The Bookshelf Tag

Another Sunday, another post.

Good evening all, and today I've decided to do The Bookshelf Tag, found on DreamLandBookBlog. I really enjoyed rummaging around on my bookshelf for this tag, and actually ended up spending a good half an hour flicking through old copies and rediscovering books I'd forgotten were there!

Next week I'll have a review of Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. I've almost finished and am really enjoying it so far, so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, follow me around my bookshelves...

1. Describe your bookshelf and where you got it from:

It's from Ikea and it's a plain white bookcase....I can't remember what it's called! I like it, but I think I'd like a solid oak one at some point. The shelves are deep enough that I can have two rows of books on each shelf which is convenient!

2. How do you organise your books?

Apart from the pretty ones I want to have on display, all of the books on the front row of each shelf are those I haven't yet read. There may well be a few exceptions as I tend to just put them on wherever they'll fit, but that's the general method. Other than that I have no system! 

3. What's the longest book on your shelf?

It would have to be The Lord of the Rings trilogy at 1077 pages. This was my Dad's copy when he was younger and took me the best part of a year to read (including The Hobbit); I lugged that book back and forwards to work every day...

4. What is the shortest book on your shelf?

Technically it would be Politics and the English Language by George Orwell (24 pages) but as this is really just an essay stapled into a book, I'll go with The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at 88 pages.

5. Is there a book you received as a birthday gift?

Technically I got the gift card used to purchase this book as a birthday gift....but the lovely Steph who gave me the gift card recommended this to me - The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - along with a few others. I've not gotten around to reading it yet, but have read one of the others she recommended - State of Wonder by Ann Patchett - which I would highly recommend.

6. Is there a book from a friend on your shelf?

Does this mean I book I've borrowed from a friend? If so, nope! 

7.  The most expensive book on your shelf?

I don't have any super expensive books / rare editions, so this was probably the priciest. My fancy copy of Lolita. The pages are such a gorgeous, silky paper and the gold tassel bookmark just adds to the beauty of it.

8. The last book you read on your shelf?

Us by David Nicholls. I've read a few on my Kindle since then, but this was the last physical book I completed. I really enjoyed it, although my favourite of Nicholls' novels by far is Starter For Ten. It was the first novel in absolutely ages that I'd laughed out loud at!

9. Do you have a complete series?

The full Harry Potter of course! Plus the first three in the new anniversary house editions. I have the first five with the children's covers and the last two with the adult covers; sometimes I dream of having a full set the same, but I couldn't bear to get rid of them. I've had that old copy of Philosopher's Stone since 1997 and have sellotaped the first few pages back in countless times, and it's never going anywhere!

I've also got The Hunger Games series, but they were at the back of my shelf and tbh I couldn't be bothered digging them out for a photo...

10. What's the latest addition to your shelf?

There are two! WHSmith were having a buy one get one half price sale so I picked these up from the St Pancras store when I was in London last month. The Corset was recommended to me by a member of staff in the store after I mentioned I'd read The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry and loved it. She said if I liked that, I'd definitely enjoy this!

I also got Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. I've been listening to Dolly's podcast (Love Stories) for a couple of months now and just love the concept; interviewing guests about the relationships - romantic, platonic, familial - that have shaped their lives. I know a few people who've read her book and loved it so I had to grab a copy! I'm going to Barcelona next month so I think this will be a good read for the plane!

11. The oldest book on your shelf?

Probably this leather bound copy of Sense and Sensibility. I picked it up and book stall at my local community centre last Christmas for £1! I've read the book before with another copy, but couldn't resist this gorgeous edition (excuse the blurry pic - I moved as I took it!)

12. What's a book you'd hate to let out of your sight? (No-one is touching it. Ever).

None! I'm happy to lend my books out as I love sharing books with others, however I am super protective of them and if they come back in less than pristine condition I'm upset. 

13.  Most beat up book?

Would have to be the LOTR trilogy from earlier! Mainly because it's so old and so well-loved, and has been carried around everywhere!

14. Most pristine book?

The 20th anniversary house edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, as I've only had it about a week! Them sprayed edges though. 

15. A book that doesn't belong to you?

None!

16. A book that is your favourite colour?

Purple by name, purple by cover!

17. A book that's been on your shelf for ages and you still haven't read it?

Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis. Fully intend to read this. 100%. Had it for 4 years.

18. Of all the books on your shelf, what did you read first?

Philosopher's Stone closely followed by Anne Fine's Charm School which came out in 1999. Aside from Harry Potter, Anne Fine was my favourite children's author along with Jacqueline Wilson. Charm School and Goggle Eyes were my favourite books of hers.

19. Any signed books?

Midnight by Jacqueline Wilson, and Russell Brand's autobiography, My Booky Wook.