What's The Best Wood For Open ('Floating') Bookshelves?

[Backdrifter]

I have a U-shaped space to fill with open shelves for books, about 19m of shelving in total. I've got a joiner coming in to put them up but I'm sourcing the wood. I've seen some really nice looking grey oak MFC but wondering if solid timber is better long-term. What I read is that alder, oak and cherry are among the best. Any tips, hints, suggestions, useful experiences? Thanks.

[Buenchico]

It'll be hard for anyone here to suggest a definitive answer, as we don't know the style of your room. For example, dark oak shelving might look great in a room full of dark/warm colours but would probably be totally out of place in a Scandinavian-style minimalist room where white walls and stainless steel fittings dominate the space.

Scrolling down to 'Choosing the right materials' on the IKEA website might help to point you in the right direction though:
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/floating-shelves-55014/

[Chipchopper]

Sorry, I just can't shake off this mental picture of somone assesing flood damage, watching their furniture fittings getting washed away by flood water.
Sorry :-)

[Backdrifter]

Thanks Buenchico, it's a recess we've just painted a purple red colour actually similar to the 'Answer Now' button just below the box I'm typing this in. I wasn't expecting definitive responses, more an idea of what's best for shelves that'll be holding books for years to come in terms of sturdiness and not bowing over time.

[Buenchico]

To come close to matching the colour of your walls, consider a dark wood such as mahogany or perhaps teak.

However my own preference would be to go for a contrast by using a light wood, such as American Ash:
https://planedoak.co.uk/American-Ash-Panels-19mm-thick

[rowanwitch]

Oak would be my suggestion would definitely be strong enough and sit nicely against the wall colour, if not then English Elm, in both cases oiled to bring out the subtlety of the colours.
If you want a warmer shade then teak for a reddish tone or Wenge which is very dark