep only the books you truly want to display.
- Fill shelves about two-thirds with books and leave space for objects that tell your story.
Let Objects Tell Your Story
- Leave room on shelves for non-book objects to convey personal story and balance.
- Use photographs, travel objects, or heirlooms to make the collection feel lived-in.



