Too Many Books?

[callmemadam]

Just a heads up for a programme on Radio 4 today, at 1.30. In Too Many Books Sarah Cudden meets people who have to get rid of some books and looks at how they choose which ones can go. There's also a visit to The Bookbarn.

I had to lose hundreds of books when I downsized so I know how hard it is. I'd still put myself in the 'too many books' category. I wonder if anyone will suggest that the answer could be a Kindle? Should be interesting.

Later: programme was a wasted opportunity. Annoying presenter and no one told her that Anthony Powell pronounced his name Poel, a pedant writes.

Comments

[gwendraith.livejournal.com]

I love books but I have managed to keep mine to a minimum as I live in a tiny home. I tend to donate almost all my paperbacks to charity shops and re-donate ones I bought there. I feel good knowing that the money they will make from selling and re-selling them will be helping others. I keep a lot of hardbacks but tend to only buy non-fiction and reference ones. Because I love travel and geography I enjoy books like the AA's Book of British Towns, and also their Villages, Coast and Weekend Walks and similar books. I am hoping for a Kindle for Christmas but I don't see it as a way of reducing my books in the home but rather reducing weight in my luggage when I travel. I think perhaps in your case a Kindle may well be the answer :)

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I do have a Kindle but I still like to have dead tree versions of books. There's nearly always a carrier bag of books destined for charity shops in my car, so I do get rid of them all the time but getting more is a habit I've had for a long time and a hard one to break. One in, one out is supposed to be the rule around here.

[gwendraith.livejournal.com]

I remember now you telling me that you have a Kindle. I have a frightful memory for detail, sorry! The one in and one out rule is a difficult one. I try to keep to up, not always with success, but I am much better and I've definitely broken any slight hoarding habit I might have had. All of a sudden a few months ago I had an overwhelming desire to declutter and bring more colour into my home and I think I have succeeded, at least in the sitting room. It must be because I'm retiring and want to turn over a new leaf :)

[mrsmsmeanderings.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

It's an interesting one. I keep very, very few books these days as I figure there will always be new ones that I want to read, and life is too short for re-reading unless it's something really special. It works for me, anyway!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I find the books I want to re-read are so much better than most of the new ones I try!

[feather-ghyll.livejournal.com]

I am trying to declutter, although at the same time I'm hoping to have more bookshelves put in. I am becoming more ruthless about rereading and deciding whether to keep a book or not than I was, but I'm perfectly aware that that's not very ruthless at all. Just slightly less mired in denial than I was this time last year.

[(Anonymous)]

Seems we all agree. We want to declutter, but are not yet ruthless enough. I do re-read, but have to face facts that half the books in this house could go.
The Kindle is a great asset.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Nearly three years after moving house I still have books in boxes. I think this is telling me something!