During the summer my teaching schedule relaxes considerably. On top of that, I usually don’t take summer classes myself. Viola! TIME TO READ! It is really one of my favorite seasons of the academic year because I get to take my time perusing new texts, sorting through old lesson plans, and make changes for the upcoming semesters.
Much to my husband’s dismay, my favorite way to do this kind of work is with as many books and binders as possible piled on my desk ready for inspection. I might like to read from the new Craft of Research along with the updated MLA Handbook. I might want to spend a few minutes previewing a worship foundations text and then switch over to reading about the Bible as literature. I want all of these choices at my fingertips so I can see my options. It helps that I can take my time doing it because my students are mostly out and about enjoying summer break and I don’t have tight deadlines for a change.
But, it does make for a messy desk! And I like it that way!

I’m glad you see this as a positive thing (as do I) or I would feel bad about being the one to bring you much of your clutter.
Keep ‘em coming!
You get this from your father.
You know what they say about a cluttered desk being a sign of an organized mind……………:)
I like my pile, folder and location system. It looks kind of cluttered, but I know where everything is. Current projects in one spot, quick reference stuff ALWAYS in the same spot (DUH, it’s for quick reference, and it can’t be quick if I can’t find it!), long term projects in another pile. Only I know it’s actually organized.
Your desk looks like my coffee table, piled high with books, magazines and knitting supplies! (But I do know where most things are.)
I am so validated by these comments! DAN, are you reading this?!
Not so much!
Don