Comments on: Reading people by their books

By: Megami

Megami — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:36:22 +0000

Andre, were we separated at birth??

By: Club Troppo » Missing Link

Club Troppo » Missing Link — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 13:25:49 +0000

[...] Norton explores the psychology of book ownership and display. Andrew notes that visually prominent books at a house help guide what conversation to avoid. He [...]

By: Andre

Andre — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 06:21:38 +0000

Well here at Harvard, the University Library runs a competition for undergraduates’ book collections for which there are substantive monetary prizes, the collectors have to write up their collection - some of which are, given the extraordinary talents of the undergrads at this University, outstanding. As a grad student, I only wish they had such a competition - although I suspect my collection of books on various Balkan wars, security sector reform and of PJ O’Rourke would unlikely qualify

By: Rafe

Rafe — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 03:29:10 +0000

One reason for scanning the bookshelves of friends is to find copies of your books that they have not returned.

By: derrida derider

derrida derider — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 06:46:31 +0000

Russell’s right - just like in education and labour market analysis you’ve got to think about the outflow as well as the inflow when trying to draw conclusions from stocks.

When I read a book I generally sell or donate it afterwards unless I think I’m highly likely to read it again (which is fairly rare). And of course I get rid of ones I can’t finish - life is too short for bad books. OTOH I keep all the books I couldn’t get around to starting (my house is too small to keep books I don’t intend to do something with, but I’ve got to have something to look forward to in retirement).

The consequence is that the stock of books in my house are a handful I want to read again (and again and again in some cases) and many that I really mean to read one day but haven’t started. It’s quite atypical of books I’ve actually read, though I suppose it reflects my broad interests.

By: Boris

Boris — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 05:29:34 +0000

“I loove looking at people’s bookshelves”

This doesn’t work for me. The moment I start looking, I become interested and start reading - to the point that it becomes clearly impolite to the hosts and/or guests.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 05:04:52 +0000

I looooooooove looking at people’s bookshelves - its a very good way of starting conversations, particularly when you go to a dinner party with friends-of-friends who you don’t know very well.

By: Sacha

Sacha — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:33:35 +0000

As Eddie (from Absolutely Fabulous) said to Saffy: “Lighten up, sweetie!”

By: Russell

Russell — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:31:57 +0000

Sacha - I also browse magazines (and Deepak Chopra et al.) for therapeutic mood lifting - maybe seeing trivia on people’s shelves just signifies a melancholic personality that needs some brightening up. Chocolate for the mind.

By: Sacha

Sacha — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 02:42:00 +0000

I’m singing “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” to myself.

Boris, it was only after I subscribed to the mags that I found myself scarce of time - but it’s enjoyable reading through them, and I enjoy looking at them, even if I don’t read them thoroughly.