If you are going for a darker look, you should choose cherry. They are classic and homey. If you are looking for a lighter wood, oak would be the way to go.
Solid oak bookcases are typically more expensive than other kinds of wood. Often times bookcases now days are make of particle wood or compressed wood and covered in veneers. An oak bookcase is of much better quality, but with quality comes cost.
oak is better I quite agree with above. Oak will blend better with other furniture of mixed woods ... Cherry seems (at least to me) to be a very dark wood that blends better with darker finishes. Got an antique oak chair that still looks great and pleasant to sit in.
There are many materials bookcases can be made from. The benefits of choosing oak bookcases are that it is durable, long-lasting, stain resistance, won't scratch easily, and won't wear out.
Oak is better as it is a harder wood.
Some wood types you could use include Mahogany, Oak, and Cherry wood. Each of these woods have certain qualities to them that makes them good for making bookcases. Oak is probably most frequently stained wood, but it has a nice look to it. Cherry will not easily stain or warp, it is similar to Walnut. Mahogany is the most commonly used wood for medium sized projects like this. It has a fine texture to it. Source: http://www.ehow.com/list_7283560_types-wood-bookcases_.html
The most durable wooden door bookcases are those that are made from real wood and have hinges on them that are large enough and heavy enough to withstand the weight of the door. The best woods are oak, mahagony, cherry and even rubberwood and you want to avoid woods like pine and balsa.
Oak is a more expensive route to furnish because the wood is not as readily available and is more expensive to manufacture. The price nearly quadruples in oak vs. cherry wood.
Oak furniture is more durable than cherry wood. It withstands the abuse of every day use. Oak is also a more common wood and would therefore be less expensive to purchase.
Various staining colors, such as mahogany, walnut, cherry, and oak, can be used to enhance the appearance of wood furniture.
White oak is the heaviest wood among white ash, cherry, walnut, and white oak.
Cherry and maple woods are used more for cosmetic appearance while oak and poplar are used more for strength and cost efficiency.
Cherry, Oak and Walnut.