Bookshelf organisation and a big book unhaul 📚

[@Nurse_Kathy]

I find bookshelf organizing videos to be unusually satisfying! 😊

[@benreadsgood]

I enjoy actually doing it for about an hour, then get a bit bored 😅 But I'm glad I pushed through with this because the result was so satisfying!

[@zoezheng1908]

So relatable! When I find I have extra room in my bookshelf, I immediately think: oh good I can have more books!!

[@benreadsgood]

They're the perfect home decor: beautiful AND functional!

[@novelideea]

The mouse and his child is wonderful.

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks for the tip! Will see if I can squeeze it in around Christmas.

[@ChronicleV]

Oh my, the built ins look amazing! It's so satisfying seeing books of the same height all together 😊

[@benreadsgood]

We're so pleased with how they turned out. And yeah I love getting everything in height order 😅 I need to go back over them and do a bit more re-ordering I think - either alphabetical within the different heights and genres, or putting similar themes together. But for now it's looking great!

[@StephanieP1901]

We're looking to add built-ins too. Right now I'm sitting beside a massive pile of books - 17 hardcovers, mostly quite new. Across the room there is a small table also piled high. We have 3 IKEA Billy bookshelves that are stuffed full. My son has a Billy in his room and some built-ins at the bottom of loft bed. Same thing. Full. We have a book problem, I like to say. Or maybe I should say our house is just too small. Anyway, your "problem" was nothing relative to what I've got here. I have such a hard time culling but it may be time. But your remodel looks amazing. I love the color. When we lived in Dallas, Texas (which I don't recommend) my office was painted cathedral gray, and I miss that.

[@benreadsgood]

It’s a nice problem to have, in a way 😊 Those Billy bookcases are a lifesaver though. I do a lot of my filming in front of the one we have in the kitchen (which, yes, is also bursting at the seams with books).

[@deathnyyy]

books are great and your son is blessed to have access to so many books! by far the greatest form of entertainment, but if the amount really burdens you think about decluttering the books, like only keeping 4 stars and above or if you don't rate books, only keep ones you would refrence, reread, pass on, or absolutely loved. and btw built-ins look fantastic but they really restrict the organization and amount of books, so downsizing seems plausible

[@dqan7372]

Looking good! And the unhaul wasn't as hard to watch as I had feared, though I did want to stop by and rescue a few. 📚

[@suzannedavies7996]

Glad it wasn’t just me. I may have ordered one of the books that was unhauled. However, I do have Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads on my bookshelf and have decided to unhaul it.

[@benreadsgood]

Haha I need to know which ones. It is *very* against my natural inclination to be getting rid of books, but I needed to make the space 👀

[@charlottemolloy]

The shelves!! 😍😍 I love them! "I think I have too many books"... No! 😂

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you for the affirmation!!! Never too many 😂

[@ameliabarlowbooks]

that new bookshelf feeling! love your moon lamp 🌙

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks!!! We rarely have it on because it's weirdly noisy and I get scared about it being a fire risk haha, but when it is on, it's lovely!

[@libraryburrow]

I love watching book re-shuffling videos. It's weirdly therapeutic. I haven't got on with 'Wolf Hall' either. I managed to get just over half way, I don't know why I can't get into it because historical fiction is my favourite genre.

[@benreadsgood]

The first 20 minutes or so of actually doing it is also therapeutic... and then I quickly get bored and want it to be over 😂

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I sympathise with your struggle. 😅📚 It's amazing how much time we can spend sorting our books. Great video. I've been meaning to read Lote since it came out. "Which Thomas?" 🤣 It's easy to forget. I gave up on Wolf Hall my first go around but loved it when I revisited so hope you get time ton at some point. And I like the idea of being a Will Self reader better than actually reading him most of the time too. His novel "How the Dead Live" is probably my favourite. New cabinets, shelves & reading space look great! ✨

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks Eric - always nice to know we’re not alone 😂 Very excited for Lote. Only picked it up recently because I saw someone banging on about how it was a Booker winner that never was. Thank you for the Will Self pointer. The only thing I know about his work really is that I do not want to read Umbrella!

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

Oh my goodness! This was fun to watch and the shelves and the room itself is GORGEOUS!!!

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you!!! We're so pleased with how it turned out. The video editing was more fun than the actual organising though 😂

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

@@benreadsgood , oh, fun!

[@CalebBedford]

No! Not Fitzgerald getting abandoned! The Beautiful and Damned is underrated, in my opinion. But as a massive Scott Fitzgerald fan, I suppose I’m biased. Lol

[@benreadsgood]

Sorry not sorry Caleb 👀 You are the sort of person I hope picks it up from the charity shop though - it deserves an owner that will cherish it.

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Thanks Ben. I’m hoping to be inspired as I need to do some reorganizing. Hopefully not several times. Hopefully will be doing some unhauling too. I didn’t care for Mexican Gothic either. 😊💙

[@benreadsgood]

Oooh good luck - it's a surprising amount of effort to sort through. I'm surprised some people seem to do it so often! Will look out for your results (if you decide to vlog it).

[@autumnrose_noseinabook]

This was a very relaxing video to watch. And well done with your unhaul and reorganization.

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you so much! The organisation itself didn't feel very relaxing but I'm glad the final result was 😂

[@tabitha_h2000]

oh your new book set up is chef’s kiss🤌 it looks so good! & was hopefully a rather therapeutic process for you! thank you for sharing!

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks Tabitha - glad you like it! It was actually a bit of a pain as the living room was out of action for a week, but it was worth it in the end. Putting all the books back up (and editing this video) was so satisfying. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

“The metaphorical bin”, 😂 excellent! Love seeing videos with peoples shelves. You did a very impressive unhaul. The kind I would do if I wasn’t a terrible hoarder. 😂 The new shelves look excellent! When you were talking about Wolf Hall (your copies are gorgeous), I had the same experience: tried Wolf Hall in the pandemic and just couldn’t get into it. A year or so later I tried again and it is indeed an amazing book. I am daunted by book 3, so haven’t read that yet. I’ll consider this my timely reminder to read it and give back my Mum’s stunning hardback of The Mirror and the Light. 😊

[@benreadsgood]

Oooh I’m glad to hear that Wolf Hall turned out amazing for you after a false start. I’ve been worried it might just not be for me. The editions I have are far too pretty I’m almost scared to touch them too much 😂

[@rebecca.reader]

I have just had a big book clear out too. It is incredibly satisfying! Love the new shelves!!

[@benreadsgood]

It felt very nice once it was all done, for sure! Thanks so much for watching and glad you like the shelves 🙌

[@KatherineDV]

Your new shelves are lovely!

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you - we're really pleased with them!

[@xnoname223]

Love this!! More shelf organization videos please👍

[@benreadsgood]

There may be a need for more reorganisation soon! I’d like to promote some of my nicer books (some Penguin classics, some of my favourites, and visually striking ones like my Fitzcarraldos) to the new shelves. Thanks for watching!

[@CharlieBrookReads]

Seeing other people unhauling always makes me want to go through my shelves. Your new shelves look fab!! Fun video 🤩

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks Charlie! The whole thing was actually more stressful than it looks 😂 but it was very fun to put the footage together and I’m so pleased with the result!

[@nickyhampson875]

Love this Ben. Great video 👍🏻😍

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed it! 🙌

[@nathansnook]

end result is magnificent!!!! loved seeing the clean up. i wish i was a bit more disciplined in the way you were able to banish books off your shelf! i'm too kind to any book i have :

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks king!!! I am normally really bad at holding onto books too... I rarely re-read so it's mostly for nostalgia / remembering that I read something.

[@brigittesamson5089]

Enjoyed watching this very much !

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you so much - glad you enjoyed it 🙌

[@TheEmzies]

Ooh I spot a copy of Kavalier and Klay - one of my all time favourites.

[@benreadsgood]

Good spot - I have had that one for about 10 years and really need to get around to reading it. I love the premise.

[@christinaalvarez332]

Wonderful video and beautiful collection!

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@readandre-read]

I enjoyed this and the new shelves look great. I like seeing different ways of organizing books; I alphabetize mine. I just unhauled a bunch of books but somehow I don't see any more space on my shelves...

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks so much - we've been pleased with how lovely it's turned out. Alphabetising is a nice way to do it... feels more like a bookshop then! And yes, books somehow have a magical property where they will fill all and any available space.

[@curatoriallyyours]

The shelves are looking great!

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you! It’s definitely had a positive impact on the room.

[@cecilialau_]

When you said you got a dodgy copy from WOB, I felt so seen. Haha 😅🤦🏻‍♀️ The new shelves look ace btw! Always nice to do a bit of a haul when the opportunity arises. Even when it does take loads more energy than expected... Great vid, Ben 🤩

[@benreadsgood]

It was supposed to be hardback!!! I thought I had a bargain but they played me 😂 Glad you like the shelves and thanks as ever for watching ❤️

[@Tetsujin-28]

Sothern Reach Trilogy: Definitely a great read. Love the book shelves. Very elegant. You should read Birnam Wood. I thing you'd like it.

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks Rob! I’ll have to do a recap on Annihilation if I pick up the series again. It’s been so long! And thanks for the recommendation - maybe I’ll see when it comes out in paperback.

