Back in June, my blogging buddy Deborah O’Carroll did this Bookshelf Tag, and left it open to anyone who wanted to snag it. Being immensely fond of my growing collection, I filed it away in my memory with a mental post-it note reading DO THISSSSS. Besides, what booklover doesn’t swell with pride when given the chance to show off his or her precious bookish possessions?
(Pictures are not a requirement for this tag, but I really couldn’t resist.)
(Also, I apologize for the camera quality. My trusty digital has served me well for seven years, but it doesn’t work as nicely as those expensive ones with uber long lenses . . .)
Describe your bookshelf (or wherever it is you keep your books-it doesn’t actually have to be a shelf!) and where you got it from:
I have a set of two bookcases in my room, each with a spot dedicated to books (and the rest of the shelves are full of CDs, craft supplies, notebooks, and general junk).
My desk’s hutch holds close to forty volumes. All three come from Ashley’s Furniture, if you really must know. But my older, less-read books have a spot in a family bookshelf in the basement. Oh, and some of my childhood reads are upstairs. So they’re really all over the place. (If I had room, I’d love to put all my babies in one massive bookshelf.)
Do you have any special or different way of organizing your books?
Not . . . specifically. I don’t organize alphabetically or by color or anything quite like that. I do of course keep series together, and generally keep each author’s books together as well. My hutch holds a lot of my favorites, but that’s overflowed into one of the shelves. The other shelf holds mostly used books purchased at book fairs.
What’s the thickest (most amount of pages) book on your shelf?
Not counting The Chronicles of Narnia (because that’s technically seven books), it would be Brisingr by Christopher Paolini. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s a whopping 763 pages.
What’s the thinnest (least amount of pages) book on your shelf?
The Talking Snowman by Lois Gladys Leppard: 103 pages. I lived and breathed Mandie Shaw for a good portion of elementary school.
Is there a book you received as a birthday gift?
A number of them, but the one that springs to mind first is Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis. I received it from my parents on my 13th birthday, and have spent my teenage years growing up alongside Billy, Bonnie, Walter, Ashley, and the gang! These books also inspired my love of dragons. So that’s a big thing.
What’s the smallest (height and width wise) book on your shelf?
Pocket Quips by Robert C. Savage. It’s one of the books I was allowed to take from my grandpa’s study when he passed away over a year and a half ago. The book’s puns and life reflections, so very like his own sense of humor, remind me of him. Such as this excerpt: A hug is a roundabout way of expressing affection.
What’s the biggest (height and width wise) book on your shelf?
Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. Gifted to me by my aunt on my graduation!
Is there a book from a friend on your shelf?
Probably a few, but most of my books (that I haven’t bought myself) come from my parents or grandparents. So I’ll feature this one, On the Shoulders of Hobbits by Louis Markos–a thoughtful gift from my grandma and grandpa (same one who passed way) a few years ago.
Most expensive book?
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, for $25.99. At least I think that’s the most expensive . . .
The last book you read on your shelf?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Of all the books on your shelf, which was the first you read?
Oh goodness, that’s too far back to remember. An early one, though, was Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Montgomery. I remember reading it in first grade, as a wee child of six. A good number of those big words were way over my head, but I loved it anyway.
Do you have more than one copy of a book?
Only The Chronicles of Narnia! I have my big single volume, and then I have a lovely illustrated boxed set from my grandpa’s study.
Do you have the complete series of any book series?
When I find a series I love, I set out to collect the entire thing. I simply must own it. So I’m in the process of gathering a number of series, but among the completed collections are . . .
Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire by Bryan Davis, as well as Dragons of Starlight and Echoes from the Edge.
The Cantral Chronicles by Amanda Davis.
The Berinfell Prophecies by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper.
(Some series I’m partway through collecting are The Solitary Tales by Travis Thrasher, Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, and Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan.)
What’s the newest addition to your shelf?
Books purchased on holidays: The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker, Illusionarium by Heather Dixon, and The Sorceror of the North by John Flanagan.
What book has been on your shelf FOREVER?
