Afternoon Tea and Scones with the Lovely Ladies discussion
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LL: August 2020: The Bookshelf Tag
Ruth wrote: Is there a cookbook you find yourself usingmore than others?
I honestly rotate them. And donate and buy used. And donate and buy used. I've bought the same books a few times. Its a vicious cycle. LOL
I have kept my copy of Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. It will always be a favorite.
I also have a bunch of Julia Child cookbooks that I love. I think it was novel when we were growing up and my mother liked to cook then and so I did grow up on some of Julia Child's recipes.
And Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen by Clotilde Dusoulier. There is an amazing Chocolate Raspberry cake that I would make for my father every year.
I think I find myself leafing through them and reading them more than actually using them for recipes. Recipes I get from blogs more so. :))))
How about you? What are your favorites?
Ah! There lies a mystery with Proust.
I need to read friends reviews to determine
which book to start with.
It actually is supposed to be all one book, just 7 volumes. So essentially one would start with 1 and work your way through. I think most people stop after 1. LOL I could not review 2. I've heard it's what's known as "stream of consciousness". He is quite descriptive and it doesn't seem as if there is any type of plot to follow. Its also billed as a book about nothing. Which I think I might agree also. I'm also reading an old translation, which might make it harder to get through. Although I read Dickens, so its not as if I'm not used to antiquated language. I hope this is not swaying you in a wrong direction. Its just hard to describe. It is an undertaking though. LOL
1- How many bookshelves do you have?5 IKEA Billys and one shelf inside a wardrobe
2- How many books you think you have?
around 800 on the Billys, maybe 20 in the wardrobe, around 200 on my Kindle
3- How do you organize your books?
by genre or if I have many books by the same author, the author get's his or her own shelf
4- What is the oldest book on your bookshelf by the printing date?
Das Wort der Frau by Friedrich von Heyden, printed in 1882.
You can find a picture of the book here:
https://images.app.goo.gl/Rm4sFpWfZ8C...
I've just found it in the wardrobe I talked about thanks to this bookshelf tag. I inherited the wardrobe from my grandparents. It contains the china I also inherited from them. One shelf contains books, complete works by Schiller and Goethe printed in the 1970s, a bible my grandpa was gifted for his confirmation (printed 1940) and a couple of Nazi books I keep as historical artifacts. I never looked closely at the Nazi books, because I was a bit repulsed, so I never looked behind them. Until today. What I found was Das Wort der Frau.
5- What is the newest book acquired on your bookshelf?
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family
6- What is the longest book on your bookshelf?
a paperback of Gone With the Wind of 1447 pages
7- What is the shortest book on your bookshelf?
There Will Come Soft Rains
Mine is another edition printed in A4 format and therefore only 3 pages long.
8- What is the predominant genre on your bookshelf?
I'm not sure. Likely classics and/or historical fiction and/or crime/mystery. Next to all the fiction certainly Law text books.
9- Do you have other things on your bookshelf?
Yes! Some Funko-Pops, binders containing everything from university stuff to tax documents to letters I received from my penpals, boxes with electronics and office supplies. Framed photos, little holiday keepsakes and one shelf that displays all the wedding invitations and bith announcements I received from family and friends. Oh, and I nearly forgot a replica of the Elder Wand I got for my birthday a couple of years ago.
Thanks Brenda, and very lovely bookshelf with the decorating vases etc!And yes, also looking ahead to your bookshelf Philina! :)
Elke wrote: "Harry Potter #1 in 33 languages. From Hebrew to Japanese to Scots Gaelic to Faroese and Estonian. I ordered many back in the early 2000s as they came out but also received some from travelling friends and on my own vacations. Was hoping to get Icelandic this summer but covid postponed that trip. Fingers crossed I still get there and that copy someday!"This is soooo cool! I've only got German, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and Finnish. I've got a long way to go. Which one is your favourite edition?
