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Unpacking My Library
Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books | Leah Price
57 posts | 7 read | 23 to read
As words and stories are increasingly disseminated through digital means, the significance of the book as object--whether pristine collectible or battered relic--is growing as well. "Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books" spotlights the personal libraries of thirteen favorite novelists who share their collections with readers. Stunning photographs provide full views of the libraries and close-ups of individual volumes: first editions, worn textbooks, pristine hardcovers, and childhood companions. In her introduction, Leah Price muses on the history and future of the bookshelf, asking what books can tell us about their owners and what readers can tell us about their collections. Supplementing the photographs are Price's interviews with each author, which probe the relation of writing to reading, collecting, and arranging books. Each writer provides a list of top ten favorite titles, offering unique personal histories along with suggestions for every bibliophile. "Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books" features the personal libraries of Alison Bechdel, Stephen Carter, Junot Diaz, Rebecca Goldstein and Steven Pinker, Lev Grossman and Sophie Gee, Jonathan Lethem, Claire Messud and James Wood, Philip Pullman, Gary Shteyngart, and Edmund White.
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OrangeMooseReads
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I still have 6 storage bins to empty. I think I‘m going to need some more bookcases. 😬

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guinsgirlreads
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Here are the other shelves and there is no hope for the rest of the books that I own 😙😅..

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guinsgirlreads
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Figured I‘d take the shelves in the office in the new house for my books, but of course, they don‘t all fit 😂..

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Shamzi
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I really need more of these stickers for personalised library. I have been looking for them all over the internet but have not been able to find it 😔😔

rather_be_reading love those! 4y
Shamzi @rather_be_reading me too, I wish I had more of these stickers, just got this as a complimentary with the book!! 4y
24 likes2 comments
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Jen2
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Pickpick

Fantastic photos!!!

KCofKaysville I havea copy! 3y
94 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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MrBook
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Oops, I forgot one 😆🙈!

This makes 5/5 for my #LeftHanders Display! 😁

#LitsyLovesFamilies #MrBooksDisplays

JenReadsAlot Yay for the left handed!!! 5y
Crazeedi We rock!!!!👍💕 5y
AmyRebecca Meeee 5y
54 likes3 comments
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MrBook
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6/6 of my #GreatestBooks Display 😁! The left-most quarter.

Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

bromeliad The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Divine Comedy...I can't figure out what the one in the bottom left is? 5y
AmyRebecca Fun fact, Rachel Carson grew up very close to where I did (outside Pittsburgh) and her home is now a museum that does tours. I highly recommend anyone who has read her book do a tour of the Rachel Carson homestead. Very informative and memorable! 5y
43 likes2 comments
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MrBook
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5/6 of my #GreatestBooks Display 😁! The left-half of the center.

Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

DGRachel I read Things Fall Apart last year. It was a tough read, very slow, but really good. 😍 5y
bromeliad Things Fall Apart, Canterbury Tales, Silent Spring. 5y
40 likes2 comments
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MrBook
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4/6 of my #GreatestBooks Display 😁! The right-half of the center.

Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

TheBookgeekFrau Beloved 🥰 5y
TrishB Great display 👍🏻 5y
DGRachel Love To Kill a Mockingbird. I've read it several times. 5y
AmyRebecca All of these! 5y
38 likes4 comments
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MrBook
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3/6 of my #GreatestBooks Display 😁! The right-most quarter.

Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

DGRachel I've read (and hated) Wuthering Heights and I reread A Christmas Carol every December. I love looking through your displays! 5y
bromeliad Le Morte, The Fellowship, and Anna Karenina! 5y
AmyRebecca All but the Dubois 5y
38 likes3 comments
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MrBook
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2/6 of my #GreatestBooks Display 😁! The sign.

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

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MrBook
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1/6. Here it is, my #GreatestBooks Display! 😁 Thank you for your input, Littens! There will be plenty more titles that‘ll replenjsh this display—I‘ve already gotten questions from colleagues and patrons asking why this book and that book aren‘t on here (which is great! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻): there‘s only so much space 🙈🤪, not every book is available, and it‘ll be up for 4 weeks 😊.

