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On Being Bookshelfish

I am tempted to post pictures of my bookshelves to compare with Scott Baker's but I am not home. Also, my mother-in-law has been staying in the room wherein 80% of my library is stored, rendering the acquisition of said digital images difficult. Please refrain from any mother-in-law jokes as she doesn't speak English and therefore is truly delightful to have around.

To address Meredith Jessup's points:

1. Brian’s bookshelf judgment process is seriously flawed.  How many people stock their bookshelves with a number of volumes they’ve never even read?  Think of a stranger’s bookshelf like an online dating profile — how much of what’s out there really reflects who they are?  For a better look at someone, you’re better off snooping through their nightstand or medicine cabinet.  Or, there’s the much more sane and less creepy way of getting to know someone: have a conversation!

Au contraire! (It's Contrary Tuesday) Even an unread book on a bookshelf will tend to suggest some kind of sentiment an individual may harbor or interest they have, otherwise they wouldn't have the book. Of course there are exceptions such as someone who simply hoards books, but by virtue of his or her hoarding there's probably no room in the home for me to come over and scan their bookshelves! The problem solves itself.

Nightstand and medicine cabinet snooping seems especially invasive, though now I'm kind of intrigued. Having a conversation helps, sure, but I believe bookshelves are ultimately more honest than people.

2. Brian has fallen prey to today’s politically correct society.  If you think Donald Trump is an idiot, you should feel free to say so, regardless of what someone might think.

I don't believe avoidance of discussing Trump's inherent absurdity with someone who is making me a cocktail or salad is related to political correctness. I'm just trying to be polite and avoid conflict. Actually, if someone were to peruse my bookshelf they would come to the conclusion that I am not politically correct, as evidenced by such books as Robert Hughes's outstanding attack on PC, Culture of Complaint.

4.  Taking time to snap photos of your personal library and debating what image you‘re putting out to the world tells me y’all have way too much time on your hands.

Ironically, instead of making final edits to my forthcoming book I'm engaging in this debate about bookshelves.

5.  As a Kindle owner myself, I declare that Kindles are great but books are forever.

Boom! Winning. Now, off to bookshelf porn.

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