Elke wrote: "I love the antique German type that looks like script"It can be a pain, though. In Germany, we have religious studies as a school subject. I was around 10 and we had to bring a bible to school to study parts of it in class. My mom gave me the family bible. I had never looked into it before, as they had a childrens bible with lot's of pictures for me. When I opened it at school I was horrified, because it was written in the old German font and I couldn't read it. Of course, I was the first one the teacher called to read out loud...
Great to know about your books and bookshelves Philina, thanks! What a difference between the 1447 and 3 pages long book! :)
Mod
Up to the end of the month, anyone who hasn't been tagged so far and would like to post their answers to the questions, please feel free to post now. We would love to see what you have to share.
I will be posting a new tag on September 1st to kick off autumn and back to school.
Philina,That is a beautiful book, you displayed it so elegantly.
Thank you for posting it.😀
Ruth wrote: "Philina,That is a beautiful book, you displayed it so elegantly.
Thank you for posting it.😀"
Shame on me, the photo is from an online antiquary. I just linked to their photo.
Philina wrote: "1- How many bookshelves do you have?5 IKEA Billys and one shelf inside a wardrobe
2- How many books you think you have?
around 800 on the Billys, maybe 20 in the wardrobe, around 200 on my Kindle
..."
Philina - I love that you have Funko Pops too! They amuse me and I find I need some fun every so often.
Philina wrote: "Elke wrote: "Harry Potter #1 in 33 languages. From Hebrew to Japanese to Scots Gaelic to Faroese and Estonian. I ordered many back in the early 2000s as they came out but also received some from tr..."Hi Philina-
My favorite foreign language Harry Potters are the ones that have cool cover art like the German, Italian, and Japanese. The ones that use the same old covers are still fun, but less so. I love the funky German art with Harry looking a bit cartoony goth.
Brenda wrote: " I have kept my copy of Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. It will always be a favorite. a v..."Fellow cookbook collector! I love new and vintage ones. I also love Marcella too! I have her Marcella Says...: Italian Cooking Wisdom from the Legendary Teacher's Master Classes, with 120 of Her Irresistible New Recipes cookbook. I think I read an article somewhere where she mentioned Pellegrino Artusi (kind of the forerunner in Italian cookbooks, he wrote his in 1891) I haven't made any of his dishes but I love to read the recipes: The Art of Eating Well: An Italian Cookbook.
I also love anything by Ruth Reichl and Laura Calder (who I deeply miss her cooking show on PBS but try to stay content following her on instagram). I also have a Julia Child book that I treasure. I found it for twenty cents at the thrift shop! I'm still shocked over the find.
Philina wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Philina,That is a beautiful book, you displayed it so elegantly.
Thank you for posting it.😀"
Shame on me, the photo is from an online antiquary. I just linked to their photo."
Hi Philina,
My apologies, I assumed it was your
book. If that is what your book looks
like, it is beautiful.
Jess, I think I had that book by Pellegrino Artusi at some point. I do the same, sometimes read more than make. 😁 I remember Laura Calder as well! What a good bargain you got with Julia Child! Someone didn’t know the value when they tagged that?
I just started an Excellent Woman and I LOVE how she keeps cookery books by her bedside !
Thank you Ruth for notifying me that I was tagged! I will abbreviate the questions as you all know them by now. 1. How many bookshelves do I have? 12! That does not include the one closet I have reserved for overflow books, and books that are stacked on floors and climbing up walls.
2. How many books? Thousands.
3. How do you organize them? Honestly, I’ve thought about doing my own Dewey decimal system. There are many times when it’s just hopeless and I’m searching and searching saying, I know I have that somewhere!
4. The oldest book? It’s hard to say, I have quite a few from the 1800s but I’m holding an incredible copy of Tennyson from 1849. I bought this for my father and after his passing it came back to me. It’s dark green with an embossed golden shield on the cover. I have no children, and I often wonder what I will do with this incredible collection that I have made.
5. The newest book I have is called the Perfect Afternoon Tea Recipe Book by Anthony Wild and Carol Pastor. So, you are all invited!