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

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MrBook
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My little explanation on my #PenguinClassics Display explaining why the books are important. ☺️

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

sisilia I love how affordable Penguin Classics are 💞 (edited) 5y
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MrBook
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Close-up 4/4 of my #PenguinClassics Display! 😊

Maybe I need to get even closer with these close-ups? The title are tiny. 🤔

Have you read, or want to read, any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

DivineDiana Right! I can‘t read the titles, but I‘m on a phone. 😕 5y
MrBook @DivineDiana Maybe I‘ll re-share this tomorrow with better close-ups. 🙈 5y
wanderinglynn You do the best displays! I love Penguin Classics! But yes, a closer up photo or a list of the titles would be helpful in this case. 5y
DGRachel Dante‘s full Divine Comedy has been on my TBR for ages. I own two copies. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 5y
CarolynM Siegfried Sassoon's trilogy of fictionalised memoir (Sherston's Progress is the 3rd) is essential WWI reading. 5y
70 likes5 comments
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MrBook
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Close-up 3/4 of my #PenguinClassics Display! 😊

Have you read, or want to read, any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

59 likes1 comment
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MrBook
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Close-up 2/4 of my #PenguinClassics Display! 😊

Have you read, or want to read, any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

ravenlee I‘ve read Gilgamesh...and can‘t read all of the titles behind it. Curse the tiny Penguin Classics print! 5y
ephemeralwaltz LOVE The Haunting of Hill House! Didn't love Clarissa... Didn't finish it haha
5y
DGRachel I‘ve read Tom Sawyer. 😊 5y
57 likes3 comments
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MrBook
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Close-up 1/4 of my #PenguinClassics Display! 😊

Have you read, or want to read, any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

CarolynM And there's the second book (and my favourite) in the Sassoon trilogy 5y
56 likes1 comment
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MrBook
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It‘s that time again! Monthly display changeovers are in order. 😁

Here‘s the first: my #PenguinClassics Display! 😊 We have so darn many, it‘s time to nudge our patrons towards these great classics.

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

quietlycuriouskate The library in town seems to have taken a load of its classics off the shelves. There's a little separate collection now with a notice inviting readers to ask if there's something in particular they want as they have many more in storage. I'm glad they are still available to borrow but there's not much scope for browsing. 😞 5y
wanderinglynn Your display looks fantastic! 👍🏻 5y
70 likes2 comments
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Amandajoy
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We are planning on redoing our basement & I‘ve been super frustrated because I haven‘t been able to unpack my books. I came home from work the other day and my wonderful fiancé had used his day off to set this little area up for me. The basement isn‘t near finished, but I at least have a my TBR shelf unpacked now. ?

Tanisha_A Oh this looks lovely! 5y
Mtroiano ❤️ 5y
Lcsmcat Awww! He sounds like a keeper. 5y
47 likes3 comments
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MrBook
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One side of my cubicle. 😆 So what do you think? ☺️ #LitsyLovesLibraries Library #bookporn

kspenmoll What does the other side look like?! 5y
PatienceFortitude Dream job 5y
Leftcoastzen Looks like my house. 5y
98 likes3 comments
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MrBook
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Soooo, this is my desk. Yyyyyep, lots and lots of BOOKS! 😆 #LitsyLovesLibraries

BooknerdsLife 😱😍😍😍😍 5y
107 likes1 comment
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MrBook
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The left-third of my #Romance Display 😁! Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

Leftcoastzen Love Bridget Jones and Pride and Prejudice! 5y
Maggie_Reads I‘ve read Highlander In Her Bed. I quick, fun read. 5y
KarynGood Mary Balogh! Always! 5y
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Dragon Great choices 5y
rwmg Still no gay romance?👬👭 5y
MrBook @rwmg Oh, they‘ll be plenty of room for that within the next few days 👍🏻👍🏻. This display goes fast 😁. I hold back on putting all the gems out at the beginning. (edited) 5y
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MrBook
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The right-third of my #Romance Display 😁! Have you read any of these?!

Shoutout to the outstanding @EloisaJames ! ☺️

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

Leftcoastzen Yay ,Wuthering Heights! 5y
JoRead You can tell Charlaine Harris' book is very popular 😉 5y
78 likes2 comments
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MrBook
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The right-third of my #Romance Display 😁! Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

KristenDuck Me Before You is such a tear jerker!! 5y
SqueakyChu I thought this would just be another chick lit book, but it did its magic on me. Recommended! 5y
Emilymdxn I love far from the madding crowd! 5y
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MrBook
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My #Romance Display 😁! This one should do well 😎. Any big romance readers here?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

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Librariana
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Despite being under the weather, this is the progress I was able to make a couple of days before the doctor prescribed medicine and rest. Colds will do that to you!

