Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I don't trust people who don't have any books in their houses.

356 replies

WayHarshTai · 08/09/2013 21:12

I think they are a bit evil.

My sister and her DH only have a couple of Jamie Oliver books and THAT'S IT. Freaks.

I get a bit twitchy if I visit someone and I can't see their bookshelf, I have been known to snoop on the pretext of finding the loo or something to put my mind at rest.

I think it shows trerrible character and possibly criminal leanings to not have hundreds some books around the house.

AIBU? I know i'm not really, it's just common sense.

OP posts:
Lazyjaney · 08/09/2013 21:45

People without books are even more of a red flag than those with odd dietary requirements.

usualsuspect · 08/09/2013 21:45

I hate book snobs, I read all sorts of crap.

Easier to hide on your kindle Wink

DeathByTray · 08/09/2013 21:45

Does the Argos catalogue count?

MacaYoniandCheese · 08/09/2013 21:46

This thread is making me feel a bit panicky. What will a world without paper books be like?! It's akin to a zombie apoclypse and I can already see the signs in my children...they don't treasure beloved books like I do, they don't spend hours after lights-out under the covers with a flashlight, they may never know the confusion and disorientation of missing your stop on the bus because you were so engrossed in a book. I don't think you can have this kind of relationship with a kindle.

colourmehappytheresasofainhere · 08/09/2013 21:47

Middle class snobbery, much?!

Minty82 · 08/09/2013 21:47

The thought that some people see books as 'clutter' actually makes me want to cry...
With you all the way OP.

pamish · 08/09/2013 21:48

All my walls have books on, and most of the floors. They make great insulation too.

MrsJoyfulPrizeForRafiaWork · 08/09/2013 21:48

The Half-Kilo Book Of Dreams, Tray? Of course it counts!

noisytoys · 08/09/2013 21:49

I have 2 bookshelves. Only have all the Harry Potter books though (that I bought on Amazon for 1p Grin) The bookshelves house DVDs, shoes, computer games, teddies and boxes of junk. I do have a Nook though so lots of e books.

Maryz · 08/09/2013 21:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VaultFullOfTwizzlers · 08/09/2013 21:49

DeathByTray if you also take away the DC's Bookstart books then you may be my sister Shock

SubliminalMassaging · 08/09/2013 21:49

First thing I do when I go into someone's house is have a sneaky rifle through their books and their music collection.

Best to know whether you need to put them down the room 101 chute earlier rather than later. Grin

DiseasesOfTheSheep · 08/09/2013 21:49

All my walls have books on, and most of the floors

I'm relieved it's not just me - I have about 6 books within easy reach of my sofa at the moment - and I can't even blame messy children - they're mine!

grumpyoldbat · 08/09/2013 21:49

DDS have loads of books but adult wise not many Blush mostly just myy text books. The rest get returned to the library and swapped for others. I used to have 1000s but couldn't keep them when we ended up homeless. Do I still count as evil with criminal leanings:(

Lazyjaney · 08/09/2013 21:50

Grin @Subliminal

You forgot The Pretentious Coffee Table Book, used as a drinks coaster...

Isabelonatricycle · 08/09/2013 21:51

I have a kindle for the tube on which I have silly books, lots of free classics etc. For good proper history books, fiction which can be read again and again, biographies etc? Needs to be a proper book. Very difficult to flip to the footnotes/refer to a map when using a kindle. Very easy with a book.

I don't think we have a single room without a bookcase (or three) to be honest. And while you can't miss them, I don't think they are "on display", as such. It's not a carefully selected crop of 1st editions/prize winners which are never read, so for us at least there isn't a snob factor.

On the other hand, we have some cousins who are very much "no clutter", so they read something and it goes straight to the charity shop. I don't really understand the "clutter" issue when they're put away though.

As for the opening premise - criminal leanings/evil/bad character? Absolutely with you there!

midnightinmoscow · 08/09/2013 21:52

My children had to go to another family as we ended up with no room for them, our home is bursting with books though.

galletti · 08/09/2013 21:54

I have lots of books in my house. If you came here though you would find me evil cos they are all upstairs. Apart from the Next catalogue of course Smile

DeathByTray · 08/09/2013 21:55

Most of my books are on my kindle. I read a lot, but mainly on the commute, so it is much more practical.

I have a few art books in paper form but DH has literally hundreds of books. I've tried to convince him to get a kindle but he doesn't trust technology!

Clearlymisunderstood · 08/09/2013 21:57

I read 3 or 4 books a week. The books I'm reading or have just read are in my bedside table, once I've finished I give them to my sister/mum/ nan (depending on who I think will enjoy it), I don't actually keep any books of my own that I've read though as I don't like to read things twice.
My DD has over 100 books in her bedroom though.

VaultFullOfTwizzlers · 08/09/2013 21:57

lol at giving away the children.

I often wonder if I invested in loads of bookcases everywhere on every wall if it would save on heating bills being good insulation or whether it would just be a massive fire-hazard.

Moonstorm · 08/09/2013 21:57

Thank you for helping me to illustrate. Point on the other book thread Smile

MrsDeVere · 08/09/2013 21:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

usualsuspect · 08/09/2013 22:00

I rarely read books twice so don't see the point in keeping them

jessieagain · 08/09/2013 22:00

We have no adult books at all.

We have about 10 books for ds but we also borrow at the library for him. We don't have a shelf for his either, they go in a toy box.

I used to read when I commuted but when I stopped commuting I stopped reading. So what would be the point of having books if we don't read them Hmm

Swipe left for the next trending thread