Home decorating

Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.

Henry Ward Beecher

During COVID, most interviews shown on television and even some news commentary took place in homes, usually in front of a bookcase. In part, this was done to give an impression about how smart and well-read the person talking was. In some cases, the books were those written by that person. But more importantly, a bookcase just made a good background. It looked good on camera.

Similarly, many photographs taken of people in their homes are posed in front of bookcases. This is especially true of authors and scholars, but it's something that works well for anyone. In fact, it even works for nonreaders.

Many people who rarely read books choose to decorate their homes and/or offices with books. Some books seem to be sold expressly for this purpose. How many people actually read those finely bound classics that seem to be meant more to be seen than read? Barnes and Noble still sells attractive, relatively inexpensive classics now out of copyright. Whether read or not, such books certainly make a good impression. The eyes of clients and guests are always drawn to these displays.

Needless to say, books dominate the walls of my own home, and I wish even more of my walls were covered by books, even though I do love the few pieces of art I have hanging there instead. But my books — those I've read or hope to read — are there to pleasure no one else but me.