Shelf Aware: A Love Affair with Books

by V.R. Ferose

A perfectly acceptable addiction marked by obsessive reading, aggressive book-sniffing and strategic hoarding.

For as long as Ferose, a San Francisco-based techie and 'gently mad' bibliophile, has understood books, he has devoured them with the unmitigated enthusiasm of a toddler on a sugar rush. For him, reading has been more than a weekend pursuit or a hobby on steroids. It has been a lifestyle - generously peppered with serendipitous first edition finds and deliberate in-store title hunting - of which he kept meticulous notes.

In this intimate and refreshingly honest essay collection - illustrated by artists on the autism spectrum - Ferose professes his undying love for books and elaborates on his relationship with the life-affirming act of reading. Enthusiastically noting titles that carry scribbles in the neglected margins to gushing over one-of-a-kind collectibles, he delves into his varied picks, bringing his most formative bookish adventures to readers.

Part memoir and part fascinating study of the quiet, fulfilling act of reading and collecting books, this joyous meld of anecdotes and recollections explores the sweeping genius of books and storytelling, and how they continually refine our collective conscience.

520 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2023

Reviews

[Chitrranshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

been times when I’ve felt incredibly alone, and in those moments, books have filled the silence with meaning. That’s exactly why Shelf Aware by V.R. Ferose felt like more than just a book to me—it felt like someone had put my own thoughts and feelings on paper. Ferose captures the quiet, deeply personal world of readers in a way that’s honest and beautifully comforting. His essays reminded me of the joy of running my fingers across spines in bookstores, the thrill of a good book recommendation, and how talking about books can sometimes be the best kind of conversation.

Ferose’s experiences as a passionate reader and collector felt deeply relatable. Whether he was describing the “aggressive book-sniffing” or the joy of finding a first edition, I found myself smiling and nodding along. His journey into the world of collecting, complete with signed copies and membership in the Grolier Club, may seem elite on the surface, but the emotions behind it—the need to hold onto stories and preserve them—are universal for anyone who’s ever found comfort in books. And I absolutely loved that the illustrations in the book were created by artists on the autism spectrum, adding even more character and heart.

As someone who could spend hours on Goodreads or wandering through a quiet bookstore, Shelf Aware felt like home. Ferose doesn’t just write about reading—he writes about what it means to live with books as part of your soul. The writing is simple but layered with insight, and the book is filled with small treasures: great recommendations, bookish humor, and moments that tug at your heart. It reminded me why I love reading in the first place—not just for the escape, but for the connection. If you’re someone who talks about books the way others talk about vacations or movies, this one’s for you.

[myliteraryworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

On World Book Day, a celebration that feels like a warm embrace for bibliophiles, few reads resonate as deeply as ‘Shelf Aware’. Ferose’s ode to bibliophilia is a treasure I’d urge every book lover to savour. The book is a mirror reflecting our shared obsession with ink, paper and the stories they hold.

V. R. Ferose, a self-proclaimed “gently mad” collector crafts an intimate tapestry of essays blending memoir, manifesto and meticulous study of book culture. From hunting first editions to waxing poetic about marginalia (those scribbled dialogues between reader and author), his passion is contagious. The book chapters meander through San Francisco’s Arion Press, Paris’s Shakespeare and Company, and Palo Alto’s beloved Bell’s Books, spaces where shelves breathe history.

What elevates this collection is its heart. Ferose’s journey from tech professional to Grolier Club member isn’t just about rarity, it’s about connection. The illustrations by artists on the autism spectrum including his son add layers of warmth while his encounters with literary giants pulse with genuine reverence. Shelf Aware isn’t merely about books,it’s about how they shape identities, forge communities and become heirlooms of the soul.

For those who’ve ever lingered in a bookstore, sniffed pages rebelliously or believed a signed copy could spark joy, this book is a kindred spirit. Ferose reminds us that libraries are not just collections but companions quiet, steadfast and endlessly generous. On this World Book Day, let ‘Shelf Aware’ rekindle your love for the weight of a book in hand and the worlds it holds within.

