What your bookshelf says about you: Psychologists explain which titles signal that you are insecure… and the tell-tale sign that you are shallow
The way we decorate our home is often a broad reflection of our personality. But the devil is in the details, and what we put on our bookshelves – and how we store it – provides a much more intimate portrait of who we are.
The so-called ‘Shelfie’ – an image of bookshelves full of books, trinkets and personal belongings – is indeed a particularly popular concept on social media.
It could also be why the so-called ‘bookshelf wealth’ trend has overtaken paint and wallpaper to emerge as the best way to decorate and personalize the home.
“Our shelves are the fingerprints of our interior, no two people will be the same,” says Martin Waller, founder of global design house Andrew Martin.
So what does your bookshelf say about you?
THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSHELF
Displaying college textbooks is not a sign of boasting, but reflects a personality that wants to maintain a link – a visible link – to their past achievements, says Dr. Sandi Mann
Memories of student life can linger in the memory. But for some, remnants of those bygone times also remain on the bookshelf. So what kind of person keeps ragged textbooks on theoretical physics or old English poetry? According to Dr Sandi Mann, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, the fact that we hold onto these books when they are literally past their sell-by date says something about our innate insecurity, seasoned with some pride and sense of self. This behavior, she says, is not a sign of boasting, but reflects a personality that wants to maintain a link – a visible link – to their past achievements.
“People with bookshelves full of old textbooks not only cling to the past, but also want a reminder of what education has done for them, how it may have made them better off,” she says. Maybe it’s a feeling of insecurity: the need to remind yourself and others of what you’ve accomplished, or the fear that you might forget the knowledge you once had. ‘Or maybe you hope that one day you’ll need those books again – which means you’re also ambitious and forward-thinking. Yet these old textbooks also have a sentimental charge: a reminder of what you had to endure to get where you are today. So on the one hand you cherish those memories and you value knowledge and learning. But in the midst of that there can also be a mild hoarder.’
THE ALPHABETICAL BOOKSHELF
An alphabetical bookshelf shows a detail-oriented and meticulous personality
Arranging books in alphabetical order is a time-consuming task – although once accomplished, it makes finding that book of Vietnamese recipes much easier. Dr. Mann suggests that this type of plank reflects a controlling personality and someone who needs control in their life. ‘Everything must be in its permanent place. Someone with such a bookshelf needs to know where things are – whether they are books or all facets of their life. They want order.’ She added that these types of people are detail-oriented because their bookshelf also exemplifies conscientiousness and thoroughness in other areas of their lives.
She adds, “It reflects a practical, logical and analytical person. You leave nothing to chance. You are conservative and orderly. Yet that is not a weakness. There is power in such efficiency.’
THE COLOR CODED BOOKSHELF
Organizing bookshelves in this way is becoming increasingly popular on social media, with Instagram full of brightly colored #shelfie photos
These types of people also like to be in control, but it’s seasoned with an aesthetic flair, says Dr. Mann.
‘Is this person shallow? Not necessarily, but the way things look may be more important than the content.”
While it is a systematic way to organize a bookshelf, it can also appeal to a creative and flamboyant personality. After all, organizing bookshelves in this way is becoming increasingly popular on social media, with Instagram full of brightly colored #shelfie shots. Of course, a lot depends on your choice of palette. Choosing rainbow colors can reflect a look at me larger than life personality. Still, even the brightest colors give a sense of calm and control, as it may be easier to find books this way. You are, Dr. Mann suggests, an expressive personality, one who uses his personal space as a canvas to reflect his tastes and personality, yet with a sense of order.
THE MEMENTO BOOKSHELF
The photos, trinkets and keepsakes are about expressing the things you do in your life and the people you did those things with
‘Whether it’s carefully selected works of art, trinkets from your travels or family photos, this kind of bookshelf shows how important memories are to you. But it is also about showing – quite literally – what is really important in life,” adds Dr. Mann. “The fact that your bookshelves are not just for books, but for the things that refer to your life experiences, nostalgia and memories reflects your warmth and your ability to connect with other people.”
After all, books show off our knowledge, intellectual choices, and interests. Yet the same book can appear on so many shelves. The photos, trinkets and keepsakes are about expressing the things you do in your life and the people you did those things with.
“You are someone who wants to get the most out of life, rather than showing off your personal knowledge.” says Doctor Mann.
‘For them, life experience is the most important thing.’
She adds that this shelf also reflects a warm personality, because they surround themselves with immediate and obvious things that connect them to what is emotionally important in their lives. The bookshelf is cozy and inviting – an open rather than a closed book, just like the personality who arranges the shelves in this way.
BATTERED OLD BOOKS THAT ARE ACTUALLY ON THE SHELF
For some, the contents of their bookshelves are full of titles that are more than a little weathered
Not all shelves contain books in pristine condition. For some, the contents of their bookshelves are full of titles that are more than a little weathered. Whether it’s a dog-eared copy of Bridget Jones’ Diary or the worn paperback with the torn spine that confiscated you during the holidays. But clinging to beloved books is a sign of someone who cares about the details of life and is loyal to the things he loves.
Knowledge is everything for these types of people, says Dr. Mann. ‘You don’t care what people think, you’re not trying to impress anyone. Knowledge and learning is what is important to you, regardless of how it may appear to other people. There is also a strong sense of nostalgia; maybe you find it difficult to let things go and are resistant to change.’
“People who display these types of books tend to be charming and wear their hearts on their sleeves,” says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. ‘They often present books that have been passed down from generation to generation or between friends, giving them an emotional connection to these objects. Their style is eclectic and their home is full of color and pattern. A book that has aged over time has character and charm, just like its owner.’
THE messy bookshelf
Some people are just sloppy. They don’t care how things look, or they simply don’t have the time to create a more pleasant appearance
Are you someone who doesn’t care about positioning books in order of height? Maybe you just stack them on top of each other to cram as many as possible onto your bookshelf.
The key to this person’s personality is both obvious and more nuanced. On the one hand, they’re just sloppy. They don’t care how things look, or they simply don’t have the time to create a more pleasant appearance. But this messy approach to a bookshelf also offers insight into a more expressive personality
“A packed bookshelf shows someone who is curious and loves to learn,” adds clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel Glazer. ‘This mixed collection implies a broad interest and an eagerness to discover new things. This environment may reflect their inner lives as constant students of the world.” That said, the tendency to hold on to things may reflect resistance to change or a desire for stability. Each book may represent a memory, experience or period in your life that you value. And you want to hold on to that.
Dr. Mann adds that you may be someone who is in a hurry, competitive, and focused on what needs to be done next. ‘There is no time to think about order – this person is not thinking about slowing down to lay the foundation for the future’
NOTHING TO SEE HERE
A mostly empty bookshelf with only a few carefully selected books can demonstrate a minimalist way of life
Not everyone chooses to own or store tons of books. In some cases, the shelves contain only a few carefully chosen items. A mostly empty bookshelf with just a few carefully selected reading materials can demonstrate a minimalist way of life, explains clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel Glazer. ‘It indicates that the owner values quality over quantity and likes a clean, simple space focused on the basics. This indicates someone who wants order and simplicity.’ Therefore, you may be the kind of person who values having fewer possessions and prioritizes quality over quantity. This demonstrates a pragmatic approach to ownership, keeping only what is needed or used at the time. You can declutter regularly and avoid holding on to unnecessary items.
