We are probably the last generation to have a bookcase and to contemplate books on shelves.
I find my inspiration for buying books from people who recommend them, from automated recommendations in Amazon, from displays in airport bookstores, from TV programs featuring the writers, from reviews in newspapers or from thought leaders who share their favorite picks.
As I follow my instinct when buying books, I found out that all books in my bookcase fit on 7 shelves, by theme, with no order of importance:
- Novels
- Travel guides
- Philosophy
- Brain / mind
- Universe
- Civilizations
- Business
I like when a book can fit on different shelves: a novel about travel or business, the link between the mind and philosophy, or between civilization and philosophy or the mind.
In novels, I have books like Shantaram and series like Bernard Werber’s books.
In travel guides, I have books from A to Z. I like reading about a country before visiting it. I also like reading the guide after the visit to compare my impressions.
In philosophy, I have books by Descartes, Bachelard or BHL.
On the brain / mind shelf, I have books like Emergence, Consciousness explained, Bright air brilliant fire, The remembered present and books by Damasio.
In universe, I have books by Einstein, Maxwell, Penrose, Hawking and others. I could have called this shelf “Physics” or “Astrophysics” but it sounded too academic.
In civilizations, I like the books by Jared Diamond and histories of rise and fall of civilizations. I could have called this shelf “History & Geography” but it sounded like being back to school.
Finally on the business shelf, I have management books and biographies of business leaders. I may need a new name for the shelf, which currently sounds like a library.
As I read those books again I will post my notes on this blog.