Shelfie
Shelfie (portmanteau of shelf and selfie) is an English neologism, referring to a selfie infront of a bookshelf.
The term emerged in 2014, as a lighthearted alternative to the better-known "selfie". The shelfie emerged on Instagram, with the first posts by internet users who preferred to show off their taste for objects such as books, cups, flowers, mugs, pens, diaries etc., instead of their visage.[1]
Internet users could choose to photograph and display their literary tastes through a curated collection of books. Instead of displaying ‘faces and expressions,’ and being accused of narcissism.[2] The shelfie photo represented literary choices or tastes that the person wished to communicate on Instagram or other social media.
The idea has been popularized in library promotions [3] and contests which award prizes for the best shelfies.[4]
References
[edit]- ↑ Fallon, Claire (July 24, 2014). "What's Your Book Shelfie Style?". HuffPost. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ↑ Freedland, Jonathan (November 19, 2013). "The selfie's screaming narcissism masks an urge to connect". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ↑ "Promote Your Library With A Shelfie Contest". Curtis Rogers Consulting, LLC. December 29, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ↑ "Take a #Shelfie and stand a chance to win a R500 Bookmark voucher!". University of Pretoria. Retrieved July 27, 2025.