A quick look at Pinterest is all it takes to see that this questionable advice is something of a wider trend. The offending images are listed under ‘tips for styling bookcases’ or ‘a smart idea that will eliminate the colourful mish-mash on your bookshelf’.

While Instagram has been slower to embrace the growing trend, there are still over 100 posts tagged #backwardsbooks.

In fairness, a few people have come up with vaguely practical reasons for displaying books this way. For example, Instagram user @frostbeardmpls suggests using the strategy for your TBR (to be read) shelf, picking your next book at random and only allowing yourself to return it to the shelf with spine facing out once you’ve finished it. If you intend to pass certain books on after you’ve read them, this could be done in reverse in order to help you quickly downsize your book collection at a later date.

Book lovers are furious about this controversial interiors trend