What's in a word?

Now here's a thing: I got a message that someone on Goodreads had just 'shelved' one of my books. In English English, as opposed to US English, to shelf something means to get rid of it. Conversely, if we Brits table something, we are proposing it as an idea to be considered, whereas - unless I am mistaken - in the USA, your tabling is our shelving.

What is it with transatlantic furniture?