Bookshelf Tour: Eliza

Personal libraries are so amazing. Whether you have ten of your most prized books or hundreds of stories on a physical TBR (To Be Read), the fact that one person could have access to so many unique and fantastic worlds is incredible. I feel incredibly lucky to have collected some of my favorites over the years along with some of my friends' recommendations.

This is my favorite bookcase with the majority of my books! I enjoy organizing it in rainbow order (more for display than functionality). There are a few key books being lent to friends at the moment, but, in general, I like to keep my absolute favorites close to me.

I really love used books, especially after working in a used bookstore, so I'd say at least half of my books were used before I bought them. I think it's extremely cool to own a book that's been read and loved by someone else, and I especially love when a book is annotated because I get a peek into someone else's mind. My top shelf consists of mostly classics that I bought secondhand, like Jane Eyre, but also houses one of my favorite universes, the Grishaverse. A lot of the books on my top shelf are unread but highly anticipated.

I also really value the books with memories attached. This collection of JRR Tolkein's work was purchased from a small bookstore in Edinborough and I remember just being so thrilled to have found such a beautiful copy. Jane Austin's "Pride and Prejudice" traveled with me to both Scotland and Costa Rica, and I really love it because of that warm memory it gives me. Books from family members and friends show that they know and care about me, and personalized books from my favorite authors remind me of all the excitement gained from book festivals and signings. Essentially, I really value owning books, not just for unlimited access to stories, but also for the unlimited access to the memories and feelings that come with them.

Funko pops are the greatest thing ever. At one point, I had Barb hanging from the top of my shelf (get it? upside down?!?) and Nearly Headless Nick is from a friend. I think this area is one of my favorites because it's pretty simple, but I get to display little pieces of things I love that aren't necessarily books. Also, please note my arc & Owlcrate copy of one of my current favorite books! Roshani Chokshi's words are so lush and descriptive that I can't help but fall into her writing. The collection of Jane Austen's novels is another amazing book because it lays open perfectly and holds so many of Austen's greatest works.

This last shelf holds one of my favorite series, of course. I was obsessed with this Hogwarts edition of the series & bought each book one by one in middle school until I had the whole set. This shelf also houses amazing books such as A Study in Charlotte (best Sherlock continuation EVER), Caraval (Stephanie Garber is so sweet, and her stories are so amazing), & The Star Touched Queen (if you weren't aware, I adore Roshani Chokshi). I also try to leave room for some fun bookish trinkets I've collected over the years.

Thank you so much for coming on this guided tour of my shelves! I love sharing about my favorite stories and am really proud of the work I've put into making my bookshelves a reflection of me and my passions. Keep growing your own collections, and, if you can, support local bookstores like Bookmarks when doing that! Having independent bookstores in our communities is so so important, and by using them to build our personal libraries, we're helping keep a vital part of our community alive!