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Original poster

Where are the bookshelves?!

490 replies

Babysharkdododont · 07/04/2021 20:38

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 We've a few shelves in the study with a few technical manuals etc, but these go out of date so quickly as to be obsolete as soon as they're printed, so we go online mostly.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?

OP posts:
Lineofconcepcion · 07/04/2021 22:31

@saraclara

am down to around 75 from 600 or so, so getting there

Tell me your secret @Lineofconcepcion! I've actually cleared all my books into boxes and bags, as I had my study redecorated a few months ago, so the bookshelves had to be moved away from the walls. Charity shops will open soon, so this is my chance to only put back what I really want to keep and get rid of the other 90%. But the trouble is it's not going to be that easy. I'm sure I'll find reasons to want to keep the vast majority. how did you decide what to keep/get rid of?

Over the course of 4 years! Firstly we got rid of those we'd started and abandoned on the basis they wouldn't improve the second time round. I retired, and retired all my reference books as did OH, plus hobby texts we never pick up anymore. Then kept only the favourites novels and some ancient old family books. Plus we both use kindle apps which helps.

And the thought that somebody else could enjoy them. We put a lot outside in a box during lockdown with a help yourself sign.

Pixxie7 · 07/04/2021 22:33

I have veryfew books now but I do have a massive e book selection.

Wiredforsound · 07/04/2021 22:34

I like the look of bookshelves and had pretty much turned our dining room into a library, but we packed them up to move and now they take up half the space in the garage in boxes. I’ve never been tempted to recreate the library or reread any of the books we have. We’ve got Kindles now - I’ve also got hard copies of the main texts I need for my job and access to an excellent online library. I think if John Walters was judging me for how many books were on my shelves he’s probably not the kind of man I’d want to shag.

DietrichandDiMaggio · 07/04/2021 22:34

@1Morewineplease

It's not "a value judgment " nor is it virtue signalling!

Some people love to read, and re-read. Some people like to paint. Some people like to jog. Some people like to do yoga.
Some people love to watch telly all day. Some people love to cruise along canals.
Why can't people, who love reading have bookshelves?
As you are both uni folk then you should understand the attachment that some people have to books.

I'm trying hard to not criticise... but please think hard about what you're saying.

Not everyone is as interested in reading as you are... and maybe you're minimalist in your decor , but please do not judge people who love to read.

But the OP isn't having a go at people for having books, her gripe was with those people who go on threads about property and act amazed that not every house has book-lined walls and can't believe that anyone can live like that. They come over as if they consider themselves superior to the philistines that live there.

Yes, people have different interests, but nobody looks at photos of houses and asks where are the yoga mats or all of the running shoes.

Feedingthebirds1 · 07/04/2021 22:36

@DrFoxtrot

So many PP with the wrong end of the stick Confused
I don't know. The way the OP seemed to read, to me, was partly that anyone who had a lot of books looked down on those who hadn't. And seemed quite proud of the fact that although they are 'degree educated professionals' they didn't have many. Is she implying that she doesn't expect those who have fewer qualifications to have books, but as a 'degree educated professional' she might be expected (by other people) to?

To me, there was also a tone of moral superiority that she doesn't have many books, as much as she was complaining about those who do. And I think that's what some PPs are responding to.

me4real · 07/04/2021 22:37

YANBU it's a matter of what you want to do.

I'm a declutterer who sometimes overdoes it, so I don't have that many books.

Some people do have them partly just for show, which I would think pretentious.

SheenMcQueen · 07/04/2021 22:38

I am an avid reader and have definitely got less books that I used to have. I keep hardbacks, travel books and I've probably got about 80 paperbacks that are much loved/favourites, that I might revisit or want a friend to read. I hardly buy any these days - I'm all Kindle and Audible.

Having said that, I love getting books as gifts. My friend got me a signed William Boyd hardback for Christmas for example, and another posted me a paperback with a hand-written annotation that was lovely and I"ll obviously keep these.

I don't judge people who don't have shelves heaving with books but i do judge people who don't read

Ikora · 07/04/2021 22:40

We have a couple of thousand books but they are in huge cupboards they line two complete walls in a large room we also have some stored in two chests and some boxes in the loft . So we look book free. Apart from a couple on the sitting room table and on our bedside cabinets.

Not sure what people would think of our books lots of academic stuff with grim, dull and strange looking titles.

saraclara · 07/04/2021 22:42

And the thought that somebody else could enjoy them. We put a lot outside in a box during lockdown with a help yourself sign.

That's a nice idea. But unfortunately, I live in a house that barely anyone passes!
When, a few years after he died, I decided it was time to get rid of my DH's books (subjects and genres that were very much not mine) my SIL and BIL were brilliant in helping me, and it helped that my BIL said that he'd take them all to a charity book shop near the University in their city, so that they would be more likely to be bought by people who would appreciate them, and not end up in a skip because a normal charity shop couldn't find buyers for them.

