Sorting the Shelves & Sorting the Library | July 2023

[@libraryofkayla]

Hope we get a little look at the Persephone spare room - sounds like it’s going to be gorgeous Also your taste in furniture (and books obvs) is 👌🏻

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh you will. Once it’s done 😉

[@philstrand]

Glad you're able to demonstrate so much shelf control. You're an inspiration to us all!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. I think I’m dreadful. Lol. I have no self control when it comes to second hand furniture it seems 😉

[@ruthsandersasmallfishingvi2889]

Hi Simon, Love that your resident plant doctor has the problem in his sights. Love watching old blogs of you two, so delightful together 💕

[@SavidgeReads]

Plant doctor? I’m confused lol.

[@kirstenlee7575]

I'm in total awe of your management of your library!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. Technically lack of as I only do this every so often. Trying to be more regular. We will see how I do. Ha.

[@fleurmeneve5780]

This kind of video just makes me feel warm inside. And also tickles my neurotic bookshelf-organization-persona. That chaise longue is A-mazing!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwwww ok so pleased you enjoyed it. I still can’t quite believe that I have a chaise longue, I’ve always wanted one. And in Barbie pink I couldn’t resist.

[@juliequick5526]

A wildly overdue event chez moi! Excellent motivation and I’m glad to see someone else with multiple shelving options by category, even if this makes life complicated 💖

[@SavidgeReads]

I don’t find it complicated because it works like my brain. I think often other people find it a bit convoluted if they try and overthink it or work it out. But it’s not there shelves.

[@juliequick5526]

@@SavidgeReads very true!

[@Novaturient_Liv]

Your library/ reading space is so lovely. Inspiration for the future. Reading Kate Mosse this autumn sounds like a great idea!

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you like the library. I’m still mulling the Mosse readathon, could be better for spring as autumn is looking crazy for gigs and work reading. 🥳📚

[@carolbresnahan1244]

Joyful to watch! I know that I would sound the same if I had to give voice to my thoughts when shelf sorting🌻

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you enjoyed it!

[@bibliosophie]

oyyy watching this video whilst sitting in my library after 6 weeks away makes me very much realize I need to reorganize my own shelves... I thank you for the inspiration but also ever so lightly damn you

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. That just made me laugh VERY loudly. Please film the process and include as many curses at me as you like 😉

[@bibliosophie]

@@SavidgeReads 🧙‍♀️

[@amylouise3798]

I have Labyrinth and Sepulchre on the TBR so very much here for a readalong!!

[@SavidgeReads]

Woohoo. I’m going to see mum tomorrow and see if she wants to join in too.

[@jenniferfyffe6949]

Thank you Simon for making me think about my shelves in a new way. I will be spending part of my August reorganizing my shelves and and putting together the titles I would like to read before years end! I love the look of the library. I love a chaise so well done, and the colour is fabulous!❤

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m thrilled that the video had that effect. I am smitten with the chaise. I can’t pretend otherwise.

[@milliemary6328]

Oh my gosh that pink chaise lounge! 😍 what a stunner! 🔥 oh Simon I absolutely loved this vlog, thanks for letting us have a nosey at your shelves! 😁 I adore how organised you are, and very envious. Can you please do another video chatting ideas about how to organise book shelves? I have no order and need help 😅 I have just piles of books 🙈 yes to trolley updates 🙌 x

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh like an aging uncle of shelves. That could be a lot of fun. Though everyone has very different spaces and shelves and the like but let me have a think how I could do it as I love the idea.

[@janepeacock3704]

While I think of it …… I luv that book trolley 🤓 & the wall paint colour 👍

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you very much. Sadly the paints been discontinued. Eek.

[@janepeacock3704]

Oh no 🥴 🎨

[@fozzymup268]

Great video, I love book sorting stuff! And now you really do have The Victorian Chaise - longue! 💕📚📚

[@SavidgeReads]

I couldn’t even have predicted it. It’s bonkers. Genuinely a life goal achieved. And in that pink 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

[@eviebeatricee]

This was a lovely video, the new chaise lounge is so beautiful😍 I would love to see your Persephone book room when it is finished and love the book trolley updates. Thank you❤️📚x

[@SavidgeReads]

Persephone room is getting there might not be the four book vlog I thought. Unless I eek it out which I could to be fair. Definitely going to try and keep on it with the trolley updates.

[@emmafletcher5044]

Well this was a pure joy to watch! Very cosy for this very soggy evening in Devon! 🤘🏻

[@SavidgeReads]

Sooooo pleased you enjoyed it. I’ve spent this soggy evening in Ikea. Yes, buying more bookshelves. Hahaha.

