Customer Reviews

At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The last time I moved, I had the movers weigh our books. We hadover 5 1/2 tons of books.

When you live with a lot of books,they become, by default, a major theme in your decor. This lovely,wonderful book demonstrates ways to incorporate large quantities of books into your life in a way that is stylish and beautiful, but which also permits access to the book you just have to have in your hands, right this second.

The photographs demonstrate just what it means to be a bibiophile, and they provide inspiration to anyone wondering just how to deal with having too many books.

And in the end, feeling that I own too many books is a result of not having a reasonable way to store them all. This book provides ideas which made it possible for me to change my attitude -- no longer an owner of too many books, I am now a book lover at home with my books.

(Plus, reading this book reminds me that there are other people with large, well-read and well-loved libraries. If you are one of them, you will love this book.) END

Where do you put hundreds, a thousand, even several thousand books? Here are some examples from book collectors, writers, and even a Rolling Stone.

"At Home with Books" highlights, with photos and text, more than two dozen offices, libraries, and studies in the U.S. and Great Britain, covering every kind of room where you might want to put a book. From large and impressive home libraries, where the books are more on display than they are for reading, to small offices, where ease-of-use is of key importance, to places where most people wouldn't even think of putting a lot of books, such as kitchens and hallways - nearly every kind of place where you might imagine a book is here.

Magnificent, stately rooms are included as well as the cramped quarters of a poet; the most post-modern designs imaginable to the most traditional. One of the more interesting parts in the book is the home library of Keith Richards, the guitarist for The Rolling Stones and, apparently, an inveterate reader. My personal favorite, though, was the author Frances Fitzgerald's library in her Manhattan apartment that she shares with her journalist husband. It was a room I could imagine putting my own books.

"At Home with Books" also includes useful information on how to care for your books, how to plan a layout for that future library you might build someday, and how to light your library. It has sections on bookplates and binding books, a resource directory on rare book dealers and the great libraries of the world. If you have any interest in books and the rooms they are found in, then look no further.

Because few decorating books address the issues of designing a room for book storage and display, this one immediately appealed to me; perhaps I would get some ideas on how to manage my own collection. I have somewhere around 300 cookbooks, 500 SF/F novels, a few dozen books on writing, at least that many books on woodworking and quilting. All those books have to go SOMEwhere, and the room labeled "family room" on the house floor plan is now what we call the Library. That doesn't count the unpacked boxes of books for which we have no shelves.

However, my expectations were far exceeded.

This book shows a whole bunch of personal (and a few public) libraries, from tight little NYC apartments to huge homes. If you want inspiration on the ways to present your books, and how to intersperse them with other art collections you might own, the book is worth the money right there. And it's certainly great as a coffee-table book for the well-read. But what I didn't expect was how much farther it goes.

At Home With Books is essentially interviews with lots of pictures. Your eye will be drawn to the pictures ("Wow! People with more books than me!" or "This person actually had all his hardcovers bound in _white_ to match the decor?!") but the interviews themselves are often fascinating. You'll read the views of people who run book binderies, who have famous collections, who run a company that makes library ladders.

I got several bits of advice that I can put to use, from how to cull your collection when necessary; one suggestion is to give away the classics in paperback; you can always find another copy of War and Peace at the corner bookshop or in the public library. Another suggestion is to donate books to prisons, a "market" (if that's the right word here) that I had never contemplated. There are long sidebars on building bookshelves, on library lighting, on protecting books from fire and water damage. It's all enlightening and entertaining.

I'm sure that professional librarians will wipe drool off the cover of their own copy of this book. But if you find that you're trying to stuff another paperback onto an already-full shelf, you'll definitely love this book for yourself. Highly recommended.

I start feeling a little proud of my own small collection of books sometimes, but when I grow up, I want to be like the people in this book. Booklovers of many stripes, the men and women (as well as an organization or two) profiled here have truly made their books an integral and intimate -- if not overwhelming -- part of their lives.

