[newnewpdro]

Somewhat related; when a friend bought his first home, he filled bookshelves in the living room with books that were popular in his circles as part of decorating and a means of social manipulation.

He never had and likely never will read any of them, it was primarily an attempt to buy social favor with guests. He'd just say he had a poor memory for books he read long ago whenever someone tried discussing them at a house party.

It was unnerving how effective this was.

[pmiller2]

Books do make great decorations. People have been doing the same thing for decades.

“Don’t have sex with someone who doesn’t own any books” used to be somewhat common dating advice. With e-readers, it’s not as applicable, but the principle is still good.

[newnewpdro]

In some sense e-readers are an advantage, since it's less easily spoofed; instead you have to discuss the content of books with them, rather than be impressed by their collection of potentially unread paper lining the shelves.

[cgriswald]

Until they lie to you about their obsession with Middle Age poetry from the region surround the Black Sea.

[HarryHirsch]

The old joke about Suhrkamp: if you buy ten meters of Suhrkamp and display them you are civilized. If you read them you are cultivated.

[nn3]

It used to be possible to buy just the back covers of the full encyclopedia Britannica. Just for that reason.