This is my bookshelf.
Well, one of them, anyway. This is the one in my bedroom next to the window. I have other bookshelves in other parts of the apartment but this is my go-to bookshelf, the one where I keep books I’m likely to read again. Books, I should add, that are NOT for show.
This is my messy bookshelf. From time to time I’ve tried to arrange it in some kind of order: alphabetical by author, title by genre, and sometimes, when I’m really at a loss for something to do to keep me from writing, by colour. Any system I use never lasts, and maybe that’s just as well. It means I have to hunt for a book and, while hunting, I’m likely to come across one I’d forgotten about and can enjoy reading all over again.
Because that’s what I am – a re-reader. I tend to keep books and re-read them and while that can be comforting it can also lead to a certain embarrassment when someone asks if I’ve read the latest book on the best-seller list. I usually haven’t. Which doesn’t mean I won’t get around to it, eventually. It just means that right at the moment I’m going through E F Benson’s “Mapp and Lucia” series again and can’t bear to put them down. (Have you read the “Mapp and Lucia” books? If you haven’t, please do. They are quite wonderful. I’ll tell you all about them in a later post.)
So this blog is devoted to the books on my messy bookshelf. Some of them are old, many are obscure, but I think they deserve to be shared.
What about you? Do you have a messy bookshelf bearing books you love to re-read? Let me know. I’ll post once a week and look forward to hearing from you.
Hi there what a great idea! Looking forward to your posts
And as you know I too have a few shelves filled with well loved books. Some I do reread and some I just like to have nearby. Maybe I’ll try to suggest one that could be new to you
Let’s talk soon. Fondly. Cath
Love to have a suggestion, Cathy!
Talk soon for sure.
I am a sucker for pictures of people’s bookshelves! I am an organize by topic, then colour sort of person, because I can never remember the names of books or authors. I am also a bit of a re-reader, mostly for the nostalgia of the feelings the books bring up: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver, Gabaldon’s Outlander series, HP (of course), and Madeleine L’Engle’s books.
Can’t wait to hear about all of yours!
I loved the first two (or maybe it was three) Outlander books, and then I stopped reading them. I’m not sure why. I think it was partly because I didn’t like the TV series but maybe I should go back and read the rest.
Haven’t read Prodigal Summer. I read The Poisonwood Bible by Kingsolver and liked it. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have several messy bookshelves full of books I’ve read and loved and for some reason can’t part with them even though I know I’ll never re-read them. I keep them because they are like old friends reminding me of different phases of my life. Plus, I like to share them with others, especially if it’s a favourite author.
I know what you mean about old friends, Brenda. The fact is, I’d have even more if I hadn’t loaned out so many of them. And maybe if we hadn’t moved so many times. The move to England back in 1990 really made a dent in my collection!
My messy shelf is also beside my bed. It includes books, read, unfinished and new/unread – yet!
Covid has been particularly disruptive to my reading habits (well, to be honest, Covid AND social media) it used to be very rare that I leave a book unfinished. Now it is not so uncommon.
Never mind, I am determined to read them all!
Good for you, Gillian, you’ll do it. My unread books sit here by my chair in the living room where I do my crossword puzzles. At the moment, they include The Collected Works of Flannery O’Connor, The Oxford Book of Short Stories (very old edition but I love it) and the collected stories of Shirley Hazzard. Maybe I should do fewer crosswords!
Was running out of books I wanted to read during this COVID era, so I started to re-read some of the books on my bookshelf (yes, hmm, ‘messy’ bookshelf!) and was surprised how many new things, new joys, new meanings, etc. that I found in the re-read. Things I had somehow missed in the initial read. Gave me a renewed appreciation for the book.
That’s so true, Elle. I often find, reading a book again after a long time away from it, I learn something new. It can backfire – when I read Little Women a couple of years ago I was disappointed with the “good girl” ethic running through it, which somehow didn’t bother me when I was 12.
Hi Margie,
I look forward to your recommendations. I wish I was as productive as you.
Love,
Karin
Great to hear from you, Karin, and thanks for the comment! Feel free to add your thoughts any time – I always look forward to hearing from you.
Happy days. A place to find good books. And more Margie.
Thank you, Joan!!