diff --git a/src/calibre/db/backend.py b/src/calibre/db/backend.py
index 884d86fe08..62ccd2bf4e 100644
--- a/src/calibre/db/backend.py
+++ b/src/calibre/db/backend.py
@@ -642,6 +642,7 @@ class DB:
         defs['bookshelf_title_template'] = '{title}'
         defs['bookshelf_author_template'] = ''
         defs['bookshelf_spine_size_template'] = '{pages}'
+        defs['bookshelf_icon_rules'] = []
 
         # Migrate the beta bookshelf_grouping_mode
         if self.prefs.get('bookshelf_grouping_mode', '') == 'none':
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py b/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
index fea8eed2c6..594dd990d2 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
@@ -502,6 +502,7 @@ def create_defs():
     defs['bookshelf_up_to_down'] = False
     defs['bookshelf_height'] = 119
     defs['bookshelf_make_space_for_second_line'] = False
+    defs['bookshelf_emblem_position'] = 'auto'
 
     # Migrate beta bookshelf_thumbnail
     if isinstance(btv := gprefs.get('bookshelf_thumbnail'), bool):
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/bookshelf_view.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/bookshelf_view.py
index 6c8fed5fc6..2d15d9cf0a 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/bookshelf_view.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/bookshelf_view.py
@@ -1323,6 +1323,8 @@ class BookshelfView(MomentumScrollMixin, QAbstractScrollArea):
     DIVIDER_GRADIENT_LINE_1.setAlphaF(0.0)  # Transparent at top/bottom
     DIVIDER_GRADIENT_LINE_2.setAlphaF(0.75)  # Visible in middle
     TEXT_MARGIN = 6
+    EMBLEM_SIZE = 24
+    EMBLEM_MARGIN = 2
 
     def __init__(self, gui):
         super().__init__(gui)
@@ -1454,6 +1456,20 @@ class BookshelfView(MomentumScrollMixin, QAbstractScrollArea):
             template, mi, TEMPLATE_ERROR, mi, column_name=column_name, template_cache=self.template_cache)
         return rslt or ''
 
+    def render_emblem(self, book_id: int) -> str:
+        if not (db := self.dbref()):
+            return ''
+        p = db.new_api.backend.prefs
+        if not (rules := p.get('bookshelf_icon_rules', p.defaults.get('bookshelf_icon_rules'))):
+            return ''
+        mi = db.get_proxy_metadata(book_id)
+        for (x,y,t) in rules:
+            rslt = mi.formatter.safe_format(
+                t, mi, TEMPLATE_ERROR, mi, column_name='bookshelf_emblem', template_cache=self.template_cache)
+            if rslt:
+                return rslt
+        return ''
+
     def refresh_settings(self):
         '''Refresh the gui and render settings.'''
         self.template_inited = False
@@ -1628,6 +1644,7 @@ class BookshelfView(MomentumScrollMixin, QAbstractScrollArea):
     def draw_emblems(self, painter: QPainter, item: ShelfItem, scroll_y: int) -> None:
         book_id = item.book_id
         above, below = [], []
+        top, bottom = [], []
         if m := self.model():
             from calibre.gui2.ui import get_gui
             db = m.db
@@ -1642,30 +1659,57 @@ class BookshelfView(MomentumScrollMixin, QAbstractScrollArea):
                     self.on_device_icon = QIcon.ic('ok.png')
                 which = above if below else below
                 which.append(self.on_device_icon)
+            custom = self.render_emblem(book_id)
+            if custom:
+                match gprefs['bookshelf_emblem_position']:
+                    case 'above':
+                        which = above
+                    case 'below':
+                        which = below
+                    case 'top':
+                        which = top
+                    case 'bottom':
+                        which = bottom
+                    case _:
+                        which = above if below and not above else below
+                which.append(QIcon.ic(custom))
 
-        def draw_horizontal(emblems: list[QIcon], above: bool = True) -> None:
+        def draw_horizontal(emblems: list[QIcon], position: str) -> None:
             if not emblems:
                 return
-            gap = 2
+            gap = self.EMBLEM_MARGIN
             max_width = (item.width - gap) // len(emblems)
             lc = self.layout_constraints
-            max_height = lc.shelf_gap if above else lc.shelf_height
+            match position:
+                case 'above':
+                    max_height = lc.shelf_gap
+                case 'below':
+                    max_height = lc.shelf_height
+                case 'top' | 'bottom':
+                    max_height = self.EMBLEM_SIZE
             sz = min(max_width, max_height)
             width = sz
             if len(emblems) > 1:
                 width += gap + sz
             x = max(0, (item.width - width) // 2) + item.start_x + lc.side_margin
             y = item.case_start_y - scroll_y
-            if above:
-                y += lc.shelf_gap + item.reduce_height_by - sz
-            else:
-                y += lc.spine_height
+            match position:
+                case 'above':
+                    y += lc.shelf_gap + item.reduce_height_by - sz
+                case 'below':
+                    y += lc.spine_height
+                case 'top':
+                    y += lc.shelf_gap + item.reduce_height_by + self.EMBLEM_MARGIN
+                case 'bottom':
+                    y += lc.spine_height - sz - self.EMBLEM_MARGIN
             for ic in emblems:
                 p = ic.pixmap(sz, sz)
                 painter.drawPixmap(QPoint(x, y), p)
                 x += sz + gap
-        draw_horizontal(above)
-        draw_horizontal(below, False)
+        draw_horizontal(above, 'above')
+        draw_horizontal(below, 'below')
+        draw_horizontal(top, 'top')
+        draw_horizontal(bottom, 'bottom')
 
