It seems that not a month goes by without the country having some simple cultural trends to overcome. These “discussions” can be interesting or not. But in almost all cases, battles over these fleeting constants are futile.
Yes. Let's get specific. There's that recent skirmish over so-called “bookshelf wealth.”
never heard of it? Well, Architectural Digest described bookshelf wealth as “the first major design trend of 2024.” TikTok is everything.
What is a bookshelf fortune? It's arranging your bookshelf in a visually pleasing way. For discerning people, this means putting together a collection of “curated” books laid out in this way. The intent is to advertise one's intelligent interests.
A related TikTok phrase is “dark academy.” “It refers to a subculture that sanctifies reading and writing.” Typical decor includes stuffed sofas, sculptures, and walls painted a dark midnight blue.
Needless to say, there has been significant negative feedback from people who are or claim to be serious readers. To them, books are sacred objects with value far beyond decoration. The yellow paperback of The Sound and the Fury deserves more reverence than the porcelain horse.
Some TikTok influencers are addressing this objection, or trying to. “These are not show books,” one insists unconvincingly. “These are books that have already been formatted and read.” If she says so.
Some widely circulated videos of bookshelves show shelves laden with vases, candlesticks and artistic black-and-white photographs — interspersed with a few book spines. “Embrace the odd numbers,” the instructions say. And “keep your shelves feeling as intentional as possible.”
One critic replied: “The wealth of a bookshelf does not mean that you have books. It means that you have built-in items.” As proof of her reading, the woman presented pictures of books stacked on the floor.
Libraries have become great labels in upscale new homes. It implies that the owners don't spend all their free time frozen in front of the giant screen in the “media room.” They also do quiet meditation
My favorite fake library was located in the now-defunct Ritz-Carlton in Manalapan, Florida, just south of Palm Beach. I was meeting someone there and I thought, oh, the Silent Library would be a nice place to hang out. The 'club room' contained carefully arranged books, all with the same moss green leather covers. A closer examination revealed the titles were all in Dutch. I decided to wait at the bar.
As you might imagine by now, we're not here to debate the merits or absurdity of bookshelf wealth. We are here to argue against arguing about this topic for any purpose other than entertainment.
If someone wants to arrange a bookshelf in a way that suggests intellectual heft—or to display a bowling trophy—it's their bookshelf. As for those who do not read but want to portray a rich life of the mind, no one stops them.
The Kindle has complicated things for readers who want to have physical books around them. The interesting thing about the wealth of bookshelves is that it encourages sales of vintage paper products. Serious readers can poke their finger into the rich aesthetic of a bookshelf by placing a stack of a Big Bird plush toy, but they should know that's a pose, too.
And given the current policy, no one is sure how long TikTok will be with us. But as long as this is the case, know that what TikTok excels in, TikTok mocks. There may be significant concerns about whether the social media platform is giving the Chinese government a tool to spy on us, but TikTok does something useful: it downplays ridiculous cultural conflicts.
Therefore, announcing the winners of the bookshelf wealth debate is of no consequence, even for the winners. Everyone does what they want with their bookshelves. This is how it should be.
Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. To learn more about Froma Harrop and read features written by other authors and cartoonists, visit the Creators web page at www.creators.com.
