diff --git a/resources/default_tweaks.py b/resources/default_tweaks.py
index 9d7974a59c..eac9e33d06 100644
--- a/resources/default_tweaks.py
+++ b/resources/default_tweaks.py
@@ -537,3 +537,9 @@ many_libraries = 10
 # that off.
 highlight_virtual_library_book_count = True
 
+#: Color for the current column highlight in the library view
+# This color is used to highlight the column header of the column containing the
+# currently-selected cell. It must be an valid color name. See
+# http://webdesign.about.com/od/colorcharts/l/bl_namedcolors.htm
+# for a list of valid color names
+column_highlight_color = 'lightgrey'
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/models.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/models.py
index d252af6395..c16f0022d4 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/models.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/models.py
@@ -164,6 +164,8 @@ class BooksModel(QAbstractTableModel): # {{{
         self.ids_to_highlight_set = set()
         self.current_highlighted_idx = None
         self.highlight_only = False
+        self.current_index_column = -1
+        self.column_highlight_color = QVariant(QColor(tweaks['column_highlight_color']))
         self.read_config()
 
     def _clear_caches(self):
@@ -889,6 +891,12 @@ class BooksModel(QAbstractTableModel): # {{{
         #        return QVariant(_("Double click to <b>edit</b> me<br><br>"))
         return NONE
 
+    def set_current_cell(self, idx):
+        if idx and idx.isValid():
+            self.current_index_column = idx.column()
+        else:
+            self.current_index_column = -1
+
     def headerData(self, section, orientation, role):
         if orientation == Qt.Horizontal:
             if section >= len(self.column_map): # same problem as in data, the column_map can be wrong
@@ -900,6 +908,8 @@ class BooksModel(QAbstractTableModel): # {{{
                 return QVariant(_('The lookup/search name is "{0}"').format(ht))
             if role == Qt.DisplayRole:
                 return QVariant(self.headers[self.column_map[section]])
+            if role == Qt.BackgroundRole and section == self.current_index_column:
+                return self.column_highlight_color
             return NONE
         if DEBUG and role == Qt.ToolTipRole and orientation == Qt.Vertical:
                 col = self.db.field_metadata['uuid']['rec_index']
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
index 928d6d6107..9dbf4df1bd 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
@@ -169,6 +169,10 @@ class BooksView(QTableView): # {{{
         self._model.sorting_done.connect(self.sorting_done,
                 type=Qt.QueuedConnection)
 
+    def currentChanged(self, current, previous):
+        self.model().set_current_cell(current)
+        QTableView.currentChanged(self, current, previous)
+
     # Column Header Context Menu {{{
     def column_header_context_handler(self, action=None, column=None):
         if not action or not column: