If you are like me this title made my heart lurch. However, it isn't a call to decimate your book shelves, rather an organizational tool to make them better, either esthetically, or practically. The day is also a great way to unplug from technology and connect with yourself. So grab a cup of tea, or a glass of wine, put on some music, and start cleaning out those shelves! Although, if you are like me, finding a favourite title may result in a reading session early in the process.

On the 20th we can reorganize, clean, donate, or swap books, create a new reading corner and dress up our shelves. Refresh and revitalize to give your books a new lease on life and make note of the ones you will read this year.

My shelves are organized into signed copies, favourites I will always keep, a TBR shelf, specific author shelves, and reference books.

How do you organize yours? Is it height, colour, or genre, or something else?

The actual history of bookcases as a piece of furniture has existed in one way or another since the invention of books. The earliest image is the illuminated manuscript Codex Amiatinus (AD 689-716) in Florence, which shows an image of a cupboard with open doors revealing stored books. There were also bookcases connected with medieval fittings of college libraries in Britain. In Italy during the 17th century, there were built-in bookcases with pilasters, or recessed columns. At times, even the statues or carved urns on the cornice had spaces for books. However, the French were the first to use bookcases in which the upper part was paneled in glass instead of wood. It wasn’t until the reign of Queen Anne in England that the designs became simpler.

No matter the design or style of your bookcase(s), they are a reflection of your reading habits and a receptacle for your treasured possessions. So enjoy.