The mere fact that they've allowed us to look at their homes, and see how they've chosen to arrange and display their books, would be enough to make this a rewarding browse. As my bride pointed out, these homes haven't been prettied up for the camera like the ones in interior design magazines. These are real, working homes, with books, papers, art, people, and dogs (often pugs, I notice) scattered about. From aristocrats like the Duke of Devonshire to academics like Barbara Kirschenblatt-Gimblett and her awe-inspiring 4,500 square foot "endless corridor of books," small-timers like me can both admire and emulate the decisions they've made.

But there's more to this title too. Informative sections on bespoke bookplates, "the art of the bookshelf," lighting and other library furnishings, and a comprehensive resource directory all make this a useful reference as well as an attractive display book.

This is the same review I posted concerning the paperback edition; in fact I own the hardback, but the books' contents are the same. Only two stars here because the editors did not even bother to make an attractive binding: therefore, the hardback is not a good buy if you insist in having the book.

Having read some of the raving reviews here, and having read the book and possessing a very large library myself, I must say I was somewhat dismayed by the book's contents. The authors seem to try to illustrate many different kinds of libraries, studies and living rooms that function as libraries. This is all right, indeed, this is exactly what I expected. The only trouble is the choice.

Many of the photographed houses seem to have many books but not great book readers. The texts, themselves, give that impression. Also, why were almost only famous people's houses pictured - some of them almost without books at all? The house of a real bookworm is a very different thing from most of the pictured libraries.

If I may put it this way, I would have liked more emphases on books and less on looks. For instance, it is suggested that one might classify books by colour. For anyone that actually uses a library this is almost insulting. Other kind of advice ought to be given: what is the right height of a shelf, what are the more or less standard measures of books, and why this matters (because of space and aesthetic reasons).

Finally, a real book lover cares about bindings, first editions, and typefaces. There is not a single word about the actual "feel" of a book.
Perhaps this is just a very personal opinion. But, having lived with books all my life, I felt this book to be rather superficial. It does not delve into what a book is to its reader or how a book ages, what is different in han-dling incunabula, a Plantin book, a 19th Century small octavo or a modern hardcover or paperback.

I will not say that there were not one or two libraries with which I empathized. I did, in two or perhaps three cases. But the rest seemed about people showing their books off.

If you're a self-proclaimed bibliophile - like I am, then this book is for you. "At Home with Books" is a fascinating look at the world of booklovers.

Books are no longer just for reading or for putting on bookshelves or coffee tables; for some, books are a way of life; they are for reading, admiring, collecting, and displaying. "At Home with Books" was written for people who love books. "At Home with Books" is a combination of interviews with bibliophiles and their ideas on collecting, caring, relocating, tracking, displaying, storing, decorating and much, much mire. The reader will learn how he or she can decorate the home or workplace to display - or show-off their books. According to the authors and the booklovers that lie between the pages of their book, there is no inconceivable spot within a dwelling where books may not be prominently displayed for all to see. Booklovers have no qualms about stacking their cherished books from floor to ceiling, amassing them under a staircase, piling them on tables, desks, nightstands, chairs, sofas, or simply spreading them, tastefully, on the floor . . . there's simply no distasteful way or place to rest your respected books - not even in the lavatory - as long as it is done tastefully.

Booklovers will find the stories interesting, revealing, and inspiring. I particularly enjoyed reading the section entitled "Libraries of Serious Collectors", especially the photos of John and Jane Stubbs' book salon and the photos of Nicola Barker's library/study, in "The Well Stocked Library", where he surrounds himself with books -- yes, this book is for booklovers. But if you're not a collector you can still enjoy the book just for its illustrations. The authors illustrate how with a little imagination and ingenuity the reader can build that perfect home for his or her book collection - it's their home, we're just the visitors.

"At Home with Books" has interesting chapters, like, "The [literal] Enemies of Books", "Great Libraries" and one I can really relate to, "bibliomania". The "Resource Directory" is where you'll find rare book dealers and shops, book fairs, book binders, furnishings for the library, advice on caring for books and more. With its beautifully illustrated pages and interesting interviews, there is no doubt that this book was put together with booklovers in mind.

