Reducing the space your books take up

Imagine a world in which all your books fit nicely on the bookshelves. No, I can’t either, but it does happen in some homes! The first step towards this state is letting go of some of your books. In our home at least once a year we seem to go through our books and find those that we feel we can live without.  It doesn’t always work out too well. I found 5 last time, and I changed my mind about 3 of those. A better way might be to keep those that fit into a set of criteria. Yours might be different but here’s what mine would be. Books would need to fit at least one of these, preferably more.

1) Is it useful?

2) Is it beautiful?
3) Does it have sentimental value?
4) Will you (realistically) reread it?

Fewer books mean more space (for more books... Wait) but won’t that mean less to read? Not really, nowadays. There are many ways to obtain and read Ebooks, and though they have their doubters it’s one of many options for keeping down the clutter in your own home. It’s a good way to try new books and authors without increasing the pile by your bed, and if there are some classics you love to read then consider getting digital copies instead of paper next time they fall apart.

You don’t have to have a device just for Ebooks, though some of them are things of loveliness themselves, with e-Ink and light levels among other clever advances making for a great reading experience. Your computer can download Ebooks too, and if you have a smart phone then you can read them wherever you are, online or through a variety of clever apps. Ebooks can even open up a world of new authors to you, those who would never have come to your attention through the traditional printing press.

Another option is replacing a few with audiobooks. It’s perfectly possible to replace your excess book pile with an unsightly pile of CDs, but again you can download some really great audiobooks onto your computer, phone or MP3 player, fueling your need for story or information while you do other things with your hands.

 So you presumable have a lovely pile of books that you’re rehoming. What do you do with them? All too often with the best intentions they sit in a pile ‘to go’ and then gradually become part of the problem again.

Anything that’s collectable or useful can go on Ebay, or if it’s rare or out of print try abebooks. If you have masses of paperbacks try car boot sales to sell them off cheaply to a new home. If there are so many that you can’t face selling them or don’t particularly need the money then phone local charity shops to see which will come and collect them - many will be extremely grateful and you’ll be supporting a good cause.

You could also perpetuate the problem for yourself and others by holding a book swapping party, in which everyone brings some books and takes some books, with any unclaimed going to charity.

 For many of us books are what makes a house into a home, but a book collection out of control is a problem even for the most devoted of us. Keeping the stash to a manageable size means different things to each of us, whether it’s fitting it all neatly on the bookshelves or just the right amount of overflow for you. Getting rid of those books that you no longer want or need though creates more space, both physically and mentally, for reading those you have and love as well as for investing in new ones.