> My theory is that books have constantly variable width until shelf > space is allocated to them. At that point their width becomes fixed at > "n x 1.3". I discovered this after spending a great deal of time > designing and building some permanent bookcases in my study. > > Subsequent investigation has shown that contemplation of additional > shelving once again allows their width to vary up until the new > shelving exists and is in place, at which point their width once again > becomes fixed at "n x 1.3".
Dan, That's hilarious. I love it. > Now I just put them in piles and hope I'm not in the room if one of the > piles shifts. Nicholas Basbanes tells a story in one of his books of two brothers--I seem to remember they were from Brooklyn--who literally died when a mountain of books in their apartment shifted and crushed them. I can't remember the whole story, but I for one can believe it. <s> --Mike
