Like these? I don't think it looks weird. But I see the fireplace hearth is built out to the depth of the bookcases.

I think it looks weird....looks like the book cases are an add on.

Here are a couple more. I admit, these look nicer than the first two.

I like it.

I think it would look great, not weird at all.

maid

Thanks
Geokid, I really like the second photo.
Looks like the trick is to keep the cabinets as shallow as possible. Would 8" be enough for books? I'd probably just do shelves, rather than really shallow cupboards. The hearth isn't raised, but it would extend out at least as far as the shelves, probably a little further.

Two and three are pretty much the same thing. I think I just like two better because the fireplace is more aesthetically pleasing to me.
As for depth, most library shelves are 9" deep. That's what I've read anyway, I haven't actually measured. :) If you have a lof of big books, you might want a bottom shelf or two to be deeper.

In my opinion the bookcases need to go all the way to the ceiling to look best. The first pic does look weird, the rest not bad at all. I wonder about just going to the mantel though, that might be really nice.

I would just do the floor to ceiling bookcases. The cabinets below give a tunnel effect to the fireplace. Another option may be to recess the bookcases into the wall then they will not stick out as much.

If you find a good source for the cabs and bookcase tops please post it, I am going to do the same thing, and the second photo would work perfectly. I could get DH to do it all custom but it would go in so much faster if I could find them ready to go.

Sadly I can't do floor to ceiling bookcases as there are windows on either side of the fireplace. I think 9" shouldn't stick out too far.

My built-ins flank a window but they are all the same depth floor to ceiling. They have doors on the bottom with a slightly deeper shelf above the bottom door area. Gives the illusion of deeper on bottom section with the doors but only the shelf is 1/2" deeper.

Yes! I think that's pretty close to what I had in mind. Doesn't look too bad...may even convince DH.

I think it looks great! Very bungalow-like. Makes me wish I had a set-up like that in my house.

(Just want to clarify: I liked the third fireplace better, not the second. Not that it matters in the slightest!)