Monday, July 23, 2007

This Is What a REAL Book Collection Looks Like

Friday's post about fake libraries reminded me that Karen had emailed me suggesting that I add my own pic to the collection of home library photography that Kim is amassing over at Kimbooktu. If you're the kind of person who takes long twilight walks in residential neighbourhoods solely for the purpose of peeking in people's homes, you should definitely check it out (and dare I say, add your own?).

In the meantime, here's a sneak preview of my contribution to the project. After a lot of experimenting with angles and trying to shoo various animals and people out of the shot, here's the best photo I managed to take:

Note: By "best" I don't mean "good."

If you're still reeling from this assault on your taxonomical sensibilities, check out this same photo on Flickr, where I've added a number of rollover tags to give additional insight into the travesty that is my book collection. You could argue that in the time I spent creating these rollovers I could have just cleaned my damn shelves, but then I'd reply that you just don't know me at all.

And since I'm all about the participation today, I would be remiss if I did not let you know that the most excellent Carrie, of the most excellent site Try Harder, is having a contest. Yes! A contest! With prizes! She's challenging people to make a story from the following spam subject line:
Brian LaBovick: I think it was an accumulation of things
What's the prize, you wonder? You would do well to ask. One lucky person will receive a box of books and other assorted goodies. All the info is here.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't decide if I should be touched or feel like a complete geek for the feed item footer thing. Think I'll do both.

Love the red Eames chair. Have a couple of those myself.

Anonymous said...

Wow I love all the great comments on the Flickr photo - it has given me a real insight into your life. It has also started to make me think - what would my bookshelves say about me...?!?!

email said...

At least you have shelves. I have piles. :)

Steph said...

Love all the notes on Flickr. Photographing our bookshelves would involve 6 different rooms. All the shelves are too small! I love that giant one!

JAM said...

I'm with Steph -- photographing our bookshelves would be a walking tour of our home. (Whither those built-ins we've been talking about for five years?) Maybe I'll take pictures tonight if I can figure out how to do it without revealing the pitiful state of the surrounding rooms. I like to tell people we're in the middle of a remodel. A very slow remodel.

PS -- Love "nice pine cone" and "cool rock" -- there's stuff like that all over our shelves.

Carrie said...

Thanks for linking to me and to the shelving smorgasbord.

I like to pile up my books all over the apartment. That way, every day is a fun game of "where is it?" Surprisingly, I usually win.

Did you guys build that yourselves?

jagosaurus said...

The custom bookshelf isn't finished yet but I can share this.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for linking to my new project! And thank you for your contribution.

@ everyone: I understand that it could be impossible to photograph an entire library. Just part of it - like others did - is just as much fun. Actually, it is exactly the point of the project, since most book lovers deal with this 'problem'. (Check the website for more info about the idea.)

So please send in your photos!

pussreboots said...

This post made me smile. Our home has always been given over to bookshelves. There are four of us now and we're all book lovers.

Unknown said...

I must question the can of Cool Whip synthetic whipped topping next to the book safe. Is that where you store all your dessert condiments?

Anonymous said...

Not as homey as your library--and without the great tags--but here are some pictures I can only describe as glorious library porn: http://www.curiousexpeditions.org/2007/09/a_librophiliacs_love_letter_1.html (Sorry, I don't know how to wrap the text of that link.)