Books Make A Home: Elegant Ideas for Storing and Displaying Books (2022)

In this age of the E-reader, is there any point investing in shelves and bookshelves? The question is raised at the beginning of this book and not surprisingly, the author argues in favour of the visual and tactile qualities of having books in a home and how it signifies our desire to give them a permanent place in our lives.The sub-title of this book is "Elegant Ideas for Storing and Displaying Books" and this is what it delivers. With the chapters focusing on different rooms in the house, it talks about the specific storage and display options that work best in those spaces. For example in living rooms you may choose to group books by colour for a more appealing aesthetic, in dining rooms it's best to match the thickness of bookshelves to the dining table and in bathrooms - which are exposed to humid air - books must be stored behind doors or glass. There are also plenty of ideas for "eccentric" shelving - bookshelves that work almost as a piece of art or a conversation starter. One thing I appreciated is that many unusual shelving units are credited with their manufacturer or designer's name, so that you can track them down for yourself.The book includes useful tips on caring for and cleaning books, how to store old and valuable books, and different methods of organising books. It's often amusing: for example the author discusses the dread that most bibliophiles feel when lending books to friends.There are a few books around that cover similar territory, for example  Books Do Furnish a Room  and  At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries , but this is my favourite to date. I also appreciated the fact that the photographs usually allowed me to read the titles of the books in people's collections.One comment: you may have seen some of the photographs before. I recognised two from  Children's Spaces: From Zero to Ten  and therefore I assume that others may also have previously featured in other publications.

The media could not be loaded.  A beautiful book full of inspiring text and impressive photos. Many good ideas for setting up books, how to take care of your books, etc.

The book itself is excellent if you haven't already bought it, but if you already have the 2011 edition, it may not be worth your while or money to buy this edition, described as a 'revised edition'. I have gone through both editions, but nothing seems to have changed. The photographs are identical on every page and so are the verbal commentary. Maybe I had been drowsy and missed a corrected typo here and there, but otherwise, only the cover and the page on 'Resources and Suppliers' at page 149 are different.

A beautiful, elegant book. Each page offers the reader a gift.Amazing photography, desriptive text delivered with warmth and insight.Although this book will grace any coffee table it will never rest there for long. The hard back cover and colourful jacket invite even the most reticent reader to explore within.If like me you are a collector of books, with a 'would like to own it' approach then be warned you will be re-reading it for hours and then find youself searching for similar books in this genre!

Superb selection of photographs. Everything from formal libraries to overflowing night-stands. If you are seeking ways to order your own collection, or merely wish to have a nose at how other other addicts store their tomes, then this is the book for you.

Very. Ice book.

Lovely book for displaying

Practical ideas for the storage and display of books suitable for all home interior styles. Good photographs and meaningful narrative.

I’m currently planning on converting my third bedroom into a library/office/guestroom. This book offered many possibilities.

Very very superficial

Great overview of the Englishness of organized cross century styles and furniture, and the "Clutter" (from NA and Millenial minimalistic perspectives). Being an older fellow, I thoroughly enjoyed the book's various presentations an all types of abodes.

Its a gift for my daughter. Books are her favorite things in the world.

Just as pictured. Helping me live with my 100's and 100's of books. There are bookcases in every room of my 4-bedroom house. Including the bathrooms. This is why I was so in love with the kindle. No clutter there. Not that my books are clutter, just dusty. The photos are beautiful and clear. I've looked at thru once and now have some great ideas for more storage with style. And that's just for the living room. Can't wait to tackle the rest of the house.