"In my view, there should be books in every room of the house, with the possible exception of the larder. Books in the attic waiting to be re-read; in the garage, waiting to be re-cycled at the jumble sale; and of course, in piles in the box room. These are just in store, awaiting their moment. All other rooms also need their quota, ready to be pulled from the shelf or the coffee table for a desultory browse. You never know when you might need a quick fix - for books are as addictive as any class A drug. Those lucky enough to have the habit cannot go without reading matter for even a day.
" To me a room without books is missing an essential feature, as important as lights, chairs or carpets. Or pictures: in their way, books are like pictures on the wall; they reveal whether you are a minimalist with all covers hidden under plain wrappers, a maximalist whose every room has a generously filled bookcase, or an anarchist whose preferred method of storage is an untidy heap."
From Books do furnish a room by Leslie Geddes-Brown.
Wonderfully put. I have books everywhere, they truly are my weakness. The bad (or very good) thing is that our thrift store here has most books for 25 cents. Great for getting books, very bad for the general tidyness of our very small house.
Posted by: Jennifer | 29 December 2009 at 03:06 AM
It still shocks me when I walk into someone's house and there are no books in sight. I want to avert my gaze, or offer sympathy or other awkward utterances like when there's a death in the house. I'm embarrassed for them and feel uneasy. I pack far too many books when I travel for fear of finding nothing on the nightstand. What do people do who don't read?
Posted by: Ruth M | 29 December 2009 at 04:17 AM
Yes -- well said. Couldn't agree more.
Posted by: Harriet | 29 December 2009 at 09:31 AM
I agree. I find it very strange to walk into a house that doesn't have any books. I also find it sad to go into a child's room that's full of toys but no books in sight.
Posted by: Mrs.B | 29 December 2009 at 10:30 AM
A kind friend gave me "Garden Wisdom" by Leslie Geddes-Brown as a Christmas present. I look forward to it - if she can write so well about books, I'm sure her garden thoughts will be interesting.
Posted by: Claire | 29 December 2009 at 11:11 AM
Back in my dating days I always did the bookshelf litmus test. Either what was on their shelves or what they were drawn to on mine. Occasionally I would run into someone who had no books (yikes) or someone who didn't bnother to look at mine (yikes again). Using this as a litmus test was surprisingly effective.
P.S. I love this book. I have it on my coffee table.
Posted by: Thomas at My Porchh | 29 December 2009 at 03:31 PM
Ohhhhh, ditto all the above and more!! There are so many things I want to say on this but it's all become jumbled. :-)
Again, this year, my giving of gifts for other than immediate family included books for five children.
Here's an article for you to check out - seven authors, on how they culled their libraries (I agree with Ferris and Bass):
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/books-you-can-live-without
Posted by: Nancy | 29 December 2009 at 11:08 PM
I've been enjoying this book myself - thanks to a library copy! Love browsing the photos.
Posted by: Tara | 30 December 2009 at 01:15 AM
Thankyou so much for the link to that article, Nancy; I feel another post coming on!
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 January 2010 at 05:17 PM