     def paintEvent(self, ev: QPaintEvent):
         '''Paint the bookshelf view.'''
@@ -1888,6 +1932,7 @@ class BookshelfView(MomentumScrollMixin, QAbstractScrollArea):
         '''Draw vertically the title on the spine.'''
         first_line, second_line = self.first_line_renderer(book_id), self.second_line_renderer(book_id)
         margin = self.TEXT_MARGIN
+        second_rect = None
         if second_line:
             first_rect = QRect(rect.left(), rect.top() + margin, rect.width() // 2, rect.height() - 2*margin)
             second_rect = first_rect.translated(first_rect.width(), 0)
@@ -1895,10 +1940,23 @@ class BookshelfView(MomentumScrollMixin, QAbstractScrollArea):
                 first_rect, second_rect = second_rect, first_rect
         else:
             first_rect = QRect(rect.left(), rect.top() + margin, rect.width(), rect.height() - 2*margin)
+
+        emblem_size = -margin + (self.EMBLEM_MARGIN * 2)
+        emblem_size += min(rect.width() - self.EMBLEM_MARGIN, self.EMBLEM_SIZE)
+        match gprefs['bookshelf_emblem_position']:
+            case 'top':
+                first_rect.adjust(0, emblem_size, 0, 0)
+                if second_rect:
+                    second_rect.adjust(0, emblem_size, 0, 0)
+            case 'bottom':
+                first_rect.adjust(0, 0, 0, -emblem_size)
+                if second_rect:
+                    second_rect.adjust(0, 0, 0, -emblem_size)
+
         nfl, nsl, font = self.get_text_metrics(first_line, second_line, first_rect.transposed().size())
         if not nfl and not nsl:  # two lines dont fit
             second_line = ''
-            first_rect = QRect(rect.left(), rect.top() + margin, rect.width(), rect.height() - 2*margin)
+            first_rect = QRect(rect.left(), first_rect.top(), rect.width(), first_rect.height())
             nfl, nsl, font = self.get_text_metrics(first_line, second_line, first_rect.transposed().size())
         first_line, second_line, = nfl, nsl
 
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/coloring.py b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/coloring.py
index 1740fd475e..773d8d0d26 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/coloring.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/coloring.py
@@ -410,16 +410,24 @@ pref_name_map = {
             'You can add emblems (small icons) that are displayed on the side of covers'
             ' in the Cover grid by creating "rules" that tell calibre what image to use.'),
     },
+    'bookshelf_icon_rules': {
+        'kind': 'bookshelf_emblem',
+        'name': _('Bookshelf emblem'),
+        'label': _('Add the emblem:'),
+        'text': _(
+            'You can add emblem (small icon) that are displayed on the side of spines'
+            ' in the bookshelf by creating "rules" that tell calibre what image to use.'),
+    },
 }
-kind_icons = {'emblem', 'icon'}
-kind_emblems = {'emblem'}
+kind_icons = {'emblem', 'icon', 'bookshelf_emblem'}
+kind_emblems = {'emblem', 'bookshelf_emblem'}
 kind_colors = {'color'}
 
 
 def get_template_dialog(parent, rule, field=None, kind=None):
     if parent.pref_name == 'column_color_rules':
         return TemplateDialog(parent, rule, mi=parent.mi, fm=parent.fm, color_field=field)
-    if parent.pref_name == 'cover_grid_icon_rules':
+    if parent.pref_name in {'cover_grid_icon_rules', 'bookshelf_icon_rules'}:
         return TemplateDialog(parent, rule, mi=parent.mi, fm=parent.fm, doing_emblem=True)
     return TemplateDialog(parent, rule, mi=parent.mi, fm=parent.fm, icon_field_key=field, icon_rule_kind=kind)
 
@@ -960,7 +968,7 @@ class RulesModel(QAbstractListModel):  # {{{
                 <p>Advanced rule for column <b>%(col)s</b>:
                 <pre>%(rule)s</pre>
                 ''')%dict(col=col, rule=prepare_string_for_xml(rule))
-            elif self.rule_kind in {'emblem'}:
+            elif self.rule_kind in kind_emblems:
                 return _('''
                 <p>Advanced rule:
                 <pre>%(rule)s</pre>
@@ -981,6 +989,9 @@ class RulesModel(QAbstractListModel):  # {{{
         if kind == 'emblem':
             return _('<p>Add the emblem <b>{0}</b> to the cover if the following conditions are met:</p>'
                     '\n<ul>{1}</ul>').format(rule.color, ''.join(conditions))
+        if kind == 'bookshelf_emblem':
+            return _('<p>Add the emblem <b>{0}</b> to spine if the following conditions are met:</p>'
+                    '\n<ul>{1}</ul>').format(rule.color, ''.join(conditions))
         return _('''\
             <p>Set the <b>%(kind)s</b> of <b>%(col)s</b> to <b>%(color)s</b> %(sample)s
             if the following conditions are met:</p>
@@ -1056,6 +1067,16 @@ class EditRules(QWidget):  # {{{
         c.setVisible(False)
         c.stateChanged.connect(self.changed)
 
