Should I send these books to the charity shop?

[TattiePants]

I am having a clear out and have just moved onto the bookcase. There are some books that have sat here for 15+ years and never been opened so do I send them on their way or are any worth a read?

White Teeth & The Autograph Man, Zadie Smith
Brick Lane, Monica Ali
Chocolat, Joanne Harris
Underworld, Don DeLillo
A Gesture Life, Chang-rae Lee
The Tale of Murasaki, Liza Dalby

[crapfatbanana]

All worth a read but I wouldn't hang on to them if you don't want to. None from the list would be 'must reads' for me. Does your library take book donations? I know many don't anymore.

I'm terrible for having books unread for years, which I clear out, only to go buy new copies when someone tells me how amazing they are.

[TattiePants]

Most of my local libraries have closed down unfortunately but Sainsburys have some community book shelves so might take them there. 6 more books have arrived this morning so I need to make space!

[Cornishblues]

Oh yes I'd give white teeth and brick lane a chance. (Nothing against the others, never read them.)

[ChessieFL]

Of those I've only read Chocolat and I recommend that.

Having said that, if you've had them for 15 years without reading them, you're obviously not that bothered about them so just get rid. You can always get them from library or pick up cheap second hand if you do get sudden urge to read.

[Quogwinkle]

Chocolat was a good read. Didn't like Brick Lane, was a struggle to get through. Couldn't get into White Teeth either but might give that one another go some time.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

Of that list have read White Teeth, Brick Lane and Chocolat. All good reads but these days I tend to pass on books if I haven't read them after a year or so.

If you really wanted to read them you probably would have...

[Creatureofthenight]

Chocolat is good, I've not read the others.
If you've had them that long without reading, just give them to the charity shop.

[DaisyDando]

I liked Chocolat.

[TattiePants]

Might hold onto White Teeth and Chocolate for a bit longer.....

[SalemSaberhagen]

I loved Brick Lane!

[fingles]

Chocolat good, White Teeth and Brick Lane crap, imho.

[TimeOfGlass]

I'd be inclined to pass them all on, on the grounds that if you were bothered about reading any of them, it would have happened something in the last 15 years.

[SilverBirchWithout]

Charity shops get loads of copies of White Teeth, Chocolate and Brick Lane donated all the time. These 3 might be better in your recycling bin.

[ChessieFL]

I hate the thought of recycling perfectly good books! The charity shop may well recycle them if they get loads of copies but at least I don't know about it.

[RalphSteadmansEye]

Underworld is one of the best novels of the last twenty years, but if you've not read it yet...

[SatsukiKusakabe]

I didn't mind White Teeth when I read it, but I didn't think it was that good and had some mistakes in research that annoyed me (Jehovah's Witnesses wearing crosses was one I remember!). My copy's going to the charity shop in the next clear out. I read On Beauty by Smith, not great either won't seek out any more of hers personally.

I haven't read Underworld yet but I would hang on to that one to try. I've not heard of the last two, they may be hidden gems...or they may not!