Burn Books!
Okay not really, but if you’re anything like me you have far too many books in wobbly piles around the place, and find it difficult to get rid of them. Having gone through some of mine over the last month, my fingers reluctantly adding book upon book to the charity bag, here are some of my thoughts about the process.
No duplicates (unless perhaps you wrote it!)
But I might reread it. Really? What about all those new books out there to be read? When will you read those?
The critics love it and it’s won so many awards. And your point is? Actually, I know exactly what your point is, I do that a lot and sometimes I do actually read them but not always. Pass them onto someone else to read and don’t feel guilty about not having read them.
It’s been on the shelf for ages (maybe it won an award!) but it’s still unread…ask yourself if you really will.
It’s not mine – why not give it back to its rightful owner.
It’s a lovely coffee table book… how often do you look at it?
I learnt German using this grammar book. How many years ago was that, do you still need it? And no I am not admitting to the length of time that has passed since I started learning German!
It’s not finished yet … are you really going to finish it? If you didn’t like it then will you like it now?
Mr & Mrs Smith 2010, Bed and Breakfast Guide 2009 – out with them all. Prices and owners might have changed so why not treat yourself to the latest copy (or check out their websites).
It was a gift but I don’t like the author…steel your heart and pass it on to someone who will love it.
I have all the other books by the author. Do you find that some authors are great when you first discover them but 15 books later the content is utterly formulaic? I have a list as long as my arm of writers I devoured at first but now they bore me to death as the plotline is so obvious I could have written it myself. I often find myself buying the latest outpouring (especially in airports) in case they are back on form but they rarely are. So charity shop here they come.
Have I got rid of all my books? Not in the least, I still have a shelf of Anne McAffrey books which my grandmother loved The Hobbit she gave me when I was a child. I doubt I’ll ever read it again especially with Peter Jackson’s film coming out soon, but while it might be held together with little more than fond memories and disintegrating sticky tape I can’t imagine ever getting rid of it. Lee Childs? All in the charity bag (don’t forget sites such as Freecycle as people will often come and collect which saves a trip to the charity shop lugging heavy bags if you don’t have a car).
So if I come to declutter your place, remember I completely understand how you might be feeling as I go through the same emotions as you do when deciding whether to keep or throw my possessions.
I’d love to hear what you think!
