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Modern A-Frame Bookshelf

A truss-style leaning bookshelf on 2x4 legs canted at 10°. The angled legs do all the styling; the joinery is just screws.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Legs Ends cut 10° off square, parallel to each other.	4	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 66"	2x4	☐
Shelf supports Cut to match your actual shelf width (11-1/4" for nominal, 12" for full).	8	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 11 1/2"	2x4	☐
Shelves Cut to fit between the legs; keep spans under ~36".	4	3/4" × 11 1/4" × 47 1/4"	1x12	☐

Item	Qty	✓
2x4, 8 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Legs and shelf supports.	4 each	☐
1x12 board or 12"-wide shelving, 8 ft (Pine) Shelves — measure actual width before cutting supports.	2 each	☐
Self-tapping wood screws, 3"	16 each	☐
Self-tapping wood screws, 2"	24 each	☐
Wood glue	4 oz	☐

Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.

Circular Saw
Drill / Driver
Pencil
Random Orbit Sander
Safety Glasses
Speed Square
Tape Measure
Hearing Protection — optional
Miter Saw — optional
Cleanest way to cut the matching 10° legs; a circular saw with a protractor works.

1. Cut the angled legs
Tools: Circular Saw, Miter Saw. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft
Cut the four legs with both ends at 10° off square, parallel to each other, so the shelf sits level while the legs lean. A miter saw makes matching cuts easiest, but a protractor with a jigsaw or circular saw works — the key is that all four legs are identical, or the frame will twist.
2. Cut and place the shelf supports
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Self-tapping wood screws, 2", Wood glue
The supports are all 2x4 cut to match your shelf width — measure your shelving first. If you bought nominal 12" (really 11-1/4"), cut the supports at 11-1/4"; for full 12" material, cut 12". Mark and attach the supports to the legs at each shelf level.
3. Attach the shelves
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 1x12 board or 12"-wide shelving, 8 ft, Self-tapping wood screws, 3", Self-tapping wood screws, 2", Wood glue
Mark each shelf from the ends so the marks line up with the shelf supports, then screw the shelves down to the supports with 2" screws and glue. Screw the leg-to-support joints with 3" screws. Sand and finish. Keep books to the middle of the longer spans if you're near the 36" limit.