Books as decoration?
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
September 18, 2012 6:24pm CST
I was reading a discussions on another discussion site and I would like to share the topic of that discussion. The person who had started the discussion wrote that she was redecorating her living room at the moment and she wanted to buy some books with beautiful leather covers. She didn't care about the authors and the titles, because she just wanted to use the books as decoration. She asked the other members of the site where she could buy old books with beautiful leather covers.
I have never done the same thing as her. I don't want books that I don't intend to read or books by authors I don't like. I like to have a beautiful living room, but my first priority is always the content of the books and not the way the covers look.
What do think about her idea? Do you also buy books that you aren't interested in and use them as decoration? Or do you only buy books based on the authors or the topics.
5 people like this
25 responses
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
19 Sep 12
A terrible waste of books, but there are places you can buy books by the yard for just that reason.
Waste of paper!
I was in a restaurant and they had done that a long time before, but people had pulled the books off, even tho they had been glued to each other.
I found a copy of a book there I had never read and asked if I could borrow it. I returned it the next time we went there.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
I also think that it is waste of books and I don't understand why people would buy books that they aren't interested in reading. I wouldn't do that and I don't care how beautiful the covers are 
I have some books that I haven't read yet, but I have bought them because I am interested in them and I plan on reading them one day. I have seen a pub that did the same thing as the restaurant that you mentioned, they had lots of books, but no one ever read them.
I have some books that I haven't read yet, but I have bought them because I am interested in them and I plan on reading them one day. I have seen a pub that did the same thing as the restaurant that you mentioned, they had lots of books, but no one ever read them.2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
I didn't know that you could get that kind of wallpaper. It is unusual but interesting.
2 people like this
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
well she is just superficial i believe lol.. i mean if i would do that, i intend to display books that i LOVE and books that i have read too. I have been planning to make this double bed for the kids with bookshelves in it.. i love how it look, i saw one online. Plus i also saw one online where the staircase was also the book shelves it was incredible..and if ever i have one i would put all books that i love.
2 people like this
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
yup i also do not go for those beautiful books unless the content is also beautiful and worth it. 
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
A combination of a staircase and bookshelves sound interesting. I imagine that it looks very nice. We have bookshelves in the living room, but we have too many books and there isn't enough space for all of the books, so we need to find a place for the rest of the books. I wouldn't buy books that I didn't intend to read just because the covers are beautiful. I only have books that I have read or books that I intend to read in the future. I collect books about travelling and other countries, most of them are paperbacks and they are not especially beautiful, but I don't care about that because I find them interesting.
1 person likes this
@varunkrishna007 (1909)
• India
19 Sep 12
I feel that she must be hypocrytic in nature. but is it just hypocrisy. I seriously feel she has some mental disorder or something. Having books for decoration is fine, but sharing such a thing in a forum, would people be dump to that extent.
2 people like this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
19 Sep 12
I don't see the point of going to the trouble of sourcing books to put up on a shelf just because they're only intended to LOOK good sitting there and not for their worth to read...it just sounds so fake.You can imagine the scintillating conversations when someone notices an interesting book on that shelf (Who are these people with no interest in books trying to impress with this display,anyway?) "Where did you get that book?"
"oh,books.by.the.pound.com...."
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
19 Sep 12
I wonder if they like "Monty Python"?...the Pythons did a 12" vinyl album called "Instant record collection" which opened up into a cube shape,having a photo of other record spines all along it..
2 people like this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
29 Sep 12
She obviously seems to want the place to look good,but so does a TV stage or Movie set that's made up to look like someone's home..That's the movie I'm thinking of...Keeping up with the Jones's..Demii Moore and David Duchovny..This Family move into a neighbourhood and are soon the centre of attraction with the neighbours for all the cool stuff they have before anyone else,and setting trends...but things aren't how they appear on the surface...it's a study of consumerism and the "Front" people put up in society..
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
28 Sep 12
Books by the pound Yes, it is fake to buy books just because they look good. When I first read the discussion I thought she was joking, but I could tell from the comments that she was serious. I think it is a strange idea to buy books in order to impress other people. I would never buy a book if I didn't find the author or the topic interesting, because I would feel that there was no reason to keep those books in my home. I wonder what this woman would say if someone wanted to discuss the books with her, she probably wouldn't be able to hide the fact that she hasn't read the books.
