the bookshelf is sturdy and beautiful to look at. the tilted shelf makes all the difference in that something that could be "heavy" in the room, instead looks light and fresh. The box had less packing than I expected -- but the shelf arrived in perfect condition and best of all: FULLY ASSEMBLED. Getting lots of compliments bc it looks so elegant. The angled shelf holds books larger that I expected, and the bottom shelf is best suited for shorter books or items. It comes with hardware to prevent tilting but I didn't install it bc it is very solid once you fill it up. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but I am very happy with this purchase and know I will have this piece for a long time.