Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from M.C. Starbuck of Living Tiny, Dreaming Big.
I love books. I love reading them. I love writing them.
I love just looking at them or holding them in my hands.
I even took a book with me on my first five dates with my husband in case he got boring.
And what better excuses to hoard books than an English degree and an occupation as an author?
I balked when I first heard Marie Kondo’s suggestion that 30 books is a good amount to own. I didn’t even think 100 was enough.
How many do I have now? If I counted correctly, I personally own 85 at the moment. That includes cookbooks, books I’ve written, my childhood Bible, and a Greek lexicon. It does not include the stack of 20 more books I’ve already read and am getting rid of. Either way, I no longer have 500… nor the weight that went along with them.
Throughout my process of downsizing books, I had four categories:
- Definitely Keep: books I would read in the next five years
- Not Right Now: books I’ve had interest in but aren’t on the top of my list
- Special Copies: books signed by the author, containing a note from a friend, or with comments and highlights of passages I want to remember
- Decorative Books: books that are beautiful and bring me joy when on display
The majority of the books I got rid of were from the Not Right Now category. After I read the Definitely Keep books, I was much quicker to get rid of them once I’d enjoyed the benefits of owning fewer books. I got rid of a few Special Copies as explained in the steps below.
8 Steps to Reading More While Owning Less
1. Calculate how many books you plan to read in the next three to five years. This allows you to make a realistic calculation of how many books you should keep.
When I first did this, I wanted to cry. It was the saddest realization that there’s no way possible for me to read all the books I want to read before I die. At the time, I read about 20 books a year. Even if I kept five years worth of reading, that would only be 100 books. Why was I keeping 500? At the rate I was reading, 500 books would have taken me 25 years! I would be a vastly different person by then, with different books on my Definitely Keep list.
2. Make a list of the books you most want to read right now. Since you can only read so many books in your lifetime, start with the ones you’re most excited about!
You probably already own some of them. Pull those aside and put them in your Definitely Keep pile. Check your Amazon cart, Kindle, or Audible for other books you might already own and want to read. The total number on this list should not be more than the number you realistically think you can read in the next five years, as determined by step one.
3. Create a pile of books you could easily and affordably buy again if you’d like. Examine the books not in your Definitely Keep pile. Look them up on Amazon to see if you could buy them again at a decent price later. Or see if your library has a copy. This makes parting with these books so much easier!
At this point, you can avoid giving away what I call Special Copies: old books from your grandma, signed copies, or pricey editions. For now, only get rid of books you can replace if you start to miss them. If you’re anything like me, in five years you will have found at least 50 new books you want to read. You will have long forgotten the ones you’re getting rid of now.
4. Keep a list of the books that are hardest to part with. I know it feels like you’re parting with your babies. This step is important for those of us who are still afraid we might be making a decision we would regret later.
What if it was gonna be my next favorite book? Or maybe a friend recommended it and you don’t want to let them down. You might want to give it a chance after you’ve finished your current stack of favorites.
These are your Not Right Now books. Remember, you aren’t completely ruling them out. But you aren’t going to allow them to take up precious space in your home. Add these books to your Amazon “save for later” or wish list so you can rest in knowing you won’t forget them once you’ve finished reading the books on your Definitely Keep books. Pack up your copies of these Not Right Now books, and get ready to remove them from your home.
5. Look for a used bookstore nearby and trade in your books. (If you don’t have a used bookstore, simply donate your Not Right Now books and move on to the next step.)
I hardly ever recommend selling items because it’s too much time and work and not enough reward. But stores like 2nd & Charles (previously Books-A-Million) make it easy. Simply take your books to their store. They will sort through your books while you browse rows and rows of bookshelves, then they’ll tell you how much money or store credit they will give you.
You could potentially trade five books you no longer want to read for one of the books that’s on your list to read in the next five years. Many used bookstores sell new books, too, and may give you full or partial credit towards those items. You don’t even have to spend the credit that day. Just go back after you find out what your book club is reading next. This helps you feel like you aren’t throwing away money.
