Books in a downstairs loo. Yes or no?

[Whichhandbag]

Obviously light-hearted but curious to know thoughts! Downstairs loo is newly decorated in a very classic English style with wood panelling etc. It has a lovely little shelf and I have some beautiful editions which I could show off. (I'm not talking potty humour books). Is the association with reading whilst, ahem, using the loo.... just too much?

No, I wouldn’t want anyone touching my books whilst they are shitting!

I wouldn’t even put a plant in there as it’s not fair on the plant.

Yes yes yes. Books in the loo are good.

We've always had books in ours, and no-one has died of poo particle-itis yet

Ewww no, just no!

Gorgeous editions should be in the main bookcases, guest rooms, coffee tables, not the loo.

Hell yes. Short stories, poetry and amusing anecdotes

I love a book, but just no!

No. Stomach churning to me.

If they're beautiful editions then they should be out where they can be seen by all!

Totally gross. No no no.

When I see books and magazines in a toilet I always assume that someone in the house takes ages to poo and maybe should eat more fibre.

I agree completely. But I would have a couple of books that visitors can dip into rather than novels if they want to read when they’re in the loo. I’ve read on the loo since I was four and can’t imagine not.

Gorgeous editions that deserve better!

My husband has a couple of lighthearted books in his outside toilet. It’s a 1930s house and the original door actually has an inbuilt holder, probably more for newspaper than books.

I have a lot of books and I do like seeing them and being reminded of them, but putting them in a loo, to me, would be similar to how some people feel about putting a flags or religious items on the floor.

NO

Books in the loo is very traditional, tho. If you have the space, why wouldn't you?

Handy to use the pages of the books if you run out of loo roll....

MN is obsessed with poo particles. I wonder how people cope really. If a bathroom is full of poo particles, then surely the sink, the soap, the taps and the hand towel are shit-sodden and horrible? So how can you actually feel clean, ever?!
I am a dirty cow who keeps books by the toilet. Nothing too long though, flash fiction, or a collection of essays. Something classy to read as you poo!

For me, it’s nothing to do with “poo particles”. I just can’t imagine ever reading on the loo - are people in there for long enough for that? I don’t go on my phone either. I just sit for the short time without entertainment!
So for me, books in the loo would just seem like an odd thing. In the same way I wouldn’t put them in the food cupboard. They just have no place there.

No that’s horrid, my mum would turn in her grave at the thought too. I have a unit outside the downstairs loo and I always put my phone on there before going in too (if dropped to many into the bowl !)

I’ve never understood this need to sit on the loo for ages, go in do your business and come out. I do like a soak in the bath with my kindle though.

i would display the books in the hall or landing on a nice shelf.

Not on your sweet life! I don't have any Folio Society editions, but if I did, they'd have pride of place on a shelf somewhere. I have two lovely Everyman editions and another on its way from a used bookseller and they will certainly never see the inside of the smallest room.

Apart from the damage to the books, apparently, those who spend a long time on the loo are more prone to haemorrhoids than those who are in and out. And those who hog the bog are liable to have their heads flushed down it by others driven to distraction by their dallying. 😉

No, I think this is unhygienic.

I also think books deserve better!