Letting go of books

[_MeDotOrg]

I don't have much room in my apartment, and I am gradually being overrun by books. I read a lot, but that's not the problem. When I really love a book, I want it on my shelf, even if the chances are I will never read it again.

Certain books feel like signposts: Books that really helped you understand the world better, or books that you flat out love for the way they are written, or mythological adventures that re-ignite the younger you. Recently I got a book I read when I was seven years old.

Looking at a case of books filled with books you've read is like looking at a photograph album of your mind. When I let go of a book I loved, it feels like I'm deserting a friend. I think it's one of the reasons I've never been able to use my Kindle. There's just something about the tactile feeling of a book.

I guess the thing to do is schlep them all to my local used bookstore, and hope they all find good homes. That's the other side of the story. While these books are on my shelves, they are not giving any other minds the opportunity to read them.

Otherwise I'll eventually be found dead after 3 days beneath a pile of trade paperbacks.

[_MsJack]

MeDotOrg ~ Put your entire book collection on the floor of your home. All of it. Then go through it.

Hold each book in your hand and ask yourself, "Does this spark joy in my heart?" If the answer is "yes," keep it. If the answer is "no"---even a little bit---say, "Thank you for your service," and put it in the sell / donate / discard pile. That book has served its purpose and it is okay to let go of it with gratitude.

It sounds silly but it has really helped me get rid of stuff. Read this book if you haven't already: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

[_Jersey Girl]

MeDot read that little book that Jack suggested. It'll seem a little weird in the beginning, but then you'll begin to realize that Marie Kondo has really got it right.

What you said here is so insightful.

"While these books are on my shelves, they are not giving any other minds the opportunity to read them."

I've used the Konmari method that Jack refers to. Whether it is a household item, piece of clothing or a book, now I find myself thinking "Someone else will really love having this", I get excited thinking about it in that way and off it goes to donation!

Good luck with your farewells!

[_moksha]

What a shame Metdotorg does not have volunteer indexers and prisoners at the Utah State Penitentiary who can digitalize his book collection.

There will be a point in time where he will want to upgrade to large print books.

[_MeDotOrg]

What a shame Metdotorg does not have volunteer indexers and prisoners at the Utah State Penitentiary who can digitalize his book collection.

There will be a point in time where he will want to upgrade to large print books.

Well I'm not quite to large print books, but I keep buying larger and larger computer monitors ;-)