I’ve gotten over $200 total in store credit just from books. It encourages me to get rid of books as I read them, too, because then I can use the credit from that book to put towards the next book on my list. Plus, a used bookstore is a great way for your beloved books to be cherished after you part with them! Even if they can’t sell them, they will usually donate them for you if you’d like to save the trouble of making another stop to drop them off somewhere else.
6. Take pictures of what makes your Special Copies special. Once you’ve seen how great getting rid of books can be, it’s time to get rid of some that you’ve already read and enjoyed. These books may have significant meaning to you but will still serve you better once they’re gone.
I kept some of my books through many rounds of decluttering simply because I wanted to remember one or two pages and the notes I made in the margins. I also kept books to loan to other people, but I realized I never actually loaned them out. I usually ended up just recommending the book or mailing them a new copy because they don’t live nearby.
Keeping a picture of the book helps solve both of those problems. You could even do that for a book that a friend or author wrote a note in for you. Once you’ve taken the pictures, it’s easier to let the books go. Pack them up so they’re ready to go on your next trip to drop off donations or do some trade-ins.
7. Give e-books and audiobooks a chance. If you already enjoy them, try using them even more.
When I moved to South Korea, I suddenly had a much smaller selection of English books available to me. That’s when I really gave the Kindle app and even Audible a fair chance. Does it replace my love for paperbacks? Nope! But it’s an additional way to enjoy books.
I realized I was “reading” so much online anyway through Facebook. The book lover in me would much rather spend that time reading a book even if it’s also on my phone. That simple change in my mentality helped me go from reading 23 books a year to 46! I learned to love the experience of reading on Kindle in a different way. I didn’t believe my friend when she told me the same thing years ago! Don’t make the same mistake I did.
8. Utilize the library. Remember that place?! This is a great way to surround yourself with all the books and book lovers!
They probably won’t even look at you weird if you smell the books. You can donate your Not Right Now pile to them if you don’t have a used bookstore or if your books are in terrible shape. My library uses damaged books to make crafts for book lovers! While the library doesn’t pay you for them, they also don’t charge you to check out a book. They often have a great selection of audiobooks and access to e-books, if you want to try them out for free.
Life with Less Than 100 Books
It’s been over four years since I first started downsizing my book collection. I can hardly believe I haven’t regretted it one bit.
I’ve yet to have the desire to repurchase a single book I got rid of. I’m too busy enjoying books that are more relevant to me at this time in my life.
I no longer feel guilty about all the poor, neglected books I own that I’m not reading. By hoarding them, I was keeping others from reading them, too. Instead, I now have small, cozy stacks of books intentionally placed throughout my home on beautiful display. Otherwise, my books are limited to a few small shelves shared with my husband—instead of three large shelves just for me.
A few books are more inviting than hundreds calling my name. Reading is even more of a pleasure now. Along with the feeling of accomplishment from finishing a book, I have the excitement of choosing the next book I can’t wait to read… rather than one I simply feel obligated to read because it’s been on my shelf for years.
May your love of books also be increased by owning fewer of them.
***
M. C. Starbuck is the author of Packrat to Clutter-Free. She blogs at Living Tiny, Dreaming Big where she provides simple ideas to make room for what matters most. You can also find her on Facebook.
About Joshua Becker
Hello,
French frog is here.
As usual this article is of high quality.
It feels good to have feedback from a person who loves books. We see that there has been a lot of thinking on the subject :-)
I am in a minimization process, books are a sensitive point for me.
Even if I got rid of of several dozen, there are still many left.
Having a methodology will help me move forward and as usual, I also know that my look and my perception will evolve.
This article made me realize that I wanted to share more of what these books offer.
Thank you for your work.
Bonjour de France :-)
Hi!
Thank you for reading and for your kind words.
It often helps for me to focus on how much progress I’ve made rather than only on how much I have left to go. Maybe that will help you with your books! Several dozen is a lot to get rid of. It’s a step in the right direction for your goals. Don’t forget that. :)
I’m delighted that you found the article to be helpful.
