Do you keep books? Where do you store them?
Discussion
Had a female friend come around to visit me the other day. Just moved to a new house. She took one look at my bookshelf in the living room and proclaimed why did I have s many books , its a complete clutter.
I have many interests and have a few books. I also tend not to throw books out and I did point out that I see owning books as an investment. Some of the books I have are now out of print and are with double what I've paid for.
I have many interests and have a few books. I also tend not to throw books out and I did point out that I see owning books as an investment. Some of the books I have are now out of print and are with double what I've paid for.
I have a load of bookcases, many of them for free from local Facebook recycle groups, but not enough for all the books. Most fiction paperbacks fit nicely into shoe boxes, so I've got a pile of those too, one (or more) per author so that books are easier to find. I am thinking of getting rid of some of the bookshelves because I don't really need the books to be instantly accessible as long as I can find them when I want to. I do keep quite a lot to re-read, though a recent count of the "to read" pile comes to just under a hundred so I don't know when that will happen.
Extensive book cases in the living/dining room, also in the spare rooms. All nearly full, most books read.
I love books and reading, Dad was a writer so I've always been surrounded by them. Plus they're so much more satisfactory to read than a screen, and some of mine have happy memories attached.
I don't get the "books are clutter" thing.
I love books and reading, Dad was a writer so I've always been surrounded by them. Plus they're so much more satisfactory to read than a screen, and some of mine have happy memories attached.
I don't get the "books are clutter" thing.
WelshRich said:
I have hundreds of books, in multiple bookcases, most of which I’ll never read again and dozens which I’ve never read and probably never will. I know it’s an affectation to keep them all but I like having them and I don’t care!
Exactly the same in our house!Also, you can gather a decent amount of information about a person by perusing their bookshelves. People who live in houses with no books are not to be trusted.
I have many books kept in four Billy bookcases (with the extra top shelves), plus a Kallax on its side for the larger hardbacks, and then others on other shelves. It's at the point where the "second bedroom" in estate agent speak is basically a library, there's certainly no room for a bed. Don't care about whether they are perceived as untidy. It's my house, I like books, I keep everything I read in case I want read it again in future and I don't feel the need to pander to anyone's sensibilities about tidiness.
John Waters has a quote about people without books, look it up (warning, contains a profanity).
John Waters has a quote about people without books, look it up (warning, contains a profanity).
I've had to be realistic, and now only keep books from certain authors, or that I'm pretty sure I'll reread, or those that mean a bit more to me.
If I'd kept everything I'd bought and read then I'd need a significantly bigger house, so the rest go off to charity shops or friends.
Some friends of mine *do* keep everything and basically had to create a library above their garage.
If I'd kept everything I'd bought and read then I'd need a significantly bigger house, so the rest go off to charity shops or friends.
Some friends of mine *do* keep everything and basically had to create a library above their garage.
Alex Z said:
I've had to be realistic, and now only keep books from certain authors, or that I'm pretty sure I'll reread, or those that mean a bit more to me.
If I'd kept everything I'd bought and read then I'd need a significantly bigger house, so the rest go off to charity shops or friends.
Some friends of mine *do* keep everything and basically had to create a library above their garage.
Was looking at my bookcase this morning, it's double stacked, you can't see those at the back for those in front.If I'd kept everything I'd bought and read then I'd need a significantly bigger house, so the rest go off to charity shops or friends.
Some friends of mine *do* keep everything and basically had to create a library above their garage.
I did take a few to the charity shop a while back, may take a few more. Those that I'm unlikely to read again (will I ever read any again?) or that I didn't enjoy. Keep all reference and true story books though.
We have a few thousand books ranging from novels through kids books, technical texts and other non fiction stuff. We made a “library” in a neuk in our weird open plan barn conversion.
Essentially about 90m of 30mm MDF shelving. Cost a few hundred quid in materials and made great use of a an otherwise odd space in the house.
Essentially about 90m of 30mm MDF shelving. Cost a few hundred quid in materials and made great use of a an otherwise odd space in the house.
I have 3 of the tall Billy bookcases with the extension on the top along one wall in my study and keep meaning to get another so I can have a almost solid wall of books.
Always loved reading although I don't have as much time now.
Reading in bed before sleep was always my thing, which the Mrs put up for many years. Then she got the hump about it and would start tossing and turning/sighing etc and just spoilt the enjoyment of it till I stopped.
Always loved reading although I don't have as much time now.
Reading in bed before sleep was always my thing, which the Mrs put up for many years. Then she got the hump about it and would start tossing and turning/sighing etc and just spoilt the enjoyment of it till I stopped.
miniman said:
I have stacks of books and CDs behind me in my office which always gets quizzical comments on Zoom from people who don’t have any love for such things.
I’m sure I read about a charity shop book sales boom when Zoom backgrounds were becoming a thing at the height of the pandemic, as people tried to make themselves look all sophisticated 
Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff