TIP OF THE WEEK: Book Overload
Do you love books? Do you have double stacks on your bookshelves?If you find that you have too many books but don't want to get rid of them, here are a few tips on managing books and keeping your shelves filled.
1. If you can't see it, do you really love it? Ask yourself if you are really loving your books, especially if they are covered in dust and and you have never cracked the spine. If not, it might be time to purge.
2. Set a limit. Try to have a certain number of shelves for your book. If the shelves are full it's time to purge or organize. Maybe find a charitable organization or local library to donate your books to... or if you live in Portland, go to Powell's and get a little money back!
3. One comes in, one goes out! Once you get organized, make a rule for yourself. If you buy a new book, then one has to come out. This will help control how much you have and allow you to still enjoy what you love!
Easier said than done - like most purging I guess. My husband (who is not alone) is an English teacher and he actually re-reads many of them.
I on the other hand, hardly ever read fiction, yet friends keep giving me their books to read. I have started to say I never have time and turn them away.
I feel it's time for a book give-away-myself now.
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You are so right Allison. This is a difficult task, especially for those who love books. My dad was an English and Journalism teacher so can you visualize the volume of books AND newspapers he collected.
The thing I really want readers to do is ask themselves if they "really" need the book. Judith had a great example of a question to ask book lovers... Does this book really need you?
Thanks for stopping by! Hope you had a good vacation, I was a bit envious as we are in 58 degrees and rain these days...
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There are certain books I can't (won't) part with--like my quilting books. At least not yet. Even though I don't look at the 60 plus I have I can't part with them. They are beautifully and nicely organized on a book shelf.
But when I thought I would have to buy another book case for all my books, then I was willing to part with several. And you know what? I don't even miss them. Here in my home town of Bountiful, Utah we have a Book Garden that buys books.
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