Talk me into selling my books.

~daisy~_2

aliasojo wrote: »

OH finished his shift early today and stopped by the supermarket to pick up a few bits. One of those 'bits' was a new book for me. *sigh*

:rotfl:

I'm not ungrateful, I'm just fighting a losing battle.

see all that whinging you do about him - my hub wouldnt have a clue what books i read - or even have the thought to buy me one !!

aliasojo

He only buys the ones that have black covers, he doesn't read the plot.

I still reserve the right to whinge.:rotfl:

Walk_Me_Home_Cheddar

I can sympathise entirely, OP. I'm fortunate enough to have the space (and a very understanding hubby) to fill our spare room with Ikea Billy bookcases. At one time I kept every book I bought but when the bookcases started to overflow I thought I'd better call time on my hoarding, particularly when it came to paperbacks that I'd probably never read again. I used to buy them off Amazon for 1p (plus postage) so I could always argue that I wasn't spending a fortune, but it seemed daft to keep buying them if I didn't intend to keep them. I had a clearout (stuck them on Amazon) and if I had several by one author, I just kept the one I had enjoyed most.

The best thing I ever did to prevent the bookcases getting re-filled was to join the library. I also confess to keeping a list of all the books I've read for the year, which also stops me from feeling like I need to keep the actual books. I've done that for the last three years and I find it interesting to see how many books I've read over the year and what they were. I'm also about to get a Kindle after a friend who reads avidly has convinced me they're fab and after our luggage was over the allowance on holiday because of all the books I took!

That said, I've still got the Billy bookcases, full to bursting of stuff I want to keep. I've not quite worked out what we'll do if we have another baby as the spare room won't be spare anymore but I guess we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it!

scottishchick27

I used to hoard books too. I sold quite al ot on greenmetropolis but it was taking too long so I ended up filling 5 suitcases and taking them to a charity shop. I struggled to get a shop to take them though. I did think about getting a kindle but haven't done so yet. When we went on holiday this year I didn't have a lot of luggage weight so to save the weight I got some audio books from the library and downloaded to my ipod. It was brilliant, I could watch what DD was doing at all times but also listen to my book while sunbathing. Since I've come home I listen to a book in bed most nights, my OH used to moan when I had the light on but now there's no problem. The only problem is I often fall asleep and I can never remember where I've got to in the book in the morning so have to skim a few chapters to remember.

Wickedkitten

ailuro2 wrote: »

I had hundreds of books when we moved to this house, then I discovered the local library - it feeds my book addiction, as I don't really mind what I read within reason, and I can get up to 10 out at any one time, so I can read authors I wouldn't buy and stop after the first chapter if it's really not worth the read.

If you really love books you'll join the library, if you just like to be seen to be a reader by visitors to your home ( I admit I liked having all my books on display) you'll keep the paperback fiction in all the nooks and crannies and continue to buy more with the weekly shop.

2 for £7 every week adds up to a weekend break over the space of a year's shopping;)

Not only am I a member of my local library, but that's where I buy about 90% of my books.

nzmegs

When I left NZ I also left behind all my books - hundreds of them from when i was at university. I actually mourned them and missed them so much. Over the years i have built up a new collection which reflects my tastes now. Everytime i am out i go into charity shops and pick up a few at 50p each. But I am very selective and only buy classics or books by authors I know i will want to keep ad read over and over. Now I also buy books for my children.

You need to join a library (if you haven't already) and read the latest blockbuster from there. that way you can return it or get it out again at another time if you want to read it again. limit yourself to only buying books which are useful (ie reference books, cookbooks) or ones which you absolutely love. Sell the rest.

I often feel that having books around the home says something about the sort of person i am - intelligent, arty, bookish?? But actually if the books you have surrounding you were only worth reading once, then they probably weren't all that good and do not really reflect the sort of person you are at all.

Having said all that - if you have children, having plenty of books around the house sets such a brilliant example and will encourage them. i often see my children perusing the bookshelves to search out their next book. That makes me really happy - although i need to be careful what they choose as some books are a little grown-up!