Can You Part With Them Easily?

[ions]

Since books are so freaking expensive I buy used books when I can. The place I buy my used books from of course buys books back for store credit. For some reason I have a hard time letting go of books I've read. What's more bizarre about this is that I'm very rarely inclined to reread a book. I almost never reread.

I can't figure out why I want to keep the books I've read. Trophies? As in stories I've conquered? That's not likely though, I'm not particularly vain and it's not really the sort of thing I would show off: "Look at all the books I've read! It means I'm smart!" No, that's not it. I hope that's not my reason anyway. Sometimes I tell myself that I keep them for future reference. Like if the chance to discuss the book ever comes up I still have a copy to refer to. There's also the fantasy that one day I'll have a room I can make into a dedicated library so I can sit and look at the books I've read and bought. But why do I have this compulsion, as a non-rereader, to keep books?

There are of course books that were gifts or were just really special that you have to keep but why have this compulsion with all books? Fortunately, due to my selection process more than anything I suppose, I've never read a book I've hated to see how I would feel about parting with it.

I'm just thinking out loud in post form more or less but also reaching out to my fellow bibliophiles. Am I alone with this strange affliction?

 

[Puddleglum]

I find it hard to get rid of books as well unless I really didn't like them and then I just add them to the charity shop pile.

I think I like the idea of the library room as well ions although I do reread. In fact I would love a room full of shelves of books and DVDs (my other vice). I'm almost there but I just don't have the shelf room so I have my books double stacked and piling up on top of the bookshelf as well.

Someday I'll be found dead under a pile of books after the shelves get too top heavy!

 

[SFG75]

Oh man, I absolutely hate throwing books away. When I started my first job, the school was going to toss out history texts that were fifty years old. I brought home about thirty of them and the wife about went through the ceiling. She quizzed me about the practicality of having all of these books that in all likelihood, would just take up space. Needless to say, we compromised and I was allowed to keep ten of them with the understanding that whenever we move, I'll be the one that carries them. That is no problem with me as I move my books in a new place first by myself.

No, you're not alone in this regard. It's a good habit. I have books in every room of our house. It's nice to be anywhere and be able to pick something up.

 

[Ronny]

I keep only the books I've liked and I don't reread much but I do look at them often for a quote or to lend to someone. I also think when people come over they start a lot of converstaions and let new people get a better feel for me, if they bother to look at all the sagging shelfs that is

 

[Puddleglum]

I keep only the books I've liked and I don't reread much but I do look at them often for a quote or to lend to someone. I also think when people come over they start a lot of converstaions and let new people get a better feel for me, if they bother to look at all the sagging shelfs that is

For some reason your post reminded me of The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams.

Ahenny

The way people stand when examining other peoples bookshelves.

That book never fails to make me laugh.

 

[Ronny]

I do reread Douglas Adams a lot he always cracks me up

 

[mehastings]

My books are getting out of control. My shelves are all full and all have books piled high on top of them. Lately I've been sending all of my read books off to my mom or my aunt. At first I thought this was a good plan until the books started piling in from them too. Seems we all have the same problem. I'll probably have to head over to the second hand shop with my books if they ever come back to me. I just don't have room for all of them.

 

[ruby]

I keep all my books,never throw any out,when i moved house i lost a binbag full of books,i was so upset!

 

[francesca]

This is the source of an ongoing difference of opinion in our household. I just cannot bear to throw books away, I do re-read books I love so that partly explains it, other than that I just like to keep them. I do lend them to friends and family when they come here to stay, as long as they can finish them before they go..is there anything worse than lending books out and never seeing them again?
My husband doesn't get this at all,he doesnt read and can't see the point of keeping them. Even worse he doesnt like to see them around the house, and wants them all put in cupboards. For some strange reason, I cant stand that either, but as we havent yet acquired any bookshelves ( all furniture is prohibitively expensive here) and I cant persuade anyone to ship me some self assembly units from Home Base, I am just stashing them where I can.
I am the same with Videos and DVD's, buy them, keep them forever.

