Book Minimizing
A lot of my content here is about books and reading. It therefore may be a surprise that I am considering how to downsize my book collection. I currently try to alternate between hard-copy books and my Kindle, but I have a soft spot for owning hard copies. I've never been able to put the right word to the feeling of a book; it's some combination of comforting, satisfying, sentimental and grounding (is there a word for that?) However, I also love keeping my home uncluttered and minimal. I have one bookshelf I rotate books into as I purchase them, and it's where I like to keep favourites. I trade in books when I can finally part with them or if it's a book I didn't enjoy. But, of course, as time goes on, there are more I want to keep, which has led to piles of books tucked away in various cupboards and drawers. This then defeats the purpose of keeping them; I forget they exist, so I don't re-read them. Re-reading books is an aspiration I don't fulfill. I rarely return to a book. Even if I adored it, there is always something new I want to read. I have been brainstorming a solution to the clutter; do I get another bookshelf? Do I rotate books out with the goal of re-reading something once a month? But the more I think about it, the more I want to lean into minimizing. To just start getting rid of some of these books and moving toward increased use of my Kindle.
My Pros & Cons for Minimizing Books
I've read this article by Robyn Devine on the Becoming Minimalist website, and I think I will try her recommendations. I appreciate that she understood the emotional attachment to books but suggested how to disrupt it. She provides some tangible and actionable steps for conquering the minimizing of your bookshelf while making recommendations for how to retain the value they have held for you.
A summary of Devine’s tips:
Write It Down. Jot down notes about each book that you're considering. Reflect on feelings and connections you have related to the book. Getting some of those emotions addressed may help to pass the book along.
Divide. Get ruthless with your "yet-to-read." Devine's rule of thumb is that if a book has yet to be read in six months, it likely won't be read. She suggested keeping a shelf specifically for these books and purging them after six months (or I would assume whatever your decided deadline is.)
Share With Others. One of the best ways to make use of your book collection is to share it with others! Consider who in your life would love a book you've read, put their name on a sticky note on the cover and let it go!
Desert Island Shelf. Set aside one shelf of your bookcase as your "desert island" shelf. These are books you know you would never get rid of, those that you'd want with you if stranded on a desert island. But! Keep this as one shelf only!
Non-Fiction Books. Organize your non-fiction books by topic. Once you've seen where there are overlaps, you can reduce books in those areas.
Multiples. Look for multiple copies, and get rid of one! This was pretty straightforward; you don't need two copies of any book; give one away!
So, we'll see how it goes! I'm entering into this venture without too much pressure on myself. But, I am excited to make a deliberate attempt to minimize an area I find challenging to give up items from.