Based on how things are looking now, there might be room for more books! ???

I even "unhauled" a small couple that I no longer wanted to read and will be great additions to a future library sale.

For now, back to resting I go!

#homelibrary #workinprogress

Mitch The Virgo in me loves your straight lines 💕💕💕💕 5y
Librariana @Mitch - The Virgo in me thanks the Virgo in you! Yay Virgos!! I actually lay a book down and move it along the shelf to edge all the others up to it so they match 😁 I hope that explanation/visual made sense 😊💜📚 5y
Mitch @Librariana Great tip! I keep mine flush with the shelf edge and enjoy running my finger across spine and shelf edge to make sure it‘s flush! 🤣 5y
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Texreader I love your Pops still in boxes! 5y
Hooked_on_books Looks great! 😍 5y
Librariana Thanks, @Texreader! My husband and I have collected a few more. Once I've got everything unpacked, I may have to rearrange to accommodate the others. We also have Saga, Bob's Burgers, Walking Dead, and a few Marvel as well as DC superheroes. 5y
Librariana @Hooked_on_books - Thanks, Holly! Now I just need to make some space to fit a couch! Every library needs a seating area 😄😁😊💜📚 5y
Hooked_on_books @Librariana Definitely! I have recent found cushioned lounge type chairs quite comfortable and they fit a smaller space, so that could work. 😉 5y
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Librariana
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It's coming along slowly but surely!
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We've been in our new casita 🏡 (little house) for almost a month now and we haven't been able to get as much unpacked and set up as we'd like.
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The combination of work and personal commitments haven't really lent themselves to much time at home, but the hubby and I are trying - he in the garage, me in our library.
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I hope to share the final, more presentable product with y'all soon!

#workinprogress

Andrew65 Looking great! 5y
LauraBrook Fun! And love the collection of Starbucks mugs too! Can‘t wait to see how it all looks when the shelves are full of books. 💜 5y
51 likes2 comments
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shadowspeak17
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Got all my books unpacked and ready to shelve. 😁👍🏽

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Aloisi_tribe
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My husband finally packed up his office and all of his old school books so I changed our extra room into my library. The books aren‘t organized at all but at least there are no stacks on the floor like there was in the bedroom. I am, once again, going to make the pledge that I will not buy any more books until I read, and get rid of, the books I already have. We‘ll see how long that lasts. 😁🤞

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Laughterhp
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95% of my books! I have some in a couple of other boxes, that have other stuff besides books so I have to unpack that stuff first.

Can‘t wait to start unpacking my books!! 😊

RadicalReader @Laughterhp you have the prettiest name ever always thought mikayla was a marvelous name!! Your husband should also join Litsy it is a lovely place to live 6y
Laughterhp @RadicalReader Awh thanks! Haha that‘s funny, all those books are mine. My husband doesn‘t read unfortunately... 6y
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StellarDoc
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I got a new rug for my library. #Narcissa and #Loki seem to like it. #CatsOfLitsy

Sace It's beautiful! 6y
StellarDoc @RestlessFickleBookHoarder Thank you! I think so too! 6y
goodthinkrebel I love that rug! 6y
StellarDoc @goodthinkrebel Me too! It's even prettier in person! 6y
21 likes4 comments
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saresmoore
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Phase one of the library is complete! 😅

Listen, I‘ll probably rearrange these books at least five more times before I decide if I like it or not, but the books are out of boxes, so it‘s a win!