This is by far my favourite article . It helped me a lot and inspired me . I divided my books in three catogories : 1- Keep (my favourite books) 2- Exchange (books that are too great that I want to share it with my friends) 3-Donate or sell (which I no longer need anymore) . To my surprise , I used to own 55 books and now I only need to keep 11 ! This made me realise I only hoard books instead of reading them . Thanks to this article , I feel less guilty now :)
I will also give audiobooks a chance !!
Your comment made my day! I hope you enjoy audiobooks. You might have to give it a try a few different times. Sometimes I listen before falling asleep, sometimes on long drives, sometimes while walking or doing chores. Thank you for reading and commenting. I love helping people get rid of guilt!
ereader and library all the way for me. We have a range of kids books, some gardening and lots of cookbooks. but that suits me.
Wow, that’s awesome! Yes, children’s books are a whole different thing in a way.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts here!
I own about 300 books (I homeschool, so more like 500 total with textbook and reference books) and I read about 3 books per week on average, so, according to my calculations..I’m good! 😂 I’m also one of those people that will reread a book I’ve already read, have one of my kids read it, or loan it to a friend.
Wow! Good for you, reading so much! I love it. My sister homeschools. I know that can be a lot. Sounds like you’re doing great!
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I just counted my books. I thought for sure I was finally under 130. Nope! 187. Although I can easily remove another 25 after reading your article, I realize I’m not weighed down by the rest. I have them decoratively placed on beautiful bookshelves so they bring me pleasure. But it does spur me to halt library borrowing for a bit and concentrate on my “retirement” reading😉
That’s awesome! Your comment makes me so happy.
I love that you actually took the time to count them. It always surprises me and gives me a more honest view of where I’m at.
I also love that my words and experience helped you easily get rid of more…and realize that the rest don’t weigh you down.
Thanks for reading! It was nice to hear from another book lover.
Great article. I just donated 4 boxes of books. I’m also using the library more. Getting rid of my books is a process, as is everything. Hopefully I can keep the momentum going.
Wow! 4 boxes is a lot. Great job! Sounds like you have a good start. Hopefully this article helps you keep it up so that your books are more manageable.
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment.
I look at books this way: how likely am I to read or reread a book, the quality of a particular edition, how likely is it to go out of print. Books are the hardest part of decluttering for me. I do not find I want to remove them from my life and I do have a bunch, but I try to limit the amount to the bookshelves I have. That forces me to let go of some. No buying more shelves! And I am a lot more intentional if and when I bring a new book into my life.
Yes! Love that about being more intentional about what new books you add to your life.
You cracked me up saying, “No more buying shelves!” ha!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I figured I wasn’t the only one hesitant about letting go of books.
I go on a book purge about every decade. I love reading but can’t keep everything. Along the way I pass loved books on to other readers, mostly family and friends and tell them to pass the books to someone else after they have enjoyed it. At times there are books I miss but remind myself there are new books everyday.
You are so right about there being new books every day! Sometimes it’s nice to have an old familiar one, too. :)
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment. I’m glad this resonates with people! I’m enjoying meeting all these other book lovers.
I would add a fifth category: reference/non-fiction books, including cookbooks and books used for special interests (e.g., hobbies, crafts).
Not every book is meant to be read cover to cover ~ and for those working from home offices, reference books are often a necessity.
Hey, thanks for sharing that addition! Do you work from home? What do you do?
My husband loves his woodworking books, and he is looking through his baking book now to prepare for making a cake together for my birthday! :D
I appreciate you taking the time to read and leave a comment.
I think the house for books is only the library. So end of problems.
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment!
Libraries are wonderful.
