Books, books, and MORE books!!!

i know how you're feeling, i've experience that too, not so long ago..but what made me give up my books was through reasoning to myself that i'l be needing the extra space that my books will vacated..i had my first child, so we need more space at home that we can't accommodate a pile of books anymore. i've started collecting my books since elementary, so it's really all memorable for me because some were gifts and i kind of got an invisible bind with my books..and i have given them away to people, that i know will take care of them, like the way i have taken care of it for many years.

I know exactly what you are going through. I just thinned the herd a little bit and got rid of about 50 books and it was hard. They were books that I'd read (long ago and not too memorable but still mine) and that's always hard for me. I sell books for a living and it's never hard to sell a book once I've purchased it for resale unless I read it. Then it's darn nearly impossible for me to not keep the book. My dad was a booklover who also hoarded. He used to take the larger books and pile them up near a sofa or chair. Then he would have a local glass company cut a nice thick glass square with a beveled edge. Once the glass was put on top of the pile, there was a nice little side table to hold drinks, knick knacks or more books. I've done that too. Maybe you cold put together a little movable furniture for your new house this way. Just a thought LOL.

I can see myself heading the same way as you regarding books and the amount we own. I have a passion at the moment in buying books and have quite a few ready to read as soon as I finish my latest. Books are a great way of expressing who we are and there is nothing nicer than walking into soemones' home and seeing books out on display in a bookcase or just anywhere one can find a place to put them. Do you really need to get rid of your friends? Happy moving! Ooops after all that I just noticed your discussion was 3 months ago. What has happened since then?

Yikes!! That IS a lot of books alright. When my hubs and I moved around more those who were helping us thought I had a lot of books...but I am sure I never had more than 1,500. Your movers are in for a fun time! (NOT!) Anyway...I can understand why you like to pack by yourself...I felt that way whenever we moved. It was my way of saying goodbye to where I was and preparing for where we were going. I liked to unpack at the other end for the same reason. So I get that part of your process. When you talk about not being able to give away your friends...I can feel the attachment you feel to your books. They obviously represent more than just 'books' to you. I know from my personal and professional experiences that we release things when we are ready to. I have included a photo of a few of my books. We moved them from our dining room because the walls really needed to be re-painted and we were planning on moving our aquarium. I have definitely downsized my collection and have the 'gems.' I am happy with having fewer books that are readily accessible rather than stuffed here there and everywhere. I finally realized it wasn't a good way to treat my friends and now every book I have are displayed...and the rest are gone...with no regrets. I gave some away...and others were donated to thrifts stores and charities. When we are ready to the process is easy because whatever the 'attachment' was about has been worked through. In learning to fully 'get' the truth of the Buddhist teaching that all suffering comes from our attachments I'd suggest holding onto your books until you feel ready to relinquish them...in your own time...in your own way. Wishing you a peaceful transition from your old place to your new...and of course like our company name...a celebrating of you Fresh Beginnings!Warm regards, Raia

It's really hard for any book-lover to get rid of a book. You just have to go through them and ask if it's something you really want to keep and why. Will you read it again? You could become a book snob like me and only keep the hardbacks. lol Ok, I do have some paperbacks from my school days, but very few. I helped me to weed them out this way. If you haven't heard of it, you may be interested in LibraryThing. I have my books cataloged on there and it's just great! It's free up to a certain number of listings. I think I paid $20 for a lifetime membership. Good luck weeding! It' hard, but sometimes it's just necessary! And you can always donate them to your library or other organization.