6. I think there is a tie for my longest book. I have the Books of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin. It is a large hardback with small type and comes to 992 pages. A smaller but still substantial paperback called Ducks, Newberryport by Lucy Ellmann is 1030 pages. Neither of these have I had the nerve to start yet because they are going to be so absorbing!
7. My shortest book is by Pablo Neruda entitled Love Ten Poems. They are the poems used in the movie The Postman.
8. The genre that I see the most is clearly fiction dominated by classics, a healthy dose of mystery and historical fiction, but also speculative fiction, magical realism and fantasy. But it really runs the gamut from heavy deep literature to the most whimsical cozy tea shop mystery.
9. Do I have anything else on my shelves? Well, there is hardly any room. I do have some shadowboxes and those contain special display items. I have a first edition Winnie the Pooh which is kept in one of these display boxes.
Thank you for allowing me to share this with you. I love to sit in my library because it feels like sitting in the middle of a treasure chest.
You're welcome, Heather.Thousands? Good Lord! That's amazing!
Your depiction of a treasure chest is
fantastic, I'll remember that.
Camping out in your library sound like
a perfect holiday. 😉
Thank you for sharing your Book Tag
with us.😀
Who would you like to tag next? 📙🏷
Wow Heather, so many books! Thanks for sharing - I thought you didn´t want to, but interesting to know how many genres of books are covered on your shelves!
I will need help with a tag. I have read The answers of Tracey, Ruth, Michaela, Tania, Nadia, Primrose, Jazzy, Brenda, Elke, Tania, Lady Mayfair.... who can be next?
I’m tagging the lovely Helene for the next post ❤️
Heather wrote: "Honestly, I’ve thought about doing my own Dewey decimal system. There are many times when it’s just hopeless and I’m searching and searching saying, I know I have that somewhere!..."I need to do something similar! I'm forever certain I own a book but can't seem to find it!
Your library sounds very beautiful and relaxing to sit in. I happily accept your invitation to tea. I'm going to look for that recipe book now as it sounds wonderful.
Thank you Heather for tagging me! This sounds like so much fun. I haven’t seen this post before now. I will be sure to answer it tonight 📚
Jess, I hope you enjoy the tea book. I don’t add a cookbook to my shelves unless I’ve vetted it from the library first to make sure it’s worth it. Looking very forward to reading your answers Helene!
oh my, I have been reading the answers of you other lovely ladies and I am a bit blown away. But I shall try my best to answer the questions1. How many bookshelves do you have?
I have 8 that are my own bookshelves, with all my books, then I have my kids books that I have brought from my childhood, and what I have bought my kids. I don't know if they count but they make up maybe 2 more bookshelves. Then I have my cookbooks on its own bookshelf. And hobby books (knitting and sewing)
2. How many books do you think you have?
Good question. I don't know. I think I have maybe about 700 books of mine, not including cookbooks and hobby books. I also have about 10 knitting books, and 4 sewing books. The kids books I don't know. On my kindle I have about 500.
3. How do you organise your books?
I used to have a system. I sort of have a genre, and alphabetical system but it is far from perfect. I don't like the look of it if there is taller books in the middle of shorter books on the side of it, so I think my bookshelves are more visually nice than organised.
4. What is the oldest book on your bookshelf by printing date?
I wish I could say I own very old books, but I don't. I think the oldest ones I have are my childhood books. "Brødrene Grimms eventyr" ( Brother Grimms fairytale) that was published in 1976 in Norwegian. My Nancy Drew books are pretty old too (the first one I have was published in 1941). But all my other books have been bought after I was born (1984).
5. What is the newest book acquired on your bookshelf?
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov.
6. What is the longest book on your bookshelf?
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy with 1359 pages, although I was looking for my Anna Karenina copy and Gone with the wind to see if either where more pages but couldn't find either, so not 100% sure on that one.
7. What is the shortest book on your bookshelf?
Ariel by Sylvia Plath at 96 pages
8. What is the predominant genre on your bookshelf?
I have most books that are considered classics, but I pretty much read anything. Like I seriously have a problem. I want to read it all.