I love books, own many, and work at the local public library. I have only just started my journey with minimalism in most aspects of our home, but ironically, I’ve been on a minimalist path with books for a couple of decades. My guidelines for purchasing books are: is this out of print and unlikely to be at the library? Is it a book I will enjoy more than once? If it doesn’t fit either of these categories, I don’t get it. period. Yes, I’m a re-reader. I find the library an amazing resource for test driving new books – especially resource books like cookbooks or gardening books. Something that many people don’t realize is that your local library may not actually be thrilled with a donation of 25 tatty, only “slightly” yellowed MC Beatons. Funnily enough people tend not to buy books in poor condition even from library book sales. And the problem of disposal…now the library or the thrift store that was landed with these tired, worn out books is stuck with the cost of disposing of them – and bad news here – books are not recyclable. Bindings contain glue and thread, and hardcover books obviously have covers that are not paper. The majority of books that can’t be re-owned go to landfill. A big reason to own fewer books. Own books that you value – absolutely. But resist buying bestsellers that may turn out not to be books you love. Borrow those from the library, download them from an e-book app (available from your library!), share a copy with a friend. Take care of the books you do buy – keep them away from sunlight, keep them away from the dog, don’t use candy wrappers for book marks, and yes, then they can likely be donated for another reader to find in a booksale.
Wow, I love your unique perspective…most people are saying books are the last thing they have to downsize. I’m sure working at a library helps.
Thanks for reading and sharing your experience.
While I appreciate your perspective as a librarian, and agree with much that you’ve said, I am not sure that you are quite correct about the non-recyclability of paperback books. From what I understand, they are classed as “mixed paper,” and are accepted in recycling programs. https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-books-magazines/
I volunteer as a book sorter at a charity thrift store. Our family of stores used to send all non-salable books to a paper recycler and get at least some money for them that way; now we have a second stop for them, a “repurpose” store where they are sold very cheaply. From there, I think it’s recycling again where possible.
Thank you for sharing that link and insight! I would love for more people to continue donating books instead of trashing them.
And thanks for reading!
Very helpful and timely. My next decluttering project month. Thanks for sharing and beautifully written.
Thank you for your kind words! That’s what keeps me going as a writer. I can’t wait to see how much opportunity is made available to you as you implement these steps! It helped me focus so much more on what I really value.
This is GREAT!!! I’m a fellow book hoarder as well. Super inspiring, insightful tips.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share your response.
I’d love to hear how it goes once you start applying the steps.
I’m so grateful for you and your encouraging words!
Love the idea of starting by considering how many books I will read over the next 3-5 years. My shelves are full of books for ‘one day’. I know I will pick up more books over the years so this is a great place for me to start.
Yes! I’m glad that part stood out to you. It was so life-changing for me.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! It means a lot. I’m excited to see where this takes you. :)
Love the idea of starting by considering how many books I will read over the next 3-5 years. My shelves are full of books for ‘one day’. I know I will pick up more books over the years so this is a great place for me to start.
I live at the library. If, after reading a borrowed book, I want to own it (like “Great Expectations”, “A Gentleman in Moscow”, “The Nightingale”, “To Kill a Mockingbird”), I purchase a copy at my local small bookstore.
I donate books to nursing homes, waiting rooms, coffee shops, a local library that sells them…
Thank you so much for your comment. I have never heard the idea of donating books to a nursing home. How wonderful!
To Kill a Mockingbird is the first book my husband read to me after we got married. Definitely holds a special place in my heart.
I have two bookcases in my bedroom, both four feet wide, one with three shelves, the other has five. A few years ago they were stuffed full of books, mostly unread. While I do love books I don’t like spending time dusting them or the bookshelves. One day I just got fed up and decided to sort them by type and began the task of actually reading them. (There are less than a dozen reference books and those I kept separate as I do use them frequently. They will be stored where they are truly used, cookbooks in the kitchen, other reference in my nightstand once our place has be remodeled.) As I read through the remaining books I gave them away. Now there is less than one shelf left to be read. I look forward to giving away the bookcases in favor of more room in my small bedroom for a meditation space, something I do daily. Of course I still love to read so once I am done clearing it all out I will borrow from the library, borrow from friends, use an e-reader, and maybe buy an occasional book but will pass it along rather than store it.
Ohhh, I love this so much! It’s very helpful to think of what we could use the extra space for. I gained so much by letting go of some of my books.
Thanks for reading and sharing your experience!
