Musing Mondays (1)

 "Musing Mondays" is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B over at Should Be Reading that explores some fun bookish question or pondering.  Use the link to head over and participate!

This week's musing...

Do you like looking at other peoples' bookshelves?

I actually love looking at others peoples' bookshelves! I almost can't stop myself from staring when I see where other people keep their books.  Now, before you think that I'm really strange (or maybe you already think that...but I don't actually care), there are many reasons to stop at look at the books that other people put on display. (because what are bookshelves if not the way to put them on display?)

First of all, everyone I know at least mildly well knows that I enjoy reading and that I read a lot so they often assume that we might have some similar reading tastes.  As a result, my husband's history friends will often use this topic as some common ground.  Hence, staring at their bookshelves early on in the evening allows me some insight into their reading tastes and gives me some direction for the inevitable bookish conversation that pops up solely to attempt to draw me into the conversation.

Second, I simply like to look at books.  I love the library and I love Barnes and Noble for the same reason that I like the east corner of my bedroom--books on shelves are fun to admire. I like to look at how they're arranged, fix things that are out of place (although I generally avoid this at friends' houses), and admire the spines (and sometimes the covers).  Sometimes I'll find new titles that catch my eye that I want to check out on my own later. Sometimes I'll find books that I loved (which at the library or B&N sometimes mean that I try to face them out).  It's simply a fun experience.

Third, well, there's not really a third thing.  :-)  But if you love looking at bookshelves then you simply must check out THIS website. ;-) Enjoy!