9. Do you have other things on your bookshelves?
Nope. I have no room on my shelves for anything other than books
:-)
This is such a nice idea to share and I love reading what you all have written before me. Like Heather said before me books really are a treasure chest, and I wouldn't know how to live without my books.
Now who should I tag next that might want to spill their book secrets? Would Iza like a turn?
Thanks for sharing your books and bookshelves Helene! It´s funny that I don´t own any of the chunksters like War and Peace or Gone With the Wind - besides the non-fiction book I mentioned (a book about books) there are some historical novels which go towards 1000 pages.
And I understand about wanting to organize books by their look. My younger daughter, not owning many books, organized them by colour - I´d never find anything! ;)
Michaela wrote: "Thanks for sharing your books and bookshelves Helene! It´s funny that I don´t own any of the chunksters like War and Peace or Gone With the Wind - besides the non-fiction book I mentioned (a book..."
It isn't always that comfortable to read the chunky books though. My Jane Austen collection book, which looked beautiful, looks very worn out now because I have read it all sorts of places, and carried it around wherever I have gone. And it is NOT a pocket book ;-)
I have seen a lot of people posting photos of their shelves where they are categorised in colours, which looks really nice but like you said, maybe not the easiest system to find your book. Mine is more genre and size, but I also have sorted them with which ones I've read, and which I haven't read, so strangely enough the tall ones are the ones at both ends on the shelves, then they get smaller towards the middle of the shelf ;-) probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me
Mod
I've lots of pictures of rainbow shelves, but sometimes wonder if people picked the books to make the shelves look good, I've seen that you can bulk buy collections of these or old books, and the titles aren't listed, so they're for show. My shelves would look terrible if I tries this, I have lots of green spined virago, persephones, and orange penguins.
Jane Austen Miniature Library (Miniature Libraries) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1684126347/...I, too, have trouble with large books. I am a small person so I bought myself a small reading chair. Also, I have these tiny Jane Austen books that fit perfectly in my hand. The size of a book can really help the experience, don’t you agree?
Mod
https://www.simplemost.com/buy-dioram...
Elke - one for you? https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/78356...
Tania! I ordered one of those. It should be coming soon. It was a kickstarter project and I thought it would look delightful on the library shelf. Something whimsical, right?
Mod
Thanks Helene, I'm picking up the tag (and thanks Ruth for warning me I'd been tagged ;)1. How many bookshelves do you have ? 9
- first, the cook books, near the kitchen ;
- then my main bookshelf, with all the books I've read and want to keep ;
- a bookshelf with my own comics
- then the DVD bookshelf (3 shelves with DVDs, 3 shelves with books to read) ;
- a small bookshelf with yoga and health books ;
- in the corridor, 3 bookshelves : comics (whole family), books to read (mine), mangas (whole family) ;
- in my bedroom, one more with, again, books to read.
2. How many books do you think you have?
Mmmmm.... More than a hundred to read, that's for sure, including those borrowed from the library. At the present time, I own about 400 books (novels but not only). Plus the cook books ! Many of the novels I used to have were lost during my divorce, sadly (kept in a cave, they didn't like it).
On my Kindle ? Who knows. If you take the complete works of Anthony Trollope, for instance, it contains 47 novels. I have other complete works, plus all those I read those last 5 years.... Hundreds (read and to read).
I try to be wise and not buy books any more, because I have enough to read for the next years, but you know how it is, don't you ?
3. How do you organise your books?
I'm a librarian, Dewey is my god ! I'm not even joking, even the spices in my kitchen are filed alphabetically ! So my novels are filed alphabetically, the documentaries by subjects.
4. What is the oldest book on your bookshelf by printing date?
1850, it's a small book called "Legends of Torquay". I love browsing garage sales and the likes and buy old books :) I have several others from the beginning of the 20th century with notes, names, images - it's a small trip in the past.
5. What is the newest book acquired on your bookshelf?
Emile Zola : Germinal (I used to own it once, but lost it in the divorce ; since I'll be doing a readalong starting tomorrow, I bought it again a couple of hours ago, even if I already have it on my kindle).
