The Book on the Bookshelf by Henry Petroski

by Dawn Brushammar

My latest non-fiction read can be summed up with two words: Librarian porn. No, I am not talking about scantily clad, bespectacled women with buns in their hair and books in their hands. I am talking about a book that I read with voracious excitement as a librarian.

The Book on the Bookshelf by Henry Petroski is an extremely well written and riveting account of the history of the bookshelf. Bookshelves can, of course, never really be separated from their contents (they'd just be shelves then, right?) so it is also a history of the written word, publishing and books.

From medieval monasteries to modern day academic libraries, Petroski takes the reader on a fascinating journey through time and space. He does not tell the bookshelf’s story in a linear, chronological fashion, but jumps around, keeping the reading very interesting. I especially enjoyed learning the reasons behind many design choices and the tracing of the evolution of the bookshelf. I read his many references about lighting and its influence on the placement and design of shelves with great interest. I was introduced to many historical concepts that were previously quite foreign to me, such as books chained to lecterns and scrolls stored in locker like compartments.

As a librarian, bibliophile and lover of social histories of everyday objects, I truly enjoyed this book. It is the only book that has ever made me miss my subway stop. Unfortunately, my IKEA bookshelves seem even more mundane now that I have seen the wonderful illustrations in this book. I recommend this book to all readers. After being neglected for so long in favor of its contents, the bookshelf finally gets its due in The Book on the Bookshelf.