Personal Libraries

[ClassicMan1966]

I'm building up a collection of James Bond and Tarzan books. Most are in paperback, but I do have a few in hardcover. Have all of the Ian Fleming novels except for Goldfinger, Dr. No, and Thunderball. Almost halfway done on my Tarzan collection.

[MisterCairo]

To reply to the original question posed by someone I believe doesn't even post here anymore, I too prefer hardcover, first editions where possible, and use book store sales and seconds bins, ebay, kijiji, and so on, to get hardcovers of volumes I bought originally in paperback.

Another good way to give books surplus to requirements a good home (in addition to hospital and goodwill-type donations) is the "give it away and track it around the world" option of www.bookcrossing.com:

You can "release" your books and (hopefully!) keep track of where they end up!

[Decodence]

PART of the home library. Much more in my office/museum.

[RetroPat]

Decodence, love your Easton Press collection. Very beautiful books.

[Decodence]

Decodence, love your Easton Press collection. Very beautiful books.

They are just as beautiful inside. Make for some very good reads.

[WH1]

This was my project for the last 2 weekends. I built it out of 3/4" oak plywood with solid oak trim and shelves. It measures 72" wide x 12" deep x 84" tall. I had been wanting to put one in my office for several years so I was very pleased with the result.



The Zenith console is a 1940 model 8S563 I was fortunate to get recently and the lamp is an original that I cleaned up and rewired after getting it at an auction for $3.

[Harp]

Nice work.
And that Zenith is gorgeous.

[Dexter'sDame]

Because my bookshelves are in the living room on a prominent wall, I prefer hardcovers and have been slowly converting my library over to them. The only exceptions are books that are not available in hardcover (which are kept in a small bookshelf in the hall), or "traveling" books I read and give away quickly.

As a renter, I too am a fan of Ikea Billy bookcases, because they're durable and are available in so many sizes and configurations. I've left them plain but have seen people do amazing things with them by adding molding. If I owned the place I'd probably do this too.

A favorite flyleaf inscription in my library is in a 1936 copy of Gone With the Wind There was something sweet about it that made me buy the book: "To our good friend Shep From Therese. December 25- 1936."

[Gilboa]

I LOVE books! When I lived nearer to London I spent days and days in the hidden away 2nd hand book stores (in between visits to conveniently placed pubs).

All my books are factual: Clothing History, General History, Design of all kind, Music, Referrence ... etc etc ...

Only exception: graphic novels (which I do love) and also comics.


Most of my books are hardbacks (due to age) but it can be rather painful when falling asleep on your back while reading: as soon as one nods off: 'bang' It wakes me up every time

[MikeBravo]

As a renter, I too am a fan of Ikea Billy bookcases, because they're durable and are available in so many sizes and configurations. I've left them plain but have seen people do amazing things with them by adding molding. If I owned the place I'd probably do this too.

apparently a few years Ikea took the Billy of their list. There were so many complaints that they had to put it back on again