Talk me into selling my books.

aliasojo

I have hundreds of them. Nothing particularly exciting, just ordinary paperbacks.

I read a lot and buy paperbacks every time I go to Tesco so have accumulated so many, I'm struggling to find places to put them. I bought several units from Ikea to store them but they make my bedroom look even smaller and tbh, I think I'd like to get rid of the units to make the room look a little less closed in. Problem is, if I get rid of the units, I'll have nowhere for the books. I already have more books in boxes in the loft.

I don't even think I want to read them again, I already know the endings so don't see the point. BUT shelves full of books make me happy (as long as I don't think of the space thing that is.) I'd absolutely love a proper study with floor to ceiling shelving all round, just crammed with books. Not going to get that in this house though.

There's an upcoming car boot sale that I could maybe go to, tbh I could use a wee bit extra cash just now anyway and have some other bits I could sell too.

BUT, I'm not all that happy about the thought. I have all my books, listed by author and in order etc...I'm that sad.

Help me decide what to do. It's like the loft thread all over again but in my bedroom this time.

talulahbeige_2

I feel for you, I'm exactly the same, I can't bear to get rid of books but at the same time they take up so much space.

I can't encourage you to get rid of them all though I'm sorry, maybe have a real sort through and sell the ones that you didnt enjoy so much?

The_Next_Verse

I have no advice, other than... I could have written this post Down to things being listed by Author!

I am now not buying any more books and putting the money towards some sort of Kindle/E-Reader type thing to stop this from happening again!

Sambucus_Nigra

I used to keep all my old books, but now I give them away either through Oxfam books, bookcrossing, or give them to people who are studying the same subject at uni [I ask to see their readings lists before each new year].

I've also ebayed loads, and when I first went through and ebayed them, I got enough to pay for all my spend on my first trip to New York one year; which was good

We moved into a house with bookshelves in the front room all round a wood burner; so if that's full it makes the room really snug in the winter; and we have bookcases in our office, and in the dining room, and the bedroom. We also got rid of 6 bookcases when we got here; we had alot of books!

Now our rule is, 3 out before 1 comes in.

Just bite the bullet - load up the car and get rid; any that you have left, bookcross or donate to a charity shop.

aliasojo

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

We moved into a house with bookshelves in the front room all round a wood burner; so if that's full it makes the room really snug in the winter; and we have bookcases in our office, and in the dining room, and the bedroom.

Show off. I'm jealous....of the bookshelves AND the woodburner.

wornoutmumoftwo

There are certain authors I read where I never get rid of the books, so they stay on the top shelf of my bookcase, as every once in a while I'll sit and read them again. (Original Virginia Andrews, Terry Goodkind, Harry Potter books).

Then I have the books I buy at bootsales/charity shops. They get read once as a rule then put in the pile to go down to my mum's/donated to school fair/charity shops. I only keep them if they are outstanding and I might consider reading them again in the future.

Sambucus_Nigra

aliasojo wrote: »

Show off. I'm jealous....of the bookshelves AND the woodburner.

Sorry - I guess you don't want to know about the canalside garden either then

spaghetti_monster

I like books a lot too, so does OH and we have far too many. Now there's a baby on the way we have to have a clear out too!

A few years ago I got a bit stricter about books (always too many+too little space).
I only keep the very best books, books that I really love. For example I love reading Margaret Atwood - books like Alias Grace and the Blind Assassin I've already read a couple of times, will definitely read again in a few years time. It doesn't matter that I know the plot - the writing is amazing, the characters have so much depth. I'm quite good at reading fast, but with this kind of book I want to absorb every word.

I've also read plenty of books that are fun/entertaining, but I'll never read again. This kind all go to the charity shop.

I know that books are seen as valuable, but they're not all of the best quality. It's like TV/films - somehow it's easier to see that many programmes and films are just rubbish, some are ok and interesting, some are masterpieces/lifelong favourites.

Anyway, maybe you can think - quality not quantity. Perhaps make a permanent "quality" collection, then a couple of shelves for reading at the moment/giving away/selling - keeping the odd one to add to the collection?

aliasojo

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Sorry - I guess you don't want to know about the canalside garden either then

Do you have a spare room? :whistle::D

Your home sounds lovely.

Sambucus_Nigra

aliasojo wrote: »

Do you have a spare room? :whistle::D

Your home sounds lovely.

Many thanks - it is lovely and we definitely got lucky!

Anyhow - back to the books.....ahem

ERICS_MUM

Going off at a slight tangent, what do you think about selling books on E Bay? Do they generally sell for a reasonable price or is it a lot of effort for little return (I'm talking popular fiction).