“Books Make a Home: Elegant Ideas for Storing & Displaying Books” by Damian Thompson

This is the book that the Internet presented to me when I searched for the non-existent Designing With Books. I expected a book full of drool-worthy shelving that was brimming with books and all kinds of other eye-catching elements. For someone who already has a good number of shelves and cubbies, what I really wanted was ideas for how to make those shelves and cubbies look great. Instead, this book provides ideas for where to put all your books when you don't own enough bookshelves and you don't want to solve that problem by buying plain-Jane options. It showcases the libraries and studies of the creative, the rich, and the rich creatives. This apparently translates to lots of quirkiness.

I love books, and I love having them all over my house, but I don't really love the higgledy-piggledy style depicted in this book. The majority of these interiors just look messy to me. Like a junk shop, which is often intriguing to browse in but which doesn't feel calm and tranquil to live in. Generally, I take issue with the characterization of these bookshelves as “elegant.” And the few photos of interiors that are neat and calm are also the ones that are the least realistic (like where everything is white, or where all the book spines match each other). 

While I enjoyed reading through this book and poring over the photos, I am disappointed that I did not come away with more ideas. I need a system--I've organized all of our books, but I don't have a place for us to put new ones, or a place for keepers after I've read them. Also, I need options and ideas for bookshelf decor. (Obviously this book shows bookshelf decor galore, but so much of it is a one-man's-trash-is-another-man's-treasure scenario.) Most importantly, I need to know how I can easily display a paperback so that it is upright (not leaning back on a bookrest or stand) with the cover facing outwards, rather than oriented the usual way (spine out). At least the book gave me one idea: curate the selection in the guest bedroom! And it made me think that maybe the relative messiness of my bookshelves is unavoidable.

I saved this photo years ago (I have no memory of where I even came across it) because I loved the vibe and all of the books everywhere. Plus the girl in the chair reminded me of Bookworm Child with her blonde hair. This photo would have been right at home in Books Make a Home.