Merethebookgal So pretty!! 😍 Love the shelves! 6y
JazzFeathers 😍😍😍 6y
Lcsmcat Pretty! 6y
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MicheleinPhilly 😍😍😍 6y
readordierachel Wowwww! 6y
rubyslippersreads Gorgeous! 😍 6y
brittanyreads Gorgeous!!! 6y
Reecaspieces Lovely! 6y
WhiskeyMistress So stunning! 6y
Moray_Reads Oh Sarah, it's wonderful! 😍😍 6y
AnneCecilie Beautiful 😍😍😍 6y
tracey38 Beautiful. Love the bookshelves. 6y
HKGirl Wow!! Dream bookshelves right there 😍 6y
BookMaven407 Wow! Beautiful! ❤️❤️ 6y
BookishMe Absolutely pin-worthy! 6y
youneverarrived 😍😍😍 6y
julesG Beautiful! 6y
megt Beautiful! 6y
hollymckie so pretty!! mine used to be colour co-ordinated but my bookcase is so overflowing now they are just shoved in anywhere and piled high around it 😂 need another one so i can replicate this! 6y
tjwill 😍 Love this! 6y
SilversReviews Beautiful!! Love it!! 6y
ladym30 Gorgeous! 6y
erzascarletbookgasm THIS IS SO GORGEOUS!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH! Brilliant job, Sara! And sorry for shouting. 6y
Simona 😍😍😍 I like my messy shelves without any order, but every time I see so beautiful arranged books, I also want to do something with my shelves ... 6y
batsy You've done a fabulous job Sara! They look wonderful 😍 6y
Suet624 Gasp! That‘s so beautiful, Sara. Thank you for sharing this photo! 6y
TheWordJar Loooove this! Are you available for hire??? 6y
RohitSawant Oh, that's beautiful! 😍😍 6y
Bookzombie 😍😍 6y
Nute Wow, Ms. Sara! I love the bookshelves. I love the thoughtful arrangement of your books. It is truly beautiful!! 6y
saresmoore @Nute Thank you! ♥️ 6y
janeycanuck Gorgeous! Love those bookshelves, where are they from? 6y
TrishB Lovely 💕 6y
saresmoore @janeycanuck They are from Target! They‘re a step or two above IKEA in quality, but still relatively inexpensive & flat packed. 6y
LeahBergen Gahhhhh!! It looks amazing!! 😍😍 6y
LeahBergen And I totally did NOT just take a screenshot to peer like a creeper at your titles. 6y
saresmoore @LeahBergen Thank you! 😘 It‘s an eclectic bunch. The other shelves in the family room are for the prettiest books and then I have an antique bookcase upstairs that is home to our absurd collection of theology & spirituality books. These are mostly just fiction. I wanted to have a space that simply inspires reading. The cabinets below have a rotating variety of books & games for the girls. 6y
saresmoore As if you needed to know my logical book arrangement... 😅 6y
emilyhaldi Gorgeous 🙌🏻 6y
LauraBeth 😍🙀😍🙀 6y
97 likes41 comments
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EchoLogical
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So I've been here in the Keys for a month and I'm finally unpacking. Super stressful because the third bedroom that used to serve as an office/library is now a nursery. My husband thinks the extra books should go in there anyway and I think that's a ridiculous idea... But I'm trying my hardest not to say so. I know it's the hormones that are making me extra cranky but still...😑🤐

JoScho If you put them in the nursery you will just have to move them as the baby gets older. 6y
EchoLogical @JoScho Exactly! That's what I told him. Lol 6y
EchoLogical Needless to say, I didn't put them in the nursery. I'm gonna donate some to the local library. 6y
58 likes3 comments
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jackilynn
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The "big" bookshelf is finally unpacked & organized. Moving/unpacking sucks but I am happy I have my own space & it is finally starting to feel like home.

CoverToCoverGirl Very nice. 😎 6y
jackilynn @CoverToCoverGirl thanks. I am sure I am bound to rearrange things at least 1 more time over the next few weeks but it feels so good to have the majority of my books out of storage now lol 6y
20 likes2 comments
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Branwen
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Chaplin is helping me get my books organized! :-) #catsoflitsy #littenkitten

julesG Can totally see where the name comes from. 6y
30 likes1 comment
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SassyBookworm
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My current #libraryhaul on my #Libby app!!! I‘ve got a lot to be excited about for the next few weeks!!!

#SassyBookworm 😏 #bookhaul #librarybooks #Bookwormproblems #ebooks #audiobooks #currentreads

Jess7 Hope you‘re joining us for #litsybuddyread of The Women in the Castle. Don‘t forget to use the hashtag 🤗 6y
SassyBookworm @Jess7 I am so glad you told me!!! I will definitely join!!! Thank you so much!!! ☺️ 6y
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SassyBookworm
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My current #libraryhaul on my #Libby app!!! 😳I have got to get busy!!! 🤓📚📖 Good thing I got thru 40% of The Other Einstein last night (and I had started it yesterday, I was super proud bc I‘m usually a pretty slow reader!) Plus I‘m over halfway thru my audiobook A Lesson in Secrets!

