When I was a kid, going to the library was always a treat. It was quiet, smelled great (like books and wood polish), and seemed to me to hold the knowledge of the world. I hope that kids today still feel that reverence for books.
In fact, my grand nephew who just entered kindergarten recently exclaimed, ” We got to go to the library today, and they let us check out a book!” (his voice full of wonder…).
Fast forward to last week. I met a realtor at a large, two-million-dollar-plus condo to see about some staging for resale. She led me into the master bedroom, which had a 20-foot wall of book shelves and a beautiful sliding library ladder. She couldn’t quite believe that several moneyed millennials had come to the open house and stepped out of the bedroom muttering, ” What do we do with that crazy wall of shelves!” (their voices full of wonder…). This makes me sad.
Four books in this entire shelf!
I see bookshelves in all sorts of interiors getting smaller and shorter and filled with family photos, college trophies and toys. Sometimes even underwear.
What’s up with getting rid of books? I know it’s old school to keep a lot of books around, and yet, books are timeless. Not only are they the perfect design backdrop for any great room, but they hold knowledge and adventure and directions and advice and beautiful photos — and authors’ signatures!
Textile Designer Signa Pearson (Metropolitan Magazine)
Yes, they add weight and history to a boring room. And they speak volumes (ha!) about the person who owns them and nurtures them.
You can’t stroll around someone’s Kindle and figure out what that person finds interesting or might be passionate about – or even what trashy novels happen to be their guilty pleasure. But you can hover around their wall of books and find out all sorts of things about the owner…
Architectural Digest.com
Think of the last time you were in someone’s personal library. You thought they were smart and cultured – right? Books have that effect.
I interviewed my millennial daughter recently on why she created a library in their TV room. She says that her books make her feel more intellectual. They add presence in the room. She described the feel and smell of her books – going so far as to say that she enjoys the different fonts and covers. 
More importantly, when she glances at her library, the books become time markers, reminding her of certain events that took place while she was reading them. “I love being able to take one off the shelf when a friend is looking for a good book.” Try doing that with your phone or Kindle…
Then I called my other millennial daughter in Brooklyn to interview her. She happened to be arranging her hundreds of books alphabetically by title when I called. Enough said. I have never seen this young woman easily give up one book from her collection. 
“They’re all an experience I may want to have again someday…”.
My point? I don’t have one except that I have great kids! And I wish more people their age weren’t so quick to give up on books.
One trend in retail stores that I really dislike is the idea of turning books backwards on shelves, or wrapping them in brown paper and turning them into design objects that have no purpose except as place holders.
Come on, West Elm. You’re better than this!
Really, DePadova?
Let’s not throw books on the bonfire of technology! Let’s hang onto them and smell the pages and hold the shape and put them lovingly on our shelves as a wonderful art form in their own right – whether it’s their cover color, title, size, weight or subject. 
Books gracing the Nelson Daybed, DWR
Take your Kindle on vacation and leave your books in their rightful place…in the most important room in your house! It will say a lot about your character and depth.
Story Bookcase by Afteroom, DWR exclusive
Ralph Lauren’s Fifth Avenue Duplex (Elle Decor)
Books are constant and good friends who never grow old or run out of batteries.
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