Shelf-Esteem: An Introduction

A glimpse at my bookshelves before we get to yours.

Welcome to Shelf-Esteem; the Substack series in which I interview Substackers I’ve never met about their bookshelves.

When I put a note out asking fellow Substackers if they’d be interested in a stranger (me) asking them about their bookshelves and all the objects/treasures/stories those shelves hold for this series, I thought if just two people responded yes, I’d be happy. 

Over 500ish comments later, I’m still sifting through all the volunteers, messages and pictures of bookshelves I’ve been sent. Obviously the note struck a chord, and I put my finger on something the Substack community is wildly proud of: Their bookshelves. 

Mildly overwhelming to say the least, but I’m committed to sharing as many as I can, so bear with me.

To start, I thought it only fair I go first and share my shelves and knick knacks with you all. Thank you for sticking around; thank you for subscribing, and thank you for sharing your bookshelves with a stranger on the internet. 

A little about my bookshelf…
I live in a rather small-ish house so I have one bookshelf, and it’s definitely not coping with the amount of books I own (and continue to purchase). I usually buy my books second-hand unless there’s something I really want that I’m impatient to read or I know is wildly niche, and likely won’t turn up at my favourite second-hand stores. 

I’m not particular about holding onto a book if I haven’t loved it; I usually donate or gift to a friend to keep things circulating. I do keep books I love (duh) and I do loan out books, so many of my favourites are missing from these images.

As you can see, my bookshelves aren’t deftly styled but I love knick knacks and am well-known to hoard ceramics, Sonny Angels, shells (mostly gifts from my grandfather), vintage frames, postcards from restaurants I’ve loved, and assorted vintage glass.

My taste in books…
I definitely lean towards literary fiction but there’s also a smattering of non-fiction (essay collections mostly), art and fashion books too. 

I’ve got quite a collection of Japanese writers, short story anthologies, cosy murders and witchy books, too. I also love anything about high society or high fashion feuds/scandals, think: Capote’s Swans and duchesses/heiresses who lost it all or disappeared into anonymity.

The oldest and the newest books on my shelves
The newest; I just bought, as a treat to myself, Gillian Anderson’s Want, Sluts: Anthology by Michelle Tea, and The Magical Girl Returns by Park Seolyeon.

The oldest; Lilith by George MacDonald (which my mum gave to me when I was a teenager) and The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike (again, as a teenager, I watched the movie and was then obsessed, so I bought the book.)

Books I always recommend?
I insist everyone read The Memory Police and Picnic At Hanging Rock.

The last book I couldn’t finish?
Sheila Heti’s Pure Colour—I just couldn’t get into it. (I don’t love a dream-sequence and most of the book felt like one long dream.)

My favourite non-book item?
This Spice Girls photo album is like a symbol of my childhood and I cannot be separated from it. 

If I could only save one thing from my bookshelves…
My grandmother took this picture of my best friend and I eating chips by a lake in Australia’a Blue Mountains as kids; it’s one of my favourite possessions ever. It’s on film so this is the only version that exists.

Got a bookshelf you want to share with me? Subscribe and then send me a message.