This week I saw two stories about bookshelves suggesting they are going the way of the record player and rotary telephones. It seems that in the dawning era of electronic books (and I am the first to confess: I LOVE my Kindle) that bookshelves are becoming obsolete. Both Time.com and The Economist wrote about Ikea’s plans to remake its famous Billy bookcases to contain all sorts things besides books. The shelves are becoming deeper and they’re getting optional doors – all the better to hold things that aren’t books, like tsotchkes (and I am the first to confess: I LOVE tsotchkes).

In our house, we still have a lot of novels and other assorted paper products, like magazines, kids books, cookbooks, photography books. But it’s true that they are not the only objects that live on our shelves. When we staged our apartment to sell, in the photo above, we cleaned up the bookshelves so they contained very few books. Our realtor thought this would be more appealing.

These days, I find myself drawn more and more to old books and first editions. Is it the nagging sense that classic printed matter is becoming more precious? On our mantel is a first edition of EB White’s This is New York, a must have and read. I’m not buying fewer books now that I own a Kindle. Rather, now I am buying books that I truly treasure and want to have and hold and display. And for those, I need bookshelves.

What about your home’s future? Will bookshelves still have a place there? — Angela M.

I’ve been following Nashville-based blogger ModFruGal for quite a while now. I really love her home, her stylish DIY tutorials, and her way with polished brass — this self-proclaimed “budget minded modernist” is worth a regular visit. Even a recipe post contains brilliant ideas I want to use in my own home, like using chalkboard contact paper labels on her food storage containers. That way, when you change out your item, the label can be easily changed too. It’s the kind of simple genius that makes me smack my head and say, “why didn’t I think of that?” Functional, simple, and attractive: that means this is my next organizational project! What do you think? — Megan B.

Update: ModFruGal, in response to our linky love, has given us the full tutorial on how she made these! Click here to see how.

When it comes to book lists, it’s no secret that you, our power readers, love to keep things organized online using sites like Shelfari and Good Reads. Hearing about your experiences with such tools has motivated me to get organized as far as my wish list goes, but now my want-to-read list is starting to look ominous when I compare it to my tiny apartment, that has little space for my library-sized aspirations. Next month’s book club pick is Room, by Emma Donague (have you read it?) and I’m toying with the idea of taking the plunge and sealing the deal on an e-reader. I don’t fancy myself as the kind of gal who needs the newest, hottest gadget, and in fact, really value the feel of a worn book in my hand, but I’m starting to be swayed. In addition to saving space in my apartment, e-books also tend to be cheaper than the real deal, and can be read on gadgets, like smart phones, that don’t require the purchase of an actual e-reader at all. If do cross over, I plan on still supporting my local independent bookshop for my favorite reads, but I’d love to hear from you: Do you use an e-reader, or some other tool to get your reading in? Sound off in comments! — Sarah C.

Image courtesy of Flickr user Kodomut.

Ever since receiving The Art of Simple Food from a dear friend, I’ve been fascinated and inspired by Alice Waters, her philosophy, her Edible Schoolyard initiative and her Berkeley, Calif., restaurant, Chez Panisse. I was fortunate enough to dine in the café portion of the restaurant on my first trip to Berkeley, and it is a memory I will never forget. This summer, Chez Panisse will celebrate its 40th anniversary and is commemorating the occasion with a series of special events and this new book, which I cannot wait to get my hands on. A tribute to Alice, her revolution and the people she’s touched over the course of the last four decades, the book is sure to please anyone with an interest in sustainable food culture or a love of Chez Panisse! Available for pre-order on Amazon now. –- Sarah C.

To learn more about Alice & her work, click here. For some of her favorite, quick summer dishes (including wine-soaked peaches!) pick up the August issue of Glamour, on newsstands now.

A few months ago, Sarah C. introduced us to Shelfari and a few readers chimed in with their pick for favorite social networking, bookworm-friendly site: Good Reads. Thank you guys, I’m hooked! I was looking for a way to keep track of my reading list online (I’m constantly writing down suggestions for great books and then losing the notes immediately thereafter) and Good Reads is a Godsend. Not only does the site allow you to keep track of you reading list online, it also allows you to rate and review books you’ve read, recommend titles to your friends, get recommendations, and browse other user generated reading lists (some are broken into basic genres, but some get more creative such as “Thickest Books” and “Books My Father Gave Me”). Check it out, bookmark it, friend me, and don’t judge all the YA books on my virtual bookshelf. –- Katie D.

