I shelve most things by author. Except for when I don't. Like, sometimes related non-fiction goes with the fiction it's about (so the the LoEN annotations are with the Alan Moore stuff). And also except the Sherlockian books, which I just put on their own shelf because it seems silly to have it all scattered under each author, and equally silly to put it all with Doyle. Oh, and then books of essays and stuff like that are mixed in, also by author, because am I going to put Last Chance to See across the room from Dirk Gently? And what do I do with Ellison? That leaves, let's see, anthologies and collections with multiple authors, and some assorted nonfiction & reference books. Which in theory is collected together on a separate bookcase in some kind of coherent system, but in actuality is in a large pile on the sofa because that's when I got sick of dealing with it last time I tried to put my books in order.

As a librarian, I shelve everything at home by size because it's the most efficient method and shelf space is limited in my small apartment.

And also except the Sherlockian books, which I just put on their own shelf because it seems silly to have it all scattered under each author, and equally silly to put it all with Doyle.

My sister in Sherlockiana! Nothing makes me happer than to have my two-volume Annotated Holmes next to the books written by modern authors.

I feel lucky if I manage to get all the books by one author in one place.

Yes, this. The only exceptions are the Neil Gaiman books (because they live on the shelf with the Sandman bookends), and the Terry Pratchett books (because his books don't leave room for another author on those shelves). Otherwise, books go where there's room.

thinks more

Joe's and my books are not combined.

Now granted, there isn't a lot of overlap, but he has his bookshelf - Monstro - and I have mine. Some of mine are on Monstro, because they won't fit on mine anymore, but only at the very bottom of the bookcase in three very specific spots.

Huh.

Aimee, have you read Anne Fadiman's essay on marrying book collections together in her book Ex Libris? It's really a funny look at the subject.

Aimee, have you read Anne Fadiman's essay on marrying book collections together in her book Ex Libris?

That was a terrific essay. It was how she knew she was really keeping the guy.

Aimee, have you read Anne Fadiman's essay on marrying book collections together in her book Ex Libris? It's really a funny look at the subject.

I did, at Kristin's urging. I liked it a lot, but I can not remember what she said on the subject.

We are fully integrated, with a couple of Me Only shelves. Our books are by author awith different sets of bookshelves for types of books--bedroom has modern novelists, dog and cat reference, sets of books (like Narnia or Little House) home angd garden books, and my favorites.

Desk has film/TV and car reference, car reference. Living room has humor (one entire shelf is Python-related and another is SJ Perelman and Thurber), books by friends, and art and photography books. One last seprate bookcase is childrens' lit, including Oz first editions, sets of Bookhouse and Childcraft, and all the Alcott books.

We have a lot of books but try to keep winnowing. We don't keep stuff like mysteries or celeb bios unless one or both of us want to read them again. Better they go to Goodwill and someone else get to enjoy them than they gather dust and take up space.

Oz first editions

Can I come over and stare at them if I promise not breathe on them???