Again, too many to properly recall, but a classic from my childhood is Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John. Ah, fond memories . . .
What’s the most recently published book on your shelf?
I think it’s The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker, published May 19, 2015.
The oldest book on your shelf (as in, the actual copy is old)?
Another treasure from my grandpa’s study. The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott, published 1895. One of these days I will sit down, cradle this amazing thing in my hands, and begin reading it. There seem to be a lot of long, epic ballad-type poems in it. Potential story inspiration?
A book you won?
Umm. I don’t think I’ve won any. Shocker, I know! There’s probably something or other won during my childhood, but I can’t recall what it is.
A book you’d hate to let out of your sight (aka a book you never let someone borrow)?
Any of my precious paperbacks! They’re much more prone to mishaps than hardcovers, and it’s painful to see any of those beautiful covers bend. But in truth, I have let people borrow them, even a couple of my favorites, but I always hint that I’d like them to treat the book very well. (Or maybe I tell them outright. Either way–they know I value the condition of my books!)
Most beat up book?
It’s no surprise that my most beat up book was not beat up by me. It’s another book fair find, Eldest by Christopher Paolini. And it’s not even that bad.
Most pristine book?
As I’ve already explained, I try to keep all my favorites looking nice, and most of them are in identical condition. So I just pulled a random one from the shelf, one with an epic cover I felt like photographing: The Errant King by Wayne Thomas Batson.
A book from your childhood?
Two Jigsaw Jones mysteries. As with the Mandie books, I adored these as a kid . . . even to the point that I begged my mom for a mystery of my own to solve.
A book that’s not actually your book?
Mrs. Jeffries Defends Her Own by Emily Brightwell. It belongs to my grandmother, but being the thirtieth in the series (while I’m perhaps eight books in), I haven’t yet gotten around to reading and returning it. Also The Princess Bride by William Goldman, which belongs to my aunt. And I’m not quite sure if she intended me to give it back once I read it, or keep it. HEY, AUNTIE ROXANE, IF YOU’RE READING THIS, WHAT DID YOU WANT ME TO DO WITH IT?
A book with a special/different cover (e.g. leather bound, soft fuzzy cover etc.)?
Alas, I have no special covers, leather or otherwise, unless you count the Scott poetry book, but I don’t know what that’s made of. The best I could come up with are these shiny gold letters on the cover of Isle of Fire by Wayne Thomas Batson.
A book that is your favorite color?
If We Survive by Andrew Klavan is slathered in the most beautiful greens and blues, which look even prettier in real life.
Book that’s been on your shelf the longest that you STILL haven’t read?
Heh, a whole bunch of those second-hand books you saw at the beginning of the post. There’s about a dozen I haven’t read yet, and some have sat patiently waiting for a few years already.
Any signed books?
Glad you asked! I had the privilege of meeting Bryan Davis a few years ago, and he signed ALL MY DAVIS BOOKS (well, all that I owned at the time). He even jokingly offered to sign books that weren’t his.
I also have Asylum, written by a friend of mine who goes by Chantelle J.Z. Storm, and she signed my copy too! Isn’t it sweet?
I hope you’ve enjoyed perusing my library as much as I’ve enjoyed showing it off! Seeing as I’m not entirely sure who’s all been tagged for this and who hasn’t, I won’t tag anyone. Instead, if you want to purloin this fun thingamajig for yourself, please do! I would love to get a peek at your bookshelf! (And remember, pictures aren’t a requirement.) Share all the book-love!
These bookshelf tags are awesome- all the beautiful books!
Treasures of the Snow… wait, I remember that one! It's set in Switzerland, yes? Oh man, whatever happened to that book? Now I want to read it again!
Isn't it fun? (*whispers* You should start a blog so I can tag you for these things…)
Yep, it takes place in Switzerland! I should reread it too. I know I adored it as a kid, even when that kid (Lucien?) annoyed me. XD I am just delighted that someone else knows about this book!
For sooo many of these books, I was like OMG WE HAVE THAT!!! XD Great post! I mayyy have to steal it in the future. 😉
Haha, really? That's awesome.
