Belle at Belle, Book, and Candle has been writing her on-line book journal (she detests the word 'blogger') since January 1, 2012. She likes her mysteries spiced with humor not violence; adores P.G. Wodehouse, Beverley Nichols, and E.B. White; and, is developing a real fondness for Angela Thirkell, Barbara Pym, and Elizabeth Bowen. She cherishes her real books but also owns both a Kindle Fire and a Nook for their convenience. Her first job was as a 'page' shelving books in the public library. She also worked for some years at a large, independent bookstore which has now gone the way of many. When it sold to Borders, its death knell sounded.
Do make sure you click on over to Belle, Book and Candle for a few more photos--you can see a few details and see her shelves in situ! She and I share quite an overlap of bookish favorites as I love or am interested in a number of authors she mentions and I do enjoy a good cozy mystery, too.
1. Describe your library/bookshelves. Are the books randomly placed or do you have them organized in a special way?
I have three bookshelves that hold the majority of my books. Two are Ikea's Billy shelves and one was made by my uncle and resided in my bedroom when I was growing up. I cannot bear to part with it. I recently remodeled my house and opened up two connecting rooms. Now I have all my books around me which I love. Eventually, I had an interior designer come in and, among other things, she 'designed' my bookshelves. The books are in no particular order--maybe by size? That was about two years ago and I have added to my library since then. I try to follow her pattern but the shelves have gotten a bit overgrown.
2. Do you like to weed and recycle as you read or do you prefer to hold on to all your books?
I have a difficult time of letting go of my books! I did a major, major weeding right before the remodel. I gave away boxes and boxes to friends who wanted them--mostly paperbacks. I do use the library a lot. I prefer to buy older, used books. I usually pass books on to friends or donate them to the library for its book sale.
3. Are your books confined to one area or are they spread out over your house?
I try and keep my collection corralled in the three bookcases. But, there are maverick stacks--bedside table reading, a pile of watercolor instruction books that live on a footstool, a couple of books I dip into now and again by my reading chair, a few located on the top shelf of my secretary desk . . . you know how it goes. There is never really enough space.
4. How long has your oldest unread book sat on your shelves?
Oh dear. I have books that belonged to my grandmother that I have not read. There is a small set of Eclectic English Classics inscribed with her maiden name which must be from her school days. She was married sometime during World War I. The copyright dates range from 1892 to 1894 and include Silas Marner by George Eliot The Life and Writings of Addison, The Roger de Coverley Papers from The Spectator, a volume of poems by Milton, and The Life of Samuel Johnson by Lord Macaulay.
5. What is your most treasured book?
I have three. One is Laird & Lee's Vest Pocket Webster Dictionary for Constant Use that was my grandfather's and has his name written in it in his hand; copyright 1906. Another is a small New Testament that was my father's and has his name written by his hand in it. It was printed in England by the Oxford University Press. No date; perhaps the late 1920s. The last one is a copy of Little Women that was my mother's and is inscribed to her by her mother on 'Christmas 1932'. It has illustrations by Frances Brundage and a copyright date of MCMXXIX.
6. If you could pick one "lost in the stacks/on your bookshelves" book to rediscover and share with other readers, which would it be?
The Once and Future King by T.H. White; copyright 1939. This is a book I have had since I read it in high school. It was the basis for the play and movie Camelot. I loved the story of King Arthur, Merlin, Guenever and Lancelot. I have seen both the play and the movie many times. The copy I have is a mass market paperback and the print is too small for a woman-of-a-certain-age eyes. I really must either find a hardcover copy of this and hope that the print is larger or else I will buy the Kindle version so I can adjust the font size.
I actually met Richard Harris backstage at the theater when he was here playing King Arthur in the stage play of Camelot. One of my best memories ever!
Many thanks to Belle for sharing photos of her bookshelves with us. Check back next Friday for a peek into another reader's library.
Such pretty shelves! I used to be part owner of a Once and Future King mass market paperback. My sister and I bought a copy way back in our early teens. She insisted it go on her bedroom shelf since she had a few other Arthur books and I never got around to reading it. When we left home she took the book because it was on her shelf! One of these days I'll get a copy all my own and read it.
Posted by: Stefanie | April 26, 2013 at 02:18 PM
I have a copy of my own, too, as yet unread (such a surprise!), and my copy also has teeny tiny print--I think if I ever get around to reading it I will have to look for one with better print as well. So has your sister read it?
