My new house has no fireplace, hence no bookshelves. I wanted something unusual and this item fits the bill. It is sturdy and holds a lot of books and odds and ends. It did take my handyman several hours to assemble. There were some scratches on the shelves, that were made when the assembly screws rolled around during shipping, but they were on the underside of the shelves. I wish it was a tad wider but it is what it is. I also wish it had come in a black finish to match my other furniture. Luckily, it is far enough away from the other pieces that you don't notice the color difference. Overall, I am pleased with this piece.