Yes, yes, steal it! I'd love to see your collection! 😀
TRACEY.
Our. Brains. Are. In. Sync.
Do you know I've been working on this tag THIS WEEK??? I promised myself I would do it and have FINALLY started working toward it! This is so hilarious!! What are the chances of us waiting months and then just happening to do it at the same time? Seriously, same wavelength here. It's kind of the best! Although I don't think I'll have my post ready by Monday. I'm going a bit overboard with the pics and it's taking a while…but maybe next Monday.
Anyways! I was so thrilled to see you did this. This may be the best tag I've ever seen ever. I LOOOOVE seeing other people's book collections. I'm a bookaholic, what can I say? Getting a peek into your collection was so much fun! And our tastes in books is scarily similar.
ALLLL the Bryan Davis books! <333 And is that a dragon necklace I see? O_______O EPIC.
Also that dragon figurine, yes please!
We own the same volume of Chronicles of Narnia! 😀 Love that thing!
You have so many treasures here, I just want to pet them all. (#weirdbooklover) I so loved seeing all the pwetty books! Honestly, I was going to tag you and beg you to do it once I put my post up, so this worked out perfectly. 😀 THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!!
WUT.
O.O
THAT IS AWESOME. What a coincidence!! I can't wait to see your post! Because ever since Deb tagged you, I've wanted to see your answers/pictures. ^.^ (Going overboard with pictures is so fun. Time-consuming, but fun! I've been working on this since beginning of the month, practically.)
I think you're right. This is one of the best tags ever. 😀 Bookaholics for the win! LOL, how am I not surprised that we have similar tastes? XD
I have almost all of Bryan Davis's books! <3 I think the only ones I have yet to collect are Omega Dragon, the Tales of Starlight series, Reapers…and does Beelzebed count? XD
YES, THAT IS A DRAGON NECKLACE. THANK YOU FOR NOTICING. Ah, the dragon figurine. I love that thing. It guards my jewellery box.
Really? Neat! It's such a great volume.
So glad you liked it! It was a super fun post to do. Haha, sorry for robbing you of the opportunity to tag me. 😛 Again, can't wait to see yours, Christine!!!
Oh my goodness! I HAD SO MUCH FUN READING THIS POST. 😀 I'm so glad you did it, this was the funnest. ^_^ So many familiar faces! …Er . . . covers? Ahem. >.>
Lovely photography! I always LOVE seeing pictures of books and bookshelves. 🙂
Wowwww all of the Dragons in Our Midst books. o.o I've read/have the first four. 😛
EEEP YOU HAVE ILLUSIONARIUM!!!!! HAVE YOU READ IT YET? I MUST KNOW WHAT YOU THINK WHEN YOU DOOO. ^_^
I totally need to read Ranger's Apprentice one of these days…
ACK PRETTY WALTER SCOTT POETRY.
*flails* YOU HAVE ISLE OF FIRE. I read the first one yeeeears back and have been trying to get ahold of the next one ever since. GORGEOUS.
YOU MET BRYAN DAVIS. AAAHH SO COOL.
Loooooved reading this post! Thanks for sharing a look at your books with us! ^__^ <3
Ahh, I'm glad! 😀 LOL, it's so much fun to recognize familiar faces/covers like that, isn't it? When someone posts about a book I've read, there's an instant "HEY, I KNOW THAT ONE!" reaction. XD
Thank you! I wish my camera took better quality photos, but getting creative with locations and placement was really fun. 🙂
*gasp* Deb. You must read the rest. THEY'RE SO GOOD. I especially love the Oracles of Fire series. Children of the Bard has a different feel to it than the first two series, but it's also really great.
I DO, I OWN ILLUSIONARIUM! And it's all because of YOUR high recommendations on your blog! Alas, I haven't read it yet, but I suspect I will soon. And then I shall inundate you.
Yesss, read those too… *shoos you away to a library*
It's so gorgeously old, I'm almost scared to read it for fear of wrecking it somehow. o.o
Have you not read Isle of Fire, then? GOODNESS, DEB, GET THEE TO A LIBRARY/BOOKSTORE/SOMEWHERE WITH BOOKS THIS INSTANT. (What's funny is that I found IoF years ago, but I'm STILL looking for Isle of Swords. I may have to settle for a paperback, even if it doesn't match. Phooey.)
