diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py b/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
index afa176f795..7d58ff7684 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ def create_defs():
     defs['book_list_split'] = False
     defs['wrap_toolbar_text'] = False
     defs['dnd_merge'] = True
+    defs['booklist_grid'] = False
 
 
 create_defs()
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
index 948b273109..b856bb90ea 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
@@ -254,8 +254,8 @@ class BooksView(QTableView):  # {{{
         setup_dnd_interface(self)
         for wv in self, self.pin_view:
             wv.setAlternatingRowColors(True)
-            wv.setShowGrid(False)
             wv.setWordWrap(False)
+        self.refresh_grid()
 
         self.rating_delegate = RatingDelegate(self)
         self.half_rating_delegate = RatingDelegate(self, is_half_star=True)
@@ -786,6 +786,10 @@ class BooksView(QTableView):  # {{{
         self.row_sizing_done = False
         self.do_row_sizing()
 
+    def refresh_grid(self):
+        for wv in self, self.pin_view:
+            wv.setShowGrid(bool(gprefs['booklist_grid']))
+
     def do_row_sizing(self):
         # Resize all rows to have the correct height
         if not self.row_sizing_done and self.model().rowCount(QModelIndex()) > 0:
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.py b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.py
index 9de6eff486..cf2d5cd6c2 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.py
@@ -428,6 +428,7 @@ class ConfigWidget(ConfigWidgetBase, Ui_Form):
         r('emblem_position', gprefs, choices=[
             (_('Left'), 'left'), (_('Top'), 'top'), (_('Right'), 'right'), (_('Bottom'), 'bottom')])
         r('book_list_extra_row_spacing', gprefs)
+        r('booklist_grid', gprefs)
         r('book_details_narrow_comments_layout', gprefs, choices=[(_('Float'), 'float'), (_('Columns'), 'columns')])
         self.opt_book_details_narrow_comments_layout.setToolTip(textwrap.fill(_(
             'Choose how the text is laid out when using the "Narrow" user interface layout.'
@@ -766,6 +767,7 @@ class ConfigWidget(ConfigWidgetBase, Ui_Form):
         gui.tags_view.set_look_and_feel()
         gui.tags_view.reread_collapse_parameters()
         gui.library_view.refresh_book_details()
+        gui.library_view.refresh_grid()
         gui.library_view.set_row_header_visibility()
         gui.cover_flow.setShowReflections(gprefs['cover_browser_reflections'])
         gui.cover_flow.setPreserveAspectRatio(gprefs['cb_preserve_aspect_ratio'])
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.ui b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.ui
index 2a7c889ce0..d7935ac7e6 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.ui
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.ui
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     <x>0</x>
     <y>0</y>
     <width>843</width>
-    <height>546</height>
+    <height>552</height>
    </rect>
   </property>
   <property name="windowTitle">
@@ -28,6 +28,16 @@
        <string>&amp;Main interface</string>
       </attribute>
       <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_9">
+       <item row="5" column="1">
+        <widget class="QCheckBox" name="opt_disable_animations">
+         <property name="toolTip">
+          <string>Disable all animations. Useful if you have a slow/old computer.</string>
+         </property>
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>Disable &amp;animations</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
        <item row="0" column="0">
         <widget class="QLabel" name="label_widget_style">
          <property name="text">
@@ -150,7 +160,7 @@
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="13" column="0">
+       <item row="14" column="0">
         <spacer name="verticalSpacer_3">
          <property name="orientation">
           <enum>Qt::Vertical</enum>
@@ -228,16 +238,6 @@
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="5" column="1">
-        <widget class="QCheckBox" name="opt_disable_animations">
-         <property name="toolTip">
-          <string>Disable all animations. Useful if you have a slow/old computer.</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Disable &amp;animations</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
        <item row="6" column="1">
         <widget class="QCheckBox" name="opt_show_splash_screen">
          <property name="text">
@@ -284,13 +284,20 @@
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="12" column="0">
+       <item row="13" column="0">
         <widget class="QCheckBox" name="opt_dnd_merge">
          <property name="text">
           <string>Allow using &amp;drag and drop to merge books</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
+       <item row="12" column="0" colspan="2">
+        <widget class="QCheckBox" name="opt_booklist_grid">
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>Draw a &amp;grid in the book list</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
       </layout>
      </widget>
      <widget class="QWidget" name="cover_grid_tab">