Well Andy, I know it does create a kind of disturbance to have a blurry foreground, but I think it's a nice idea to draw eyes to the books in the background, which is what you intended to do.
Good job!

I think it's great to experiment like this. That way you can find out what works and what doesn't work. (I do it all the time...) For me, the blurry books in the foreground are very disturbing to my eye... I like the concept you have, but I'd like to see even more books, perhaps rows of them, and maybe using a narrow DOF so the ones in front and back are blurry but the middle rows are sharply in focus.
mary

great eye for the shot! this is very creative and playful! good work!

...being an avid reader, I was not totally taken with this shot. However, experimentation is a great facet to explore and were you to have presented this in a manner such as solita17 commented, I think it would've been a great shot! Thanks for sharing...

I like how the first books are blurry, it forces the viewer deeper into the shot. I find there isn't enough subject matter that is "in focus" for the viewer to look at...too much shelf and background, not enough books. But I like the idea. Thanks for sharing.