Getting Rid of Books

Friday 17 February 2017

As avid readers and book collectors (and hoarders, let's be honest here), getting rid of books can sometimes be a difficult task. It's not quite giving up a newborn to the unknown evils of the world... But it's not far from it.

I'm not (too) ashamed to admit that it's very hard for me to part with my books. Or any of my possessions, for that matter. Books I don't like, clothes that don't fit, films I don't watch, even things that are broken or are no longer of any use to me. I'll cling to them until my dying breath, and then I'll come back and haunt you if you try to part me from them. I blame my nan - much as I love her - because she never throws anything away either.

At the core of the problem, I am a materialistic person. I enjoy having things and I touched upon this in my discussion about owning too many books. Think of this as the part two to that post. I want to know why - and if - it's so hard for bookworms, and bloggers in particular, to part with books.

Now I know, the obvious answer is because we're book lovers, duh. Why wouldn't we want to be surrounded by some of our favourite things? But why are we so keen on holding onto things we don't like, or know could have a much better life with someone else? Personally, I like seeing my shelves packed to the brim and don't like getting rid of things purely because what if? Sure, I disliked that book a year ago, but who's to say I won't enjoy it this year? I bought a book five years ago and still haven't read it - what if I give it away and then get the burning desire to read it?

Thankfully, I have improved when it comes to unhauling and culling my book collection. In the past I've donated a lot to charity, and recently I've been adding things to my Depop. I won't lie - the thought of receiving money for my books has helped greatly in getting rid of them, and I've been ruthless in clearing my shelves... Only to then fill them with new books, of course. But there's something almost liberating about getting rid of things, especially when they have negative connotations. It's not always easy, but sometimes it's necessary.

How do you feel about getting rid of books?

8 comments:

  1. You basically summed me up lol! I only have one bookshelf and it's pretty small so I'm constantly having to get rid of books and I hate it! I try to keep books that are only special to me but they're all special in some way lol!

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    1. Oh gosh that must be so hard! I'm lucky enough to have 3 shelves in my room, but one has my Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, colouring books, and record book collections on so only has 1 shelf for other stuff. And the one next to my bed doubles as a night stand so basically has one shelf that I can't put books on haha.

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  2. God, this is me in a nutshell. I keep everything 'just in case'. I've recently begun making a pile of books that I'm happy with getting rid of though. I'm trying to get better but I also like having things. Great post!

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    1. I'm just the same - I currently have a 'maybe' pile of books in my room that I don't really want to read... but also don't want to get rid of just in case haha

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  3. Meh, if I don't like it, it goes. Sometimes if I liked it but don't think I'll read it again, it goes. I need the space!

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    1. I wish I could be like you, Cee! Even if I hate something I'll still cling to it. Coming to the conclusion that I'm just a materialistic hoarder and I am okay with that haha.

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  4. Ahh I feel you! I also can't give up my books for some reason! I still have all my toddler days book. I just love seeing all my books, old and new. It feels like it reflects my personal growth over the year, like people can see me for who I am from my bookshelf. In a sense, I feel like my books are part of me; they made me who I am and teach me a lot of valuable lessons, of course I'm not parting with them! :D

    Tasya // The Literary Huntress

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    1. Ahh I wish I had all my kid's books! I have a few, but when my nan did a clear out she must have got rid of them - I know she did with some of my YA stuff!! I love remembering the things I used to read, I just wish I could find them again so that I could revisit them :)

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