its so easy to enjoy the process of buying a stack of books that sound interesting, but i find that it sometimes comes with the guilt of either spending too much money or not reading them fast enough. and the joy of just going to a bookstore to pick up a book you're in the mood for right now and going home to read it immediately is unmatched. i often remind myself that the books aren't going anywhere, and i can take my time to find what books i want to read. so that i can organically and slowly build a collection that truly reflects me. wonderful article!!
Yes to all of the above. I used to torment myself with books I "should" read, but I think part of that was because I just didn't know what I really liked. I'm old enough to have dealt with really gendered books as a kid, but I didn't like the typical "books for girls" (romance or family centered, which are both fine, but not the only thing I want to read). I got rid of almost everything I owned a couple of years ago and now I just have what truly makes me happy. My bookshelf is organized by 3 categories: art, crafts, and nature (non-fiction, fiction, poetry all mixed in together, because why not?!). I don't have a favourite because they all serve different purposes (and speak to the many different aspects of my life/heart). Most books I read are given away because I only keep select ones. Honestly, my only rule for keeping a book is that if it feels a little bit special, why not hang on to it, even if it's just for a little while. And, most importantly, I quit books. Easily 20% of everything I pick up gets abandoned half read. I don't have time to force myself to read things I'm not enjoying (unless it's an important topic or someone I trust says it's worth persevering).
Mine is a mixture of Aesthetic and Organizer 😂 we live in a small flat so having lots of books is a bit of a space luxury.
I tend to rotate my books quite heavily. If I'm not borrowing from my library (mines temporarily closed for refurbishment) I'm buying secondhand. Books I've outgrown or not interested in I pass on to friends, donate, or trade in. I love World of Books - for buying and trading in old reads. If I bring in new books, I typically select a couple of books that will move out.
I have been splurging on some new books recently, from a researcher in psychology I love, Meg-John Barker, and also finally bought a couple of Andrea Gibson's books - because how could I not after their passing 💚
I added you on Goodreads, and I just want to say that I love Gathering Moss! It was the first book I was able to stick with and finish after a hard loss in my life, and I fell in love with her writing.
My bookshelf is mostly organized by category - sci fi/fantasy on the top shelf, fiction, classics, travel, religion, languages, photo albums, bigger nature, art and coffee table books on the bottom. (So all genres lol) I briefly had it organized by colour but then switched back when we moved. My LEAST favourite is the spines-in style. Not only is it boring and monochromatic but also USELESS. 😆
"And it reminded me: I want my bookshelf to reflect me. Not the latest BookTok haul. Not what I “should” be reading." - THIS! I am the first to admit that I sometimes fall into the BookTok wormhole, but recently I started browsing the library and my local bookstore without a specific book in mind and simply pick what sounds interesting. I found so many great reads that way. And through that my bookshelf looks like all the versions of me, colorful, lots of knick-knacks and even more personality. 🧡
Looooooove it, Annika <3 and honestly I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Booktok! I think it’s just a lot more fun to go on your own journey with books—to browse the library and the bookstore and to discover books you’ve never heard of before! Just how you said. Love this comment :) thanks for sharing!
I'm always between books reading 2-3 at the time from different categories depending on the mood. At the moment I'm reading The herbal Clinician, The 5 love languages and Devotions by Mary Oliver
its so easy to enjoy the process of buying a stack of books that sound interesting, but i find that it sometimes comes with the guilt of either spending too much money or not reading them fast enough. and the joy of just going to a bookstore to pick up a book you're in the mood for right now and going home to read it immediately is unmatched. i often remind myself that the books aren't going anywhere, and i can take my time to find what books i want to read. so that i can organically and slowly build a collection that truly reflects me. wonderful article!!
Yes to all of the above. I used to torment myself with books I "should" read, but I think part of that was because I just didn't know what I really liked. I'm old enough to have dealt with really gendered books as a kid, but I didn't like the typical "books for girls" (romance or family centered, which are both fine, but not the only thing I want to read). I got rid of almost everything I owned a couple of years ago and now I just have what truly makes me happy. My bookshelf is organized by 3 categories: art, crafts, and nature (non-fiction, fiction, poetry all mixed in together, because why not?!). I don't have a favourite because they all serve different purposes (and speak to the many different aspects of my life/heart). Most books I read are given away because I only keep select ones. Honestly, my only rule for keeping a book is that if it feels a little bit special, why not hang on to it, even if it's just for a little while. And, most importantly, I quit books. Easily 20% of everything I pick up gets abandoned half read. I don't have time to force myself to read things I'm not enjoying (unless it's an important topic or someone I trust says it's worth persevering).
Mine is a mixture of Aesthetic and Organizer 😂 we live in a small flat so having lots of books is a bit of a space luxury.
I tend to rotate my books quite heavily. If I'm not borrowing from my library (mines temporarily closed for refurbishment) I'm buying secondhand. Books I've outgrown or not interested in I pass on to friends, donate, or trade in. I love World of Books - for buying and trading in old reads. If I bring in new books, I typically select a couple of books that will move out.
I have been splurging on some new books recently, from a researcher in psychology I love, Meg-John Barker, and also finally bought a couple of Andrea Gibson's books - because how could I not after their passing 💚
I added you on Goodreads, and I just want to say that I love Gathering Moss! It was the first book I was able to stick with and finish after a hard loss in my life, and I fell in love with her writing.
My bookshelf is mostly organized by category - sci fi/fantasy on the top shelf, fiction, classics, travel, religion, languages, photo albums, bigger nature, art and coffee table books on the bottom. (So all genres lol) I briefly had it organized by colour but then switched back when we moved. My LEAST favourite is the spines-in style. Not only is it boring and monochromatic but also USELESS. 😆
"And it reminded me: I want my bookshelf to reflect me. Not the latest BookTok haul. Not what I “should” be reading." - THIS! I am the first to admit that I sometimes fall into the BookTok wormhole, but recently I started browsing the library and my local bookstore without a specific book in mind and simply pick what sounds interesting. I found so many great reads that way. And through that my bookshelf looks like all the versions of me, colorful, lots of knick-knacks and even more personality. 🧡
Looooooove it, Annika <3 and honestly I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Booktok! I think it’s just a lot more fun to go on your own journey with books—to browse the library and the bookstore and to discover books you’ve never heard of before! Just how you said. Love this comment :) thanks for sharing!
Just love this! I'm a nature lover / whimsical. 😅
I'm always between books reading 2-3 at the time from different categories depending on the mood. At the moment I'm reading The herbal Clinician, The 5 love languages and Devotions by Mary Oliver
Hahaha i love that — I’m the same way! Is there any other way to do it, honestly?
Literary Sentimentalist 😌 such a good idea for a post Rose!
I used to organize my books by author. Now I am a little more prone to put them in my shelf by theme and genre!
Thank youuuu <3 love a literary sentimentalist hehe
I’m an Organized Sentimental Collector. A large portion of my library is antique books.
It’s too difficult to choose any favorite.
I’m currently enjoying
More Beautiful Than Before by Steve
Leder
and
An Evening When Alone: Four Journals of Single Women in the South 1827-1867 edited by Michael O’Brien
loved this! I am a sentimentalist ♡
omg I love that 🤗 is there a specific title you have in mind with a great origin story? Would love to hear