Well, if you are having fun playing with it, great! But Jinx said she LIKED the bookcase, didn't she? I think it will be an AsIs sale. Right, Jinx?

Springroz, YES! ❤️

Mtn, listen to my bestie Springroz, who is also the smartest poster on this board.

(I remove my dustjackets, too. I like the look much better.)

One tip I loved is to remove the dust jackets.

Just be aware that, if dealing with modern first editions, a huge amount of the value is in the dust jacket, the more pristine the better. This doesn't apply to most people's bookshelves, but I just wanted to put it out there as a point of information.

I have a very average book collection so most (if not all) dust jackets are removed. I may have saved a few but most got thrown out after awhile. I do prefer the look.

She also implied IIRC to get rid of, or shelve separately, paper backs. They never look as "neat" as hardback. And my own rule, no red anything

My parents who had literally thousands of books, I think it peaked at about 7000-8000 max at a time, because when we sold the house it was 5000+ and there was a net flow Out before that:

My dad would only read hardcover, and he was usually reading multiple books at the same time. So if they lent out a book and they wanted it back they would take off the dust jacket to lend it out, so they knew that it was out. It also prevented by dad from buying the same book over because he forgot he had it. If they did not want the book back, they would give it away with the dust jacket. They also took really good care of books and did not like torn dust jackets or dirty books so not only did keeping the dust jacket prevent someone else from tearing it, it covered the binding back up if the binding came back a little scuffed.

Having handled them multliple times now, I am so over books. (and I read a lot!)

I still prefer to read physical books but OTOH I think it is so wasteful to buy a new book.

With the exception of children's books or those titles where the dust jacket is truly attractive I have always thought that most books looked better without the dust jacket. Think of the traditional leather bound volumes that populate historic libraries. The books aren't sitting there screaming in garish neon colors and oversize print calling attention to themselves as if to say - "read me!" The paper dust jacket will quickly show signs of wear and tear unless you use a clear jacket protector.

When my kids were little I sometimes used a slip-cover to extend the life of the paper jacket. You can buy it by the roll, or individually, they even make clear jackets for paperbacks and fabric covers too.

In our last house DH had his own office/den off the kitchen with a 10' bookcase. When we moved I was happy to weed though and only retain the ones that meant something to us. In this house all of our books are in a huge walk-in closet in DH's loft/office.

I don't think I've picked up a physical book in over a year. I don't buy new ones but instead download them onto my iPad.

https://www.amazon.com/book-dust-jacket-covers/s?k=book+dust+jacket+covers

I removed my dust jackets years ago. Less clutter-y looking without. I've also turned mine around backwards - pages facing out. I know that it's not "normal" but it gives a more cohesive, neutral look.

DH said he would never go to a Kindle, but guess who has loved his Kindle for years now. I have no regrets donating almost all of our books during out last move. Notice, almost all.

All covers off; 50% purged, again. Realize i have a bookcase in the LR, 2 in the office, one for cookbooks, and more in kids's rooms. Not fun anymore

Well if you had listened to me . . . LOL! There was a thread a while back and I mentioned I remove dust jackets. A few did not agree. TBH, we only have one smallish bookshelf in our office. I have an antique ice chest in the great room where we have some books stored and also shelves in an old armoire where we have a few more stored. We do not keep alot of books on hand. I love antique books and the beautiful covers they used to have (before dust jackets!!). I have a few displayed here and there. Like Allison, we donated a good many books a few years back.

Well, you can give to me and don't have to worry about it............

Wow. It Looks Great. :)

DH thinks i am craz-ee. There may have been an eye rolling after he walked away.

Where's the hahahahah button?

I like it! Arapahoing might just catch on!

ETA Loving the gilded pages too...

Tina Marie, I wholeheartedly agree about the love of old book covers and bindings. I’ve always been interested in book cover designs, then and now. They can be a beautiful art form. Ok, that’s one of my nerdy idiosyncrasies exposed!

Mtn, do you have fruit on your books in that bookcase?? I would remove that even if it is fake and remove the candle also, to eliminate the incongruity factor. I would also turn the books around and add more of them 😎

Yes, and that is the first time that has been asked; "...do you have fruit on your books in that bookcase?"

It turns out, believe it or not, I have a tchotchke shortfall. A dearth of doodads. I am just grabbing at things, including marble peaches which could roll off and leave a cannonball-like indent in my floors.

Incongruous, you say? You mean you don't read by candlelight whilst slurping on peaches?

I might scour the house looking for more stuff, but any doodads I might find are already busy doodadding wherever they are, amirite?

Everytime I walk past this thing now I do something to it. First I threw out all the jackets. Then, I turned them around ... which meant I could've kept the jackets. Next I might chalk paint the whole thing, books and trinkets included.

But rest assured, it is on its way out.

She would turn the books around and add more. Go duke it out with Arapaho.

I decided a few years ago that I should not keep books that I have read. If you loved a book, why not give it awayso that someone else can enjoy it? I can think of exactly 3 books that I have read more than once. I did keep those three books. I agree with taking the dust jackets off but in my very humble opinion, turning the books spine to the back of the shelf is very form over function and doesn't speak to me of someone who loves books, but more loves Pintrest.

Hey, duke it out w Arapaho. I am totally blaming her. She's an awful, no good, terrible book-turner-lady. I've always suspected as much.

I love books. But I love reading them. I don't necessarily like looking at the same ones i liked reading!

Marti, love your shelves with plates!