When I prepared to retired to less space and income, I looked at the books thst I had on hand. Coupled with my desire to simplify my life physically and spiritually (considering Francisan values), I had re-evaluate thd total cost of my library. I looked at the monetary cost of paying for the space the books occupied as well as the mental and spiritual freedom of “less is more.”
So I classified the books into Essentials, Desirable and Iffy. The Essentials are the books that feed my life and which I consider investments into my life after death. I assigned a small bookcase to these: table height, 2 shelves and 3 feet wide. These are the ONLY books that I allow myself to “lifetime ownership.” Such as my Catholic Study Bible, Bible commentary, the Catechism, writings of/by the Church Fathers, my grandmother’s Jerusalem Bible in Spanish, and other important books. One rule: no fiction.
As a voracious reader (I read between 2-3 books a week), my fiction reading comes from several sources: the public library (both physical and e-books); the libraries at my parish church, my high rise building, Kindle, and family and friends. IF I want to keep a book, it must be worthy of replacing an Essential: if not, out it goes to feed one of my sources or to the huge used book store.
Currently, I have 3 boxes of books ready to feed my sources, and several books earmarked to hand off to friends that might enjoy and value them. Unless I have lent an Essential, no book ever comes back to me.
Occasionally, I do miss having a specific book. Such is the case with my (formerly owned) collection of ALL the Agatha Christie books: but my local library has them ALL and I can re-read them without owning them.
This has helped me to have less clutter,
financial, mental, and spiritual stress & time because of my addiction to books. It has also added more freedom to enjoy what is truly important to my eternal life.
This is fascinating! Thank you for sharing your process. It seems I’ve picked up a few tricks from you. I may give some of your system a try next time I move.
This is such a helpful article. I read a lot on Kindle as well, but I think the feel of a paperback in my hands drives me to continue buying physical books. Storage does become an issue, with all the book cupboards and shelves already full and a new stack growing on the floor.
Ahhh, floor books! haha You are not alone in that. I feel like I can perfectly imagine your space from your description. It sounds charming!
I’m so glad you found this article helpful! I’m excited to see how implementing it brings you more joy and freedom.
Thank you for your comment and for taking the time to read this.
Great ideas. One thing I’ve always done was leave my books behind when finished, like in the back of the seat on an airplane, so someone else could find the book and enjoy. I don’t know if these books make it into anyone’s hands, but I’d like to think they go on a little journey passing knowledge along the way.
Oh, I’ve never heard that, but I do love imagining where the books end up.
I know one guy who loved The Hobbit so much that he would buy used copies to take on hikes. He’d put them in a weather resistant bag and hide them for other hikers to find.
I own a large number of old, obscure reference books that can not be replaced.
These are critical to my interests in that I continue to find things in them that are useful on projects in the making.
they’re not going anywhere…other than to friends with similar interests when I finally shed the meat suit
.
I love that you are using your reference books!
That’s how I feel about my Greek ones. They would be expensive or difficult to replace, not something I could borrow from a friend, and easier to use than the internet for my purposes. I’m always glad to have them when I need them.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
I, like many others here, tend to consider my books as an exception to my minimalist practice (which is admittedly in an infant state anyway), *but* this article has at least given me the motivation to take a shot at culling the collection a little. Thanks! Next….the records. :(
Haha, yes, these comments are great. It’s actually encouraging to see so many bibliophiles!
Your comment about the records reminds me of the torture I went through when decluttering my CDs. I probably still have 20, but I had a lot of those to begin with as well. Again, I don’t even miss them at all!
Your comment is making me thankful for how far I have come. I’m glad you’re willing to test these steps out at least a little. You will be pleased with the results because no one is forcing you to get rid of anything you’re wanting to keep. :)
I appreciate you reading and taking the time to leave a comment. Made my day!
