Looking After Your Books

by Francesca Galligan

A practical guide providing expert advice on collecting, storing, conserving and buying books.

Have you ever wondered whether the assortment of books you have at home is a ‘collection’? Do you want to reorganize it? Expand it? Or repair some of your treasured volumes?

This quirky but practical guide covers questions book-lovers might have about looking after their books at home. With historical anecdotes and curious examples at every turn, it will delight anyone with an interest in books and their history. Written by an expert rare books librarian at the Bodleian Libraries and covering a range of subjects including collecting, arranging and keeping books in good condition, its friendly advice will guide you through all aspects of book-ownership.

Here you will find useful tips on buying from bookfairs, bookshops and dealers and identifying first editions. Help is on hand with treating accidental mishaps and a range of common problems afflicting books, whether an attack of red rot or a broken spine. There are also chapters on shelving, how to keep track of your books, how to commission a special box for a special book and how to pass books on usefully. An indispensable resource for anyone who cherishes books.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Literature, Books About Books

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2025

About the author

Francesca Galligan is a Bodleian librarian, academic researcher, and writer. She is Deputy Head of Rare Books at the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always find it refreshing to read a book about books every now and then, and in that regard Francesca Galligan’s Looking After Your Books does not disappoint. Approaching the topics of books and book collecting from her experience as Deputy Head of Rare Books at Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, Galligan has written a very approachable book that can be enjoyed by readers with a range of previous knowledge of rare books and book collecting. Of particular interest to me was the historical context that she gave throughout the book, tracing the history of each topic from the early days forward. And while I won’t be seeking out any books from the 16th or 17th centuries anytime soon, it was interesting to learn more about the history of books through reading this one!

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Looking After Your Books by Francesca Galligan
Rating: 4.9/5

Francesca Galligan’s Looking After Your Books is a love letter to bibliophiles—a masterclass in book stewardship that blends scholarly expertise with the warmth of a fellow collector’s advice. As someone with a sprawling personal library, I found this book to be both a revelation and a reassurance, offering pragmatic wisdom without sacrificing the romance of book ownership.

Strengths & Emotional Resonance
Galligan’s dual lens as a rare book librarian and an ardent collector shines through every chapter. Her guidance on identifying first editions and navigating book fairs felt like receiving trade secrets from a trusted mentor, while the section on “Special Finishes for Special Books” (including commissioning bespoke boxes) sparked genuine excitement—I immediately began mentally cataloging which of my own treasures deserved such care.

The historical anecdotes (e.g., tales of eccentric collectors or medieval bookbinding quirks) are woven seamlessly into practical advice, transforming what could be a dry manual into a charming narrative. The chapter on “Common Conservation Issues” (red rot, broken spines) was particularly empowering, demystifying repairs that once felt daunting and a world I knew little about.

Constructive Criticism
While the book is nearly flawless, I noted minor gaps:
-Digital Integration: A brief discussion on cataloging apps or digital preservation (e.g., handling eBooks or fragile digitized texts) would modernize its scope.
-Visual Aids: Though Galligan’s prose is vivid, step-by-step illustrations for repairs (e.g., spine mending) would elevate clarity.
-Global Perspectives: While Eurocentric conservation techniques dominate, nods to non-Western bookcare traditions (e.g., Japanese washi paper repairs) could enrich its inclusivity.

Why This Book Stands Out
Galligan strikes a rare balance between academic rigor (drawing on Bodleian Library practices) and accessible storytelling. It’s a book that respects its readers—whether you’re a casual reader with a shelf of paperbacks or a rare book hunter—and never condescends. The chapter on “Leaving Your Mark” (marginalia, bookplates) moved me to reflect on my own legacy as a book custodian.

Thank you to the University of Chicago Press (a publisher that always has books I love!) and Edelweiss for the advance copy. Galligan’s work is a testament to the idea that caring for books is an act of preservation and passion.

Final Verdict:

Originality: 5/5 (Fills a niche with scholarly yet heartfelt prose.)
Practicality: 4.5/5 (Actionable advice, though visuals would help.)
Depth: 5/5 (From flea-market finds to heirloom conservation, it covers it all.)
Joy Factor: 5/5 (You’ll finish it clutching your favorite volume a little tighter.)

A must-read for anyone who believes books are more than objects—they’re companions, artifacts, and legacies. 📚✨

[Dalyn Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking After Your Books by Francesca Galligan is an engaging, charming, and expertly crafted guide that every book lover will treasure. As a rare books librarian at the Bodleian Libraries, Galligan brings deep authority paired with a warm, accessible voice transforming book care from a technical subject into a delightful journey through history, preservation, and the art of collecting. Her advice is practical but never dry, enriched with fascinating anecdotes and examples that illuminate the rich world of book ownership.

What makes this guide especially compelling is its balance of expertise and personality. Galligan covers everything from arranging a personal library to repairing damage, identifying first editions, navigating bookfairs, and preventing common deterioration issues. Her guidance is not only helpful but empowering, giving readers the knowledge and confidence to care for their books with intention and joy. This is more than a reference book it’s a celebration of the emotional and historical value that books bring into our lives. It’s easy to see why readers have responded so positively; the book is both indispensable and deeply enjoyable.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking After Your Books by Francesca Galligan is an indispensable guide for bibliophiles, collectors, and anyone who cherishes their personal library. Drawing on her expertise as a rare books librarian at the Bodleian Libraries, Galligan offers practical advice on collecting, storing, conserving, and buying books, making the book both informative and accessible.

What sets this guide apart is its blend of practicality and charm. From identifying first editions and attending book fairs to treating accidental damage like red rot or broken spines, every tip is grounded in real world experience. Historical anecdotes and quirky examples add color, making the book enjoyable as well as educational. Chapters on shelving, cataloguing, and passing books on ensure readers have a comprehensive roadmap for maintaining their collections.

This book is a must read for anyone looking to preserve the beauty, value, and life of their books. It is as much a celebration of book ownership as it is a practical manual.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking After Your Books was a quick and interesting read. While there are certainly some tips for beginner collectors wondering where to start, I think this book would be of most benefit to those who have already started out and are wishing to protect their investment or gain information on how to assess older books for purchase and/or repair. Recommended for book lovers looking to take a collection of whatever size to the next level, but with the proviso that some information could be unnecessary for those at the lower end of the collector spectrum and already known to those collecting for a while, so if you are somewhere in the middle you will likely get the most out of it. I am giving this book 3.5 stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Blake Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francesca Galligan is Deputy Head of Rare Books at Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries. She authored this captivating book, which perfectly delivers on its promise. Fun, engaging, and very, very bookish. A true gem.

blakemilton.co.uk
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