[@Alicia-rd2bj]

I VERY like a New library

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you very much, and thanks for watching! 🙌

[@TheseNights984]

You should definitely read Anna Karenina in 2024, it’s such a beautiful story and worth the effort. Plus the chapters are pretty short so it’s easy to break it down into shorter chunks.

[@benreadsgood]

It’s such a bucket list book to me, so I need to get on with it. Perhaps a very specific 2024 goal for me.

[@norfolkreads]

The new shelves look great, I really need to unhaul to make some room but find it so hard to let go 😅

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you 🙏 Yeah I hear you - it was very hard to choose what I wanted to get rid of, and I probably should have gone even harder really. Maybe another time!

[@JentheLibrarianreads]

I've tried to read Wolf Hall twice and just can't seem to get into it...I really want to try again though. Love those new shelves 🥰

[@benreadsgood]

We need to give it another go. I’m certain there is a joyous experience waiting for us! Thanks for watching, Jen 🙏

[@JentheLibrarianreads]

@@benreadsgood if you want to read them together at some point, let me know. Less of a buddy read and more of an emotional support group 😅

[@benreadsgood]

Wolf Hall wolf pack 🐺

[@chrism-d1493]

This is completely random, I know, but i love the colour of the walls in your living room. Have you any idea what the colour is called and/or the brand?

[@benreadsgood]

Not random at all - glad you like the colour! It’s from a company called Coat, and the colour is Mr Clifton. It’s a little bit expensive but the paint is really excellent quality. It also maybe feels a bit darker than it might look in the footage, but we were really happy for this room to feel cozy.

[@cynthiamurphy2610]

***Potential spoiler (but not really) for Shift***** If you have watched Severance on Apple, then you already have the gist of Shift. I’m not certain where the original idea came from, but it will be interesting to see how season two of Silo (Shift) will handle some major plot points considering that both series are headliners for Apple. It feels like whoever wrote the script for Severance read Shift back in the day, and continued to develop some major plot points with a “what if” twist. I used to think that Severance was brilliant, until I recently reread Shift, and now I’m just curious about the evolution of the mythology. P.S. This was a fun video. I hope you enjoy your new shelves.

[@benreadsgood]

Ooh that's so interesting. I love Severence! I wonder how Apple will handle the similarities. They must have noticed!

[@jenniferlovesbooks]

This was very satisfying! I recently unhauled about 100 books because we moved house. Still got loads of books left though 😂

[@benreadsgood]

100 is so many to ditch! I did think about more but it was so hard to let go. Even books I didn’t really care about I didn’t want to say goodbye too. But maybe part of that is because I also moved like 18 months ago and got rid of quite a lot then!

[@juditkovacse]

Lovely shelves. I also like how you organized the books in size order. It looks so much more pleasing that way. I have not read most of the unhauled books, except for David Foster Wallace, which is not worth getting into. Especially the big, and famous Infinite Jest is not worth it. Also, you mentioned keeping Hitchens' memoir, but fair warning there is some homophobia in there.

[@benreadsgood]

Love size order - I think it’s hugely underrated! It just looks so neat and tidy. Thanks for the heads up on the Hitchens. That’s really disappointing. Might still read it but glad I won’t be surprised.

[@soniajohnson8878]

I read Greene back in the day, and he wasn't an author for me, apart from Travels with My Aunt which was amusing. Apart from the occasional travelogue I have given up on non fiction. Books are not the way I want to consume facts - I prefer podcasts or radio/tv programmes. New shelves look great.

[@benreadsgood]

Yeah I think sometimes it takes someone really engaging to get me to hang in there with fact-based stuff too. Podcasts are brilliant for that.

[@p_p_p_p_7732]

Interesting video! :) The way Deborah Orr was treated by her ex-husband Will Self has put me off him a lot. Can't get past that to read him.

[@benreadsgood]

Ah that's interesting - I didn't know anything about that! But understandable if author behaviour puts you off - there are plenty of authors out there to read who haven't done problematic things.

[@TheBookBully]

*skims by SAY NOTHING* "nothing really of note" You have broken my heart!!!!!!

[@benreadsgood]

Haha no shade, I just meant like no special editions or anything. I’m excited to read Say Nothing, I promise!!! 🙏

[@user-qo6tz1oe1v]

Please read and review The House Of Doors by Tan twan eng

[@benreadsgood]

Hey - I have read that one! You can find my review in Part 3 of my Booker longlist reading series. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJe4eIelmpV5jKc

[@user-qo6tz1oe1v]

@@benreadsgood Thanks 😊

[@spexi513]

Ppl raved about Mexican Gothic and I wasn’t impressed at alllllll, so I kept double checking if it was the same book 😳

[@benreadsgood]

Yeah it really was not it. I found it soooo bad.