Are you a "book" person? Or, do you prefer to read on a Kindle or a Nook? Although I have a Kindle (great for traveling), I still love the feel and smell of a book in my hands. I might not keep every book I buy, but some I just can’t part with. Same with my kids, they each had special books they read over and over again.
To avoid being buried under stacks of books, put the special ones, “the keepers,” on display with “trophy” bookends. (If your kids didn’t get a trophy or two during their schools years, you can usually find them at Goodwill.)
They are fine as is, but I like to coordinate accessories with a room’s color and décor. A little spray paint and old trophies become sculptural art work!
Choose trophies that have a little weight to them so they will actually hold books in place.