Yes, it is fake to buy books just because they look good. When I first read the discussion I thought she was joking, but I could tell from the comments that she was serious. I think it is a strange idea to buy books in order to impress other people. I would never buy a book if I didn't find the author or the topic interesting, because I would feel that there was no reason to keep those books in my home. I wonder what this woman would say if someone wanted to discuss the books with her, she probably wouldn't be able to hide the fact that she hasn't read the books.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
19 Sep 12
I have seen this happening often.I know of some relatives and friends who buy leather bound volumes of knowledge books and never use them , it just becomes part of the decor and nothing else. I like to have books around me and I have shelves filled with my books in the living room,bedrooms and even a small one in the bathroom.They are all there because we are all avid readers in my home and not as part of the decoration..I buy books all the time and add to our collection and we all buy books based on our personal interest...nice discussion 
all the best and happy mylotting
all the best and happy mylotting2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
20 Sep 12
We have something in common, because I am also an avid reader. I wouldn't buy books and use them as decoration. I only buy books that I intend to read. I have a lot of books, and I have book shelves in the living room, but I don't have enough room for all of the books, so some of the my books are tucked away in a closet upstairs. I need more book shelves Sometimes I buy new books, but I often choose to borrow books at the library instead because I can't afford to buy all of the books that I want to read.
Sometimes I buy new books, but I often choose to borrow books at the library instead because I can't afford to buy all of the books that I want to read.@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
20 Sep 12
I too have some books which I keep in large boxes or baskets because there are not enough shelves to arrange them.Books have become very expensive now and when I plan to buy I normally try the second hand book stores and am able to find at least one or two at one fifth of the prize.I too borrow books from libraries every now and then ...all the best, enjoy your day 
1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27167)
• Australia
19 Sep 12
I don't think that is such a good idea. If she already has some books laying around her house and now wants to use them as part of decorations, then it might be a good idea. With some creativity, she can make the beautiful covers herself.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
I think that it would be a better idea to use the books that she already has as decoration, but that woman wants to buy new books and use them as decoration in her living room and I don't really understand the reason behind that. I love to read and I don't want books in my home that I don't intend to read. I would find it strange to buy books simply because I found the covers beautiful. It is true that she could make the covers herself, but I don't think that she has thought about that.
1 person likes this
@MelanieMay (102)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
Books as decoration is a little unconventional but not unheard of. It may seem like such a waste for those of us who really love books but not from the perspective of the people who uses them for their aesthetic value. I have encountered a couple of people who buy a lot of new best-sellers but never gets around to reading them. The books are prominently displayed in their living room though which makes for an impressive take for visitors. LOL But they let other peoples borrow them so it was not such a total waste. To each his own. :)
2 people like this
@varunkrishna007 (1909)
• India
19 Sep 12
I think here the fascination is for the color combination and a shape f that of a book i think the person can look for some cheap alternatives instead of the book.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
That is true, it really depends on the perspective. People who love reading and buy books because they intend to read them find it hard to understand people who treat books as a kind of decoration, but the people who buy books because they like the look of the covers don't see it that way. I belong to the group of people who would never buy a book because of a beautiful cover. If I like the content of the books I don't care what they look like. The idea of buying books that I don't intend to read seems strange to me, but there are people who do that, and they are happy that way.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
19 Sep 12
what i have liked seeing is people that have a lot of books (our library has done a display of this too) and they group together the same colours; so all the blue books go together, all the green, etc. its looks really cool.
But in answer to your question, i typically don't buy books, i visit my local library every week so that is where i get my reading material from.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
I don't think that I have ever seen a collection of books that was arranged according to the colours, but I can imagine that it looks great. I am not able to do that with my own books. My books are very different from eachother and I think that it would be hard to arrange them in groups according to the colours. I also visit the libary very often. I have a collection of books in my home, but I use the library a lot and I get most of the my books from the library. I couldn't afford to buy all of books that I want to read so it is great that we are able to borrow free books at the library.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Sep 12
hi porcospino I had a lot of books b ut they were authors I loved and books I read and reread too.no to me books are to read not just to decorate with.if she did not care what was in them She could hav just stuck covers in there on old junkie books.My books are to read and enjoy too.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
1 Oct 12
I agree with you, I also think that books are meant to be read. I would never do the same thing as that woman (buy beautiful books and use them as decoration) I think that would be a waste of books. I have a collection of books in my living room, I have bought every single book because I like the author or because I am interested in the topic. I haven't read all of them yet, but I look forward to reading the rest of them in the future. Some of them I have already reread many times and I will continue to enjoy them in the future.