 

[Herenya]

My parents have never really bought me books... they say I read them too fast, so I've always loved to own books because of that. My book shelf is exploding. Two books deep, with books stacked between the top of the books and the top of the shelf... I've managed to pick up a lot that the library have thrown away. I love keeping books... partly because I reread books heaps, and I like knowing that the books are there, so I can read them again. Or make my friends read them or something. I just seem to find books comforting.

 

[Aoide]

I keep almost all of my books. There are a few books here and there that will go to the used book store, but I have a hard time even letting go of books that I didn't particularly like. I do a lot of re-reading but only of certain books. I'm keeping books that I know will probably not be re-read, but they gave me enjoyment and I want to keep them. I love to see books around the house.

 

[Ronny]

I love to see books around the house.

I do too, there is something comforting about it. I have shelfs of books in every room, all along the hall and little stacks on end tables. The first thing I do when I'm at someone's house is look at their books, if they have them.

 

[Caelda]

It is very hard for me to part with my books. I'm currently going through them and have a big box to get rid of because I'm moving. I can't take them all with me. So I'll try to sell them in a lawn sale. The local used bookstore only gives credit and they mostly have mass market romances. After the sale, if no one else wants the books, it's probably off to bookcrossing.com with them.

Some of them I won't miss as they were total crud.

 

[ions]

The local used bookstore only gives credit and they mostly have mass market romances.

I noticed this too. I think it speaks to the types of books that are easy to part with. Also says something about what kind of readers tend to part with books. This makes finding something good in these stores a little more exciting too.

 

[MonkeyCatcher]

I like to keep the books that I read just so that I know that they are there if I ever want to re-read them (although that hasn't happened in a /long/ time), or if I can persuade my friends to read them (which also hasn't happened in a /long/ time ). I really can't bear to part with books... I have a dream that one day I will have a home with a room purely for books. Having shelves filled with books on all walls is my idea of paradise

~MonkeyCatcher~

 

[jenn]

i'm a library girl and only recently started buying books. i only buy the ones i know i will read again or have already read and i just cringe when people want to borrow them. i feel like such a mizer but to me they are an investement. *sigh* i just have to stop letting people see my books.

 

[SFG75]

i'm a library girl and only recently started buying books. i only buy the ones i know i will read again or have already read and i just cringe when people want to borrow them. i feel like such a mizer but to me they are an investement. *sigh* i just have to stop letting people see my books.

I'm the exact same way!. I absolutley dread lending my books out, the only exception is if I have more than one copy of it.

 

[Halo]

I keep almost all my books - I even have all my childhood books packed away in boxes in the loft! However, this year I have amazed myself by getting rid of about 25 books to a charity shop. They were all books I didn't really like and knew I wouldn't want to read again (I do re-read).

I too have the dream that one day I will have a room fitted with floor to ceiling shelves and all my books on display. Hmm, thinking about how many books I have, possibly a whole house, not just one room.

 

[bluedahlia]

Right now I'm having a problem with this...I have three full libraries in my room and books all over with no other possible place to be located, which means that some , will have to be given away.
Unless I'm really into the, I'm not a rereader, but I do like to have them around for future references, as well if anybody might need them. So I'm slowly picking the books I'll give away, but in much pain.
I can also be sentimental in the way that if I didn't like a book but it was given to me as a present, I also have a problem parting.

 

[pontalba]

Its very difficult for me to get rid of anything, much less books. Fifth generation pack rat and all of that. But I have twice in my life given away a couple of cartons of books. I don't regret those books though as they were ones that I had out grown style wise. I have books from my childhood, although not all as I stupidly gave away my Nancy Drew series to a cousin of a cousin that I thought needed them. Oh Well.

On one hand, I want to gather all of my books into one room. But if I do that, I won't have the enjoyment of seeing a stack everywhere I look. I too, as someone above mentioned have book cases lining halls and walls all around the house. Plus of course the 'to be read stacks'. Fortunately there is no one in the house that dislikes reading and/or books so there is no contention there.