6. What is the longest book on your bookshelf?
I thought Middlemarch would win, but it's Lord of the rings with 1137 pages.
7. What is the shortest book on your bookshelf?
At first sight, it must be Lady Susan by Jane Austen - 54 pages. I used to have a miniature Breton-French dictionary, but I'm afraid my cat thought it would be a fun toy, so all bets are off on where it is now.
8. What is the predominant genre on your bookshelf?
Mostly classics, they're the ones I tend to want to keep.
9. Do you have other things on your bookshelves?
Pictures of my parents, a Jane Austen mug in front of the Jane Austen books and that's all. I like to be able to grab a book without obstacles.
It was a fun tag, thanks to Tracey for coming up with it and Helene for tagging me. I hadn't noticed it before, so I'll look up all your answers !
Would Emily take a turn ?
Tania wrote: "Any one fancy these bookshelf diorama for their bookcases? My favourite is the Japanese alley, I have seen Harry Potter ones too.https://www.simplemost.com/buy-dioram...
Elke - ..."
I have been aware of these book nook dioramas but always used the excuse I have no room...but they are awfully cool...I might just have to get one...
Iza wrote: "Thanks Helene, I'm picking up the tag (and thanks Ruth for warning me I'd been tagged ;)1. How many bookshelves do you have ? 9
- first, the cook books, near the kitchen ;
- then my main bookshel..."
Iza - this is a worthy goal!
"I like to be able to grab a book without obstacles."
I have a fun announcement! I just hired someone to build a bookshelf in my pantry room FOR ALL MY COOKBOOKS!!! *swoon* I told him I want it to fill up every inch of space. The cookbooks in the closet are cheering! I’ve read everybody’s organizing methods, and I just can’t decide what is best.
Heather wrote: "I have a fun announcement! I just hired someone to build a bookshelf in my pantry room FOR ALL MY COOKBOOKS!!! *swoon* I told him I want it to fill up every inch of space. The cookbooks in the clos..."Hi Heather,
Inspiration! That's exciting! 😃
Will you have a shelf or section for favorites?
Helene wrote: "oh my, I have been reading the answers of you other lovely ladies and I am a bit blown away. But I shall try my best to answer the questions1. How many bookshelves do you have?
I have 8 that are ..."
Hi Helene,
Organizing books with the tallest on the
outside and shortest in the middle makes
sense. Thank you for sharing your haven
with us.
Tania wrote: "Any one fancy these bookshelf diorama for their bookcases? My favourite is the Japanese alley, I have seen Harry Potter ones too.https://www.simplemost.com/buy-dioram...
Elke - ..."
Wooow! Those are really cool!
Iza wrote: "Thanks Helene, I'm picking up the tag (and thanks Ruth for warning me I'd been tagged ;)1. How many bookshelves do you have ? 9
- first, the cook books, near the kitchen ;
- then my main bookshel..."
Hi Iza,
Your organization method is the stuff of legends.
it's most interesting to read about a Librarian's
bookshelf.. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Elke wrote: "Tania wrote: "Any one fancy these bookshelf diorama for their bookcases? My favourite is the Japanese alley, I have seen Harry Potter ones too.https://www.simplemost.com/buy-dioram......"
Hi Tania,
That is brilliant. I love how dioramas turn
bookshelves into a cozy literary world.
Hi Ruth, the problem is I don’t purchase a cookbook unless it is a favorite. That means I love each and every one of my cookbooks. I think the ones at eye level should be the most used. The ones on top seem like desserts, and the ones on bottom the least used, so maybe all those dedicated to one ingredient. Do you think we ladies think this more than the general population? 🤗
Heather wrote: "Hi Ruth, the problem is I don’t purchase a cookbook unless it is a favorite. That means I love each and every one of my cookbooks. I think the ones at eye level should be the most used. The ones on..."Yes! This is fun!
That's how I discovered my favorites-
William-Sonoma Essentials📚💕
Most used at eye-level is practical.
