Twitter Pinterest Instagram Facebook RSS BlogLovin' Peace & Carrots Peace & Carrots Home About Me Contact Me Homeschooling Books Recipes Image Map

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

WFMW: Decluttering your personal library


I've mentioned before that our house is tiny, and has virtually no closets. That has been a big challenge in so many ways, especially now that we've added Wendy's stuff to the mix. We've been trying to weed through our stuff and declutter since we moved here a year and a half ago.

I'm all for decluttering, simplifying, and getting rid of things. But I haven't wanted to tackle my books. I'm an avid reader. An addicted reader. An all-the-time reader. In the course of my reading, there have been several books that I've loved and have wanted to read over and over. And so my copies of those books were all kept on a shelf several shelves for me to grab anytime I wanted a good read.

However, it recently came to my attention that those books are taking up a lot of room. I also realized that the grocery store I go to at least once a week is right across the street from the library. I have a library card (although I also have a big fine for that book I can't find - anyone seen it??) and I know how to use it. Most of the books wanted to keep and read over and over are ones the library carries. So why keep these books here? Why not let the library do the storage for me?

I will admit, there are some books I kept. My Harry Potter books, my Diana Gabaldon books, and my Sara Donati books. My copy of David Copperfield from the AP English class I took during my senior year of high school. I think I'll keep the Elizabeth George books (Inspector Lynley). I will also keep quite a few books for Wendy.

But decluttering my personal library? Works for me. Head over to Rocks in my Dryer for more helpful tips!

9 comments:

Heart of Wisdom said...

Oh, goodness...not the books...oh couldn't something else go? lol
No, seriously, you are doing good, but it is so hard to let go of the books...

Good Job,
Robin@heartofwisdom.com
http://www.heartofwisdom.com/heartathome/

Sonshine said...

Letting the library do the storage is why this homeschooling family goes to the library at least every other week rather than have 20 bookshelves!! :)

Good job in decluttering and simplifying!

Miche said...

Hey! Thanks for stopping by my blog; I have met so many other moms that taught sign language to their little ones and loved it-out of my group of friends, I'm the only one that did, but I am getting the others on board to try now that the toddler years are starting for us...Thanks for the de-cluttering tip! I need to follow that-I was an English major in school so I have an attic full of books. Seriously. Anyways, have a great day!

Kristen said...

Storage in tight spaces is . . . well, tight. I've been there. Your site is soooo cute. Thanks for visiting me, so I could meet you!
http://www.wearethatfamily.com

CC said...

I totally do this too! But getting my husband on board.... not so easy. Maybe I'll need this again one day he seems to always say!

Jodi said...

I decluttered my personal library when I was trying to make room for our daughter. My bookshelf is now her "dresser." I got rid of almost all my books. It was so hard! But I honestly don't regret it now. I don't even miss them. And I don't get upset like DH when the little one tries to tear up my books, because they're already gone! :)

Our Love Story said...

Good for you! I can't stand to get rid of books. So, I have just started trying not to buy them. But with a babe now, a new reason to start a new collection! I also cannot part with expensive texts acquired in college and grad school. I always justify that I "might" need them...
~Amber

Ter said...

Thanks for popping by my blog, and for your wonderful suggestion, I'm going to have to try and remember that one!! Hope you'll pop by again sometime!

I love reading too. I don't buy many books simply because it costs too much and as you said, it takes up alot of room. Though it is a pain waiting forever for some books to be available at the library, it's still nice to borrow a book I'm only going to read once anyway! I can always check it out again if I want to read it over again. Though I do buy copies of books that I really want for my collection, usually resources books and cookbooks, etc.

Elizabeth Giger said...

Oh, how did you do it? We also have a very small house. We're in the process of clearing out Baby's room so that Baby HAS a room and most of what is left is boxes of books! We can't unpack them because we need another bookshelf (shelves?!). Trouble is, our house is small...we are out of room for another bookshelf! Thus, there the boxes all still sit, cluttering up Baby's room, because I can't bear to get rid of books. So again, I ask...how did you do it?!