I find myself reorganizing my bookshelves with the seasons or with my moods, and because of this, they're all mixed together now, and I don't have a running list of what I still need to read. And I daresay that at least a third of the books on my shelves are unread. I'm a spontaneous book buyer. If I see it and I want it, I usually buy it, funds willing.
I also can't say no to a good sale. Or Half Price Books. Or review copies. But I digress.
I really want to make my dream library a reality. And being the organized person I am, I want to catalog ALL THE BOOKS. Looking at my shelves, I can tell you what I haven't read at a glance. But when I'm trying to decide on my next read, I want to have choices...I want to know all my options. I'd also like to know which books I've passed on more than a few times so I can find a better home for them.
This also means I'll be reorganizing my bookshelves again in the very near future. I keep changing it up...alphabetical order, favorites, read vs. not read. I sort of want to color-code my shelves, but then I'd never be able to find anything. Okay, that's not entirely true. I kind of have a photographic memory and can easily recall the covers of books I've read or am at least somewhat familiar with. But still. That's not really organized, and it would end up peeving me rather quickly, resulting in another weekend spent organizing.
I want to get all of this done in the next few weeks -- at least the reorganizing part -- because I want to show off my shelves. I've had a request or two for a bookshelf tour, and though I doubt I could ever gather enough courage to appear in such a video, I'd be more than happy to share my shelves with you guys. Also, I've never counted my books, so I'll finally know just how many books I own. (I'm currently giving away three boxes - which equates to 22 books -- if you're interested.)This is kind of a big undertaking, and I probably should have made it one of my resolutions so that when I finish, I can say I've accomplished something off that list. Either way, I'm pretty excited about this endeavor. And if nothing else, it'll help me with Resolution #1, which was to read more for pleasure. Which, for me, means hitting up some of those books that are sitting on my shelf collecting dust and feeling unloved. :( And all books need a little love...
I like the idea of organising your books. If that was me how i av organised mine is by genre. As if u fancy a romance go to that section. I would then put the books i had read at the end of genre but as im in the process of moving home at the moment all my read books r in a big box. I have also put my book within each genre in page order as if u feel a light read i pick a smaller book.
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to do it by genre, too. But some books fall in more than one, ya know?
DeleteI colour coded my shelves once! (Okay, they were the household shelves and my mum couldn't find a thing so I had to put it back.) But it was AWESOME while it lasted. They just look so brilliant! :) Who can say no to a half-price book sale, though? Not possible, right?
ReplyDeleteI bet it was gorgeous! I still might do it just for a bit, just to see the pretty. :)
DeleteHow about sorting by genre and then alphabetically within that. When you finish a book a little sticker can be placed on it (something easily removable) and then you'll know at an easy glance which you still need to finish. Good luck with your endeavor!
ReplyDeleteI have considered that. But first, there's the whole issue of which genre some books actually fall in, because some straddle the lines. I did do the sticker thing before, though I marked all my unread books and removed stickers as I read them. I don't know...I'm a list maker, and so I really just want to put it all into an easily accessible spreadsheet. I'm such a spreadsheet nerd!
DeleteJen, Your library is a wonderful dream and my dream as well. I find myself sometimes lost in thought and almost paralyzed with ideas of how I would build and beautiful library of my very own. As a Realtor whenever I go into a house, I have to admit my first thought is where do they keep their books, what do they like to read and always sneak a peek and then, I hate to admit, I find myself imagining if I owned that house how I would change it to make a most perfect library. Then reality sets in and I remember I have my own dream of the perfect library just waiting for me at home.
ReplyDeleteHehe...I love sneaking peeks at others' libraries. I often find myself just perusing images of libraries on the internet, too. :) Having your own library is a beautiful dream, isn't it?
DeleteI love your card catalogue idea. Takes me back to my youth and the library. =*(
ReplyDeleteRight? I remember being fascinated by the card catalog at my public library when I was a kid. :) Now I just need to buy one of those candles that smells like books and the transformation will be complete. :D
DeleteI just bought three new bookcases, and I can tell you that my organizing is very haphazard. I do have authors/series together, but beyond that, there's really no organization. Part of it is because I don't like things to be too matchy-matchy, so I like books of differing heights together, and I like a mix of hardcovers and paperbacks.
ReplyDeleteI think a card catalog is an awesome idea, if only because it would be such a great decorative piece!
