“The notion that physical books are ending their lifecycle is upsetting to people who hold them to be synonymous with literature. . . . But why should a civilization that reads electronically be any less literate than one that harvests trees to do so? And why should a transition away from the printed page lessen our appreciation and love for printed books? In a world where we do most of our serious reading on screens, books may again thrive as expressions of craft and design. Their decline as useful objects may allow them to flourish as design objects.”

Apparently, that time may have already arrived in Southern California, where there is a serious business which specializes in helping you decorate with books.:

“Similar to the way most people purchase drapery fabric by the yard, our collections are offered to fill a particular space. . . Rather than spoil the overall look of your bookcase by trying to fill it with paperbacks and/or ugly nick-knacks, allow us to help! Armed with the correct measurements, we can provide the exact number of books you need to complete your space.”

And so it's reassuring to know that you are still a traditionalist when it comes to books. As I scan my own bookshelves, I see books which reflect the changing interests of my life: subjects that fascinated me in college; elements of my early career; research for specific projects; things which were of intense interest; experiences like travels and performing arts; and subjects which engage me today.

You might say that our lives come with unique bibliographies. . . what we read for pleasure, what we read for knowledge, what we read for love.

“The notion that physical books are ending their lifecycle is upsetting to people who hold them to be synonymous with literature. . . . But why should a civilization that reads electronically be any less literate than one that harvests trees to do so? And why should a transition away from the printed page lessen our appreciation and love for printed books? In a world where we do most of our serious reading on screens, books may again thrive as expressions of craft and design. Their decline as useful objects may allow them to flourish as design objects.”

Apparently, that time may have already arrived in Southern California, where there is a serious business which specializes in helping you decorate with books.:

“Similar to the way most people purchase drapery fabric by the yard, our collections are offered to fill a particular space. . . Rather than spoil the overall look of your bookcase by trying to fill it with paperbacks and/or ugly nick-knacks, allow us to help! Armed with the correct measurements, we can provide the exact number of books you need to complete your space.”

And so it's reassuring to know that you are still a traditionalist when it comes to books. As I scan my own bookshelves, I see books which reflect the changing interests of my life: subjects that fascinated me in college; elements of my early career; research for specific projects; things which were of intense interest; experiences like travels and performing arts; and subjects which engage me today.

You might say that our lives come with unique bibliographies. . . what we read for pleasure, what we read for knowledge, what we read for love.