[@maartjedegroot9598]

O wow, I’ve never seen an overview of your library before. It’s beautiful 😍 And I loved the trilogy of Kate Mosse. Maybe I want to join you for my reread.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thanks so much. I’m delighted you liked it. I’m going to see mum this weekend and see if it’s a project for us this autumn winter and then see if people want to join in.

[@karenmoore4430]

I love the idea about the Kate Mosse readathon.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m very very tempted.

[@kimswhims8435]

I'd like to reread Labyrinth and have never read the other two. A readathon sounds really interesting.

[@theworddegree]

This was fun! And loved that you called it a ‘fizzy pop’! Made my heart smile ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. They will always be fizzy pops to me.

[@cuppa.books.]

Absolutely loved watching this 💜

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m soooo pleased. Thanks for joining me.

[@SarahSazSarah]

I really liked this video … thank you for sharing

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@AnaMoShoshin]

This was so fun as usual!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you. So pleased you enjoyed it.

[@marcellainthemargins]

Everytime you do a shelf sort out of the library, I dream of it being an actual library where I can visit and lend books 😍

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. I am not a very good book loaner. Lol. I have thought about airBnB for one of the spare rooms though as a little reading retreat. The Persephone room.

[@marcellainthemargins]

@@SavidgeReads Omg how perfect would that be! I get what you mean with loaning books out, especially because I;m the exact opposite. I always bash up my books, so I rarely borrow books from other people, unless I am one hundred percent certain they are ok if their books come back a little worse for wear..

[@rebeccaostergaard7091]

I love your book trolley and would love updates!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m going to film one today!

[@susprime7018]

Horse by Geraldine Brooks, one of my favorite reads this year, makes you cry. "Horses, they know too much," good trolley placement with the front of the book showing. Love the green bear. I thoroughly enjoyed your shelf sort. You can channel Madame Recamier.🐎

[@SavidgeReads]

I don’t know who Madame Racamier is? I hope they’re fabulous. Hahaha. I have Horse on the TBR. I have been wanting to get to that for aaaaaages.

[@susprime7018]

@@SavidgeReads Oh she was fabulous.

[@cindyhaiken5644]

The new chaise lounge is absolutely amazing and looks as though it was meant to go in your library. I fell off my chair laughing when you said “Pray for Simon” before you began. Trolley updates would be excellent. And Miss Buncle’s Book is not only one of my favorite Persephone novels, it started me off on a DE Stevenson obsession.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh that’s good to know about Miss Bundle’s book. I’m looking forward to getting to that and all my Persephone’s. Little did I know when I filmed this that I would be decorating a room inspired by the bookshop a mere week or two later. Bonkers.

[@lesleybradley9370]

Loved the vlog. Just wanna come into your house and just gaze at all your amazing books and house. I love it, love it love it. Thansk so much for continually inspiring me. Xxxxx❤

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it and like the shelves. And the house. Well the glimpses of house 😉

[@lesleybradley9370]

@@SavidgeReads it looks absolutely amazing. Xx

[@cecilialau_]

Loved the vid, loved the shirts ☀️🤌 And your library is looking an absolute dream 🍍

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thanks so much Cecilia. A lovely comment to get!

[@creationspast.janebowell1903]

« I have the same trolley », she said childishly 😂 I loved the vlog thank you Simon!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha trolley twins, love it!

[@marthauhlig]

love the idea of reading the Persephone books in order but personally i could never do it like that lol I have to know a bit about the book before I'm convinced to read it or be in the mood for it! Lovely video as always Simon!

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. Well with Persephone’s they don’t do blurbs so that might be tricky. I don’t like a blurb so it’s perfect for me. I may well do a couple of other indie publishers or imprints in order for fun too. I feel like the order does kind of matter or tell a story about the publisher… well I won’t know till I try 😉

[@kdonaldson7308]

I love this type of video!!!! The fastest way for me not to read a book is putting it on a TBR lol

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahahaha same. Though I’m trying to fix that… by popping them on a trolley to trick my brain.

[@dianedickson6366]

I did have a giggle at the misbehaviour on the trolley. I would be overwhelmed if I had so many books to read. I panic if I have more than two waiting. Your crime shelf is a bit little! Mine's bigger than yours!!. LOL Hm White Teeth - read that ages ago. I enjoyed it very much. You have made me want to do a roomaround. I'm exhausted just watching. Gorgeous chaise longue.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hang on my shelves are too many but my crime too small… everyone’s a critic. Hahaha. I see these books not as my reading for the next day, week, month, year but the potential journeys ahead in my life… hopefully lots of exciting reads ahead over many years to come. If I’m lucky.

