The Black Cake and Good Dirt author takes our literary survey.

Welcome to Shelf Life, ELLE.com’s books column, in which authors share their most memorable reads. Whether you’re on the hunt for a book to console you, move you profoundly, or make you laugh ...

For circular columns, you'll need to purchase a large piece of plywood or medium density fiberboard (MDF). As for brackets, purchase two to four brackets for every 8 to 10 inches of shelf.