Despite my comments, I too am thinking about weeding! We have a very small house and another baby on the way.
Sometimes the excitement in purchase does not translate to reading. While most of my books at home are unread, and I see that as a good thing, if it sits unread too long, it might be time to give it a new home.
The joke about buying books being a separate hobby from reading them is REAL.
Former school librarian here, and I loved weeding. I agree that it is absolutely as important as buying! Really enjoyed seeing all the thoughts about when and why to buy. I'm so guilty of being an aspirational buyer; this will help me next time I'm feeling the pull to buy something I'm probably not going to actually read.
I love public libraries because that's where I get most of my books from. I usually only buy a book if I can't get it from the library or it's a book I love and know I'll reread. I try to keep my house free of book clutter by putting books I've finished in the little free library in front of my house. However I've discovered this little library is also often a source of growing stacks of books on my coffee table of titles people have put in there that I want to read but haven't gotten around to yet.
I have been struggling with this for ages… I have dozens (hundreds?) of books I’ll never read, most in poor condition and obtained from long-ago library bag sales. I would love to pare my collection down to books I’ve read and loved, books I actually want to read, and books that are unique or beautiful.
I’m also curious about this you sell a book for $3. Doesn’t it cost more to ship it? Our little free library has really helped me weed things out in our house. I usually get my books from the library but we have lots of books in our house in no real order. I have two special shelves for books that really spoke to my soul and which I think I’ll return to and I usually do return to these books. I have a few aspirational books but I’m getting better about letting those go. I have a few books that are tattered and worn from reading to my kids and I still can’t quite say goodbye to them.
The buyer pays shipping (though I do have a special in my shop that I pay it when you spend $25+). It’s such an easy way to make some extra cash and declutter at the same time. I can see how a little free library would be wonderful for weeding books. Your neighbors are lucky!
Omg I read this like, wait, did I write this? Because it’s exactly me! I’ve never publicly admitted the number of books I own because it feels embarrassing (2000+, there, I said it!), but weeding is also a monumental task. I’ve been working on it but making very slow progress. 200 is a huge accomplishment!
In order to attempt keeping my bookshelves from overflowing (too much), I will regift a book to fellow readers or add it to my Free Little Library collection for passers-by. It makes my day to see visitors at my little library browsing the selections!
I immediately downloaded the Library Thing app after reading this! I’ve also been thinking more critically about my book collection over the past few years and have been selling or donating any books I just know I’m never going to read!
I used to be a sucker for good deals too! Then a few days after the purchase when I look at the book, I know I’m not going to read that book. Getting good deals is such a high but then again they’re not really “good deals” because you’ll never get to read them. Took me a while to break away from this.
I love the idea of making a decision immediately about books you finish. That’s so smart.
Despite my comments, I too am thinking about weeding! We have a very small house and another baby on the way.
Sometimes the excitement in purchase does not translate to reading. While most of my books at home are unread, and I see that as a good thing, if it sits unread too long, it might be time to give it a new home.
The joke about buying books being a separate hobby from reading them is REAL.
I also am guilty of buying books for my fantasy self!
I definitely relate to the excitement of a purchase not always translating into reading.
Former school librarian here, and I loved weeding. I agree that it is absolutely as important as buying! Really enjoyed seeing all the thoughts about when and why to buy. I'm so guilty of being an aspirational buyer; this will help me next time I'm feeling the pull to buy something I'm probably not going to actually read.
I’m glad the post was helpful! I love the term “aspirational buyer.” 😀
I love public libraries because that's where I get most of my books from. I usually only buy a book if I can't get it from the library or it's a book I love and know I'll reread. I try to keep my house free of book clutter by putting books I've finished in the little free library in front of my house. However I've discovered this little library is also often a source of growing stacks of books on my coffee table of titles people have put in there that I want to read but haven't gotten around to yet.
Libraries are the best!
I have been struggling with this for ages… I have dozens (hundreds?) of books I’ll never read, most in poor condition and obtained from long-ago library bag sales. I would love to pare my collection down to books I’ve read and loved, books I actually want to read, and books that are unique or beautiful.
It’s definitely worth the effort. Good luck!
“My hobby had become a full-blown situation.” This made me feel so seen. 😂
I’m also curious about this you sell a book for $3. Doesn’t it cost more to ship it? Our little free library has really helped me weed things out in our house. I usually get my books from the library but we have lots of books in our house in no real order. I have two special shelves for books that really spoke to my soul and which I think I’ll return to and I usually do return to these books. I have a few aspirational books but I’m getting better about letting those go. I have a few books that are tattered and worn from reading to my kids and I still can’t quite say goodbye to them.
The buyer pays shipping (though I do have a special in my shop that I pay it when you spend $25+). It’s such an easy way to make some extra cash and declutter at the same time. I can see how a little free library would be wonderful for weeding books. Your neighbors are lucky!
So cool- does pango calculate the shipping for you?
Yes. They also take a small platform fee, but I’ve found I get more through Pango than I do trying to sell books back in person.
Omg I read this like, wait, did I write this? Because it’s exactly me! I’ve never publicly admitted the number of books I own because it feels embarrassing (2000+, there, I said it!), but weeding is also a monumental task. I’ve been working on it but making very slow progress. 200 is a huge accomplishment!
Slow progress is still progress. Good for you! I’m glad you related to the post.
In order to attempt keeping my bookshelves from overflowing (too much), I will regift a book to fellow readers or add it to my Free Little Library collection for passers-by. It makes my day to see visitors at my little library browsing the selections!
I bet! You’re a librarian at work and at home! 🥳
I immediately downloaded the Library Thing app after reading this! I’ve also been thinking more critically about my book collection over the past few years and have been selling or donating any books I just know I’m never going to read!
It’s great to read about your thought process on this…so many books you have!😍
I wish you could have been alongside me when I was weeding books last year.
There were books that were over 30 years old! I don’t know many middle schoolers that request War And Peace.😂
I used to be a sucker for good deals too! Then a few days after the purchase when I look at the book, I know I’m not going to read that book. Getting good deals is such a high but then again they’re not really “good deals” because you’ll never get to read them. Took me a while to break away from this.
Wow, that is quite a feat! Congratulations on a successful culling!