I’ve had to cull my collection of books. It is a cringe-worthy task for book lovers but it has been ten years since the last round.
Maybe my age and thoughts of downsizing spurred me to get this done. Or it may have been the COVID 19 virus invasion. My sisters and I have been known to clean house when stressed or anxious.
Teetering between feeling vulnerable one moment and invincible the next is my experience of these worrying times. What was barely imaginable a couple of months ago is embraced as routine today. What a gift social media is right now. It’s beautiful to see the inspiring, loving and joyful ways folks are supporting each other. Not to mention the miracle of virtual get-togethers taking place. A couple of friends and I created a three-woman book club for ourselves.
It was the search for that one book I wanted to pass along to a friend that kicked off somewhat of a domino effect. Caches of books were shifted from nooks, crannies and cubby holes. When they were strewn around the dining room, foyer and a spare bedroom the radical decision was made to keep only what would fit on my biggest bookshelf. It took a few days to consider the fate of each book.
Stacks emerged; keepers, giveaways and undecideds. I wimped out a bit as the largest pile was, predictably, the undecideds. It may be wishful thinking but the plan is to read them again, or at least begin to read them again, before letting them go or making room on the shelf. These books are biding time in a couple of pretty wicker baskets, temporarily of course, but freeing up space on the bookshelf.
A nice surprise was discovering more than thirty books that I have not read yet. It was imperative to keep these visible and easily accessible. The coffee table and nightstand don’t look too cluttered at all.
Don’t you love the fluid way books make the rounds among friends? I unearthed a few that need to be returned to their owners so they are displayed near the back door to remind me to do so.
In the frenzy to organize, a small bookshelf that holds a lot of old keepers was forgotten. The Nancy Drew Mysteries, Hardy Boys and children’s books, poetry volumes, and a few antique books, kept solely for their aged beauty, have all been spared this time.
Every square inch of the bookshelf is now filled to bursting and the shelves are only slightly bowed.
Eighty seven books are boxed up, ready to find their way to other readers. It’s a good start. Maybe I could post titles on facebook. Porch or mailbox deliveries or pickups could be arranged.
I hope you re-read a cherished keeper or find a new read that you may have forgotten you have and revel in some soul-stirring, uplifting stories.
Oh, and turn up the tunes. Music makes everything better.
Stay safe everyone.
I too have been sorting some books. I have a box of “undecideds” to dip into.