It wouldn’t be summer if I didn’t have more books stacked up than I can possibly get around to reading. Still, when I saw Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer, and Build reviewed, I couldn’t help but order it. As much time as we spend obsessing over our own dwellings, it’s neat to think about the planning birds put into creating their own. Once it arrives, it’ll go straight to the top of the stack. Until then, I’ve still got “A Paris Wife” to finish and four books in the “Game of Thrones” series to keep me company. What’s on your summer reading list? — Sarah L.

Pictured, an African Masked-Weaver from Avian Architecture.

Rest easy, everyone. I’ve found the gag gift for your next baby shower. This book, written by Adam Mansbach and illustrated by Ricardo Cortés, has been making the Internet rounds for a few weeks fueled, it seems, by the empathy of thousands of very tired parents. Rounding out 50 days in the top 100 on the Amazon Bestsellers list for books (where it sits in second place, as of press time), this might be a great laugh for a parent you know with a restless baby and intact sense of humor. And it appears other sleepy parents agree. Originally slated to be published this fall, the publication date was moved up to today after PDF versions hit the web, creating a spike in demand. A runaway hit for its independent publisher, Akashic, the first print run of 275,000 copies easily trumps the firm’s standard first run, which averages 4,000 to 6,000; a testament to the the power of tired parents everywhere. Readers, have you read it? $8.18 at Amazon. – Sarah C.

For an interesting look at the book’s success, click here.

I have to admit that I own a lot of interior design books. A lot. It’s a little bit frightening, really. So it’s really something when a book crosses my path that exceeds expectations. When I picked up Kelly Hoppen Interiors, I was expecting another coffee table book, packed with gorgeous photos of unattainable spaces, very little text, and plenty of eye candy. I was right about the eye candy, but the rest was epically off the mark.

Kelly Hoppen is a designer known for her love of neutrals and clean lines (her spare style recently landed her on Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Designers list), an aesthetic that could easily become predictable (or even boring) in the wrong hands. But Hoppen manages to keep her interiors looking fresh, unique, and even warm, without a trace of color or clutter (two easy tricks for upping the cozy quotient in a space).

Instead of letting the photos do all the work, Hoppen has made this book a true “how to,” packing it with tips, techniques and tools to help you emulate a bit of her signature style. Broken up by rooms (even halls, staircases and corridors each get their own chapter), each section contains photos of various projects, complete with copious notes about the hows and whys of each room, and checklists packed with tips to help with everything from laying out a space to the best lighting schemes for each room. The result is a book that manages to make you feel that the inspiring looks are actually attainable, which is a true feat in the world of interior design tomes. –Becki S.

ModFruGal shows us how to create a groovy outdoor space and fire-ring that may just be temporary, but has got style and functionality in spades. Oh — and IKEA has re-released the fabulous Vago chair!!!

Over at Green is Universal, find instructions on how to make your own Cork-covered monograms that can pull double duty as message boards. Via Re-Nest.

Gizmodo is featuring the world’s most perfect picnic table — with convertible seats for maximum comfort in eating and relaxing.

We’re in LOVE with these bright, shiny and fun duck decoys by Tommy Hilfiger we spotted at CasaSugar.

A Design*Sponge sneak peek into the Seattle home of Textile artist Ashley Helvey. Such clean, open spaces — and can we talk about that bed?

Proof positive that all of the most beautiful hotels are in Spain, at WebUrbanist.

Peas, carrots, and corn — and we’re not talking about food. Examples of orange, green and yellow together that work, at sfgirlbybay.

Cannelle et Vanille has the perfect thing for a springtime sunday breakfast: Mulberry and rhubarb crumb cake.

If you take a look at the online version of the current cover story in New York Magazine, you’ll have an easy way to see what I think about the six “extreme decor” styles featured: the top three I do in fact find extreme (though I think the “paper planes” decor looks wonderful). The bottom three, I could happily move right in. It’s still an interesting look at some really creative folks. By far the most extreme to me is the couple who created disorienting whole-room designs with masking tape and paint splatter; I feel anxious just seeing the photos. The yarn bombing I don’t think even counts as decor — it’s for an art installation! And Amy Sedaris’ apartment with its fake food and vintage art? That just looks a lot like my own house to me. What do you think? — Mary T.