.
.

Welcome

.
.
Make yourself at home. Put your feet up. Grab your favorite beverage and prepare to enjoy the reads.
.

.

Monday

Overbooked

I have 17 shelves of books. Five bookcases in the living room, two in the spare bedroom, the five foot space beneath the aquarium and an ever-changing small stack of to-be-reads on the headboard of my bed. Many of my books are not kept upright because there is no room. So, they are stacked in the shelves on their sides. One could say I'm "overbooked".

Oops, almost forgot! I have old magazines I can't part with stacked in the living room and bathroom. Doesn't everybody? What will I do without them?

I think even if I partake of no other reading material than that which I already have, I wouldn't finish them all before it is time for me to leave this planet. Too bad I can't take them with me?

I recently read an article written by Robyn Devine, (Minimalist Knitter), entitled Breaking The Sentimental Attachment To Books. Since I was right in the middle of culling books, it really substantiated my commitment to let go.

Though I have to admit that, I am not willing enough to just toss them all immediately. Step by step, book by book they will leave my house and give me a LOT of free space. My friends will be shocked, but I also think thrilled, to accept my cast offs.

I love books, don't get me wrong. Ever since I climbed on my father's lap insisting he read me the newspaper simply because he was doing it without me, I have loved reading. Yes, after hearing Daddy read the editorial, even though I didn't understand; it was all up hill after that.

I can't even imagine how many books I have read since then, and I look forward to reading many more, but one at a time. There are few books I will cling to for sentimental reasons. I probably wont be keeping many reference books, either. Much of what I research can be found on the internet. Clearing my house of books is part of my plan to become minimalist.

I also have another reason to say goodbye to my books, and that is, allergies to house dust and mold, which are quite impossible to prevent where my books are concerned.

Yes, yes, I have cats, but one must choose one's poison, they say. I am quite sure I will never be a purist, but my intent is driven, and I am often thinking of other ways to divest myself of "Stuff".

But, first... the books!

7 comments:

  1. Hi Elizabeth,
    Thanks for your comment on my blog at ZHARdesigns.
    I too love books, and I'm a bookpackrat in the making I think, as I am in the process of finally unpacking and arranging bookshelves in my apartment after moving in during the apex of my cancer vacay... if you have any hardcover must-read 'classics' I am looking to expand my essential collection ;)

    cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elizabeth,
    I have thrown out so many magazine (to the recycle, of course.) and take many books to either the used book store in town, or the Salvation Army.

    Paring down to give us more room mostly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stacey, You're welcome! Sorry, I don't have any classics, most of my stuff is esoteric and a lot of non-fiction self help and medical.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ciss, I drop off mags at the doctor's offices I find myself in all the time. They always need some new stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I even sold my encylopedias, but sometimes which I wish I still had. Info is much more in depth than on the net. But I don't think I'll be writing any more research papers--there's always the library....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Whenever I cull my book collection, I seem to always fill the space gained with more books!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Linda, I know what you mean. This time, I'm getting rid of the bookshelves too. (cringe)

    ReplyDelete

Blog comments are always welcome. I read, and enjoy, each of your comments. I will approve your comment as soon as possible.

If you don't have an account and don't want to sign up for one, you can still leave a comment. Enter your message and a name, even if it is Bunnykins.

You may use name and URL. Entering a URL is optional. If you have a site and you want to share it, this is a good opportunity to do so

Or you may use the Anonymous button.

Thanks for taking time to comment!