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.
TML says
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.
Megan Starbuck says
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.
Barbara says
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.
Megan Starbuck says
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.
Alex says
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.
Megan Starbuck says
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.
PAOLA DUSI says
I think the house for books is only the library. So end of problems.
Megan Starbuck says
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment!
Libraries are wonderful.
Dawn says
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.
Megan Starbuck says
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.
MamaSquirrel says
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.
Megan Starbuck says
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!
Marie says
Very helpful and timely. My next decluttering project month. Thanks for sharing and beautifully written.
Megan Starbuck says
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.
Allison M. says
This is GREAT!!! I’m a fellow book hoarder as well. Super inspiring, insightful tips.
Megan Starbuck says
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!
Laura says
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.
Megan Starbuck says
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. :)
Laura Woodbury says
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.
Lucy K says
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…
Megan Starbuck says
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.