Maybe I should do a post on that one day… 🙂
Well, thank YOU for doing the tag in the first place and opening it up to anyone! 'Twas much fun! ^__^
Aaaand, I tagged you again. XD Because snippets are fuuun. 😀 Only do it if you want though, obviously. ^_^ https://deborahocarroll.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/777-challenge-round-2/
Ooh, thanks! That's a fun one, and it has the potential to be different every time. 😀 (I like how you played with the rules this time around.)
Haha yay someone who's an avid Bryan Davis book collector. XD I also have all of his books (except for Echoes from the Edge) and I have Amanda's books too. That poetry book looks really awesome! 😀
storitorigrace.blogspot.com
*high five* There's no way I *couldn't* collect all his books. ^_^ Have you read Echoes from the Edge, despite not owning them? Considering how awesome they are, they're severely underappreciated.
Thanks! I'm kind of in love with it myself. 😀
I haven't. My sister had them, but she wouldn't let me read them. XD
Oh, I definitely recommend reading them if you get the chance! I've been meaning to reread them myself–all at once–because my first time through, I read them months apart. (Library, you understand.) Some plot elements are rather intricate, so I forgot a few things in between. But I think you might enjoy that series!
You have a beautiful collection. I need to read the Eragon series again.
Why thank you! I myself need to read the last two Eragon books, Brisingr and Inheritance. 🙂
Awesome tag! Your photos are so creative, I especially like the one of the Narnia volume with the dragon – super cool!
It's so fun! You should definitely snag it (I mean, if you want to). Aw, thanks! I'm pretty fond of both my Narnia book and the dragon figurine. 😉
I've fallen behind on your blog, somehow! But better late than never, eh?
This is such a cool tag! And I loved the bookish photography! You have quite the collection of books. XD
I'm itching to do this tag, but all but two of my books are back at home. Except textbooks. But nobody wants to hear me gripe about how expensive they are and who cares how pristine my intro to Python textbook is? :p Perhaps over Christmas break…
No problem! You of all people have a valid excuse anyway: school! XD
Thank you muchly. *bows* Haha, textbooks would make for a unique collection to feature in a tag. I think I'd cringe at their thickness… But yes, you should do it over Christmas break if you can! That'd be lots of fun. 😀
I LOVED SEEING YOUR LIBRARY! 😀 So so beautiful and omg 1895?!?! THAT IS AMAZING AND INSANELY OLD. My oldest is like 1930 or something, so totally not on par with your ancient wonderful one there. 😉 And I lived and breathed Mandy Shaw a LOT too, erk. I have like 40 of those books!! Even though I actually didn't like them very much towards the end? i probably just grew out of them, but I was so annoyed with how she got into trouble ALL THE TIME and never had an repercussions from it. *ahem* Little Mandy rant there. XDXD I neeeeed to read Eragon. CAN YOU BELIEVE I NEVER HAVE?!?!
Thanks so much! 😀 I have to be honest, your pictures inspired some of mine.
I know, right? It seems ancient just for being over a century old… I really do need to read it sometime–carefully so as not to destroy this artifact. XD
You too? And you own 40 Mandy books?? o.o I don't know if I ever even READ that many. LOL, and I didn't notice that she never got in trouble for her little escapades. I imagine that would annoy me now, though!
WHAT. Overlord Cait has not read Eragon. Excuse me while I faint from shock. I do have some unpopular opinions on the series, but it's kind of one of those things you just have to read anyway. XD And dragons–what's there not to like about dragons? (Aside from big fiery ones that try to kill you, but Eragon's dragon isn't like that.) Thanks for commenting!
What a fun idea!! I am so going to do this! I have the same exact Chronicles of Narnia copy. 🙂
It *was* a lot of fun. Ahhh, I can't wait to see yours!
Really? That's great. ^_^ (I love Narnia…)