Desserts, good idea- out of sight out of mind.
I like one ingredient shelf idea, it's easier to find
what you need.
How about for tea and entertaining?
Do you keep a book or journal of each entertaining
menu, as a reference?
Heather, you’ll have to share pictures. That’s so exciting! I put my desserts on the bottom. 😳 I love to bake too! I don’t have any one ingredient cookbooks tho. Or do soup or pasta count? Baking and bread on the bottom and then by country.
Heather wrote: "Jess, I hope you enjoy the tea book. I don’t add a cookbook to my shelves unless I’ve vetted it from the library first to make sure it’s worth it. ..."That is a solidly smart plan to do vetting first. I've got a couple that I wish I had done that for!
Helene wrote: " My Nancy Drew books are pretty old too (the first one I have was published in 1941). But all my other books have been bought after I was born (1984). ..."I collect vintage Nancy Drews! I love to compare the original text editions with the revised text. I've got a few early ones and war print editions. I've almost got the entire series in yellow spines. I even have the David Farah's Guide which is the classification system for every known edition of Nancy Drew books. It's wild the more you learn about the editions, cover art, and collecting world. I am a super amateur collector and no where near the big leagues in collecting.
Heather wrote: "I have a fun announcement! I just hired someone to build a bookshelf in my pantry room FOR ALL MY COOKBOOKS!!! *swoon* I told him I want it to fill up every inch of space. The cookbooks in the clos..."That is an incredibly fun announcement and even though it's not done yet, I already have bookshelf envy! I can't wait to see it when it's complete. We have to figure out how to post photos here or share Instagram account handles or something. I have no good advice on cookbook organization as mine are loosely organized by author, meal types, etc. I'm looking forward to seeing how others organize theirs and gain some tips.
Mod
Jess, I am @tweatherboo on Instagram. I will post there! Great idea. Ruth, I have a book called “Menus A Book For Your Meals and Memories” by Jacques Pépin. It is essentially a blank illustrated journal with a page where you write your menu, and on the opposite page all the guests sign. I let my guests write after dinner (and wine) so they are relaxed and write funny things and what about they liked best. I tear the wine labels off the bottles and paste them in, I take photos with an Instamatic camera that prints out on stickers so I have photos of the food, the place setting, and the guests. I think you would like this!! I would would put our tea in there.
Hi Heather,Smashing! I love that idea!😃
The planning process itself is thrilling.
Yes, I would like it indeed!
These are are records of occasions
you are making in life. I find hospitality
& entertainment history riveting.
Menus: A Book for Your Meals and Memories, Jacques Pépin is sweet.
Heather wrote: "I have a fun announcement! I just hired someone to build a bookshelf in my pantry room FOR ALL MY COOKBOOKS!!! *swoon* I told him I want it to fill up every inch of space. The cookbooks in the clos..."I'm green with envy, I would love to do the same !! And I'm happy for your cookbooks ;)
Afternoon Tea and Scones with the Lovely Ladies
Books mentioned in this topic
Menus: A Book for Your Meals and Memories (other topics)Marcella Says...: Italian Cooking Wisdom from the Legendary Teacher's Master Classes, with 120 of Her Irresistible New Recipes (other topics)
The Art of Eating Well: An Italian Cookbook (other topics)
There Will Come Soft Rains (other topics)
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jacques Pépin (other topics)Elena Ferrante (other topics)
Molly Keane (other topics)
Paul Gallico (other topics)
Henry David Thoreau (other topics)
More...
I like your bookcase, it's nice and deep.
It is hard to loose a boxes of books,
I read cookbooks too.🙊
Is that the Proust collection on the
bottom, center shelf?
I have yet..."
That is a sweet reminder and the best heirloom. I love the idea of antique bookcases holding the literary secrets
of it's previous owners, wondering
what their tastes were and what books
it once held, it's own history.
Is there a cookbook you find yourself
sing more than others?
Ah! There lies a mystery with Proust.
I need to read friends reviews to
determine which book to start with.