Oh shit.

[fpb]

Two of my bookcases just collapsed under the weight of their books. I was sitting directly under them, and frankly I cannot imagine how I come not to have broken bones or worse. Now my whole sitting-room is knee-deep in books, practically all the literary heritage of Europe and the US, and absolutely no idea how to rearrange them. Nor do I like having to walk over Conrad and Tolstoy and Goethe just in order to move at all.

At least one of the bookcases is beyond repair, and I suspect the other is too. And I had been working on rearranging my library since Monday.

Comments

[tashmania.livejournal.com]

My mother constantly makes noise about the fact that something similar will happen to us one day because of all my books. It was getting to the point where I've taken over all bookcases, bookshelves, desk space and even windowsills in the house.

After moving an obscene number of books into the cellar to placate my mother, the bookcase that was their new home collapsed anyway under the weight of it all. I was nearby at the time and remember just looking at the floor and thinking, "Where on earth do I start?" A couple of weeks later, a bookshelf in my brother's room collapsed when I was sat reading under it. My only word on the matter is "Ouch".

Roundabout way of saying that I have a fair idea of what upheaval it can cause when books wreak revenge by falling on one's head!

[fpb.livejournal.com]

What does one say? Glad I'm not the only one? Or, I feel for you? Life can be crappy sometimes.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

However, may I congratulate you on being a reader? That's the great thing. I already know you have good taste (Rome) and enjoy life (chocolate rice-krispie biscuits)... I'm liking your attitude more and more, young lady.

[tashmania.livejournal.com]

*bows* I do my best. I love reading, always have done. We suspect that this stems from being a difficult toddler... my mother quickly discovered that the only way she could get me to sit quietly and not wreak havoc was to give me a book. By her own admission, countless books later she's beginning to wish she'd got me into something that takes up less space!

[rfachir.livejournal.com]

Very to happy to hear you're not dead. (But forgive me if I grin a little - I know even after they physically attacked you the thought of getting rid of a single one never crossed your mind. As bad as children.)

I looked at a decorating magazine last weekend and "British clutter" is the look this spring. Stacking up books floor to ceiling is "in". Bet you didn't expect to be at the cutting edge of fashion. Hope it wasn't too painful.

Speaking from experience, don't try to salvage the bookshelves. The horizontal parts you may be able to stack between new supports, but the vertical parts never are safe to use again once they've buckled. It's never square.

Stay safe.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

even after they physically attacked you the thought of getting rid of a single one never crossed your mind. As bad as children
Damn straight. And it's not their fault, is it? They did not invent the force of gravity.
And yeah, I am always finding myself at the head of fashion without realizing it. *grins*

[ravenclaw-eric.livejournal.com]

Around here, we say that you know you're a real science-fiction fan if your bookshelves collapse and kill more than two cats.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

I didn't notice this until today for some reason. Thanks for the laff.