The Reading Challenge Group discussion

Have you ever been in someone else's house and found yourself drawn to their bookcase? Do you enjoy checking out what other people have on their shelves? Have you perhaps never had the opportunity, but you know you would if you could?

On the other hand, do you like it when you catch someone being nosy and checking out what's on YOUR bookcase?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, post a picture of your bookcase so that we can be nosy, too! Or if you don't have a bookcase, can't take a picture of it, or just don't feel like sharing, look around online for a picture of a bookcase that you think you would LIKE to have, and post that instead! Let's fill this thread with so much bookcase-lovin' that we're drooling all over our keyboards with bookcase-envy. :D

(If you're not sure how to post a pic, click here for a tutorial.)

To start us off, here are mine (they're bigger on Photobucket if you click on them and then on the zoom icon) -

I am so bad. I cant walk past a bookcase without looking at it. I will even talk to someone while I check out their books. I even say I want to look. I don't even bother sneaking a peak. As far as my bookcase, I don't like when someone looks at mine. I feel like I am being judged. My children have taken over my bookcase and my books are on the floor on my side of the bed now so people don't often see them. I even get upset when someone browses the books on my kindle.

I've been to my uncle's house and his bookcase had The Hobbit, Stephen King and others. Sorry I can't post a pic. I love looking at my bookcase but that's it. I don't borrow books from others cuz if they are autographed I don't touch them. I'm the same with mine cuz a lot of my books are autographed ones.

I have a library, which is my favourite part of the house! I'm having some issues posting a pic but I'll post again if I get it sorted out. Originally, I had a small stack of books that was my TBR pile, but that has since grown into it's own bookshelf that is double stacked across the top shelf. What can I say, too many books, so little time?!

I don't mind when people read my bookshelf but I do get defensive if people question some of my choices. I read all kinds of book and I'm proud of it! One of my favourite things to do is to read people's shelves, I just can't resist whenever I see one!

We have our biggest bookshelf in the living room for viewing eyes. It has all of the "good books", books deemed favorites by myself or the significant other, or also books that are just complete series. In the bedroom and den we have more, smaller bookshelves where the liked but not favorite books are stored. I don't mind others looking at my main bookshelf. The books are sorted that way for a reason. They're books I would recommend.



This is my living room book shelf. I'm especially proud of the raven on top. That was a Target find. It makes the bookshelf so much more ominous.

Yes, I have bookshelves in every room of my house, but my laptop is not uploading pictures. Will have to take this to the Geek Squad or something like that. I do wish my shelves looked quite as neat as all of your beautiful shelves do. I do not mind if people read my book shelves, but I'm hesitant to loan books, since most people don't respect them; meaning the books don't get returned. I love home libraries, every home should have one!

And yes, I'm also drawn to the bookshelves of others; not to judge, just to get ideas for me and to see what other people are passionate about reading. It makes for a great starting point in conversation. :)

I could say more on this subject of stacks, bookshelves, and libraries, but it might just show how book crazy I am.

I can't pass by a bookcase without taking a good look at it. I am not ashamed to look either, and will probably do it without asking. I don't mind people looking through my bookcase either!

I would be too embarrassed to show my stack of books. Some in two bookcases, some on the windowsill in my bedroom, on top of the wardrobe in two bedrooms......well let's just be honest here and say almost on any available surface!

Iasa wrote: "well I found out my camera isn't working, guess I should use it more. I always browse bookshelves and I don't mind if people look at mine.

I do have a six or seven actual bookcases but for the m..."

I have stacks everywhere, too, haha! And a box full of unread used-bookstore finds. I tend to only shelve books once I've read them, and I'm terrible for borrowing and buying tons of books when I've already got more than enough to read. I'll need a new bookcase once I get all these books read!

Kassandra wrote: "I have a library, which is my favourite part of the house! I'm having some issues posting a pic but I'll post again if I get it sorted out. Originally, I had a small stack of books that was my TBR ..."

A library! I hope you can get your pic issues sorted out, because I'm dying to see it!

Chase wrote: "We have our biggest bookshelf in the living room for viewing eyes. It has all of the "good books", books deemed favorites by myself or the significant other, or also books that are just complete s..."

LOL That raven is AWESOME. :D

Ohhh, I love your top shelf, Chase - I see the Hunger Games series, Sherlock Holmes, Rebecca... very nice. Is that Dune I see further down? Yep, I can see how this is your "good books" bookcase!