SnackSizeRaisin · 07/04/2021 22:46

I love books. A house without books is a bit soulless to me. The great thing about reading is that it doesn't take ages.10 or 15 minutes a day is plenty. It's quicker than watching a TV programme.
There are plenty of people who think a house without a massive TV in every room, turned on from dawn to dusk, is rubbish too though (I know a lot of people like this)....so who's the judgy one? This seems like reverse snobbery to me.
When I go to someone's house I look at the bookshelves (and turn the TV volume down if I get a chance). When they come to mine they turn the TV on!

RampantIvy · 07/04/2021 22:46

I simply don't understand the snobbery about books. We have 6 bookshelves. I don't keep every book I have ever read because we just don't have room. I no longer buy fiction books because I download them on my kindle. As I like to read in bed at night the kindle is the best way as I don't need the light on and therefore don't keep DH awake.

I also don't understand the snobbery that people who own lots of physical books have about kindles or other ebook readers. I think they like to show off how "intellectual" they are.

saraclara · 07/04/2021 22:47

I don't judge people who don't have shelves heaving with books but I do judge people who don't read

I used to judge non-readers when I was younger. Fortunately life taught me not to be a nob. Some of the best people I've known aren't/weren't fussed about reading, but are/were spectacular people in other ways. And I know some avid literary types who aren't fit to clean those people's shoes.

TatianaBis · 07/04/2021 22:48

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?

The question is faux naive/virtue signally of itself.

OP knows full well some people can’t live without shelves of books, some way others can’t live without their dogs/bike/gym equipment/Xbox/hot tub/Magimix/surf board.

RampantIvy · 07/04/2021 22:49

I judge people who judge people who don't have hundreds and hundreds of books.

PuffItsGone · 07/04/2021 22:50

@VeryQuaintIrene

When I was a child, I used to go to other people's houses and wonder where they kept all their books.
But you grew up and are no longer ignorant and condescending?
PuffItsGone · 07/04/2021 22:51

Loudly for those at the back...E-READERS

TatianaBis · 07/04/2021 22:52

I judge people who judge people who judge people who don’t have hundreds and hundreds of books. This could run and run.

Wanderlust20 · 07/04/2021 22:53

I didn't know people are incredulous about others not having bookshelves Hmm

I used to have loads of books but I never reread them and now prefer to Kindle it to save paper! Just got rid of loads as were taking up space but didn't know I'd be judged for it...

DaphneDuBois · 07/04/2021 22:55

I re-read great books in the same way I re-watch excellent films. I probably have around 800-900 books but I do teach English! None are on display for visitors to see because I have them in a study. I’m honestly not fussed if people think I have no books! Equally, I don’t judge people who don’t have books on display. Some people have everything on Kindles. I don’t keep everything I read; if I finish a book that isn’t great then I pass it on. I also have a lot of books which I’ve not yet read.

thelegohooverer · 07/04/2021 22:55

How do people without shelf loads of books manage for insulation? misses point

TatianaBis · 07/04/2021 22:57

Yes, people have different interests, but nobody looks at photos of houses and asks where are the yoga mats or all of the running shoes.

When I look at houses without books I do feel genuinely alarmed. I might not say so on MN due to the kerfuffle that would ensue.

But for me it’s like an alcoholic looking round a kitchen and seeing no booze.

whydoesitalwayshappentome · 07/04/2021 22:57

I have loads of books, and if I lived on my own I would have loads of bookcases of books. I have a kindle with lots of books on as well and it is not an exaggeration that I feel very unhappy if I have not got several books both physical or electronic ready to read. That is me though, and I am not bothered whether others have books or not it is their choice.

Idontbelieveit12 · 07/04/2021 22:59

I have shit loads of books. I also pass on when I’ve read them, I’ve just got so many I haven’t read yet! I buy secondhand or swap with people

KingdomScrolls · 07/04/2021 23:00

Of course it is, but I love the way books look, smell, what they do for the acoustics in a room, they make our smallest reception room cosy and quiet, and feel like a nice place to sit and read a book. I'm happy to loan them out to friends but have re-read a number of books.
My academic books I've loaned to a number of people I've managed, used them for developing trainees etc. I hear a lot from people training in my field that it's much nicer to read from a book rather than online, so it's not just me that feels that way.
Some have sentimental value, things I loved when I was younger and I'm hoping to share with DS one day. I give a lot to charity shops or our local book exchange because if I didn't I'd need a much much bigger house. I also think it's good for a child to grow up surrounded by books and for reading to be just a normal part of daily life.
I don't judge people who don't have shelves full of books, they might keep them in a part of the house I haven't seen, or use kindles etc. It does make me happy when someone new comes into my life and I go to their house and it's full of books, but we all feel more comfortable with people who are like ourselves.

Summerdayshaze · 07/04/2021 23:00

Same with people who go on and on about not owning a television. Nobody cares.