Have you ever stopped and considered the books displayed in the Ikea bookcases in the shop? I sometimes find I start browsing the shelves, instead of admiring the rooms.
We went looking for some garden furniture the other evening, and as I just had to sample a sofa on the way, as an extra, the Resident IT Consultant started musing over where the books come from. I’ve always assumed they are remaindered books, that didn’t find a caring home even in the Swedish annual book sale. For one, there are always several copies of most books. This time I could have had a Julian Barnes in translation, without anyone noticing, as there were so many. Should perhaps invest in a garment with poacher’s pockets.
What do you think Ikea staff would say if I explained that I really, really wanted one of the books?
Some years ago the unkind corner of the witch’s heart smiled when she found books by someone she was at university with. If he had been slightly less sure of himself and been willing to talk to people other than the “in” people, except for that time when he was lost in Gothenburg and needed help, I might have felt sorry for him when seeing his books displayed in great numbers at Ikea. At least he made it internationally…
Needless to say two of the four chairs we bought were faulty.
10 responses so far ↓
Sara O'Leary // May 4, 2008 at 11:44
There used to be a rumour about our Vancouver IKEA that you could take books in and trade for the ones that were there on the shelves.
Ian // May 4, 2008 at 11:58
Of course you can Sara! Trick is that no one should see you
That one works in all good bookshops too…
bookwitch // May 4, 2008 at 15:51
Or those surplus books I no longer need. They could go to Ikea. As good a dumping ground as any.
Lee // May 4, 2008 at 18:55
Wait, Bookwitch! Check with me first if I want any. (However, I’ve got a discarded POD copy of Mortal Ghost I could bestow on the local Ikea dump …
bookwitch // May 4, 2008 at 20:54
I’ll have the discarded ghost, please. Could you come over here with it?
Sara Paretsky // May 5, 2008 at 0:13
I actually asked at a Crate & Barrel if I could have one of their display books-. The clerk said they were props supplied by the company that does their displays & didn’t belong to Crate & Barrel, so they couldn’t allow me even to purchase it.
bookwitch // May 5, 2008 at 8:59
Well, Sara, that just proves what I already believed - that honesty doesn’t get you very far, so come prepared to steal, slightly. I can’t praise poacher’s pockets enough. (Though I have to add, that the only thing I poach is that spare piece of bread at breakfast in the hotel, that I was “unable” to eat. Save for later.)
Nick // May 6, 2008 at 8:17
Similarly, when I go viewing houses with a view to moving house (perhaps) I end up browsing their bookshelves and carry away almost no memory of the properties themselves. I am entirely useless at anything involving non-fictional reality.
bookwitch // May 6, 2008 at 14:34
If their books are good it might be a good house? Else take somebody sensible with you when you go…
Colleen // May 8, 2008 at 19:00
I find myself browsing the books on display at IKEA too, instead of looking at the furniture…but at the IKEAs here, the book selection isn’t always great.
As an undergrad I used to visit my profs just to look at their bookshelves…I’m sure my inability to look them in the eye for more than 5 seconds at a time must have been disconcerting.
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