The authors give a great deal of information and examples on displaying books. But more importantly, the authors write about how to organize your books and book collection and how to work with available space - there's always room for another book. They give readers a myriad of ideas on how to utilize common and uncommon spaces. "At Home with Books" makes me want to brake out my woodworking tools and get right to work on building my dream library - Oh! I forgot, I don't have woodworking tools or have the slightest idea on how to build a bookcase - I guess, I'll have to keep stacking. . . . This is a great book! Buy it for yourself, or give it to a booklover.

This book is a wonderful resource for people who own many books. I have just begun to work with an architect to design a new space in my home for my 4,000+ books. This book provides a variety of ideas for and aesthetic approaches to creating spaces for storing, displaying and reading books in one's home. It provides ideas for the smallest libraries to very large ones. I especially enjoyed seeing Michael Graves' and Robert A. M. Stern's libraries. If you don't already have a home library, this book will inspire you to create one.

For those of us who are inveterate readers and whose libraries move frequently from the shelves to the sacred spots in the home and garden reserved for reading, this beautifully illustrated book is a joy. Estelle Ellis understands the bifurcated frustration of people who read and whose inability to store/place books approaches malfunction. Yet instead of being a 'cull and purge and Dewey decimal ' your much loved books type of solution, this fine volume lovingly shares the libraries of fellow readers and bibliophiles and somehow allows us to see that 'clutter' - when it pertains to grouping of books currently read or on the docket to be read - is not a bad thing!

Some may purchase this book for the witty writing, or for the decorator aspects, or as a not too subtle suggestion to a partner that the books of the home are taking over. But to the Readers who spend time with this book there is a kind of solace: accumulation is not a sin when it pertains to books that 'groupings of tomes' here and there and everywhere is really a satisfactory choice. What is suggested by word and image is a manner in which to make the overflowing books be part of the decor (taste intervenes here and is a welcome instruction!).

But no matter the approach to the content of this volume, AT HOME WITH BOOKS is a beautifully designed, a warmly instructive and understanding manner of coping with the burgeoning library. How thoughtful that someone would elect to address such a wide spread phenomenon.....Grady Harp, April 06

This is a stunning coffee table book for book lovers, particularly people who keep their books. I gave it to myself as I began a huge project that includes rearranging, cleaning and inventorying my books, as well as painting the room and shelves. It was a needed punch in the arm, but be warned that as practical information goes, it is hit and miss. Good advice on deciding what to keep, what to move on; no information on how those people with all those books keep them clean (I don't count the person who had everything slip-jacketed). I would have liked more detailed advice on organizing systems. I wish, too, there had been more variety to the libraries shown, though it was a pleasant surprise to find Keith Richards and writer Roger Rosenblatt in here, the latter perhaps more of a touchstone to us of middle-class abodes than some of the palace-owners profiled. The rooms stacked to ceilings with unshelved books were not an inspiration. That's what I'm trying to run from.

I am not alone! Many share my enthusiasm and love for books!

This book will take you into the homes of many bibliophiles, and you'll most likely find many pieces of yourself in each of their homes. If you are a bibliophile, no one home or person in this book will seem alien to you.

One bibliophile had a copy of Homer's work done in rubber so he could read it in his bathtub. I also love reading in my bathtub, and damaged many books in the process. It never occurred to me to actually have a book printed in rubber. This gave me the idea of downloading an e-book from the internet, and printing the chapters to read in the bathtub. Getting the papers wet would not matter in this case since they can be re-printed at any given time.

This book is fully illustrated with some amazing libraries. Some libraries are well organized, while others are not, but all are unique. By organized I mean neatly arranged on the bookshelves. You'll find some homes in this book where the books seem to be haphazardly arranged, with some on floors, desks, chairs, tables etc... Not all bibliophiles in this book had a dedicated room for their books; some placed their books all over their homes, even on stairwells and corridors. Many had libraries in their bedrooms too. I used to have my library in my bedroom until I designed a dedicated room in my house for books only. I now only keep the books I have not read in my bedroom.

