Bibliostyle: How We Live at Home with Books Hardcover – October 22, 2019

Do you live among your books or with your books?I hoard books so it's both. I have closets full of books, books stacked on floors, on tables, by beds. In an attempt to design a library room, I purchased Biblio-Style. Like one of the featured library owners, “I’d like to have the space to let more books into my life” (Athena McAlpine).The book is beautiful, quirky, and full of bookish wisdom by my people.Proust volumes are perhaps an unintended thread amongst our tribe--a first edition that will be read before one expires, “Proust is for when I’ve retired,” “intricately figured Prousts" on a shelf. Has anyone actually read Proust?All of these profiled bibliophiles have organizational systems known only to themselves. It is truly organized chaos at its best.I had to laugh when a full page photo of Larry McMurtry’s library had the caption “While the library’s range is vast, obviously it contains a deep Western section.” Everything on the wall seemed to be Russian: Nabokov, Solzhenitsyn, Marx, Trotsky, Stravinksy, Lenin. Of course, there is a saddle on the floor in front of these Russian classics.New stops for me include the following bookstores featured:Booked Up in Archer City, TX (McMurtry's shop)Bart’s Books in Ojai, CAParnassus, Nashville, TNWe get to see in the libraries of the aforementioned McMurtry, Gay Talese, Ann Patchett and many other eccentric collectors.Really, this is my new favorite. Now, which stack should I put it in?

I have been collecting "living with books" volumes since the 1960's. I think this one is by far the best due to a number of factors. First the photography is amazing, almost like you are in the rooms. And then there is the format: 50 or so interiors are discussed, each with an essay explaining the background of the collectors, pictures of the owners, and an emphasis upon the art that shares space with the large number of books. The art ranges from pottery and portraits, to old leather basketballs. I was amazed to see how many collections store books in stacks on the floor or on chairs. I feel better now. There are also a few articles devoted to bookstores (such as my favorite, the Strand in NYC) and libraries including the much fire-damaged LA public library (with pictures taken before the fire), from my hometown.Some of the book owners are famous--Ann Pachett, Gay and Nan Talese, and Larry McMurty. The collections are from all over the world: Italy, Denmark, LA and San Francisco (many), New York and Paris (many again), Mexico and Berlin. The photography reveals the furniture in each reading area, much of which despite its plush surroundings looks as if it came from Goodwill. Comfort over art in this regard. The books are impressive as they tower to the sky on their shelves, but little is said about how one organizes books, advice I desperately need.The book physically is somewhat like a coffee table book, its 272 pages are 7.5" X 11" in dimension and printed on the finest paper to match the photography. I wonder if anyone uses their fireplaces for other than storing more books. The art and book orientation makes for most pleasant reading, especially just before bedtime. Reading this book (itself a work of art) just makes you feel good. If you yourself have many tomes, then the book also confirms that you are not wacky but in some very good company. Enjoy!

This is a beautiful book, wasn’t packed very well by Amazon, had to replace twice. But the book itself is beautiful inside, cover is such a lovely linen. Gave as a Christmas gift. Highly gif-table for book collectors/bibliophiles.

Purchased it to justify to my relatives my gazillion books stacked everywhere. (They think I am senile).Amazon packed this book with no padding, corners are damaged and it looks like a used book. Loved the book hated Amazon's careless packing.

As someone who loves books and needs to cut back on my book collection habit (cough), this book may help me to that end, because it is so satisfying to look at the represented homes where books are treasured, even if I myself can’t support the lifestyle. Sure, the homes represent a certain level of income, but don’t let that stop you, because these are pretty extreme book lovers. Some pictures are so clear, you can even read the spines of some of them. Love that!

Great photographic ways of novel ways to organize your books

I'm a huge fan of Nina's Surf Shack coffee table book not just for the beautiful pictures but also the intimate storytelling, so I thought I'd give her new book a go. Bibliostyle is absolutely beautiful, I adore the stories about peoples love of books and how their personal collections live with them at home and how they inspire and shape their lives. I'm so inspired to start my own library at home and I'm seriously regretting giving so many books away over the years! This book reminded me that every book purchased throughout your life is such a treasure of that moment.

I’ve wanted this book for a few years? Ever since I first saw it in a bookstore but didn’t purchase it. I bought it during one of the buy 2 get 1free sales and so glad I did. I could look at this book all day long! I recommend it any lover of books and eat for this if you , like me, who love to decorate your spaces with books.