I can still remember the first time I actually threw out a book. And it wasn't
just a damaged book with a ripped corner, pages no longer with glue scattering
hither and yon, but a perfectly intact book, just one I didn't want to read ever
again. But it was still a very painful experience and I suffered book lover
guilt for a long time. In fact unless it's an ARC or galley, it is almost
impossible for me to throw out a book. But the situation has reached a head or
I've come to realize 40 years of books and a family can't really co-exist in a
single house. It's sad but true.
So, the winnowing has begun...to give a little history, last time we actually
counted the approximate number of books I owned, our move in 2003, we stopped at
38,000. After that it was just get the book boxes loaded and we'll deal with
them later. Could be a few aching backs too. After the move, we had over 200
boxes of clearly labeled books and then a large unknown quantity of boxes with
books. We unpacked two 30 feet long, 8 feet high bookcases, layering them double
double stacked in some instances and still had two rooms filled with boxes of
books. This has existed with sporadic attempts at cleaning out old reads until
last winter. When I decided it was time to get ruthless. Of course, my idea of
ruthless was to attack one room and remove the books I could spare. We ended up
with almost one box of spares to offer to the DFW Tea Readers Group. I will say
my husband and son were very very supportive and didn't seem to mind too much if
I came across a book and had to sit down to look at its pages, uh, read it. In
fact, if I remember correctly, I ended up with two boxes of books brought
downstairs to re-read!
Well, we've gotten a little smarter. I know I'm not going to re-read all those
books. Some of them certainly aren't worth the time to try a second time, and
they aren't all collector pieces so maybe just maybe it's time to clean house
and let go. It's a first step and I'll probably need coaching and therapy during
the process but I think seriously it's time to reclaim the media room!
My husband's second solution was to apply technology to the problem -- natural
response on his part. He installed Book Collectorz on my computer and waited.
I'm not sure what he was waiting for me to do but whatever it was, didn't
happen. So after sighing a bit, he installed it on his lap top and with a
scanner started scanning in books, putting them in boxes and giving me a
printout each day. I was to go down the list of books and mark the ones I
definitely needed to keep, ones for book club, and ones that were "collectible."
Unfortunately, even with my sharp memory, I couldn't always remember title
author combination and if I wanted to keep it. So he adapted and didn't seal up
book cases until I had the list and the opportunity to "double-check" the box.
So after scanning, printing lists with short summaries and "Sara's reviews" my
husband has managed to box, seal and label 18 boxes or 878 books that we're
going to be able to give away.
Of course, the neatly sealed and labeled boxes are still lining my dining room,
think of it as an artistic decorating statement, but they will be going to a
good home (or homes) on October 11th. My precious books, along with some
collectibles from
Pat Cat will be
the "foundation" of the inaugural
DFW Tea
Readers Book Swap at the
Readers 'n 'ritas Convention. So, for another two months I'll
still be able to take pleasure in all my books. I do promise NOT to open ANY OF
THE BOXES again! I promised Tom I would NOT! Otherwise they go to the garage
where it's hot and they might not like all that heat! *grin*
So, if you're curious you'll have to come to
Readers 'n 'ritas Convention
and check out the book swap. It's Saturday, October 11th and you'll also get
food, margaritas, friendly readers and a few authors to chat up. How much fun is
that? And possibly be able to give my babies a nice new appreciative home!
Sara Reyes
Fresh Fiction.com ...for today's reader
Don't miss
THE Fresh Fiction Readers
Conference on
October 11th, 2008! With Sherrilyn Kenyon and many
other favorite authors. Details at
Readers-n-ritas.org --
celebrate
passionate literary obsessions
Read on blog with photos
© 2003-2026