Things You'll Need:
- A note book & pen or internet access
- Three boxes or baskets
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Step 1
First, decide the amount of time you want to spend on decluttering your books. Even if it's 10, 15 or 20 minutes every week, you'll be surprised at the progress you'll make!
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Step 2
Next, get three boxes. Label one "Keep", another "Sell or Giveaway" and another "Reference."
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Step 3
Start going through your books. Ask yourself these questions:
Will I read you again?
Do I have room to keep you?
Could I use the money from selling you?
If you are a collectors item, am I keeping you in a place that's appropriate? (If you have an item of worth or an antique, make sure it's in a place where it can be displayed, not shoved in the back of a bookshelf)
Would someone else enjoy you more?
Remember, it's selfish to keep items that you no longer love simply to have them. You owe it to yourself, the item AND the potential person who may find a little bit of happiness in that item to let it go and allow it to make someone else as happy as it once made you!
If you find you are keeping a lot of books because they were gifts, keep in mind that the person who gave it to you wanted you to enjoy the book! If you no longer enjoy it, or don't read it, but it has a sentimental inscription on it, copy the inscription and then put that inscription in a scrapbook. That way you have the memory without the clutter! -
Step 4
When you are having a hard time getting rid of books, try this strategy:
If you really love the book, but haven't read it in quite awhile, write it down in a notebook OR place it on your wishlist at a site like Amazon. This way you have a working record of the books you are giving away but may want to read again. Then, if you find later that you REALLY want to read the book again or need to reference it, you can go to the library and see if they carry it and if not request they order it. If all else fails, you CAN reorder it.
This may seem counterproductive, but chances are that most, if not all, of the books you write down you are not going to buy again. Some people have a problem getting rid of books with the thinking "What IF I need this someday and don't have it?" Writing down the list of books you are getting rid of but are afraid you might want again provides some security and thus may give you the "courage" to get rid of the book. You'll find more often than not, you won't reorder the book. -
Step 5
If you reference the book often, such as cookbooks or how to's, place them in the "reference" box.
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Step 6
Now that all your books are sorted, start putting them away. Arrange the books in the "keep" box on your bookshelf or where you store your books. Put the "reference" books all in one place so that they are easily accessible.
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Step 7
Take the box of "sell\giveaway" books and decide whether you want to donate them or sell them. If you want to donate them, local libraries, shelters, and resale shops will be more than happy to take them. Or re-gift them to friends and family (make sure you don't give them to the person who gave them to you!). Used books are earth friendly and in vogue, so don't be ashamed!
If you decide you want to sell them, there are a few options for you!
Try selling them at a site like Amazon.com, which makes selling very easy. It only takes a few moments to set up a free seller account. Make sure you will be able to pack and ship the books in a timely manner! This site charges fees for the books that are sold, but not until they are sold and the fees are deducted from the sale of the book. If the books don't sell in one month or two months, consider giving it away.
Although you can set your own sale price, be realistic, don't set the price too high because you'll just end up keeping the book (which is counterproductive!) Try to aim for the lower prices, so that your book will sell faster and look at it this way: Even if you have to give the book away, it's better than it sitting on your shelf collecting dust!
You can also try selling them to a used book store or a Half Price Books. You will probably get less than you would on a site like Amazon, but it's less work and gets rid of them immediately. -
Step 8
Enjoy your newly decluttered bookshelf!
