My Keeper Shelf is Out of Control

The other day, I posted something about reading a book by one of my favorite romance authors.  This made me stop and look again at my “keeper” shelves.  They are big, and they are full.
 
I believe I started collecting the books on my keeper shelf not long after I got out of college.  I won’t say what year it was, but my son is out of college himself, married and has a baby.  So yeah, it’s been a few years.
 
When I first started buying books, I started keeping them all, then quickly realized I didn’t have the space.  So I started narrowing the books down to my favorites.  There have been plenty of books over the years which I bought and enjoyed, and then passed on for other people to read.  Bags and bags of them.  I gave away many more than what I kept. 
 
In spite of the culling, my keeper shelf has shown healthy growth over the years.  It is now a set of eight shelves, all eight feet long.  And even that doesn’t quite hold them all, so I also have an additional small bookcase.  All told, I estimate I have over 800 books on my keeper shelf.  Historical romance, contemporary, romantic suspense, a few paranormal – they run the gamut.  Now, when I’m in the mood to reread a good book, I have my choice.
 
I suspect I’m not the only reader out there with a keeper shelf which has mushroomed beyond belief.  I’d love to hear about your keep shelf!

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