Why is it so difficult to get rid of books? The logic of the situation is easy. There is simply no reason to hang on to a book that is:
- falling apart because of the acidity of the paper
- hasn’t been read for twenty years
- is a classic which can be borrowed from the library or picked up second hand for less than a pound
My rules of thumb for keeping books are similarly unambiguous:
- personal favourites that I really do reread
- multi-volume series which I reread from time to time (even if these are available from the library, it’s difficult in practice to borrow an entire series)
- books that would be difficult to replace
- books that are beautiful things
- practical books which are in active use
Part of the problem is that books, more than anything else (except, perhaps, photos), have the power to evoke memories*.
Sometimes it’s to do with the book itself: the knowledge or insight gained or the sheer pleasure of reading it (or both). Books that were gifts are a reminder of the giver and perhaps the occasion. Some seem to have the power to fix a particular memory: I can still remember buying “Brighter Than a Thousand Suns” in Birmingham whilst waiting for a connection to Leeds for an interview at the Polytechnic in my second year of 6th form.
But why is it so difficult to get rid of a yellowing copy of “The History of Henry Esmond” that I bought at least twenty years ago for 32p and am very unlikely to reread? I can only think that it has become part of my personal environment: something that has travelled with me from one house to the next – something unchanging in a changing world.
*(I appreciate that, for some people, music might perform a similar function, but I don’t really do music – I would be no good on a desert island)
There are dozens of old boxes in my folks attic filled with my books. Hundreds of them…It was too expensive to have them shipped to my current home so they are sitting up there…exposed to intense heat during the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter months. I was up there recently poking around (while home for the holidays) and contemplated having a yard sale this summer. I am on the fence about the whole thing. I think it can be a good thing to give away books that you are no longer enamoured with…but it is easier said than done. I have a professor who gives me books quite often. He likes the idea of me passing along the books to a fellow student and so on. It is a lovely idea and he seems to have no issues regarding materiel objects and the desire to hold on to things. They have a greater meaning to him. He once told me that once you read a book you will always have it with you. So he gives away all of his books. I would like to give it a try.
I am facing this quandry. One of my goals for 2012 is to sort out my books. I hang on to some, donate some to the local library that I am sure I won’t read again. I have also donated some to the the schools Xmas & summer fair to sell. I do try & sell some on Amazon.
A kindle has reduced the amount of ‘actual’ books I buy, but my shelves are still groaning. As you say, many bring back memories or evoke a certain time, mood or even person if the book was a gift.
University books are particularly hard, I have had experience of selling a book to need it again a year later!
Wish me luck!
A few years ago I had to deal with my parents’ books – mainly my dad’s (and not just the books, but that’s another story). Part of the problem was that these were books that I remembered from childhood. The funny thing was that some of the ones that I’d always thought that I would keep were the easiest to let go (and some of then had disappeared in the intervening years – what ever happend to “Binky of 3B”?).
Fortunately I found a local man who held a huge second hand books sale once a year and used the money to provide new books for schools in Africa and to provide new stock for hospital and prison libraries. I kept my memories by making an inventory and taking photographs.
I’m with you on this I need to get clearing some stuff out. Your approach to what to keep makes perfect sense, but I too understand the quandary of keeping books that should really be on the ‘to go’ pile. I thought I would just pass on a wee thing I do. Once I have read a book that I liked but probably couldn’t hang on toI write a little note in it and leave it in a public place for someone to find. That way it’s being passed on. Just a thought – good luck with the clearing out.
There’s a thing called bookcrossing http://www.bookcrossing.com/ where you leave a book for someone to find, but give it a label. The idea is that you can follow the book and read other people’s comments about it online.
I just googled looking for Binky of 3B and found this link but no mention of Binky. I loved that book as a child and have been searching for a copy. Can you or any of your readers help me find one?
Funnily enough, my mother had a copy of Binky of 3B for donkey’s years (and had obviously had it since she was a schoolgirl), but unfortunately seems yo have thrown it out in that thougtless way that parents do. The same thing happened to a copy of Robin Hood that I was hoping to inherit.
Have you found Binky of 3B? I have a copy that I am about to put in our Giant In House Book Sale….you can find me here: http://www.czechdollshouses.blogspot.com – there is an email link. Or as Cestina on the Chalet School Bulletin Board
Thanks, I’m definitely interested in binky. Let me know the price!
It’s delightful isn’t it? I’ve just reread it. Am about to check prices on such books but I don’t think it will be very much. I’ll be in touch 🙂
Thanks! I’m looking forward to rereading it – it has been at least 45 years!
Hi again – just been pricing Binkie and since it is a nice copy with a good dustcover I think I have to ask £5 plus whatever the postage is. It’s undated but I would guess it’s a late 1940s reprint.
However I think you should know that I also found this copy currently on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Binkie-of-IIIB-Smith-Evelyn-/380474651667?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item58960e7413#ht_2615wt_902 though of course I have no idea what condition it is in. But if you only want a reading copy I would go for that one!
Let me know and if you choose the ebay one I will just pop mine in the Giant Book Sale 🙂
I’ll take your Binky. In Us$ that’s about $8 or 9, right? Do you take credit cards or how do I pay you? Please reply direct to my gmail account as its easier to use on my mobile. Thanks!
Hi Kathleen I have emailed you as suggested by Helen Ward, using the address she used, but so far no reply from you. I have just forwarded it again but am not sure she got the address right. Please reply to me on gilbomber@gmail.com (or the virgin address, it doesn’t matter)
Thanks
Gil
Hi Kathleen, happy to reply to gmail but I don’t have your address. Email it to me on gilbomber@gmail.com? All best wishes
Oops should have posted the reply above below this post I think. Hope you see it Kathleen…..