Posted by: Danielle | April 26, 2013 at 02:37 PM
Wow! Thanks for this post. The Beverly Nichols' books caught my eye so I went over to Belle's blog. We have a lot in common and I will be spending some time over there. BTW I also have a PB copy of The Once and Future King with tiny print--I have only read the first part-The Sword and the Stone.
Posted by: LauraC | April 26, 2013 at 08:41 PM
She has lots of good books that she has read and written about--so lots to explore. I want to read Beverly Nichols, too. The library where I work has lots of his books, but I have yet had a chance to squeeze in reading any of them. Ours don't have dust jackets (we take off all our dust jackets and discard them) so it's cool seeing what they look like--very pretty, I see.
Posted by: Danielle | April 26, 2013 at 09:12 PM
Such eclectic shelves - lovely to have a peek. I think I would love to be someone who goes into someone else's house (mine is too far gone to benefit!) and arranges their bookshelves. A perfect, if perhaps very messy job! Although I suppose I might not be so happy if they didn't share my tastes!
Posted by: vicki (skiourophile / bibliolathas) | April 27, 2013 at 12:29 AM
Lovely seeing Belle's bookshelves! How neat and ordered they are, and with such pretty things on them as well as books - wish I had room for ornaments on my bookshelves but the hundreds of books demand shelves for themselves and nothing else!
Posted by: Margaret Powling | April 27, 2013 at 06:03 AM
Book shelves not only interesting but beautiful! I will definitely have to check out Belle's book journal--anyone who love P.G. Wodehouse is OK by me.
Posted by: Kathy | April 27, 2013 at 07:31 AM
You know, I don't think she has!
Posted by: Stefanie | April 27, 2013 at 09:50 AM
I was beyond excited to see Belle's stacks and your post unite, Danielle. Two of my most favorite places to read - how I would love reading in such a charming space. Thank you, both.
Posted by: Penny | April 27, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Wins the prize for the most decorated shelves - they look lovely! And I've been meaning to read The Once and Future King for years (you'll have heard that from me before...!).
Posted by: litlove | April 27, 2013 at 01:02 PM
Absolutely lovely shelves.
Really appealing. I spotted a lot I didn't know and a few I do.
I like that Little Women edition.
I've had The Once and Future King on my wish list since years...
Posted by: Caroline | April 28, 2013 at 08:27 AM
Stephanie, How funny that there are so many commenters who have 'The Once and Future King' and yet haven't read it. Maybe we should start a book club just for the one purpose of reading and discussing it!
Posted by: Belle | April 28, 2013 at 09:37 AM
Laura, thanks for stopping by BB&C and leaving your comments. We all must really get together and read this book!
Posted by: Belle | April 28, 2013 at 09:38 AM
Hi Vicki. Thanks for your nice comment about my library. The designing of the shelves was fun as I did have some input as to the "pretties" that were included. It has been two years now. I suppose I could shake things up a bit and rearrange the arrangement!
Posted by: Belle | April 28, 2013 at 09:41 AM
Hi Margaret. Neat and ordered my shelves have not always been, but when I moved them into the living room I wanted a more streamlined look to them. I would never consider books to be clutter, but I don't want the bookshelves to look cluttered. I hope I have accomplished that!
Posted by: Belle | April 28, 2013 at 09:45 AM
Hi Kathy. Don't you just love Wodehouse! He is the best. I just finished watching all of the 'Jeeves and Wooster' DVDs with Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. They were perfectly cast. Have you seen them?
Thanks for your nice comment.
Posted by: Belle | April 28, 2013 at 09:48 AM
Thanks Penny. I always look forward to your comments and your posts at Life on the Cutoff.
Posted by: Belle | April 28, 2013 at 09:49 AM
Oh, goody. I love winning a prize. I will be sure and tell my 'designer'. She will get a kick out of knowing how well received her work has been!
Well, litlove, you will just have to join our book club that is going to read only one book: The Once and Future King.
Posted by: Belle | April 28, 2013 at 09:52 AM
Ah, Caroline, another member for 'The Once and Future King' book club!
The 'Little Women' edition is so utterly charming with its colorful cover and the illustrations inside. It is the edition I read when I finally got around to discovering Louisa May Alcott. I have other books of hers of the same vintage: 'Under the Lilacs' and 'Eight Cousins'. Haven't read those though.
Posted by: Belle | April 28, 2013 at 09:57 AM