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Have you become more aware of how much stuff you own as a result of spending more time at home? Is there such a thing as too much? As frustrating as the forced time at home we’ve had over the last year can be, it’s a terrific opportunity to do a lot of different things you wouldn’t otherwise have time for, such as decluttering your home.
As a home organizer, I’m naturally drawn to assisting with decluttering projects, particularly those that appear difficult to begin or aren’t even projects you’re sure you want to embark on. Some are even contentious, such as decluttering books.
When Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, claimed that books can sometimes be nothing more than clutter, book lovers were angry.
This debate erupted after Marie Kondo’s Netflix show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo advised that in order to have a tidy home, you should get rid of any items, including books, that don’t bring you joy when you hold them. Marie Kondo recommended one woman on the episode to dispose of all of her books she had already read and might never read again. Bookworms all over socila media howled in agony and vented their frustrations on social media.
For many enthusiastic readers, the concept that books might be considered clutter and should be removed from the home is terrifying. Even the most uninteresting or inadequately written novels are too much for many book enthusiasts to tolerate.
Although many of these enthusiasts just like books, others use them as trophies to demonstrate how well-read they are or to portray a certain image to visitors to their homes.
However, every book was – and continues to be – written to be read. That is what they are here for. You shouldn’t feel awful about giving away books you won’t read. If you’re feeling guilty about getting rid of a book that no longer serves you, give it to someone who will appreciate it.
Donate it to a group that can get it into the hands of those who might otherwise have restricted access to books or give it to a friend. To declutter your home, you don’t have to throw books away. You may breathe fresh life into your old, stale books by clearing your shelves!
When Does Having Too Many Books Become a Problem?
Having a book collection can be a good thing, as long as it is well-organized and does not take up too much space in your home. When books begin getting in the way of your ability to accomplish other things around the house, you’ve got a problem.
It’s not uncommon for book collectors’ collections to outgrow their shelves, eventually taking up every square inch of available space. It’s a good idea to start reducing the herd whenever books start stacking up in areas other than your bookshelf.
Take a look around your place. Do you have book stacks on your tables, workstations, or even on the floor? Are you stumbling over them or having trouble finding room for other necessities? If that’s the case, it’s time to look for new places for some of your books. And now is a fantastic opportunity to do so, since you’re at home and have some spare time.
Making a Decision About Which Books to Keep
It’s a personal decision to decide which books deserve a permanent place in your personal collection and which books should be given away to be enjoyed by other readers. You’ll want to save any books that you’ll want to read again and again, such as your favorite novels or nonfiction books on your field of work. You’ll almost certainly have books that have sentimental importance for you, such as novels that were given to you as a present.
You don’t need to save every book you’ve ever read as a lasting shrine to your literary history, as tempting as it may be for certain readers. Do you think you’ll read that same romance novel again and again, or will you try something new the next time you’re in the mood? Are you going to read that lousy pulp sci-fi novel again and again, or would it be better to pass it on to the next sci-fi fan?
If you have books that you know you will never revisit (or even read for the first time), it’s time to give them away so that someone else might read and appreciate them.
If you don’t think you’ll be able to complete it on your own and your stack of books to donate isn’t growing, it’s time to seek guidance.
Unwanted Books: How to Get Rid of Them
Once you’ve selected which books should go, store them in airtight storage boxes for the time being. But don’t expect things to stay that way. There are a variety of solutions for getting rid of books that you no longer need without sending them to the landfill, including the following:
Directly Share Books With Other Readers
If you have friends or relatives who share your reading interests, any books you pass on to them after you complete reading will be greatly appreciated (which they can then pass along to someone else). When they’ve finished reading the book, you’ll have someone to chat to about it (bonus)
Stocking a Little Free Library in your neighborhood is another method for getting your finished books into the hands of other readers. Stop by one of your neighborhood’s Little Free Libraries if you haven’t already and leave a book you’ve finished. Consider constructing your own if there aren’t any in your area.
What Should I Do With Tattered Books?
Even if some of your books are too worn to give away, donate, or resell, you can save them from the landfill by repurposing them. Damaged books can be recycled (search for groups that recycle books). They aren’t allowed in the curbside mix).
You might be able to turn old books into craft items by upcycling them. They can be used to build a wide range of items, including picture frames, lamps, and papier-mâché creations.
Reduce the amount of clutter in your books before it gets out of hand.
Once you’ve gotten your present book clutter under control, there are a few things you can do to keep it from re-accumulating in your house. While it is acceptable to purchase the odd rare physical book, you should consider whether it is truly a tome that you want to keep before bringing it home.
Before you go out and buy a new book, check to see whether it’s available to borrow at your local library. Borrowing the book you wish to read from the local library will save you a lot of money (and a lot of space). You’re already paying for the library with your tax dollars, so take advantage of it.
You can love books and keep your home tidy at the same time. You may preserve a collection of your favourite novels while also eliminating book clutter from your house or preventing the accumulation of surplus books in the first place. Reading should be a pleasurable experience that you look forward to. Many individuals appreciate having bookcases full of books around them, but having too many could be oppressive. Moderation is essential in life, as it is in everything else.
Again, if you need help, I’m here. Book an organizing session here.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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