Where are the bookshelves?!

[Babysharkdododont]

Inspired by another thread, do people genuinely not believe its possible to live without shelf after shelf of books in a house, or is it, as I suspect, faux naivety / virtue signalling?

We've not got many books in our house, both adults are degree educated professionals, but feel no need to have books. When I've finished a book I pass it on, as I've no desire to read the same book twice. We've a few shelves in the study with a few technical manuals etc, but these go out of date so quickly as to be obsolete as soon as they're printed, so we go online mostly.

The dc have books of course as they don't tire quickly of rereading, but I certainly don't think we're slobs for not having lots of books.

What are these books people are so keen to keep, and tell everyone that they must have?

I love reading, I like books but I have a small house and no room for bookshelves sadly.

Not your circus, not your monkeysOP.

It looks fab. America, though? I'd use them if it wasn't for bloody Brexit...

We only keep books we re-read. For most people who enjoy reading, that’s quite a lot of books. There’s also a reasonable number here awaiting redistribution to a charity or friends or returned to the library.

If you don’t enjoy reading, or never re-read books, or never have a lot in the house that you’ve read recently and want to pass on to others, then you have no need for bookshelves.

Reading is so important and enjoyable to my life that I don’t really expect to have a lot in common with someone who has no need for bookshelves, but I don’t think that says anything about our morals or intellect.

Yes downtown Boston.

another fabulous resource here in Boston is the Boston Athenaeum - one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever been in. Well worth a visit if you are ever able to travel here.

www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=boston+athen%C3%A6um+photos&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjeq9jZ4fnvAhVDheAKHa9wDXgQjJkEegQIBRAB&biw=1920&bih=910

Fabulous...

We have kindles and a small bookcase for children's books which get donated to school after a few reads
There's not enough room for lots of shelves on the (dodgy plaster) walls

@GreyhoundG1rl

Fabulous...

and apart from how beautiful it is as a building, they never get rid of old stock. So it is easy to find out of print authors. I can take out original editions of Norah Lofts or the authors who were re-published by Virago or Persephone still with their library sticker showing they were last taken out in 1953 or whenever.

I was amused to see an advert for toddler Rhyme Time in that link. It would have made such things so much less painful in those surroundings!! I'd have gone every day

I can take out original editions of Norah Lofts or the authors who were re-published by Virago or Persephone still with their library sticker showing they were last taken out in 1953 or whenever.
This is the stuff of dreams.

I know! I am a member of 2 bookgroups who meet (well used to meet) in those beautiful spaces once a month. one of the groups does a summer outing too - this year (all being vaccinated) we are going to do a tour of Mount Auburn Cemetary and dinner in someone's garden.

mountauburn.org/media-archive/the-poets-of-mount-auburn-cemetery/

I think you need to plan a trip to Boston in 2022 Greyhound :)

If I ever make it off Brexit Island it'll be the first place I go, I promise

www.nationalparks.org/connect/explore-parks/longfellow-house-washingtons-headquarters-national-historic-site

you can finish off your day here :)

And the next day go here louisamayalcott.org/

and maybe then go for a swim in Walden Pond and visit Thoreau's statue.

Sorry for derailing this thread into a party political broadcast for Literary Boston :)

Not at all, derail away! Definitely going there some day thank God for the Irish passport

I like to have a broad selection in the house to choose from when I want to read something.

Shoot me.