I lied. This tip is longer too. It's because I love it and care so much about the idea. So at least there's that!
One of my friends mentioned to me awhile ago that she bought her sister a poster from Ideal Bookshelf. She had the artist create a custom poster based on Katie's favorite books. And I thought, cool! I want one.
Except, I never got one. Because something was nagging at me.
It wasn't until I saw a post on Buzzfeed about gift ideas for bibliophiles that the nagging feeling became clear. I love art, I love watercolor, I love books - so what's the problem?
Well. Instead of buying an art representation of your ideal bookshelf...
Why not just create it? In real, physical format.
So, we did.
One of my friends mentioned to me awhile ago that she bought her sister a poster from Ideal Bookshelf. She had the artist create a custom poster based on Katie's favorite books. And I thought, cool! I want one.
Except, I never got one. Because something was nagging at me.
It wasn't until I saw a post on Buzzfeed about gift ideas for bibliophiles that the nagging feeling became clear. I love art, I love watercolor, I love books - so what's the problem?
Well. Instead of buying an art representation of your ideal bookshelf...
Why not just create it? In real, physical format.
So, we did.
One whole night, my husband and I talked about what books would be on our ideal bookshelf. We agreed that if we had unlimited space, we would have a personal library. And one day, maybe we will.
But for now, we don't. And so, we decided we each get 3 books to put on our ideal bookshelf. And we allowed each other the freedom to apply whatever criteria we want.
I'll share what we did and what our books are, so you have a model to go from.
My books:
His list:
But for now, we don't. And so, we decided we each get 3 books to put on our ideal bookshelf. And we allowed each other the freedom to apply whatever criteria we want.
I'll share what we did and what our books are, so you have a model to go from.
My books:
- A Wrinkle in Time - Chosen because I think it's well-written and is the best version of this story that could have bene told. The copy on my ideal bookshelf is autographed by the author.
- The Shining - Chosen because it was an introduction to a whole genre I would never otherwise consider reading. I loved it. And, I still love Stephen King.
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Shook me to the core. Maya Angelou is powerful because of how she chooses to use language.
- Where the Red Fern Grows - This is the first book that made me realize you could feel such strong emotions while reading. I read it when I was 9. Even thinking about it now makes me feel strong emotions.
- The Handmaid's Tale - I love dystopias. This one, seemed especially appropriate for young women. And also scary. Scarier than The Shining.
- How Little Lori Visited Times Square - I love picture books. And, this one fits with where we live while leaving some imagination. I love that it gives me a great shared experience with my daughter!
His list:
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Joe chose this because it was the first book he recalls that evoked a sense of empathy. He was truly able to feel her emotions and understand race. It was the first book he said, without hesitation. Pretty impressive for a white, male kid from Michigan who didn't encounter anyone black until he was 5.
- Cat's Cradle - Joe noted that this book was intelligent and seemed to be writing his thoughts.
- Dune - A classic but explored topics that requires the reader to think about science, technology and society. Even though it was written long ago, it is still relevant.
- The Hobbit - He will be the first to admit to having read this too young. It was his first taste of fantasy for adults, not just kid fantasy books. And he loved it. It's his favored genre any day.
- 1984 - Joe notes that this was his first good dystopia and plays a part in his political views of today.
- Atlas Shrugged - His first large philosophical tome and one that resonated to some degree. It has provided hours of conversation in our household and with others.
You can tell our 3 book allowance ballooned into 6 each. And, we used different criteria. I added books that I thought were the best versions of those stories AND came at prescient times in my life. They are books I would recommend to others, but would depend on where they are what they've experienced.
Joe said he would universally recommend these books to anyone. It is what he uses to know a person. And he will ask if someone has read any of these. He can tell if someone is not answering truthfully. He remembers each of these books fully.
We bought the books, set up the ideal bookshelf in our front entryway (so now everyone can judge us immediately), and have a stack right next to this of books that are on queue to be read. Possible ideal bookshelf candidates.
The next step, setting up Liliana's ideal bookshelf. She already picked her books. They change every other day, just like her favorite color changes. That's okay.
The next step, setting up Liliana's ideal bookshelf. She already picked her books. They change every other day, just like her favorite color changes. That's okay.
Tips for setting up the ideal bookshelf
- Set a book limit. We said 3 each and ended up with 6 each. Too many dilutes the importance of each book. Too few might leave you feeling a bit incomplete.
- Talk about this with someone. Either your husband, friend, teacher. It's better and clearer to reflect with someone on this. You will also remember things as you talk out loud about the books you'd put on the shelf.
- Decide - paperback or hardcover? At first, I gathered all of our books in paperback because I like to read paperbacks. Joe got home from work and was visibly upset. He wanted hardcovers because he prefers those. So, just make that decision before you gather your books.
- Make physical space. For us, it's in our entryway on the credenza. For Lily's, it will be a floating shelf. It could be a stack on a counter. Somewhere that is visible, easy to access, and won't cause stress. These books are important to you. Let's keep them that way.
- Explain the concept to your kids. This is one of those things that will get them thinking without you having to ask them to. If you make your own bookshelf visible to them too, they will want to know what this new collection of books is. Or, if it's not visible to them, explain that you're thinking about it. They will chime in at some point.
- Draft, edit, re-draft, edit. Your ideal bookshelf today does not have to be the same as tomorrow. Your book choices change, your tastes change, your experiences change. So, this is your ideal bookshelf today. Sometimes you will identify with all of the books on your shelf, sometimes just one. When you identify with none of the books anymore within one year, it's time to re-evaluate the shelf. But, give yourself leeway. It's your ideal bookshelf today. Just like orange is my favorite color today.