The secret to the perfect book collection is adequate bookshelf space, secret hiding places, and accountability of those who borrow your books, according to Mae Eldahshoury, who receives many books as presents for every major holiday and throughout her childhood constantly “hid them in various safe spaces around the house” so family members and friends would not disrupt the quality and newness of her special books.

“Non damp areas are key”, says Mae, while she also makes a note of how important it is to make sure to never rip your books pages and keep them in order.

Lastly, Mae says that she has many that wish to borrow from her amazing book collection, but says, “you must always make a note of who borrows your books and stay accountable in order to avoid misplacing them.”