Home office bookshelves on TV

Submitted by Ohiobo6294-2 t3_10l6znj in books

These days a lot of TV commentators and contributors broadcast from their home offices. And their bookshelves are many times prominently displayed. I always find myself scanning the titles to see just what they might have.

Do you think that the books on these shelves are sometimes staged, or at least conspicuously rearranged to send a message about themselves or their beliefs? What kind of message? I'll admit, I wouldn't go out and buy something special, but I just might do a little tidying up.

Or have you ever seen a title that just seemed way out of character or just a little outrageous that they would have it there for display?

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downwardspiralstairs t1_j5uyxxw wrote

95% of the time the books are staged and rented.

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Ohiobo6294-2 OP t1_j5v0rq3 wrote

Rented. Didn't think of that.

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downwardspiralstairs t1_j5v2e7w wrote

Oh yeah and on some of the networks, product placement.

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Far_Administration41 t1_j5wrypq wrote

It depends on who you are watching. Most of the pundits on my favourite news channel have books related to their area of study, sometimes with a few non-work related novels thrown in (which is always illuminating).

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minimalist_coach t1_j5v9j49 wrote

Yes, they are often staged and in fact, some of them are virtual backgrounds. At minimum people arrange them artfully, but I've known many people who've purchased books to put in their background knowing that people will notice what's behind them.

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rainspill t1_j5w97jc wrote

Lol my husband had me stage his home office for his on-camera meetings and he isn't even someone fancy. If they're prominent enough to be on TV the network probably sends someone in to stage their space, not to mention light it properly so it looks good on camera. I'm sure dependent on the person/forum they tailor to their personality, but 100% I expect everyone stages their shelves.

The ones that I roll my eyes at are when people have published works of their own and place their books on display prominently.

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Bridalhat t1_j5zd4u4 wrote

I have a minishelf behind me and I enjoy swapping out the books. Sometimes they will be themed or I’ll just grab a bunch of the same color.

And I’m not going to blame people for displaying their own books—it’s probably part of their job and who knows the next time so many eyes will be on your book at once.

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KatJen76 t1_j5v3dd6 wrote

I think the only genuine ones come from non-regulars.

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Ohiobo6294-2 OP t1_j5v6igc wrote

Makes sense. The regulars probably have lots of reasons to send a message, including to sell books.

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ahkna t1_j5wg505 wrote

Staged for sure.

The shelf behind my wife's desk that you can see while she's on camera is all her favourites.

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InvisibleSpaceVamp t1_j5v9w24 wrote

I have to say it always makes me suspicious when I see a set-up with bookshelves. It doesn't feel natural or practical to me to place a desk with a bookshelf directly behind you (but then again, I like to look at my books). And virtual backgrounds are a thing.

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jefrye t1_j5vv0i3 wrote

In a typical office setup it actually makes a ton of sense to put your bookcase behind you. It's out of the way but easily accessible. For example, my office at work has my bookcase immediately behind me and it's full of the code books and legal reference guides and project binders etc.

I don't have a dedicated room for a home office, but if I did I'd set it up the same way.

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Bridalhat t1_j5zcvas wrote

I rarely do my zoom calls in the same place I work. It’s private and the lighting on me is not the best anyway. So yeah, I usually will just take a little table and drop it in front of my bookshelf. It feels like the most control k could have over my background as I also choose what books will be behind me.

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AlleyGreen23 t1_j5wdkgw wrote

Yes, Zuckerberg had condiments on his bookshelves in a web call shown early pandemic.

I however have 4 book racks in my house. Mainly full. Not one is in my home office for web calls lol. Instead I have a fake background concealing my need to paint. Which is killing me because I just want to read my books :) I even have classics. For aesthetic and to read. But not where they are seen on calls haha. Of course I did just move here last year so there’s that.

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GrudaAplam t1_j5vvj5j wrote

Sometimes? Yes, of course.

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Darkestain t1_j5y3bif wrote

There's a video on YouTube where Andrew Male gives an analysis of Eric Clapton's bookshelf, as it displayed on a video clip from a music documentary. Gripping stuff.

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[deleted] t1_j5y7c0u wrote

Fake. Green Screen.

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Wilforks t1_j60eq0p wrote

I watched good morning America or one of those shows during lockdown, and I swear they had a guy on who had the exact same books on his shelf that I do, in almost the same order. It wasn’t just like The Power Broker with it’s clearly identifiable title either. He had a graphic novel of slaughterhouse five next to the paperback, a bunch of pretty obscure European history books, the same set of authors for fiction. I never felt more basic.

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Mighty_joosh t1_j5y4qsz wrote

I don't even think they're books I think they are pictures of books most of the time tbh hha

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