I think being a librarian gave me a more fluid sense of books. We have many books, but they tend to drift in and out with little thought (except for my son’s—5yos are not generally chill about giving things away 😅). If I had to give them all away tomorrow, I don’t think I would mind. I think part of this comes from the sense of abundance I felt working around mounds of books free for the taking. I will say, weeding the collection was one of my favorite parts of my job! There is something viscerally satisfying about tossing out dusty, torn books and turning a crowded shelf into a beautiful shelf.
As a fellow book-lover, I found this so moving. The notion that the books we keep tell a story about our lives gives me a happy shiver. I really need to find a way to get more bookshelves into my apartment! We have a couple of ideas that I may run by you…
I’m a book collector, and hardest thing to during our downsizing process was getting rid of book clutter. Anything that no longer reflected who I am now went. It included sales books, acting books, and anything I knew that wouldn’t refer to again. We still have over 100 books, but it’s more manageable in our 500sq ft apartment.
I hear you on not keeping books I probably should! I’ve started getting all new books from the library and while I wish I had done this years ago (the space and money saved!) it makes me think I should buy the ones that I especially love. Like you I am a book hoarder, think a house is naked without books. Love a crowded bookshelf.
After writing yesterday's post I actually ordered three used books: Ones I had checked out from the library (sometimes more than once!) and loved. Now they'll be part of my collection.
This was such a great read! “Our shelves tell a story about our lives.” Loved that line. I don’t think true book lovers should not feel icky about the phrase. They’ll get it. Wealth has different meanings for people. Books are more important now than ever, especially since we live in such a digital era.
Yesterday I bought four books. Two poetry collections, one essay collection gift to a friend, and one toddler children's book (for babies currently 4 weeks old.) I hoard books although I try to keep the number at 1000. Presently I'm at 1132 so must pare down, but it's difficult. There are books that I read and loved and will reread, books that I loved and won't reread but feel warm and fuzzy about so want to be reminded, literary reference books (mostly writer biographies), and the to-be-read piles - plural. This, post decluttering two years running. Living small isn't working so well in the literary department. I'm resigned to live with the malady.
When we downsized six years ago, I gave away hundreds of books accumulated over 30-something years. The ones I kept were for most of the very same reasons that you have for why you love your books. I didn’t; however, get rid of any of the books that were mine in childhood. Way back in the day…like the mid-1960’s…my mother signed me up for a book club and about the middle of every month for YEARS, my daddy came home from work (he was our small town postmaster) with a box with MY name on it. SUCH good memories.
This made me think of the beginning of Anastasia Again! by Lois Lowry. Anastasia's parents have just announced they are moving to the SUBURBS and Anastasia loses it. She starts making some pretty great assumptions including that no one in the suburbs has books, just a giant TV. She tells her dad "Daddy, we have an ancient, small black-and-white TV. And there are books on top of it, books behind it, books in front of it..." I remember reading that as a kid and knowing that someday I would have so many books, some would be in front of the TV. And now I do. There are books in every single room in our house and that feels good.
i'm planning to move over the summer and sat down a couple weeks ago to really evaluate my books - for me, everything i kept either needed to be sentimental, something i would re-read, or not read yet that i actually can see myself reading eventually. managed to prune about 20 books with 233 left (can be exact since i have them all on a goodreads shelf). i acquired a wealth of ARCs and strip books when i was a bookseller and it took me awhile to actually be able to say "just because this was free doesn't mean you'll ever read it."
I think being a librarian gave me a more fluid sense of books. We have many books, but they tend to drift in and out with little thought (except for my son’s—5yos are not generally chill about giving things away 😅). If I had to give them all away tomorrow, I don’t think I would mind. I think part of this comes from the sense of abundance I felt working around mounds of books free for the taking. I will say, weeding the collection was one of my favorite parts of my job! There is something viscerally satisfying about tossing out dusty, torn books and turning a crowded shelf into a beautiful shelf.
