Shelf Space

I have a problem.  The first step towards solving the problem is recognizing and acknowledging it right?  So I say again, I have a problem.  I went to have a quick tidy of my room this morning—tidying my room is a favorite activity when I have looming essay deadlines—and I realized I have a few books to integrate onto my shelves.  By “a few” I mean a stack taller than I am (at 5’3” it’s not all that hard to have a stack of books taller than I am).  Up until yesterday the stack was of a reasonable height of just under 5 feet tall, but then I went to the Central Library where they have the Friends of the Library store, which had some books I’ve been wanting for a very long time (real long time as in years, not fake long time as in days) and supporting the library is good thing right?  So this morning I looked at all the books that need to get on the shelves and all the shelf space I have left and realized things just can’t go on like this.  I might not get everything on the shelves this time: I HAVE A PROBLEM.  And to make matters more complicated another book just arrive; a proof from Simon & Schuster that was a total surprise.  I didn’t request it on Goodreads as far as I know, unless I’ve started entering free book giveaways in my sleep.

Now, the obvious solution (I hear you say) is to have someone give me the library from Beauty and the Beast because it’s not really possible to build more shelves in my tiny room that already has wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.  I can’t exactly expand out into common areas either, what if someone borrowed a book without telling me and then put it back in the wrong place?  It could mess up the whole system and be lost for weeks.  Sadly, I don’t think anyone is planning to buy me the Beauty and Beast library any time soon (though I do have a birthday coming up!) and a personal library of that scale is not really practical for city living, so I think the most reasonable solution here is stacks.  Wouldn’t it be great to install a trapdoor in the bottom of my closet leading to an underground labyrinth of stacks?  The only foreseeable problem with that plan is, naturally, finding a minotaur.