My Ideal Bookshelf

Having an obsession for staring at people's bookshelves, I found this collection thoroughly gratifying. This is a really cool mix of authors, artists, musicians, designers, doctors, chefs, and more giving a nod to some of their favorite books (and what books and writing mean to them) with an accompanying illustration of the bookshelf by Jane Mount. My only wish is that there were discussions of all the books displayed...I found some collections particularly intriguing and would have loved to read just why each book made it onto the shelf. (And I've totally got to photocopy the sample shelf at the back of the book so I can make my own bookshelf!)

This is a fun book to flip through (or methodically read front to back like I do with all browse-able books). I loved, loved the art. Who knew that paintings of book spines could be so awesome? I liked that the illustrations could stand on their own, complemented by the owners' passionate/inspired essays about themselves as readers (instead of listing each chosen book on their ideal shelf and why).

Contributers (authors, actors, designers, chefs, photographers, journalists, film makers, architects – a nice mix) were asked what books would make up their ideal bookshelf – books they’d read again or had changed their life or one that they loved or had made them cry - and this is the beautiful result. Each participant speaks as to why they chose the books they did, and then the facing page is a charming illustration by Jane Mount of the spines of those books. Anyone who enjoys looking at their host’s book case or can’t help turning their head sideways at any bookshelf they pass, will love this book. Getting to know people through their books isn’t new but it is interesting to see what titles some cultural icons find to be show more important to them. There is a short bio in the back which helps identify some of the people I was unfamiliar with. It’s an interesting, eclectic mix of creative personalities and the books that are a part of their lives. Perfectly delightful and would make a great gift for any book lover. show less

What's not to love about a book like this? Nothing reveals a soul like being able to spy on someone's book shelves. Better yet if they provide a summary of their choices. Simple concept beautifully executed.

I usually read this kind of book to get recommendations about new-to-me authors and books which sound interesting. The premise here is that the author asked prominent people in their fields (primarily the arts I think), what books they have or would like to have on their shelf. There is a painting of that shelf and a brief discussion of the books and their owners.

The paintings are lovely. However, the books for the most part consist of books relating to the individual's profession (i.e. graphic design, architecture, etc.) and/or books that are familiar to us all, including classics like Jane Eyre. I was mightily disappointed.

What a marvelous idea, and what an endeavor it must have been to bring the idea to fruition. Much kudos for the obvious effort undertaken. The book delivers on its promise, to gain insight into the thought processes of the highly creative. I feel cheated by a single failure though: Malcolm Gladwell's shelf was filled with books that were research for his latest book project. He was not properly instructed, and I gleaned nothing from his shelf. One thing is clear though: I must read Lolita, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and Middlemarch. I'm on it.

Loved this book. Not only was it a wonderful look into what different books mean to different people, I needed to read it with a notebook near by to write down all of the books that sounded interesting.