Love this perspective: thank you for sharing.
As a fellow book-lover, I found this so moving. The notion that the books we keep tell a story about our lives gives me a happy shiver. I really need to find a way to get more bookshelves into my apartment! We have a couple of ideas that I may run by you…
I’m a book collector, and hardest thing to during our downsizing process was getting rid of book clutter. Anything that no longer reflected who I am now went. It included sales books, acting books, and anything I knew that wouldn’t refer to again. We still have over 100 books, but it’s more manageable in our 500sq ft apartment.
For book lovers like us, it's one of the hardest categories to edit down. Glad you still have a sizable collection in your small space.
My mom and her mom were book lovers too. It runs in the family. lol
I hear you on not keeping books I probably should! I’ve started getting all new books from the library and while I wish I had done this years ago (the space and money saved!) it makes me think I should buy the ones that I especially love. Like you I am a book hoarder, think a house is naked without books. Love a crowded bookshelf.
And that textile library sounds dreamy
After writing yesterday's post I actually ordered three used books: Ones I had checked out from the library (sometimes more than once!) and loved. Now they'll be part of my collection.
I don’t keep many books once I’ve read them - my ‘problem’ (such as it is) is that I buy too many books, faster than I can read them!
(I love the box bedroom! Except for the fact that it doesn’t have a window - I love sleeping with fresh air coming in)
I loved this so much and it sparked so many thoughts about dreams and living!
Thank you ❤️!
It got my back into my writing habit and I have now an almost ready substack article inspired by your one!
Love this! I recently shed a lot of books to move into an apartment, and I’m feeling a little naked without them.
Your shelves will overfloweth again before you know it ;)
This was such a great read! “Our shelves tell a story about our lives.” Loved that line. I don’t think true book lovers should not feel icky about the phrase. They’ll get it. Wealth has different meanings for people. Books are more important now than ever, especially since we live in such a digital era.
Yesterday I bought four books. Two poetry collections, one essay collection gift to a friend, and one toddler children's book (for babies currently 4 weeks old.) I hoard books although I try to keep the number at 1000. Presently I'm at 1132 so must pare down, but it's difficult. There are books that I read and loved and will reread, books that I loved and won't reread but feel warm and fuzzy about so want to be reminded, literary reference books (mostly writer biographies), and the to-be-read piles - plural. This, post decluttering two years running. Living small isn't working so well in the literary department. I'm resigned to live with the malady.
Sometimes I feel better about giving away a beloved book if I give it to a person or organization I love. Good luck with the paring back!
When we downsized six years ago, I gave away hundreds of books accumulated over 30-something years. The ones I kept were for most of the very same reasons that you have for why you love your books. I didn’t; however, get rid of any of the books that were mine in childhood. Way back in the day…like the mid-1960’s…my mother signed me up for a book club and about the middle of every month for YEARS, my daddy came home from work (he was our small town postmaster) with a box with MY name on it. SUCH good memories.
This made me think of the beginning of Anastasia Again! by Lois Lowry. Anastasia's parents have just announced they are moving to the SUBURBS and Anastasia loses it. She starts making some pretty great assumptions including that no one in the suburbs has books, just a giant TV. She tells her dad "Daddy, we have an ancient, small black-and-white TV. And there are books on top of it, books behind it, books in front of it..." I remember reading that as a kid and knowing that someday I would have so many books, some would be in front of the TV. And now I do. There are books in every single room in our house and that feels good.
i'm planning to move over the summer and sat down a couple weeks ago to really evaluate my books - for me, everything i kept either needed to be sentimental, something i would re-read, or not read yet that i actually can see myself reading eventually. managed to prune about 20 books with 233 left (can be exact since i have them all on a goodreads shelf). i acquired a wealth of ARCs and strip books when i was a bookseller and it took me awhile to actually be able to say "just because this was free doesn't mean you'll ever read it."