Bookshelf Porn
Bookshelf porn. That’s a thing?! Quite innocently, I was researching bookshelves on the internet and one of predicted Google searches said, “bookshelf porn”. Funnily enough, I was nervous to click on that. What if it was something I didn’t want to see? What if it had very little to do with bookshelves? What is the internet knows what I clicked on? Well, I decided to click and see what happens, knowing full well I could end up with a scene like Dianne Keaton in Because I said so.
What is Bookshelf Porn?
Phew! Bookshelf porn is a picture of a beautiful bookshelf that evokes the pleasure and joy of reading by looking at the shelves. It is a term that has been around since about 2010 so it seems I am a little bit innocent and a little behind the times with my discovery, not a shock to those who know me well. What isn’t new is the fascination that bibliophiles have with bookshelves. Shelfies are a common share on social media. Bookstagram is replete with images of gorgeous looking shelves. Bookshelves are an amazing glance into someone’s personality and reading life.
An example of the Rule of Thirds
Style suggestion: Find flea market books, rip off the covers, wrap them in twine and use them to add texture and interest to your shelf.
I think this would scare the other books! Seeing their compatriots being so mistreated. It is awful. If a book is in disrepair and the cover is too expensive or beyond help, maybe, just maybe I could do this…maybe.
Bookshelves are organized and reorganized regularly, especially when adding new books to our collections. I have mine organized, at the moment, by genre and author with a special designated section for borrowed books and upcoming book club reads respectively. By far, my favourite section is Canadiana, great authors with some lovely covers and a special place in my world, being Canadian and all. I have, in the recent past, done alphabetical order and once by size. Organization of books is just as personal as the material contained within the shelves.
The Backwards Look
One bookshelf trend I cannot get behind is the backwards book look. On one hand, you have those creamy white, aromatic pages begging to be read but on the other hand they say, “we are for looking at, not for touching”. I find that sad. Aesthetics is all about the beauty, joy, potential, and memory associated with the books on my shelves – bookshelf porn, that’s what I like. Designers in magazines and blogs recommend using a rule of thirds to style your shelves. The rule of thirds which can be a) one third large (similar or themed) objects, one third small objects, and one third books or b) one third objects, one third space, and one third books. If you are designing your shelf to be decorative or that’s up your street, great! Shelves dressed that way look very pretty and add drama and create interest (see above by Jenna Burger). Personally, shelf space is a commodity in my home. I try to make the best use out of the space I have. I do pair down my collection from time to time by donating books, giving books to people I know, and doing book swaps with used bookstores but my shelves remain packed. Booklovers will tell you books end up stacked up on tables, night stands, the floor, actually – anywhere! My bookshelves, flat pack models from JYSK, are full to bursting, just the way I like them. Tidy but full.
Bookshelf Porn 
Bookshelf Porn article by
The NewYorker
Utne
Caution!
Do not click bookshelf porn links that say NSFW (not safe for work) – that is actual porn.