What Books Say

by

Andi Miller

Any time I visit someone’s home, if there are bookshelves in sight, I will most certainly investigate them. For book lovers, or at least for this one, books in a room are an instant sign of kinship. I relish the opportunity to find out if I have something in common with the books’ owner or if perhaps they own books I love or have secretly been harboring a crush on—titles I may not purchase for myself in hardcover, the newest bestseller, or perhaps a tattered old favorite. Like so many things—clothing choices, hairstyle, living space—I assume that books represent the owner in some way because my books represent facets of my personality. Looking at others’ shelves is an interesting way to discover them.

I recently began dating a delightful man—his name is Chuck—and he has a glorious set of bookshelves in his living room—dark wood, nicely arranged, and peppered with artifacts of his life alongside his books. Of course, I noticed it upon entering his home for the first time, though I did not have an opportunity to “read” his shelves at that particular moment. However, on our second date I took a closer look and discussed Chuck’s books with him.

While he doesn’t often have the time to read with a busy work schedule and a family to maintain, his books intrigue me and, truthfully, they remind me very much of my own. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone sits alongside The Lord of the Rings and Fahrenheit 451 next to books on Asian culture, mythology and a copy of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. Among  the trinkets sharing space with his books are a beautiful humidor stuffed with cigars, Asian pottery, and some Valentine’s and birthday cards. It’s an eclectic bunch of reading and objects that  reflects an eclectic sense of humor, style, and everyday living. It is also evidence of Chuck’s willingness to explore the vast array of topics he is passionate about and his interest in bettering himself in a number of spheres, including his personal relationships.

The other side of the assumption that books represent their owners is much darker. If one is to presume that something can be learned about a person from their shelves, issues of prejudice and snobbery are sure to arise. Unfortunately, I am not immune to prejudice and snap judgments. Some of Chuck’s books made my eyebrows shoot up in what can only be described as suspicion. In particular, the copy of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus and a book on the legalization of marijuana sent me straight into visions of bongs, college fraternity parties, and emotional wreckage—not images I want to associate with a man I seem to be falling for fast.

As I was standing in front of the shelves trying to figure this guy out according to his books, I had to mentally and emotionally step back in order to evaluate my own holdings and my opinion that books always speak clearly about their owner. As I have mentioned before, I like to think of myself as a “serious” reader, but I certainly enjoy a good bit of brain candy and have lots of it on my shelves. Likewise, I tend to explore a wide range of topics, and while I do not have any marijuana books, I’m sure my small collection of erotica would probably send some viewers into peals of laughter or others screaming from the room. Some of it was obtained through hopeful publicists looking for a review, but my nearly pristine copy of Georges Bataille’s Story of the Eye was bought because Dave Matthews recommended it in an article I read, and I went through a Dave Matthews Band phase when I was a 21-year-old art student. Alas, it was so horrifying and gross that I could never finish reading it. Likewise, I have a decent collection of books on forensics and, well, death. Mary Roach’s Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, Dr. Bill Bass’s Death’s Acre and Stephen Prothero’s Purified by Fire, a history of cremation in America are among my favorites. My mother was a big reader of true crime and medical non-fiction when I was growing up, and it rubbed off.

Despite revolving interests in a bevy of topics and countless trips to the used bookstore to sell off unwanted volumes, the erotica, the forensics, and other slightly odd or embarrassing titles remain. Sometimes they accurately represent my interests (the forensics) and sometimes not (the erotica). To the innocent onlooker I might come across as a homicidal sex fiend. I had to give Chuck a break for the books that made me turn up my nose.
 
While I would never go so far as to assume that one’s bookshelves serve as evidence of a “good” or “bad” person, they certainly can give insights into one’s passions and priorities. The things we display in our homes reach out to those who share the space and inevitably prompt investigation and conversation—as was the case with Chuck’s shelves. When it comes to books, and my new relationship, understanding the stories and facts that he has ingested, the ideas that might be swirling around in his head, creates a feeling of intimacy. While it might never dawn on non-readers, the exploration of another’s shelves and what can be learned by such simple associations is absorbing and intoxicating. When I noticed Fahrenheit 451, a favorite book of mine, I immediately wanted to know his thoughts on it. Does he feel strongly about banned and challenged books? What about the Patriot Act and issues of intellectual freedom? Is he interested in all sci-fi or just bits and pieces here and there? One book sparked a series of probing questions and a potentially absorbing conversation.

In the early stages of a relationship it’s especially nice to think that I can learn more about this person I hold dear from simply viewing his surroundings and finding the small commonalities we share. It’s a romantic idea perhaps, but everyone needs a little reading romance. I am happy to report that the marijuana book belonged to an ex-girlfriend. She prompted him to read Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, and I can also report that he has learned a great deal from it. He understands women. Huzzah! While a cursory glance at his shelves could have been misleading and certainly made me assume the worst for a few minutes, the resulting conversations have been rewarding and help me understand him better. I look forward to his exploring my shelves in return, but I think I will hide the erotica first.

Books Mentioned in This Column:
Death’s Acre by Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson (Putman Adult, 2003)
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Del Rey Books, 1987)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (Scholastic, 1999)
The Lord of the Rings (One Volume) by J.R.R. Tolkien (Mariner Books, 2001)
Purified by Fire by Stephen Prothero (University of California Press, 2002)
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach (W.W. Norton & Company, 2004)
Story of the Eye by Georges Batailles (City Lights Books, 2001)


Andi is a recovering university academic employed by the North Carolina community college system as an English instructor. While she decided to forego a Ph.D. and career as a professor, she fills in all the free time her current position affords her with editing literary publications, reviewing, freelancing, and blogging at Tripping Toward Lucidity: Estella’s Revenge. Her work can be found in the journal, Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS), and Altar magazine as well as online in various venues such as PopMatters.com. She is a member of the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC), and writes fiction. Her turn-ons include new books and gelato, while her turn-offs are reality television and washing dishes. Contact Andi.