A Home Library

My top tips for curating a collection of books you love on a budget.

Libraries of the Past

When I was in college in the late 1980s-early 1990s, studying Comparative Literature, everyone I knew had books in their apartments. When I want to parties, visited a new friend’s house, or was vetting a new boyfriend, I would head to the bookcase to see the books they read. To my mind, a person’s book collection was the best way to get to know someone. I remember the thrill of finding out they liked the same books I did. Or maybe I would find my next read on their shelf. I would carefully pull the book from its place on the shelf, read the inside jacket, and ask my friend for their opinion. I rarely disregarded someone based on their bookcases, but I will admit to being less than enthusiastic about someone who didn’t have any books in their home or claimed to dislike reading.

On one of my first dates with my husband, I asked him who his favorite author was. He was working on his PhD in Nuclear Physics at the time, and I assumed his favorite author would be a sci-fi author, or worse, he would claim he didn’t read fiction. But he surprised me by telling me his favorite author was Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who as it happened, also my favorite author at the time.

When I saw his apartment a few dates later, I headed to his bookcases and swooned. Our bookcases were almost exact replicas. I married him two years later.

Libraries of the Present

In today’s world of eBooks, I sorely miss personal libraries. I have one bookcase of fiction in my living room and friends rarely glance at it. When I go to other people’s homes, there are often no books to be found. I miss the conversations that come from being in the presence of books. I miss living amongst books.

Libraries of the Future

Recently, we’ve been rearranging our house a bit and have decided to create our own library. I’m picturing a room with shelves on most walls, filled with books. Maybe a table in the middle where I can write sometimes or (swoon) host a dinner party. I mean, don’t we all want to have a candlelit dinner surrounded by books? (I’m assuming your answer is yes, because you are reading this.) It will take awhile to make it happen but for now, I’m stalking Pinterest for library inspiration and daydream about the day I’ll have my very own library.

How to Build a Personal Library

With that in mind, I have begun to rebuild my collection of books. My original library, full of paperbacks from my husband and I’s college days were donated when we moved between states. Only hardback books and books we really LOVED made the move. I don’t miss the ones I released, but I do miss being in the company of books so I have created a way to bring more books into my life, to create a personal library I can turn to repeatedly.

My process for collecting books on a budget is simple but much more intentional than it has ever been. Here’s what I do:

• When I hear about a new book I might want to read, I download a sample to my eReader.

• If the sample interests me, I look for the book at my local libraries. I belong to two different library systems and can usually find either a copy of the book or the eBook of the title to borrow.

• If I cannot find the book at the library, I try to find a used copy. I go to my local bookstores (Vintage Books or Powell’s) and see if I can find it. It’s a great excuse to spend a few hours in a bookshop.

• If I can’t find a copy locally, I turn to the online, used book shops, Thrift Books or Abe Books.

• If I still can’t find the book, I either decide I must have it and buy it new (usually in eBook first) or I put it on a list that I keep and refer to whenever I find myself at a library book sale or used book shop.

• After reading the book, I decide if it is something I would read again. Did I take a lot of notes? Copy quotes? Was it a book that I can’t wait to recommend to friends repeatedly? If I answer ‘Yes!’ and I borrowed the book or have it as an eBook, I will begin to look for it in hardback. Again, I visit local bookstores and then online book shops first or I ask for it for a gift.

• If a book doesn’t make the cut for my library, and I had bought a used or new copy, I release it back into the wild by either donating it to my library’s book sale or gifting it to a friend I know would like it better than I.

• This process saves me money and I know that the books I own are the ones I will return to when looking for quotes, or when I want to reread something familiar and comforting.

Now remember, these are tips for buying books when you are on a budget. I’m always a fan of supporting authors and the best way to do that is to buy a new book. If you don’t like supporting larger bookstore chains or Amazon, I recommend going to an independent bookshop (I'll be featuring some of my favorites in the next few months! So be sure to subscribe) or go to Bookshop.org where you can designate a local bookshop to receive a portion of your purchase. Some authors also sell direct on their websites.

If you do buy a used book or borrow one from you local library, be sure to find a way to support the author. Write a recommendation for the book, recommend it to your friends, or share it on social media.

Tell Me About Your Library Dreams

Do you still have bookcases filled with books in your home? What would your dream library look like?

Will you share The Cozy Library with your literary friends and family? I would really appreciate it! Thank you!