The bibliophile's dilemma?

[rymenhild]

On the theory that I might have an easier time cleaning my room if books weren't lined up in shaky towers on my desk, piled askew on my bureau, and poking out of the drawers where I supposedly keep my clothing, I decided to start today's cleaning project by sorting my personal library.

Seven hours later, I have discovered half a dozen volumes I'd thought I'd lost, twenty more that I'd utterly forgotten about, and at least four books that actually belong to cryptoquip. (Hey, let me know how you want me to get them back to you!) That said, my room isn't noticeably cleaner, and I still don't have enough shelf space. I suppose I could sell or give away stacks of novels and textbooks that I don't use any more, but I'm not ready to bring myself to do that yet.

Meanwhile, I'm going to stare at the computer for a little while so I don't have to look at the pile of books on my bed that still need to be placed. Or maybe I'll stare at the middle shelf of my second bookshelf on the wall, the large one that's entirely full of books on manuscript studies and palaeography. That shelf makes me happy.

Comments

[the_croupier]

Don't even start with me about book-management issues:

http://www.librarything.com/profile.php?view=the_croupier

That's what happens when you get two Masters with a long period of working in the book trade between them. Aaannd if I recall correctly, my library was about as large as what you're describing during my first grad school stint.

Which means that link may be your future! =)

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

I see. I'm impressed that you got around to cataloguing all of them.

I'm gradually creating an EndNote database for all the books and articles I actually use for research, but going through my non-research books and loading them into LibraryThing just wouldn't be possible for me. For one thing, every time I had to stop and look at a book, I'd end up reading it, and then I'd never be done!

[the_croupier]

Well, I had the added incentives of, a) preparing my apartment for an eventual move this year, and b) wanting to donate as many books I could to the local library book sale--so I wouldn't have to move them.

That kept me going until I was completely done, but you're absolutely right--it was all I could do some days to force myself to stop reading a book I'd forgotten I even had!

Having a large library entails some serious hassles, but the benefits are undeniable.

[tovaks.livejournal.com]

I know how you feel about not wanting to give away books, even if you haven't read them for years and don't intend to read. That said, I'd be happy to give to or find a good home for any books that you do decide to part with.

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

Alas, I am not resigned to giving up books yet. The day may come.

[ashen_key]

My personal library involves three tall bookcases (double-shelved), half a bookcase on my desk (double-shelved) and piles on the floor and desk.

This post has just reminded me that I really need to sort it all out.

[fleurdelis28.livejournal.com]

The mere idea of a shelf of palaeography makes me happy, and I have only vague ideas of what it even is.

I have found, oddly, that no matter how much shelf space I acquire, I never have room for all the books I own, and always end up with at least one shaky tower (though usually on the floor). This may be because the shelf I intended for a given book is already full, but I can't entirely explain it.

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

Palaeography is old writing or, in this case, the study of old writing.

The puzzle of placing your books sounds like a problem that can only be solved by some application of mechanics, physics or topology.

[elettaria.livejournal.com]

I also find that as soon as I buy more bookcases and move all the books along a bit so that they're no longer so cramped on each shelf that you can't fit any news books in, the books expand to fit the shelves and you still don't end up with any empty shelves.

My current estimate for the number of books I own is a relatively modest 1200. My boyfriend, who may well have more than that but can't tell because they're mostly in crates right now, may be moving in at the end of August. I live in a one-bedroom flat. This could be fun.

[prosewitch.livejournal.com]

Oh dear--I hear you on the piles o' books. I can't even get within a few feet of my desk due to the piles. I am hoping to pick up a new bookshelf when I move in less than a month, but I don't think I can take the time off from thesis-writing to catalogue my books other than attempting to have the folklore ones together, the gender-y ones together, fiction together, and so on...

[flintknappy.livejournal.com]

Gender is kind of a research interest of mine. Have any that you'd care to recommend?

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

Hey, that's enough, as long as you can find them.

[cupenny.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean-- I'm in the process of cleaning my room as well. I have shelves full of books I DON'T read, and piles of books I DO read on the floor. Soon, there will be moving many books up to the attic, and hopefully I'll have room on the shelves again. Or so I hope. Eh.

(Ultimately, I'm hoping to have my desk cleared off so I can set up my new comp. I'm getting there. Slowly.)

[(Anonymous)]

Bookshelves and piles of books have always been an issue for me.. My collection is spread through the house.. new acquisitions tend to float by my bedside or downstairs on various surfaces, older works circulate from the basement to the bedroom. Library books intermix. Thank god I'm not relegated to just one room. :)

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

If I had a house, my books would take up the whole place. Actually, there are probably about three hundred books of mine scattered about my parents' house yet.

(By the way, I can usually figure out who the posters of anonymous comments are, but in this case I have no idea. Do I know you?)

[the-paper-nun.livejournal.com]

whoops,that was me...

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

Ah! The mysterious person with a house full of books! Duh. *facepalms*