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My bookshelf that isn’t mine
by Carolin Teufelberger
Five highlights and lowlights from my chaotic bookshelf
30.12.2021
Translation: Eva Francis
My bookshelf is an ugly, dated mess. And there are good reasons for that. Here’s my inventory, my justification and my selection of five special books.
Then again, don't judge a book by its cover. After all, I don’t spend hours and hours sitting on the sofa, gazing at my bookcase and thinking: wow, how beautiful you are, oh my bookshelf, I’m so happy to see you. The actual books don’t have to look pretty either. What matters is what’s inside them.
How could this happen? Well, during high school and university, I was forced to buy many books. Quite a few of them have left their mark on me – or have sentimental value. That's why I don’t throw them away, no matter how unappealing they look.
Today, I don’t buy as many physical books. I use online dictionaries and reference books and often opt for e-books. Besides, I have less time to read these days, and whenever I do attempt to read, I fall asleep after five pages.
Anyway, the less I own, the more comfortable I feel. Why? When I was a young adult, I moved homes a lot, and books became a burden. As did furniture. I usually didn’t have room for more furniture anyway. That’s why my bookshelf doubles as CD, hobby and office shelf.
But now let’s turn to what’s in my collection. Here are a few books that stand out.
My largest and heaviest book
The photo book «Eden» by Art Wolfe has a dimension of 29×36.5 centimetres and weighs 3,788 grams. I bought it recently when I asked myself which books are better as a printed version than as an e-book. I came to the conclusion that photo books have to be large and printed. It’s the kind of book I don’t want to look at on a tablet.
My oldest book
The oldest book in my collection dates from 1933 and is called «Kleines Handbuch der Musik» («Small Handbook of Music»). It’s a kind of encyclopaedia, whereby the author presents his own view as absolute truth. The entry on dance music shows how common racism and arrogance were at that time.
My most intelligent book
My least intelligent book
My funniest book
Valley of The Far Side by Gary Larson. A book I find as funny at 45 as I did at 18 just has to be good. It also makes for a great gift, if you want to get your 2022 Christmas presents early.
Chaotic, chronological, alphabetical; by colour, by size, by mood; geographical, autobiographical, thematic. We all have our own ideas about how books should be arranged on a shelf. We, the Digitec Galaxus editors, are allowing you a sneak peek into our very own bookshelves. Next up: Simon Balissat.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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