The “my bookshelves overfloweth” merit badge is an alternative for those of you who didn’t feel qualified to claim the “tidy bookshelves” badge.*
You used to have a system for organizing your books. Or you meant to have one.
But somewhere along the way it was quicker to shove that book in sideways and stick that other one on top of the case. And it really made more sense to keep that stack on the living room floor while you were using it for research… fifteen months ago. And maybe it doesn’t matter anyway because you now have so many books you couldn’t fit the ones you bought at yesterday’s library sale on the shelf if you tried.
Don’t let them call you a bibliomaniac, though. That way lies reality TV interventions.
Instead, just tell everyone that you need the stacks. You’re using them to become a poet. Or typographer. Or sculptor. Or architect.
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*If your bookshelves are nice and neat but you still manage to have piles of books around the house, you can always claim both badges. The Badger Scout rules are extremely flexible, because we don’t really have any.
This is part of the merit badges for readers series, and may be posted on your site or blog. Have you earned this badge? Will you never earn it? Tell us why in the comments.
9 Comments
Great! Yes, dual badges. I’m proud to add the overflowing bookshelves badge to balance the tidy bookshelf badge I already have. The world is about symmetry, people!
Ah! Combined, they’re just about perfect for me. The books that are actually on my shelves are very well-organized (by subject or genre, then by author). It’s just that I didn’t stop buying books when I ran out of shelves to put them in. Pile of books end up in front of the bookshelves, on end tables, on the piano, everywhere! I think the stack on the edge of the dining table is now a permanent fixture. But the layer of books on the shelves themselves is tidy!
Love the no-rules rule!
Sadly, I cannot even claim dual badges at this point. This is the only one I deserve.
Someday…
I love love love this one. We have so many books with 6 avid readers in the house that we just cannot find enough space to put them all. At one point they were all beautifully arranged by genre, but then we started reading The Wheel of Time and had an overabundance of school books and work-related books and thesis books. It’s all so overwhelmingly wonderful! I think I need to go buy some more…
I’ve gushed on ya! http://dulemba.blogspot.com/2010/08/merit-badges-for-writers.html
But we all want to know the secret identity of Merit Badger!!!
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@Jamie: Yes, buy more! You needed one of these anyway, right?
@Elizabeth: Secret identity? What? Who said anything about a—LOOK OVER THERE, IT’S A BABY PANDA!
*runs*
Oh good heavens but yes I need this badge. I have claimed every possible inch of book space and still have *mumble mumble* stacks of books piled on my floor!
Hmm, here’s an idea for a new badge for you. How about an ebook reader badge? That way your bookshelves can overflow into your kindle.
@Sarah G.: There was an e-book badge for writers before the reading badges started. If anyone wants to take it and call it an e-book reading badge, that can be our little secret.