One thing I noticed though is that not a single library in this book had its books arranged according to subject and author. This was quite surprising to me, for some of the homes had thousands of books, and I would imagine it would be very difficult to find specific books. I have my books arranged according to sections, such as philosophy, politics, fiction, religion, economics...and of course a section labeled bibliomania! I also have my books arranged alphabetically according to the author's name. My library is pretty much arranged like a bookstore. It is easy this way to find books, especially when I am discussing a book with a friend and need to quickly refer to it. I will include a video of my library in this review (if I figure out how to do it).

There is something magical sitting in a room surrounded by books. Imagine being surrounded by knowledge spanning thousands of years! What a wonderful and unique feeling that is!

Each book has a story to tell. I am not referring to the story within the pages of the book, but by the book itself. Is the book worn out? How did it get worn out? In whose home was it before? Who touched that book before? Could it have been somebody famous maybe? Are there notes on the margins of the book? If so, who wrote them and what do the notes say about the previous reader? How is the book binding? How was it designed? There are always two fascinating stories in every book you hold: the story read within the pages, and the story told by just holding the book.

For those wanting to design their own libraries, this book will give you many ideas through its many pictures and advice. There are sections in this book about how to organize your library; how to start a collection; all about library lighting; the art of the bookshelf (how thick and of what material should the shelves be to carry the weight of the books); the enemies of books (fire, water, light, dust); and library ladders. You'll find all the inspiration you need in this book to start or renovate your own library.

I also enjoyed learning about the psychology of the different bibliophiles. For example, some collect books just for their cover design, and not necessary to read them. The message is not `read this book' but `see this book.' Some bibliophiles derive pleasure from the thrill of finding old books, not necessary reading them. Some don't keep all their books, but often give them out to charities, libraries, and to prisons. I personally keep all my books for they all have a story to tell me. Again, not the story within the pages, but the story of how I acquired the book and what it meant to me when I first held it in my hands. Some books remind me of my youth for that is when I first held them. I have a very special attachment to my books, and parting with them is very difficult.

There are also some very nice quotations from the bibliophiles in this book. Here are a few:

"You can't want to be a collector, you're born that way. Driven."

"I could spend a lifetime in this room and not be bored."

"Books, like wine, need to be kept at a regular, unfluctuating temperature."

"The book collector must take extraordinary steps to gain the pleasures so easily afforded the art collector."

"A room filled with memories of the past."

"The library as theatre"

"Books are like works of art. You enjoy them, you're their guardians for a while, you're aware that other people have owned and enjoyed them for a short time, and then they are passed on."

"I would never have a room without books. They're a transforming element."

"I like a project that never ends, and a library is that."

"When people ask me, `Do you collect books?' I always say, `No. Books collect me.' "

"Books make better wall decorations than paintings."

"Your books are your personal history. You are what you read."

"It is a terrible thing to have educated eyes but a depleted bank account."

Interestingly, there is a town in the UK, Hay-on-Wye, dedicated only to books. On my next visit to the UK I will surely pass by this town. Its creator is now establishing similar towns across Europe.

I have often been asked why I keep books when they are so easily available electronically through the internet. Electronic books, or eBooks, are also easily stored, requiring only the space of a hard drive, and not a fully dedicated room! My answer is simple. Remember movies on U-matic? If you have U-matic movies today, you'd probably be unable to play them, for their format is no longer supported by the new players and TVs. Similarly, Betamax and VHS have now been replaced by DVD. DVD is now being replaced by Blu-ray. And none of those players are backward compatible. For example, a Blu-ray player cannot play Betamax or VHS. So what will happen to your eBooks collection in a few years from now when no players would support their format? The beauty of a library is that bookshelves are backward compatible, and printed books are here to stay forever, regardless of how fast or what direction technology evolves.

Books change people's lives. This book will give you a glimpse at libraries that will also change your life.

Enjoy your journey. I certainly have!