How Do We Shelve Our Favorite Books?

Thanks to a recent house project, I recently removed all of the books from our living room bookshelves—for the first time in 20-plus years. When I reshelved them a few weeks later, I found myself wondering if there was a better way to organize them all. (Don’t worry, I never considered “by color.”) I quickly realized that my seemingly haphazard approach still made sense, so other than some culling I returned them somewhere close to their original spot once more.

By size

In many cases, there was actually no real choice; the bookshelf’s builder (me) created top shelves that aren’t tall or deep enough for anything other than small paperbacks. Books are no longer produced in that format, so to those top shelves returned the same mystery authors: Dick Francis, John le Carré, Ken Follett. Even my favorite detective fiction author, Elizabeth George, had to be relegated to a lower shelf. 

By topic

At the opposite end of the “cozy” spectrum are several college textbooks. All of those that still seem worth saving came from one particular reading list, put together by the professor who inspired me to major in European History. (One is actually a novel, which might help explain that choice.) 

Of course the dominant subject is boating; everything from kids’ stories to Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling. Most sailors refer to that book only by its author’s last name, “Chapman’s;”  thanks to the reshelving project, I discovered that we own two copies, now shelved side by side. 

By memory

And then there are the books that have nothing to do with sailing or boats. I’m sure I wouldn’t have bothered holding onto (or even reading) Carol On Broadway by Helen Dore Boylston if not for the main character’s name. But just the sight of its faded red spine brings me right back to childhood, reading myself to sleep.

By author

I’ve saved the best for last: the growing collection of books by authors I’ve actually met—maybe even befriended and/or edited. Over the years, those tomes have outgrown their original section; I can’t think of a better way to show off the rich life of this author and reader.

More please

Thanks to passing along a few old favorites, there’s now room for new additions (note that gap on the bottom shelf). Perhaps some of the books in my enormous TBR pile (currently occupying the entire bedside shelf upstairs) will earn their spot on these shelves? If so, I’ll try to fit them in where they make the most sense—haphazard though my “system” may seem to others. I might not sort books by color, but it’s an inspiring palette nonetheless.

How about you; how do you shelve your books—never mind decide which to keep? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send me an email. I read every single one, with gratitude. 

Thanks for reading, and see you next Thursday.

The post How Do We Shelve Our Favorite Books? appeared first on Carol Newman Cronin.