Stephanie @ Inspiring Insomnia
My bookcases are pretty jumbled. I started alphabetizing once and got through the first 3 sets of shelves, but then started running out of room and I never leave enough space so there's no room when I buy a new book so I abandoned the project. So 75% of my books are alphabetized and the rest are just in giant piles in front of those books or on the last two sets of shelves (although one of those is nonfiction, so at least there is a theme there). I would love a real library. Yes, with the rolling stairs and the fire place and the comfy chairs and sofas. Windows looking out onto the ocean or field or lake or mountains...or whatever awesome outdoor scenery this imaginary house has. Sigh. Someday. Good luck with your project!
ReplyDeleteGreat goal and good luck on your organizing venture. I am very disorganized in my personal 'library' All my books are together by series but they are everywhere. I have 3 bookcases in my bedroom and there's really no telling what gets put where. I just try to squeeze them in. I have dreamed of it being color coded but couldn't break series apart. Some how that is just a peeve of mine. The series HAS to be together and in order. The biggest thing about books and a library--dust. I feel like my house is trying to smother me with the dust and I'm in a constant battle to defeat it...but alas...it is always back. I don't know how to keep my bookcases clean of it without a lot of labor on my part...much too lazy for that.
ReplyDeleteThe wish to someday have a fantastic home library is the single worst contributor to my book buying addiction. (It's my biggest Pinterest board.) Were it not for that, my shelves would not be half so full as they are. I love the idea of getting organized, though! (Usually with other people's houses. Mine can stay a mess so I know where everything is. ^^) I wonder, depending on the level of detail you want on the spreadsheet, do you think a GoodReads shelf thing-y might be comparable/easier? But I do love the look/idea of a card catalog. But they're so expensive! Oh well, supply and demand I suppose. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have to believe that anyone with more than one shelf of books actually dreams of having a true home library. I've seen some 'to die for' photos online too. We have book shelves in every room of the house (except for the bathrooms) and I'd LOVE to clear out the back bedroom and line the walls with shelves, have a comfy loveseat and hey, do they reeeally make candles that smell like books? I *need* some of those!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book organizing... looking forward to seeing photos when you're done!
I love organizing my books, too! But right now I really need to buy more bookcases, because a bunch of them are just in piles on the floor since there's no room. So I'm kind of stuck with what I have for now. But a couple of months ago I totally redid it all and it looks pretty nice (at least the books actually IN the shelves) right now, so I'm happy with it until I can get more.
ReplyDeleteI just rearranged my shelves a few weeks ago by favorite, like and dislike. Although, I do like the idea of color coordinated :)
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the wooden shelves with rolling ladder dream *sigh* Maybe if I win the lottery and ever have a permanent appartment. But I'd love to see your shelves! I also kind of admire how organized you are! Spreadsheets and stuff are a horror to me. My books (and CDs) do have organization, but I'm not sure it'd be obvious to that many people. Alphabetically would never work for me. I usually do it by 'feeling', which means I put books/series together partly by author and partly by what books I think fit together well or would 'like' each other (if they were people). I also have my hardcovers separately and try to have books of the same height together. But yeah, it's sort of messy, also because I don't have enough space and I'll have to move house (again -__-) in a few months so there's not really a point in buying a new shelf. As for read/unread, I now have the unread ones on a smaller shelf in my bedroom, but I used to put them on the regular shelf but pull them out a bit so I'd immediately see what's read and what isn't. Color coding looks really cool, but not having books of the same series together would rive me nuts!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, once you're done organizing I'd love to see the results :)
Mine are loosely grouped into mg, adult, and then ya. But it's hard to keep them that way. Pretty sure they throw wild book parties at night... =)
ReplyDeleteThis is AWESOME. I am very, very excited for you, my goodness. I can't wait to see your pictures and hear about how your progress is! SPREADSHEETS. Ah, you're talking my heart ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to organize my shelves but alas with the impending doom of a move in the near future, I haven't unpacked my books since I moved out of my boyfriend's place and into my parents place. It's been chaotic. I have clothes still packed and my poor kitty will eventually need to seek counselling for some serious case of PTSM (post traumatic stress-induced moving). But I've resolved in buying a lovely condo that will either have built in shelving *drool* or I will layer a wall with awesome book shelves that I can keep more than just books on (gasp and aw it is possible).
ReplyDeleteThis is really exciting! I wish I could do something more like this with my books. Mine are a complete mess because I ran out of room on my shelves and well, I don't even have room for another shelf. :( Books are crammed everywhere. The only organization I have is one shelf for read and one for unread. lol
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