@anex08 (868)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
books should be used as a source of learning and knowledge and not a decoration. but of course we are all have freedom to do what we want as long as we don't hurt one another. Maybe she had a purpose of reading the books later on after she decorated her living room :)
Have a nice day!!!
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
28 Sep 12
I agree that books should be a source of learning and knowledge. I think that the important thing is the content of the books and I find the appearance less important. I couldn't imagine buying books only because the covers were beautiful. I only buy books if I am interested in the topic or if I like the authors. To me it would be a waste to buy books only because I wanted to use them as decoration, but you are right we all have the freedom to do what we want and if that woman wants to buy books and use them as decoration she is free to do that.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
19 Sep 12
Porco, i don't have the interest to spend money into buying books that is not of my interest. In fact using books for decoration is a waste of money to me. Besides that, i don't have a large room for displaying my books. I prefer to spend money into buying books which are useful for me. Those books which is not useful to me anymore, i would recycle them away.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
28 Sep 12
I wouldn't do that either. I have a small collection of books in my home, but I have chosen every book because of the author or because I am interested in the topic. I have some books that I haven't read yet, but I look forward to reading those books in the future. I don't understand the people who buy books simply because they want to use them as decoration. If I have some books that I don't need anymore I sell them, so that others can use them instead of me.
@jhustinian (612)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
I agree to most of the comments above, and it's not only wasting books, it such a waste of money as well. Old books tend to be costly at times, and it would be heartbreaking for the authors as well for consumers to buy books just because of the cover, and not even taking time to at least flip the pages to see what's in it. That person is pretty pretentious eh? What? She like her visitors that she's an avid reader, had a huge collection of books and old ones at that? Now she irks me.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
28 Sep 12
Yes, the kind of old books that she is looking for are expensive, but it sounds like she is willing to spend a lot of money on those books because she thinks that they would be a beautiful decoration for her home. It is her money of course and if she chooses to buy books and use them as decoration no one can stop her, but a lot of us think that it is waste of books and a waste of money. I think so too. Yes, I would imagine that she wants her visitors to think that she is an avid reader, but if anyone tries to discuss the content of the books with her they would discover the truth about her books. She wouldn't be able to discuss the content of the books because she has never read them 
@watchamacallitz (1171)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
I buy books, paperback and hardbound copy because of the author and it's content as well. Yes they are excellent decorations to your living room, office and library but books are meant to be read, appreciated and shared, not just as mere decorations. Just saying :).
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
30 Sep 12
I agree with that. I am a big book lover and I believe that books are meant to be read and enjoyed. I would never buy some beautiful books and use them as decorations. I don't mind buying beautiful books of course, but I always make sure that I am also interested in reading those books. I have some books in my collection that I haven't read yet, but I have bought them because I like the authors or because I am interested in the topics of the books, and I definately plan on reading those books in the future.
@riyauro (6421)
• India
19 Sep 12
The purpose of the book is defeated by having them as decor and not reading the content. I have heard this for the first time and I think whoever is doing this is trying to show off the books. people might come to her house and think that she actually read all those books. I do like people who have a small library but what this girl is doing is waste of money and crazy. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ahead.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
20 Sep 12
When I read that she wanted to buy books and use them as decoration I didn't think that she was serious, but I could tell from her comments that she actually means it. She want to buy those books because she thinks that it would be a nice way to decorate her living room. I find it hard to understand why someone would buy books that they never intend to read. I love books and I have many books, but I would never buy a book that I didn't want to read just because the book had a beautiful cover. I don't care if my books are beautiful as long as they are interesting.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
19 Sep 12
Buying books to impress is yet another image making scheme as well as using books as ornaments. I only buy books that I am interested in and when I visit people I like to take a look at their bookshelves it tells me something about them. My books do not reveal a particularly well read person but they convey my love of words, poetry, crafts, writing and Christianity.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
30 Sep 12
When I visit a home where there are book shelves I do the same thing. I love to read and I always find it interesting to see what kind of books other people are reading. Sometimes I discover that we like some of the same authors and topics. If visited someone like that woman who only buy their books because they are beautiful the books wouldn't tell me much about the person. People who pick their books according to the beautiful covers don't really care about the authors or the topics. Personally I think that the content of the books is the most important thing and I only buy books that I am interested in reading.