Melissa wrote: "Yes, I have bookshelves in every room of my house, but my laptop is not uploading pictures. Will have to take this to the Geek Squad or something like that. I do wish my shelves looked quite as nea..."

Ugh, I hate it when people don't return a book. It's funny how the most common excuse is "I moved, and now I don't know where it is." Give the borrowed books back BEFORE you move, people! You can always borrow them again later.

I never judge when I'm looking at bookshelves either. I'm too busy doing a mental checklist - "Read that. Haven't read that. Must ask to borrow that. Never heard of that. OHMIGOSH JEALOUS OF THAT." etc. ;)

Irene wrote: "I would be too embarrassed to show my stack of books. Some in two bookcases, some on the windowsill in my bedroom, on top of the wardrobe in two bedrooms......well let's just be honest here and say..."

Aw, don't be embarrassed - your house sounds like a wonderland!

I am soooo jealous of your tidy bookcases Faye and Chase :) I moved house about 6 months ago and as I had less room I took two or 3 crates of books to charity. Only have one bookcase of 'physical' books now - sets, and classics, everything else is on the kindle

This is the greatest thread ever for a nosey person like me. :D Have my bookcases! Click the pics to make them bigger and to have a nose at the titles. :)

http://www.tumblr.com/reblog/80187030...

and http://www.tumblr.com/reblog/80187586...

:)

I always check out other people's bookcases. I find it gives me insight into them. I don't mind if others do the same to mine, but I suspect that they might not get any insight into mine except how eclectic a reader I am...and how many books are from other people because I am a bookcrosser, sharing books all over tge world.

It's almost an addiction, as soon as I walk into someone's house I head straight for the book shelf. Even my best friends who I visit at least twice a week... I have to check just in case she's purchased something new!!!

I have a book case in almost every room of the house and I love it when people go to have a nose through them it always leads to conversations about books & I have discovered some amazing authors this way.

Here are my bookshelves! I love looking at other people's bookshelves when I get the chance and I do like when I catch people looking through my shelves. :)

Francine wrote: "Here are my bookshelves! I love looking at other people's bookshelves when I get the chance and I do like when I catch people looking through my shelves. :)"

Um... I may want to come and live at your house, Francine. SO MANY BOOKS, OHMIGOSH. :P

I love all the hardbacks! And I notice you have a shelf of L.M. Montgomerys, same as me! Awesome. :)

Francine wrote: "Here are my bookshelves! I love looking at other people's bookshelves when I get the chance and I do like when I catch people looking through my shelves. :)

I love all of your bookshelves. A house needs bookshelves filled with all kinds of wonderful books to be a home. Of course, there are a few other requirements, too. But that is the basic one! Thanks for letting us peek into your library, it was fun. :)

Faye wrote: "Francine wrote: "Here are my bookshelves! I love looking at other people's bookshelves when I get the chance and I do like when I catch people looking through my shelves. :)"

Um... I may want to c..."

Most of my L.M. Montgomery books are unfortunately still on my TBR list, but I hope that will soon be remedied! :)

Sandy wrote: "Francine wrote: "Here are my bookshelves! I love looking at other people's bookshelves when I get the chance and I do like when I catch people looking through my shelves. :)

You are well-stocked,..."

Oh no! I hope that they are not in storage for much longer and that you can fill them up with great books once again!

Melissa wrote: "Francine wrote: "Here are my bookshelves! I love looking at other people's bookshelves when I get the chance and I do like when I catch people looking through my shelves. :)

I love all of your bo..."

I totally agree. There is something so home-y about a house filled with books! :)

Have you ever been in someone else's house and found yourself drawn to their bookcase? Do you enjoy checking out what other people have on their shelves? Have you perhaps never had the opportunity, but you know you would if you could?

No, I can't say that I have or that I would. I don't even really browse the shelves at my library. I select books by recommendation or review, reserve them at the library, pick them up when they come in, read them, and return them when I'm done.

On the other hand, do you like it when you catch someone being nosy and checking out what's on YOUR bookcase?

Would not bother me in the least if someone did this, but they'd find most of my books relatively boring - they're things like textbooks, reference books, repair manuals, dictionaries, photo albums, and scrapbooks with an occasional novel tossed in here and there. Nothing to "show off" really.

We have a floor to ceiling bookshelf that covers the entire living room wall plus our own favourites on a shelf or two in our rooms. So everyone always notices the books and quiet often we have had people guess who owns what.

