Books. We all love them. We all have them. But sometimes as the books we keep meaning to read pile up it can get a little overwhelming. Though books can never be clutter, by corralling them you can make your reading experience a much more enjoyable one.
We're not calling it the weekend project for nothing. Really, if you have a sizable collection of books, then this is going to take an entire weekend. But if you love books, then there can't be a better way to spend your time off from work.
There is so much you can do while arranging/rearranging your shelves but if you don't know where to start, here's what you can do.
Before you begin: Give it away
Before you begin sort through your books to see if there are any you would like to donate or maybe even sell at secondhand bookshops around Thamel. If there are books that you didn't enjoy reading all that much or don't plan on rereading give them away. Don't hesitate because there might be people who will enjoy reading them and you'll have space for brand new ones on your bookshelf.
Alphabetical
Arranging your books in alphabetical order is perhaps the most sensible thing to do, besides being the most obvious and reliable way. You can choose to arrange books according to the title or the author's last or first name. Remember, "the" and "a" don't count. You'll never misplace a book this way. This can be a little time consuming but the effort will be worth it.
Genre
If you have a bunch of different kinds of books, you might want to arrange them by genre. Decide on the categories first. For example you can separate your books as Fiction, Mystery, Reference, Politics, and Science etc. This can sometimes be a little tricky. But as long as the categories make sense to you, the system will work wonders.
The Combo
If you have a little extra time and are willing to put in some more effort into this weekend project, you can also consider merging the two styles mentioned above. First sort out your books alphabetically and then separate it according to the genre within the alphabetical categorization. This way it will be much easier for you to locate a particular book. This is for people who are super organized and like to know exactly where a book is.
Color
This might not be the most sensible way to organize your books, but it definitely is visually appealing. Try this if you don't need access to particular books all the time, or if you can easily identify your books by their spine color. Try arranging them in color blocks or create a pattern while you are at it. There is a lot you can do but you might have to be okay with not knowing where certain books are.
Chronological
Arranging your books according to the year they were published in or set in is also a good idea if you are the sort of person who can keep track of it all. This is especially helpful for historical novels and non-fiction that talk about certain periods of time. This is particular good for those people who have a large collection of such books and find themselves frantically searching for certain books time and again.
Stacks
While you are at it you can also consider stacking some book at various places around your room/house. First group them according to categories or just make a fun stack of your favorite reads and have them by your night stand or at an unused corner of the room. If you stack them at the corner, you can add a cushion and a warm fleece blanket and create a cozy reading nook. Don't create a very tall stack and make sure you have sturdier ones at the bottom for a good, strong base.
Give in to nostalgia
Create a separate category for books that remind you of your childhood or high school years, and another separate category for books that have been gifted by friends or autographed by authors. You'll enjoy looking at them as much as dipping in and out ever so often.
Coffee table books
Separate books that are visually appealing and use them as coffee table books. You'll not only add a fun décor element in your room but will also be able to enjoy picture books you might otherwise not pull out from the shelves regularly.
Get creative
Try framing a window or doorway with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Narrow shelves can also be recessed between wall studs in a hallway without cramping your space. Ready-made modular systems allow you to create storage in odd-shaped areas, around corners and under stairs, without the expense of custom cabinetry. Try arranging books along the staircase, if you are up for experimentation.
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