[Srijani Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

shelf aware by v. r. ferose is one of those books that instantly feels like a warm hug for anyone who’s ever loved reading a little too much. it’s not just a collection of essays—it’s a love letter to books, bookstores, and that quiet, all-consuming joy of finding yourself lost between pages. ferose, a self-confessed bibliophile, talks about reading, collecting, and even sniffing books (yes, we’ve all been there), and somehow makes it all sound like the most natural thing in the world.

i found myself smiling through almost every chapter because it honestly felt like listening to a fellow reader who just gets it. ferose’s stories about hunting down rare editions, collecting signed copies, and belonging to the grolier club might sound fancy, but at its core, it’s about something simple—the way books become a part of who we are. the illustrations by artists on the autism spectrum, including his son, give the book even more heart and depth.

for anyone who’s ever rearranged their bookshelf just for fun, or found comfort in a bookstore on a bad day, this book is pure joy. it reminded me that reading isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of living—one that fills the quiet spaces in our lives with meaning. if you call yourself a book lover, you’ll find a piece of yourself in these pages.

[Pradeep Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another title for this book could have been 'A Complete Book of Bibliophily' for the way it explores nearly every aspect of book-love: from reading to collecting to immersing oneself in the book community. Shelf Aware is also fetchingly illustrated. V.R. Ferose, a bibliophile and collector from India, begins his story with how he was drawn to collecting signed and inscribed books of his favorite authors, and how that led him finally to the doors of the most celebrated bibliophile society in the world of rare and fine books: the Grolier Club. Among the favorite things Ferose collected are association copies by the figures he reveres: books and letters from Gandhi and Tagore. My favorite chapter in the book is his long awaited meeting with Nick Basbanes, where Ferose brings out every single book by the the author to have it signed. A few years later Ferose buys part of Basbanes's books about books library, with several association copies in the collection. It's not very often that you get a book on books from India, making Shelf Aware a title that every Indian bibliophile should seek out.

[Nivetha Kannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Shelf Aware felt like having a deep, soul-hugging conversation with a fellow book lover — the kind of chat where you lose track of time and keep nodding because every feeling is just so relatable. Ferose doesn’t just talk about books; he talks about what books do to us — how they comfort us, shape us, surprise us, and quietly walk beside us through life.

His essays are filled with warm nostalgia, gentle humour, and a kind of sincere affection for the little things only bookworms get — the joy of finding a rare edition, the comfort of a well-worn spine, or the magic of scribbled notes left by strangers. His relationship with books goes beyond reading; it’s about living with stories, collecting memories, and building a personal universe through pages.

If you’ve ever sniffed a book (guilty), hoarded titles you may never read (same), or found healing between chapters, this book is for you. It reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place.

[Meenal Jhala · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a saying that goes, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” Shelf Aware is simply written and beautifully sophisticated at the same time. I love the way the author writes, I love the wealth of information here for book lovers, I love the beautiful pictures, I love everything about this book, and I haven’t even reached the end yet.

Only thing is reading the book is proving extremely expensive, like an addiction. Guess why, because the author has fabulous book recommendations and I want to read each one.

[riti aggarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a rather charming book about books. A barrage of essays by a book collector, it made me smile a ton. I'll also use it for book recommendations in the future and to rethink my own relationship with reading!

[Wittygirlwithabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently finished reading this book and I must say that every reader should read this book. It consists of heartwarming essays capturing the essence of love for books and reading.

I love how these essays capture the subtle emotions that are felt by the reader while getting lost in the world of books, to run fingers on every spine of a limited edition, the smell of books, feeling a sudden rush of happiness when we spot a bookstore.

This book is a heart touching exploration of what it feels like to be a book lover. The author invites the readers to join him in his bookish adventures, book hunts and his encounters with pages and people.
It made me feel like home, made me feel understood and of course it is extremely relatable.

It’s is a perfect read for-

Book lovers and anyone who believes in the magic of books