One of the most difficult things for an avid writer and reader (who also happens to be a simplicity nut) is facing a wall of books and KNOWING that some of those tombs just HAVE to go.
I’ve managed to make the first pass. But, it’s going to take a few more before the bookshelf I have downstairs can be given away. It’s a monstrosity. I’ve decided to limit my collection to what can be easily held in a couple of smallish, low shelves at the top of the steps.
It doesn’t mean I’m going to quit having books, I’ll still keep my reference books, my writing books, my classics. I’ll still collect a few of my favorites in leather-bound versions. But the “fluff” and the one-time reads will be given to family or friends or will disappear to the local goodwill when I finish them. The books that I have from former interests are going to go “bye-bye” as well.
I have decided that ebooks are off-limits from my discard urge (which means that I’ve spent more time downloading ebooks lately thank I have tossing physical ones.) And having the iPad means I can carry more books with me than that huge wall of shelves can hold in physical versions. 
If you have a way to whittle down the footprint of your book collection, I’d love to hear about it in the comments section because I still have several difficult passes to make before my bookshelf is finished.
Related Reading:
I’ve definitely been struggling with this. Here’s what I’ve done:
First, I read the news. People are losing their houses and all of their possessions all over the world–and in the U.S. I just happen to be lucky enough to live in the northwest right now. First, I decided that I didn’t need any of my books in order to be happy.
Then I chose a few books that I read over and over again, usually as bedtime stories to myself. I got rid of all the books I’d been keeping since college that I never read, the classics that I’ll be able to find in any library, and the books that friends have given me that I never got around to reading. I chose my comfy books, like the Mary Russell series, a few important references, such as my Better World Shopping Guide and the Teenage Liberation Handbook, and books that inspire my creativity, such as Dangerous Angels and a few drawing books.
My goal is that every single book I own will either be an incredibly cozy escape, inspire the heck out of me, or I will use it constantly as a resource. And yes, it’s hard getting rid of books when I was raised to accumulate as many as possible. Good luck!
I’m really working on this, but the glorious (and unexpected) result is that I’m reading voraciously for the first time in years to “let go” of the books I’ve been “meaning” to read. Serendipity!
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