De-Cluttering

[diddlydo]

Who else finds it incredibly hard to consign books to the recycling and/or charity shops?

[maggiebee]

I have been de-cluttering for the past week, but can't bring myself to touch my books. I know some will have to be consigned to the charity shop but just not at the moment.

[Baldric]

We recently had a bit of a clear-out, books and stuff to charity shops, up to them if they want them or not, not our problem.

[Mamyalynne]

I think books can be the hardest to let go of, I did get rid of quite a few but still have more than I should really.

[ethandron]

I found it cathartic, if that’s the right word, when we gave six big boxes of books to charity. Once I started the big sort out I couldn’t stop and have only kept a very few books which have some sentimental value to me.
I never, or very very rarely, re read a book so it was totally ridiculous keeping them all.

[woofgang]

nope books are just stuff like other stuff. I have books I love, also some signed and some first editions or old books and a few that I treasure because of who gave then to me. They stay, the rest come and go. This year I used some old paperbacks to make coloured backgrounds for my christmas cards.

[woofgang]

oh and I try to only buy new books on kindle

[Cloverjo]

I'm selling some on Music Magpie and Amazon. It's quite easy to get rid of my husbands old books as he only reads them once and feels no affinity towards them. I'm going through mine and finding it hard to let some go.
I'm trying to give new ones away as soon as I've read them now so I don't get too attached.

[johnk]

I am also having difficulty letting go of some favourites, the run of the mill paperbacks are no problem but hardbacks given as presents are easy to keep.

[rowanwitch]

I keep only a few, two were expensive gifts the rest are reference books, field guides and craft books. All my favourite fiction is on my kindles, or rather in the cloud to be read on them. I have friends with similar taste in fiction so most of the real books were handed out. I have very few things I have any sentimental attachment to. In the whole flat maybe a large shopping bag would carry them .

[murraymints]

I just can't let my Rebus books go..and have more garden books than Waterstones.... keep picking books up and have a "will read them one day" attitude.... one day..one day....

[rowanwitch]

Sadly one day is often never, I do use libraries to avoid buying books I don't need.

[murraymints]

will have to toughen up Rowan !! lol ...same for oh with dvds ..now they reeeeeeeeely need to go !!

[naomi24]

Novels, apart from the classics, are easily disposed of, but I wouldn’t dream of getting rid of reference books or any book I use for studies.

[ladybirder]

Why are classics difficult to get rid of Naomi? I was thinking of taking about 60 to a charity shop.

[maggiebee]

Oh minty, I know exactly what you mean. I have all the Rebus books in hardback. They take up a lot of space but they're like old friends. I don't want to part with them. Also have most of Terry Pratchett's in hardback.

[Cloverjo]

DVDs I could really do with getting rid of. I have a massive pile of them teetering. I'm not really a film-watcher. Apart from some perennial favourites I'd never watch a film twice. They need to go. I'm getting my Music Magpie app ready now!

[woofgang]

The trouble with reference books is that many of them don’t stay current.Same sadly with books like gardening books.

[naomi24]

Ladybirder, because I have a special affection for them I suppose. Some I can open on any page and start reading. Love them!

Woofgang, most of my reference books don't change.

[rosyposy]

I too find it very difficult and usually end up browsing then reading them again, but better get a move on because some charities have so many they won’t accept any more, one near us is selling five books for £1! (Trying not to go in!)

[ladybirder]

Oh I see. I thought you meant it was difficult to get someone to take them. My bad;-)