How to do a book cull

31 replies

KiposWonderbeasts · 29/10/2020 13:02

I’m struggling. We have bookshelves everywhere, double stacked, squeezed into every corner. I still have over 50 books I just can’t squeeze in.

I am a re-reader and these are old friends. We’re a family of bookworms and the collection keeps growing. I can’t read on a kindle etc, I find it actively off putting.

I did a big sift 10 years ago, another one 4 years ago and one 2 years ago, so all the obvious contenders are long gone.

I need any tips, hints, approaches to reduce my library so we can navigate the house without stacks of paperbacks toppling. Trusting MN bibliophiles to understand my problem!

OP posts:

TheGhostofGlumy · 29/10/2020 20:30

I recently sold 2 thirds of my books. It was brutal, but there was no way I could keep them all. A big criteria for me was would I want to read them when life was crap and I was really short on time. The fair weather books got culled, the books that I reach for in the hard times stayed. Also, instead of 'might I want to reread this' ask 'would it upset me if I couldn't reread this'.

onemouseplace · 29/10/2020 20:29

One in, one out?

Are there books you know you could easily get hold of at the library if you fancy re-reading them?

Dazedandconfused10 · 29/10/2020 20:24

I just donated all my books, probably not what you want to do but I'm moving and need to be ruthless. It felt oddly freeing. No doubt the collection will grow again though

Lalalatte · 29/10/2020 20:22

There must be some you know you're never going to reread..? Those you didn't enjoy reading.
Those need to be cleared out.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 29/10/2020 18:50

I’ve got a kindle and I’m stacking them up on there now.

Planning on turning our Hone office into a library. Can’t wait.

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 29/10/2020 18:48

Get more shelves, that's what we do....

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