@autumndreamer (3185)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
Wow I would never buy books just for decoration purposes. Maybe she hasn't read a book yet that's why she's willing to waste money on books she knows she'll never read and just to decorate the living room. Sure, I buy books when the cover interests me but what I do next is fish for its synopsis to know if the story of that book is as interesting at its cover and that's when I will decide if I will buy it nor not, not solely because of the cover.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
I do the same thing, Sometimes the cover makes me interested in a certain book, but if I get interested I always check the summery on the back of the book or flip through the pages in order to find out if it is a book that I would like to read. The cover might the be the first thing that catches my attention, but I don't buy a book based on the cover, I have to see if the content of the book looks interesting as well and if that is the case I might choose to buy the book. The books that I have in my living room aren't especially beautiful, but I don't care about that because I find them interesting and I enjoy reading them.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
Well that is a creative idea for decorating a living room. It depends on one's taste and creativity actually.
But as for me I don't really consider that idea. I'd put books in my study room but not in my living room and if ever I'd buy books it is for the purpose it is not for decorating but for reading purposes only.
But as for me I don't really consider that idea. I'd put books in my study room but not in my living room and if ever I'd buy books it is for the purpose it is not for decorating but for reading purposes only.2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
I wouldn't consider that idea either. I don'r care if my books are beautiful, I only care about the content of the books. I have some books that I haven't read yet, but I have bought them because I plan on reading them in the future. I have some book shelves in the living room and they are full of books, but I am not able to keep all of my books on those books shelves so the rest of them are tucked away in a closet. You are right that it depends on your taste, and I think that many people wouldn't buy books as decoration, but some people like that girl from the discussion pick books because of the beautiful covers.
1 person likes this
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
19 Sep 12
Really stupid idea. Waste of books and money.
I would make fake books. Buy some leather and wood and make just the back of the books. I woudn't waste all the space on my shelves.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
19 Sep 12
When I read the discussion that the woman had started my first thought was: "Is she serious? Does she really intend to go out and buy expensive books in order to use them as decoration?" But she was serious, she wanted to use the books as decoration in her living room. If you only want the beautiful book covers you could make them yourself as you say, but I don't think that she has thought about that. I don't have any books with leather covers at all, but I prefer the books that I have because I only have books where I am interested in the content.
@skyandgrassplot (1497)
• China
19 Sep 12
I will never buy those books which I do not like or do not want to read,books is important stuff for me and I cherish every books I had bought.But I admit that there are many people in our society they do not read any books but their living room full of books in their books cabinet,they think that in this way will raise their cultural taste,but I do not agree with this view cause I think people should cherish books always.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
20 Sep 12
I also cherish my books. I love books and I think that is one of the reasons why I find it hard to understand people who buy books that they don't intend to read and use them as decoration. I only buy books that I am interested in and books that I want to read in the future. I get many of my books from the library, because I can't afford to buy all of the books that I want to read, but I also buy some books especially books that I know I am going to read more than once.
@archeramia (21)
• Philippines
19 Sep 12
What? books for decorations?? haha that's ridiculous , we have many books in my house, indeed i have over 400 books in our house and I already read them all,. I really love reading books, anything as long as i understand whats inside , i enjoy every page . Actually, I learned to speak english using books, i did not learn in school. Thats why i love books..
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
20 Sep 12
Those of us who love to read books find it hard to understand the people who use books as decoration. I couldn't imagine using books that way. I love to read and I only buy books that I am interested in reading. I choose my books based on the authors, titles or topics and I don't care if the covers are beautiful or not. When I read that discussion started by the woman who wanted to buy books for decoration I didn't think that she was serious at first, but later I realized that she actually meant the things that she wrote. It is great that you have learned to speak English through the books. English is not my first language either, but I read many books in English and I learn new words that way.
@singtomyself (48)
• China
19 Sep 12
i never buy books which i don't like .Even sometimes even if i like one book very much i don't buy it . The reason for it is that in our country the price of books are so high. And inmany cases some books are good at first sight but as time on the lose their valus or the content of the first chapters are good but the others are not so good . so I often look through some books in book stores or in libraries.Talking about buying books for decoration , i never do this.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
20 Sep 12
In my country books are also very expensive and I don't buy new books very often. Sometimes I choose to buy second hand books instead of new books because the second hand books are much cheaper. Sometimes I have experienced the thing that you mentioned. I have bought a book that sounded like a good book at first sight, but when I start reading it I discover that it isn't such a great book anyway. In that situation I am always sad that I have chosen to buy the book instead of borrowing it at the library. Sometimes I look through books at the library before I decide if I want to buy them or not. I never buy books and use them as decoration.
