Books. We buy them, read them, love them, recommend them, collect them.
The books we keep tell a story about our interests and passions. Weather we buy book cases, shelves, or stack them from floor to ceiling, we seem to have the motivation to carve out physical space for our beloved books.
When I used to finish reading a book, I was more than happy to give it a home next to the other books on the shelf, all collecting dust and simply existing in my space. Lately though, my book shelves are sparse and my collection keeps dwindling.
Why?
Because my needs from these books were fulfilled when I finished reading that last word on every last page. The reading portion is finished. The need for me to hold onto the physical book stems from a connection that was created during my time reading it. However, this bond is not actually with the book as a physical object, but rather a connection to the experience of having read the book. A connection to the time spent reading curled up in bed, reading on the subway, reading while eating breakfast, reading while on break from work. Those were times when the book was my companion, times when the book inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and blew my mind.
As hard as it has been for me, giving my books away has been a liberating experience. Instead of donating them to a bookshop, I have been bringing my books into work and leaving them in the “break room” for my coworkers to sift through and take home for free. Surprisingly, I feel no remorse when I see the books disappear from the break room. Instead I feel excited to have passed on my favorite books to others in hopes that they too may experience what I did while reading those stories.
These books plus the books from the picture above this post are the total number of books I have left. I still plan to give about half of them away.
As for bringing new books into my life, I have been experimenting with the kindle app on my iPad. Mostly, it has been a positive experience.
Is it like reading a physical book? Nope. I could not even begin to compare the two experiences.
While in Graduate school for Photography at NYU, the debate related to digital vs. darkroom photography was always heated. What I finally came to realize is that comparing the two was like comparing apples and oranges. Digital was not trying to be like darkroom photography. It was simply different then darkroom photography. Even the sizes of the photo-print paper are different when it comes to digital. I take the same approach with digital e-books vs physical books. If I compare the two, I will hit a dead-end. When I understand e-books as being different, I am more willing to try it out.
I realize that many will disagree with the notion of de-cluttering their book collection. If you feel as though keeping the books you read benefits you and brings joy and happiness to your life, than by all means keep them! My intention with sharing this post is to explain what the experience of letting go of my books has brought to my life. It is important to ask ourselves questions about our stuff, yes, even our books!
Is it benefiting my life?
Is it useful? helpful?
Is it hard to maintain?
Is it taking up space that could be used in another way?
Ask the questions. Answer them for yourself. The beauty is that here is no right or wrong.
If you feel inspired to de-clutter your bookshelves, check out this post on Minimalist Packrat for a simple guide to downsizing your book collection.
Click here for a beautiful post on reading by Leo Babauta over at Zen Habits.
For an inspirational post from Daily Om on books and reading, click here
Have you ever tried to downsize your book collection?
What does letting go of your books bring up for you?
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BOOK SHELVES are made for BOOKS. My wall to wall bookshelves, in every room in my home, serve me as my specially designed wall paper where only special books get to stay. When I look at someone’s bookshelves, I can get familiar with who s/he is. I cannot glean this type of impression from a kindle unless I would get permission to (re)view it, which I would never ask to do. My books also serve me as my security blanket, old family and friends who never betray…
Having said that, not all books currently in my possession should stay on those shelves. I got used to just ‘finding room’ for them somehow, admittedly, never an easy task.
You inspired me to remove some, – separation anxiety not withstanding – say 10 each week, which will take up most of the 2012 calendar year. Then, the books in each room will be only one or two rows deep on the shelves. Still, progress, wouldn’t you say?
Julie,
I agree that one’s book collection represents who they are. And I too used to feel that my books were my security blanket. However,I am just as happy now that I have purged even my most beloved books. It is interesting what can happen when we represent ourselves without the security of our surroundings. I used to represent myself with my trinkets, posters covering my walls, large amounts of photos on display,clothing style…etc.
What I have found is that I have become a more genuine version of myself since ridding my life of my various security blankets.
I love the idea you have of donating 10 books a week! A great structure to set up consistancy that will lead to a book collection of your most beloved and special books.
Thank you for reading and for sharing your beautiful thoughts,
-Tali
When our family moved from the US to Asia it meant leaving most of my large book collection behind. It was heartbreaking at the time, because, just as you said in your post, the physical books held an emotional bond to the things I read (and what I was experiencing as I read them) and that was hard to give up.
Once we were established in Taiwan I started to get into the world of ebooks. It took quite a while to get used to finishing a book and not having it sitting on a shelf, saying something about me because I had read it, but with time I began to enjoy the privacy of knowing that my digital bookshelf also said a lot about me. (Besides, most of my friends here are Chinese, so browsing a bookshelf of English books wouldn’t mean a lot to them anyways!) I’m glad I made the transition to digital, it saves me tons of space and money, but I do miss having that physical wall of remembrance.
Thanks for the great post!
Hi Adam,
Thank you for sharing your story. I am going to give the e-book genre a real shot and not buy any physical books for a year. I figure that is enough time to integrate digital books into my life. Looking forward to the saving money and having more space as well!
Thank you for reading and for the comment!
-Tali
You have a beautiful description of your experience with your books. And, some great questions to ask ourselves about the purpose our stuff serves.
I don’t like to hold onto too much stuff, but I also can’t bear to throw things away. I love giving things away. That’s always my first way to declutter.
Hi Marci,
Indeed, giving/donating stuff can be such a satisfying experience. I love knowing that an object that no longer benefits my life will go into the hands of another who will revive the object and use it to hopefully benefit their own life. A beautiful way to give an object another life cycle.
Thinking about how much of our stuff ends up in landfills breaks my heart. I am so inspired to hear that you love giving as opposed to throwing things away!
Looking forward to your next post on Liberating Choices,
-Tali