+        self.choices_label = cl = QLabel(self)
+        l.addWidget(cl, l.rowCount(), 0, 1, 1)
+        cl.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignRight | Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignVCenter)
+        cl.setVisible(False)
+        self.choices = c = QComboBox(self)
+        l.addWidget(c, l.rowCount() - 1, 1, 1, 1)
+        c.setVisible(False)
+        c.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.changed)
+        cl.setBuddy(c)
+
         self.l1 = l1 = QLabel('')
         l1.setWordWrap(True)
         l.addWidget(l1, l.rowCount(), 0, 1, 2)
@@ -1148,6 +1169,7 @@ class EditRules(QWidget):  # {{{
         text = pref_name_map[pref_name]['text']
         text += ' ' + _('Click the "Add rule" button below to get started.'
                     '<p>You can <b>change an existing rule</b> by double clicking it.')
+        self.l1.setText('<p>'+ text)
         if pref_name == 'cover_grid_icon_rules':
             self.enabled.setVisible(True)
             self.enabled.setChecked(gprefs['show_emblems'])
@@ -1158,7 +1180,25 @@ class EditRules(QWidget):  # {{{
                 ' next to the covers shown in the Cover grid, controlled by the'
                 ' metadata of the book.'))
             self.enabled_toggled()
-        self.l1.setText('<p>'+ text)
+        if pref_name == 'bookshelf_icon_rules':
+            self.choices_label.setVisible(True)
+            self.choices.setVisible(True)
+            self.choices_label.setText(_('&Position of the emblem:'))
+            self.choices.setToolTip(_(
+                '<p>"Automatic" will place the icon where the space is available above or below the spine, with below first.'
+                '<p>"Above" and "Below" will allway place the icon at the selected position of the spine.'
+                '<p>"Top" and "Bottom" will place the icon on the spine, reducing the space allowed to the text.'))
+            choice_map = (
+                (_('Automatic'), 'auto'),
+                (_('Above of the spine'), 'above'),
+                (_('Below of the spine'), 'below'),
+                (_('Top of the spine'), 'top'),
+                (_('Bottom of the spine'), 'bottom'),
+            )
+            for idx, (text, data) in enumerate(choice_map):
+                self.choices.addItem(text, data)
+                if data == gprefs['bookshelf_emblem_position']:
+                    self.choices.setCurrentIndex(idx)
 
     def enabled_toggled(self):
         enabled = self.enabled.isChecked()
@@ -1308,6 +1348,9 @@ class EditRules(QWidget):  # {{{
         self.model.commit(prefs)
         if self.pref_name == 'cover_grid_icon_rules':
             gprefs['show_emblems'] = self.enabled.isChecked()
+        if self.pref_name == 'bookshelf_icon_rules':
+            idx = max(0, self.choices.currentIndex())
+            gprefs['bookshelf_emblem_position'] = self.choices.itemData(idx)
 
     def export_rules(self):
         path = choose_save_file(self, 'export-coloring-rules', _('Choose file to export to'),
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs/__init__.py b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs/__init__.py
index 5b0b7a74dc..f64c4bbf85 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs/__init__.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs/__init__.py
@@ -269,6 +269,10 @@ class GridEmblemnRules(LazyEditRulesBase):
     rule_set_name = 'cover_grid_icon_rules'
 
 
+class BookshelfEmblemRules(LazyEditRulesBase):
+    rule_set_name = 'bookshelf_icon_rules'
+
+
 class BackgroundConfig(QGroupBox, LazyConfigWidgetBase):
 
     changed_signal = pyqtSignal()
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs/bookshelf_view.ui b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs/bookshelf_view.ui
index 05bd233ec5..baa194d38a 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs/bookshelf_view.ui
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs/bookshelf_view.ui
@@ -301,6 +301,11 @@
     </item>
    </layout>
   </widget>
+  <widget class="BookshelfEmblemRules" name="emblem_rules">
+   <attribute name="title">
+    <string>&amp;Emblems</string>
+   </attribute>
+  </widget>
   <widget class="CoverCacheConfig" name="config_cache">
    <attribute name="title">
     <string>&amp;Performance</string>
@@ -313,6 +318,11 @@
    <extends>QWidget</extends>
    <header>calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs.h</header>
   </customwidget>
+  <customwidget>
+   <class>BookshelfEmblemRules</class>
+   <extends>ConfigWidgetBase</extends>
+   <header>calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel_tabs.h</header>
+  </customwidget>
   <customwidget>
    <class>CoverCacheConfig</class>
    <extends>ConfigWidgetBase</extends>