So this is going to sound crazy – as mad as this is I like the idea – so what if I got rid of all my reading books. I know, I know how crazy am I given that I’ve spent a bunch of my wages on books or DVDs. I make a list of all the physical books and sell them or give them away. I can then get a Kindle and collect the books in that realm. Okay so I’ve always been for the paper books as there is something about holding the book and turning the pages – but what if I cleared the book cases.
How many of my DVDs do I actually watch? How many on the shelf haven’t I watched since I bought them – what if I took them in and traded them in at the second hand store – okay I might just get 50p or so per film but given the price of downloads via iTunes and other media platforms – do I need the actual DVDs? Is there a legal way of copying them to a hard drive rather than having the physical disc? There are films I miss at the cinema but what about just downloading them – I can store them on a hard drive and then play from there (DVD nights might have to change but who knows people I know might adopt my DVDs)
So let’s start with the books – I can solve that one easier.
- Let’s make a list of my books.
- I sell them or given them away. I can post a list here on my blog and you cover the shipping (and maybe some towards the book), or I sell outright on eBay or swap them somewhere like BookMooch. If that doesn’t work I give them away – there are plenty of charity shops in Bedford. The money from selling the books will in the long run cover the cost of the Kindle (other eReaders are available lol)
- I then have two empty book cases – I can Freegle them, advertise in the church newssheet or put them in at the local auctions.
Yeah it would be crazy and some things would be easier than others but what about it? I acquire bits, I can only just close the cupboard in my bedroom because it looks like a bomb blew up in it. In a way I started this a week ago by offering some unused fabric on FB and Twitter (it was taken by a FB friend).
Over to You
- Am I crazy or is it a case of “One’s junk is another’s treasure”?
- Can you imagine doing it?
Oy…get rid of your books??? OMW I know that you can get many of them on your Kindle, but …. wow. The thought of life without physical books is beyond my comprehension. I’m really serious about this. Books have been my haven and my escape. Books have been my salvation (apart from the spiritual one of Christ, Jesus). In fact books have literally saved my life. There are so many things I could give up, but I would be very hard pressed to give up the physical written word.
I’m not knocking the Kindle or Nook, in fact I would like one for my birthday, but I just can’t picture my home without the look and smell of my books.
Just my opinion, and clearly I couldn’t do that one. Other things, sure, but not my books.
If this is what you want to give up, may I suggest donating them to a library?
♥
Lily-Thinking Thoughts
I would get rid of tools, cleaning products, clothes, even family members before books!
But a good “life clear out” is always beneficial if you feel stuck in a rut, and if that is your way of doing it, good for you and go for it!
What does Sally say to that? Then again would she trade you in for books? lol j/k.
I think it’s going to be hard but I think in the long run it’ll be worth it because it’ll be less clutter and things like that. I’d say like 75% of the books that I have get read once and then don’t get read again – so why hang on to those ones?
SJB feels the same way I do about books, not sure if we would actually trade each other in for books though.
We tend to have a 2-tier system – books that are useful for our work, exceptional ones or ones by very favourite authors get saved, other ones get charity shopped or sent to book crossing.
Although the convenience of an e-reader might be nice, especially when travelling, I cannot bring myself to move away from physical books, something about holding a book that is part of the reading experience.
Good luck with your clearout though!
Another fun way to find your books a new home is Bookcrossing. You can find out more here: http://www.bookcrossing.com/ I used to do that all the time when I was reading more often.
I don’t think you’re crazy for wanting to de-clutter; but I think selective de-cluttering may well be preferable to the cull which you suggest.
I can only speak personally here – but books, physical books, can be mememtoes “I bought this at that shop where…” “I received this from…” “This was a recommendation from x friend” But I’ve also got a Kindle – I mainly got it after lugging a load of post grad. education books to Spring Harvest last year which took a whole duffle bag! A kindle, from that point of view is a more pragmatic option – but it doesn’t offer the same ambience as a paperback, and I sure wouldn’t take it in the bath with me (which I like to do with books)
But I’m a regular giver to charity shops (particularly Keech Cottage locally) & there’s some books that I’m unlikely to part with, and those that get whizzed on –
As for movies, I’m totally with you – I had a bad spell on the ‘single click order’ on Amazon and got dvds I probably didn’t *need* but then again I’ve favourites on my shelves that I wouldn’t part with, they’re perfect for ‘that’ moment when you need a particular film pleasure.
Comments are closed.