Want.

Lindsay wrote: "
Want."

Oh man,that would be a-maz-ing! My own little reading nook. :)

At the last count each member of my family had 2 choke-full bookcases. I have solved my space for books issues by buying a kindle.

I love browsing books but I consider this intimate, I would not search through or comment on someone else's bookcase; with shops and libraries it's a different story: I spend hours there.

For now I have just these two bookcases. I really need to go out and buy a third. I would love to have a small library type room in my house someday. The photos are bigger and much easier to see if you click on them and view them on Photobucket.

I don't have a book case, all my books are on my Kindle, which would make for a boring picture .

I AM really nosey about what other people are reading ,so I'd definitely look on other people's bookshelves to see what they have .
I also like to see what people are reading in public ,if I see someone sitting someplace reading, I try to see what they are reading, and sometimes just go up and ask them !

I love to check out the bookshelves when I'm at someone's house, I'm just immediately drawn to it. Even looking for it. Not many people I know read as much as I do so when I get a chance to see it I'm all up in it.

If someone were to come and see my bookshelf and check it out, I'd love it. I'm just very hesitant to lend out my books because I never get them back or I get them back damaged.

I'd post a picture but it just seems like so much to do on this computer for some reason.

I have a tall five shelf bookcase with most of my taller books on there. It's packed. I put them in alphabetical order by author. On the way top I have my boyfriend's bibles. Not on the shelves though.
And laying on top of the books that are on the shelves I have his Stephen King books spread out for now.


I also have a smaller three shelf bookcase where I have some of my taller books and all of my small books. They'd look awkward in the other case. But it's even more packed on there. These are also in alphabetical order. The last shelf has a row in the front and behind it because I have way too many to fit. And laying on the second shelf I have a few books that are called Select Editions that have three books in it just in tiny print.

I need another tall five shelf one, maybe even a few more shelves or at least a little wider. Lol. Then my boyfriend can have the small one for his few books... until I need another bookcase lol.

My bookcase is the Kindle and the cloud. :)

I always snoop to see what people have on thier bookshelves. It's like a window into their personality.

I mostly read on my iPad now, so before our last move we donated almost everything on our bookshelves. We had 3-4 FULL tall ikea shelves. Now I have about a shelf worth in my desk (it has a built in bookshelf on one side) and and a few piles on coffee and end tables. I only kept the things that had special meaning and/or picture/coffee table books I could display.

I have built in book shelves along a 15ft wall in my den. That's where my non-educational books go. There is a a separate bookshelf with my text and reference books from college and any other business related books.

I like to think of books as both entertainment and home decor. You can never have a bland home if there are books inside.

I'm in the middle of packing for a relocation at the moment, so I can't post a picture of my bookshelf, but I will as soon as I am in the new house!

All my books are still in storage due to my Dad having so many books....and general stuff....that I have nopwhere to put them since I came back from the UK - 4 1/2 years ago! Aaaaarrrrggghhhhh!!!!

Yes, I perve at people's bookcases - very instructive - and no, I don't like people interfering with my books or looking at them, especially at whatever I am reading; it feels intrusive. So, it's ok for me to psych you out from a look at your books - but don't expect to get to psych me out by return!

I'm very fair minded, as you can tell ;)

Argh my bookshelf is upstairs :(

My entertaining room is my library LOL so everyone looks at all my books, and I don't mind at all! We usually have a story time too, since I have a lot of short story books, where we all pick a story to share. I'll have to post a few pictures once I have finished unpacking.

Jenny wrote: "My entertaining room is my library LOL so everyone looks at all my books, and I don't mind at all! We usually have a story time too, since I have a lot of short story books, where we all pick a sto..."

Oh, that sounds like a fun thing to do with guests!

I love that! How fun!

Thanks! It is quite fun!

I don't loan my books. One of mine came back with blood on it. Never again

That is gross, Sonya.

Eww Sonya... I would be seriously displeased if that happened to me!

Irene wrote: "I would be too embarrassed to show my stack of books. Some in two bookcases, some on the windowsill in my bedroom, on top of the wardrobe in two bedrooms......well let's just be honest here and say..."

Me too! LOL~ I believe I'm a book addict.

I Always check to see whats on everyones shelves! Gives you something to talk about later on.

I like to look at the books that people have on their shelves. It is a good way to continue or start a conversation.