[@dianedickson6366]

@@SavidgeReads yes. Crime too small. I am aware that it's impossible to read all the books and I've got a lot less time than you but I love your attitude. I suppose I'm greedy I want to gobble up as many as I can before I fall off the twig. Still got a good grip right now mind you.

[@shawkitty2524]

I love the seating arrangement by the fireplace--I could really go through the books in that cozy spot! I also love the cat figurines on the shelves! Your fireplace looks Victorian--is your house from the Victorian age?

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s is a Victorian villa. Which sounds ridiculously fancy. I don’t like modern houses. It’s always Victorian for me, they’ve survived two world wars, your in good hands… or good bricks.

[@liannem7785]

I'm a big fan of both Kate Mosse and Taylor Jenkins Reid. Would like to see you blog about them just because it's interesting to compare impressions!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m hoping to do a video on TJR. Kate Mosse might be more of a long term project, like one a month for a few months, rather than a video project… but you never know 😉

[@citylover1323]

I. Am. In. Love. With. That. Chaise.

[@SavidgeReads]

Me. Too!

[@viviannewson8662]

Love it when I am first to like you video’s 😊😂 silly ? Yes ? But it makes me happy so I don’t care !

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. I’m happy you’re happy.

[@maartjedegroot9598]

I really like your shirt. ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you. You can get it via Sunny’s Book Truck which is run by one of my favourite booktubers CJ Reads.

[@maartjedegroot9598]

@@SavidgeReads thanks, I'm going to check them out.

[@janepeacock3704]

Ooh beautiful chaise lounge 😌 Well done for super 📚 sorting 👏🏻 (it was good to see yourshelves 😉) Have you read “Eagle in the Sky”? (Wilbur Smith) - such a well written & emotional book imho that I’ve never forgotten 🙂 I’ve just started “Time Shelter” 👍 & have borrowed from the library “Sepulchre”; I read/enjoyed “Labyrinth” sooo long ago 😬 it’s well overdue that I read its sequel! Recently read/enjoyed “Daisy Jones & The Six” (my 1st by TJR).

[@SavidgeReads]

I haven’t read any Wilbur Smith. I’m keeping that on the down-low though. Hahaha.

[@tangledthreads3976]

I would love to join in if you do decide to read the Kate Mosse trilogy. I read them a few years ago and have been meaning to reread them. Loving the chaise longue, she's the perfect addition to your library.😊

[@SavidgeReads]

I am definitely considering a Mosse-athon. I think it could be really good fun. I’m still smitten with the chaise longue.

[@maryeddy802]

Finally read "The Essex Serpent" by Perry and loved it! Highly recommend.

[@SavidgeReads]

One of my favourite books was my book of the year the year it came out. Looking forward to her new fourth novel next year.

[@katiechatseyeshadow4394]

Great video, I love your Once upon a time tattoo. What percentage of your library are tbr? x

[@SavidgeReads]

This room is all TBR. I know, all of it, madness. All my read books that I’ve loved are in the office downstairs.

[@amy_harboredinpages]

Yes... trolly updates please!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. I am just about to film the first segment of what will eventually be the first one. Lol.

[@kimswhims8435]

That pink chaise lounge is da bomb! Your library is da bomb! Beautiful! I'm a bit of a frustrated closet librarian (completely untrained and self-taught- a wicked combination), so I'm here for any and all bookish organisation. I weirdly have the Persephone Miss Buncle's Book borrowed from the local library at the moment (from an unusual library browsing moment) would be very keen to hear your thoughts on that one. It's the only Persephone I've ever had in my hot little hands, because the shipping is outrageous to Australia (otherwise they'd be as common, in my home library, as green spine Viragos are). I think that the Miles Franklin winner is a definite Simon book, I think you'll really enjoy it. It starts off cosy and then becomes something a bit more. It's been a very popular novel in Australia, even before it won. I don't want to give too much away better to discover it for yourself. Looking forward to hearing what you think about it. If you want next year's Miles Franklin winner, my feeling is that Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright will be up there with a good chance. It's still on my TBR, but Alexis Wright is an amazing indigenous writer (Nobel Prize level), so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone who loves Literary Fiction. I'm hoping to read some of the Booker Longlist so I'm off to reorganise my Trolley in anticipation of that. Happy Reading.

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you for the library comments very kind. Hope you enjoy Miss Buncles Book. I’m intrigued by the Miles Franklin winner. I bought the whole short list but they didn’t arrive in time. Oops.