I’ve been living simply for about 30 years and have minimalized everything in my life, even my beloved books. I’ve donated literally thousands over the years. Recently moved from a house to a 650sqft condo and this process was painful in deciding about which books to keep and how to do that. However, books are my most precious possessions. So, believe it or not, I still have about 500 books tastefully arranged and organized in my tiny space. I tell people my bedroom is really a library with a bed in it! For years, I have made a decision every time I read a book. Will I read it again and do I dearly love it? If so, it stays; if not, I donate or give to someone who will enjoy it. I no longer need to keep every book I read. But the only time I can see myself having fewer books than I have now will be when I move to a nursing home!!!! It is true that I occasionally change my mind about a particular book and I can loosen my grip. Because I read 2-3 books each week, that is necessary, but I can’t imagine life without being surrounded by my beloved books. We each choose the possessions that make life rich. For me, it’s books.
I’m loving meeting so many other book lovers! Thank you for sharing your story. That is amazing!
Your library bedroom sounds cozy. Sounds like you’ve been able to stay on top of your possessions so they aren’t a burden. By getting rid of other things, you’ve been able to hold onto more books. I know my husband can handle and organize a lot more “stuff” than me. It’s always impressive.
My library may get built back up once we stop moving every couple of years, but this has really helped me in the meantime! I sent this post to my brother before I submitted it. He said “It’s good! I mean, I find its core points repellent, but no typos and well written.” Baha! Thought you might like that. :)
I moved and had a closet full of boxes of books. It hurt my heart to know that they were in there giving joy to no one. I ended up selling/donating 15 boxes of books! It makes me happy to know that someone is enjoying them! As an aside, I grew up poor, and my mom purchased a reader’s digest subscription of classics for me. I’ve boxed them to get rid of several times and just couldn’t! Now I accept that they’re one of the few “things” to which I’m sentimentally attached, and will probably always display them in my home!
Oh, I love this! So glad this post helped you let go of your guilt though not your books.
That’s a lot of books you’ve already gotten rid of. Impressive!
If I’m thinking of the right ones, those Reader’s Digest books are pretty…and nice that they are the same height. Pleasant for displaying.
I had to overcome many mindsets to get rid of clutter because of growing up somewhat poor…I just accepted and kept whatever I could get, like hand-me-downs and anything free. Good for you overcoming these things, too!
Thank you for sharing your story.
I love to read but for me, once I’ve read a book, I pass it on. I know I won’t read it again because there are other books waiting for me. I recently let go of many brand new books that I’ve had for awhile and decided, I didn’t like that type of literature so I took stacks of books to my local community library boxes and I don’t miss them at all and I know someone else is enjoying them and I still have many books on my shelf left to read. I have enjoyed passing on my books and don’t feel a bit sad about it.
Yes! Thank you for sharing that (and for reading this post)!
I have always been one to finish each book that I start, but I am getting over that. If I’m not enjoying it, I’d rather move on to one I’m really learning from or can hardly put down. There are so many books!
Great to hear all these things but unfortunately (and as a newly minimalist) I really enjoy having books and read them. If that’s not minimalism… I don’t care. It’s simply knowing that I’m a book lover and that’s something I take joy of.
It’s only February and I read 14 books (some e-books too)… so I can’t relate to someone who only reads 20 or 40 books/year.
It’s so nice to read different perspectives (and opinions) but some I know that it’s not for me. :)
Hey, thanks for reading! I’ve finished 11 books so far this year. I think I can fit another 2 in by the end of this month, so not too far behind you now. :)
I definitely always tell people that you will hear tips and advice that does not work for you, but don’t give up just because of that. Keep looking for what works for you.
I’ve rejected some minimalistic tips at different points in my journey that I ended up coming back to years later when it made more sense for me and others I still haven’t tried.
I agree. I am quite minimal in most things — except books. I think it will be a very long time before I get rid of my approximately 500 books. Even if I do not reread the entire book, I often refer back to certain passages in a quick moment, and I like having them.
Sure, moving may be a bit challenging the next time I do so, and I may reconsider then. But I do think I will keep the majority of my books. I do have one wall dedicated to all my books (on shelves) and it “sparks joy” for me.
That’s awesome! Thank your reading and for sharing your thoughts.
I do hope this post helps when you move again. Baby steps! :)
It’s certainly nice that you’ve been able to make room for your books. It doesn’t sound like they are taking over or in your way. They had become more of a burden for me, partially because I didn’t have great shelf space for them.