#SassyBookworm 😏 #LibraryBooks #ebooks #audiobooks #bookhaul #freakinout 🤪

MamaGina I really like the Libby app - it's probably a good thing my library limits me to 6 holds on it!🤓 6y
SassyBookworm @MamaGina I have 3 library cards one from my home town & 2 from neighboring towns. 10 holds each, but it definitely has gotten me trouble having so many books all check out at once! 😳🤓 6y
MamaGina @Chrysta23 WOW!👍🏼 6y
84 likes3 comments
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MrBook
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This is a bit tough to read with such small print, but here's the Caribbean starter-list. I'm probably missing some heavyweights, there's so many great ones from this region! 🤓 #LitsyLovesLibraries

Andrew65 Another great list prepared by @MrBook 👏👍 (edited) 6y
79 likes1 comment
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WanderingBookaneer
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Do you agree or disagree?

BookInMyHands I wish I could say I agree, but I clean and organize when I‘m stressed out in an effort to control something around me. There are worse coping mechanisms, but I‘m not always pleasant to be around when I‘m doing it 😬. 6y
Sue Haha, nope! Rigorous order doesn‘t happen in my life, and the closest approximation of it happens at work. My books are in piles of happy disorder. 6y
AmyG For me, let's just say...if the books aren't in order then nothing else is. ;) So I guess that's true! (edited) 6y
batsy Same, @Sue 😆 6y
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MrBook
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Some of the new bookshelves that are in our new cafe, run by our phenomenal Friends of the Library program. Oh yeah, library #bookporn. 😎👌🏻#LitsyLovesLibraries

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WanderingBookaneer
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Oh, if it were only a 100-book margin 🤦‍♀️ 6y
Leftcoastzen Ditto 6y
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WanderingBookaneer
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I was never as scared as the day when @BookishMarginalia inspected the bookshelves in my bachelorette pad. Apparently she approved. We moved in together in less than a month and got married 3 months after that!

emilyhaldi 💞 6y
Leftcoastzen Sweet! 😍❤️ 6y
Prairiegirl_reading ❤️❤️ So now do you have blended or separate shelves? 6y
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DeborahSmall So true 💕 6y
brilliantglow ❤❤❤ 6y
Redy2trvl So true! I always feel a bit creepy when I spend an hour invading someone‘s bookshelf at a party. I‘m a voyeur and a private investigator when doing so. 6y
saresmoore ♥️ 6y
GypsyKat 💗 6y
mrozzz 😊💜 6y
tammysue ❤️ 6y
Owlizabeth 💞💞💞 6y
LeahBergen Awww! 💕 6y
Bookzombie That so sweet! 💗 6y
LeeRHarry 💕 6y
kspenmoll Love your story!!!❤️❤️❤️ 6y
WanderingBookaneer @Prairiegirl_reading : When we buy them we keep them on our respective sides of the bed. Eventually they make it out onto the bookshelves. 6y
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WanderingBookaneer
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WanderingBookaneer
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71 likes1 stack add
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The.Intentional.Reader
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Look at this chair and all it's perfection. I definitely need to make one of these!

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Leftcoastzen
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#someoneelsesbooks #riotgrams I think there must be something good to read in here! Trinity Library Dublin.🙂☘️

TrishB Beautiful 💓 7y
DivineDiana Agree! 😉 7y
32 likes2 comments
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MrBook
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And this was my sixth and final haul. It was so much fun packing up books and shipping them around. #LitsyLovesLibraries

SilversReviews I took about 12 bags to the library at the hospital. :). It is a lot of fun to share the love of reading. 7y
monkeygirlsmama Sandra Boynton! We loved those when my girls were younger. (edited) 7y
80 likes2 comments
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MrBook
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This is the last day I get to do transit between the branches 😔, our regular guy is coming back from vacation. So much fun getting to see everyone at the different locations. This was load drop-off number 4 today. #LitsyLovesLibraries

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MrBook
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The library will soon be open for business. Everything is coming to life. And the first load to greet me in the morning ain't too shabby. Let the games begin 😎👍🏻! #bookporn #LitsyLovesLibraries

Reecaspieces I see greg Iles!! (edited) 7y
TheBookAddict Desperation 🙌🏽...Tak... ☠️ 7y
97 likes2 comments