[@kimswhims8435]

@@SavidgeReads There's 5 on the MF list that are very strong, it's only The Lovers that I'm a bit luke warm about and wouldn't recommend it. I'd swap it for Losing Face by George Haddad, it's excellent. The Sun Walks Down by Fiona Mcfarlane, didn't make the list and that one is excellent too.

[@Bookswithcassandra]

Love this video concept!

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you. I do them monthly, well try to, on my patreon but thought as I had a mega one would share it on here.

[@katrinaandallthebooks7993]

I love your library, can’t you move out the books you had as a child to make way for 2024 books?

[@SavidgeReads]

I have actually moved a few sets of books off those very shelves and have created two whole shelves worth of space. Very chuffed.

[@maryeddy802]

Oh no! You must read "Mexican Gothic"--it's wonderful!

[@SavidgeReads]

I will. I have another of her books to read for Crime Time.

[@Laura_D]

There was an interesting podcast episode recently where Taylor Jenkins Reid chats with Elin Hilderbrand. TJR seems delightful.

[@SavidgeReads]

She was a joy to talk to when I hosted an event with her last year.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I also need to read the books I buy or receive as gift.

[@SavidgeReads]

Timing is important with books though. Gotta make sure it’s right for you and the book.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

@@SavidgeReads And mindset is important for me too. Books that were written a long time ago with a different writing style or books that are dense, I have to have a certain mindset. Like I can't be literally falling asleep or have too many distractions, like the radio or people talking.

[@whatsthetemma1308]

Persephone vlog would be great. You need to get to young Mungo I read it after you mentioned it. Do you ever read fantasy/sci-fi? As a last thought bit of a Segway you recommended a cowboy book can you remember what it was please?

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh the cowboy book… was it one I wanted to read or had read? I filmed most of this a few weeks ago. Lol. Too many books. I don’t really read sci fi or fantasy no.

[@gazcarr28]

Where do folk get these trolleys from

[@wanderingoff13]

Ikea i believe

[@SavidgeReads]

You can get some from ikea but also craft shops and that awful website we don’t speak of but sometimes needs must.

[@gazcarr28]

@@SavidgeReads thank you - I enjoyed the video

[@kimswhims8435]

I got mine for half the prize of an Ikea one from a local hardware shop. Limited colour options - mine is white, is the only drawback.

[@traceynicholson9611]

Ive just finished reading happy head by josh sliver it was a y a it was great But don’t know what to read next have you any recommendations not horny or Sifi or fantasy

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I don’t know. I can’t really recommend a specific based on that book as I’ve not read it. BUT there’s lots of videos here with lots of recommendations that may tickle your fancy if you have a watch.

[@traceynicholson9611]

@@SavidgeReads ok thankyou

[@carolewatson2113]

About to try Going zero. High hopes!

[@SavidgeReads]

I am looking forward to it, in due course.

[@tanyam6197]

❤😊

[@SavidgeReads]

🥳📚

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

If you ever need a library assistant, I come cheap. I’d work for lots of tea & a soft boiled egg. ☘️👋🍀📖📚📕☕️🇮🇪💐

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. It hasn’t come to that yet but never say never.

[@kathleensharin9947]

I adore your videos but good grief, I would need to lock myself in a room with a bathroom attached; have food sent in and not speak to anyone for at least a year so I could make a decent dent in all those books. I’m retired and have found that normal life just keeps getting in the way of my reading. All I want to do is read. My family and friends despair of me. How do you find a proper balance?

[@SavidgeReads]

Well to be fair, my working and reading life sort of combine so that gives me added time for reading which I am very lucky (though it can have its perils as well as it's perks) and I am also lucky that I work part time, so have more time. I see these books as all the adventures in my future, which I am hoping is quite a long time, plus I have made peace with the fact we will never read all the books we want to, very freeing.

[@maryeddy802]

See you have "Godshot". Really good, but you may need to be a Californian to fully understand the scary water situation which can dictate aspects of our lives.

[@SavidgeReads]

You’d hope the author can make the reader fully understand from the writing. That’s the joy of the best kind of writing. It can take you anywhere and immerse you in any experience, completely different from your own.

[@nerdism854]

so you are a book-hungry bear... sorry I just had to

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. I totally agree. Lol.

[@afriendinsweden]

After having watched and Enjoyed it all, I hope you do not feel hurt when I say I love the chaise long the best! Not true though got intrigued by the persephone series? Have to Google that.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. Not at all. I loooooove the pink chaise.