I have been itching to do this for ages, and with the house renovation going on, this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Yes, I am a librarian and John and I are both serious readers, but books have taken over our home, and it was time to take control. This is only about half of what we removed, and that doesn't include the 50 paperbacks I listed on http://www.paperbackswap.com in hopes of trading them for book credit. Some of the books I culled are going to school to be recycled in my little teacher lending library. Others went to a dumpster the condo association rented for holiday trash. I know that sounds shocking to bibliophiles reading this, but sometimes you just have to take drastic measures. Tomorrow I start on my CD collection since I haven't listened to a piece of music on a physical disc in over 5 years. However I found a young man who wants them, so I can let them all go without guilt.
Oh that makes me smile. I have been going through photos today, sorting out, and I'm going to hand them over to their owners come Saturday. Too many photo albums that have not been looked at in ages.
Ah yes, I feel your pain! I did this a few years back when my husband made me some built in bookshelves. At that point I said whenever I get a new book and old one must go. I even had room for knick knacks on the shelves!! Well, needless to say it was a lovely theory, but that was about it...I have such trouble parting with certain things, and books are one of them!
@luvmynynix John and I have been married for 44 years and both of us were collecting books even before that. I almost feel a physical pang as we carry the books out the door, but better we do it than leave it for our kids to sort out!
I try to do this once in a while- but it is quite hard. I don't have a problem getting rid of the fiction books- it's the non-fiction and research books that I have a tough time letting go of. I try to tell myself 'you can find all this on line' but it doesn't always help! Good for you.
Great photo. Such a hard thing to do, getting rid of books. We have a wonderful used book store in town that buys books for credit, Every time I sell a box full, though, I end up wishing I had a particular book so I could loan it to someone!
This would be my house as well. Both of us were always into books. Now Walt goes to the library every wk instead. There are book shelves in every room here except the bathrooms and I have books stacked on top of each other on most of the shelves. You are very brave and I commend you :-)
Does it feel like you're giving a part of yourself away so to speak. people don't read books as much anymore with all the new devices they have nowadays. I find reading on the internet isn't the same as cozying up on the couch with good book.
It's only proper that your photo should "tell a story"! It's so difficult to cull by tossing out, but excellent to pass items along! I'll try to take some inspiration from you as the year goes forward!
