So many books and not enough time?

Can’t decide which books to keep and which ones to move along, here are a few tips.  It may take a few passes to get where you ultimately want to be, but as the saying goes “there’s no time like the present” to get started.

 

Start by deciding how many books you want to keep

Ultimately, books are meant to be enjoyed, having them sit on a shelf collecting dust doesn’t do them justice.  Limit yourself to one book case, or a couple of shelves in the built-ins.  Figure out exactly how many books will fit in that space and stick to that number.  Take all the books off the shelves and put them into four piles, “must keep (usually ones that bring you joy) ” “to be read”  “maybe” “move along”.  Put the must keeps back first, then the to be read and if there is still space the maybes.  All the rest box up and get them ready to move out of the house. Below are some ideas on what to do with the ones you are willing to get rid of.

Do a book exchange with friends

Before you get rid of your books see if any friends have any interest in your castoffs.  They may also have some books they are looking to move along.  Just be sure to let them know when they are done with yours to NOT send them back your way.

Little Free library

Whoever came up with this idea is an absolute genius.  We have three in my neighborhood and the collection is always changing.  These are especially wonderful for children’s books.  There is even a website with a world map of locations of these little gems https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap.

Sell or donate

Unfortunately most used books don’t have much monetary value.  If you have rare books or signed first editions you may find a market for them on Ebay or a place like ABE books https://www.abebooks.com.

All other books can be donated to local libraries, thrift stores or schools (for children’s books).  If you are in the DC area check out the annual book sale at BCC high school https://www.bccptsa.net/used-book-sale.

Give yourself a deadline to get through the to be read books

Set a time limit to get through those books.  Decide which ones you want to read first and put the completion date on a post it in the inside cover.  If you haven’t gotten to that book by that date admit to yourself you just aren’t that interested.  Don’t bring another book into the house until you have read and gotten rid of one of your to be read books. Don’t let yourself fall into a trap where you are refilling those shelves you just emptied.

Support your local library

Once you get your head wrapped around the notion you don’t need to own and hold onto books you can be freed up to read whatever you want.Most libraries have a website where you can place a hold on books you want to