stephen blyth’s blog

Now that I’ve heard about the Ministry of Re-shelving, I’m prepared for the unexpected when I enter a bookshop. That’s because the Ministry’s work could occur anywhere. Membership is open to anyone who is daring and able to shelve books alphabetically.The Ministry of Reshelving is dedicated to the proper classification of fiction and nonfiction books.

As the photo above shows, the first volume selected for re-shelving is Orwell’s 1984. This, they argue, properly fits in the non-fiction section. (Photo from Books-A-Million, Birmingham, Alabama by g2223060.)

So far over 100 bookstores have been re-shelved. The target is one thousand, eight hundred and eight four.

Instructions are available to assist would be Ministry personnel to join-in. Also available online are photos of 1984 sitting amidst politics, sociology and current affairs books.

In New Zealand, should we perhaps look at re-shelving CK Stead’s novel Smith’s Dream?

Links

• Ministry of Re-shelving photos
• Ministry of Re-shelving instructions