Too Many Books? Let Some Go!

too-many-books
A client had too many books! We first sorted through his middle shelves, and he donated at least one half of the books. The other shelves were tackled next.

I don’t think I ever had a lot of books of my own. I used the local libraries, borrowed books from friends (all of which had to be returned), and went through phases of collecting some self help, fiction, mystery and fantasy books. Most if which I gave away over the years. I do enjoy buying fiction at yard sales, as they are very low priced and feed my reading needs. But, every year at my housemate’s and my ‘women’s clothing swap and afternoon tea’, I give swap attendees an opportunity to choose from these books, and I retrieve newly donated swap books I haven’t read.

I do have a fair amount of gardening books and organizing books; both of which I purchased to further my expertise in both of my businesses. The gardening books take up 1.5 shelves in the built in glass door cabinet, and the organizing books are on another shelf. These I will keep, as they are not in my way, and are an ongoing source of information.

Do you love books but have too many? Are they overflowing the bookshelves, taking up space on a chair or couch, or piled on the floor? I’m sure that some of these fiction, non-fiction, art, music, and other book topics you’ve collected over the years mean a lot to you, but most likely many of them are just gathering dust.

Why not share your wealth and give some away! Set aside an hour per week, and sort through at least one shelf on your bookshelf, or a couple piles of books. If you bought it a while back and haven’t yet read it, maybe it’s time to let it go. Fill a box (or boxes) with the books you no longer love, want, or need, and share the joy of reading by donating them to your favorite charity, library, local prison, or to ‘More than Words’.

‘More than Words’ located in Waltham, MA, is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers youth who are in the foster care system, court involved, or homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by managing the organization’s online and retail bookstore and cafe. Check out their website – http://www.MTWyouth.org  or call 781-788-0035. And, if you have at least ten boxes of books to donate, the organization will pick them up for you.

I’d love to know how many books you’ve got, and how you let go and distribute them.

 

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