I grew up in a house that quite resembled this poster (hi Mom!) in the best way possible.  Never without reading material, I grew into a voracious reader which later led this second-grade teacher to become a school librarian.  I literally had books to the ceiling when I opened my first school library!

My house, however, is a different story.  You would seriously think I was barely literate from the books you’d find on my shelves.  The consist of a few old thrift store titles I bought simply because of the covers (what, they were pretty and matched my color scheme!) and a handful of favorites I refuse to part with.  Truth be told, I’m okay with that.

Recently I read the book Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman (really enjoyed it, too, so if you are a book lover like me I’d recommend it) in which she describes the week-long project of merging personal libraries with her husband (also a writer).  The thought of that both thrills and terrifies me, depending on which side of my personality I’m showing that week.  On the one hand, BOOKS!  Yay!  On the other, good gravy that’s a lot of stuff.  Which takes up space.  Which means– dare I say it?– clutter.

Here’s my book strategy.  Take it or leave it, it works well for me.  There are many other ideas out there, especially if you want to arrange your collection (read Ex Libris for that!)  Please note this is the way I handle my books for adults– novels and such.  I have a hidden addiction, one that only a few close friends know about.  Childrens’ books.  And that one, my friends, will be explained in a whole other post.

Rule #1: If I don’t love it, need it, or will reread it– then it goes.
I’m brutal with this.  Books that have been read– and aren’t on my top 10 list– get donated.  If it’s a book I loved (like The Red Tent), will reread (examples include Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil or anything by Anne Lamont) or a reference book (such as travel guides which we keep to reminisce about places we’ve been or to refer to in order to remember details such as where we stayed or ate) then I will keep it.  If it’s not?  Then it goes.

Rule #2: Have a used book spot.
I keep a pile in my basement of books I don’t intend to keep.  When it gets big enough, I either drop it off at a thrift store or take it to the used book store for credit.  If I think a friend will like it I’ll make sure she gets it.  Collecting them into one place allows me to deal with them all at once instead of piecemeal.  Saves so much time!

Rule #3: Use the library.
Okay, I realize I’m bias.  But libraries are amazing resources.  They’ve cut down my book costs by almost 100% (save for the newest thriller that would take months to finally get or books like Ex Libris which I read the library’s copy but decided to get one for myself).  I’m fairly alarmed at the lack of funding for libraries due to the budget shortfall considering the treasures they are, and the society they shape.  Again, another topic for another day.  But please, go support your local library and eliminate clutter at the same time!

Rule #4: Buy used books.
Again, I buy tons of used books at library book sales and thrift stores.  They cost just a few cents and I never feel guilty turning right around and donating them back once I read them.  The need to hang on to those books is next to nil because I don’t feel like it was a huge investment to begin with.  Win-win!

As for any treasures you own, if you want to preserve it be sure to take precautionary measures.  You can craft your own book holder out of acid free, lignin free cardboard and store it in a safe place.  I made this little guy in a preservation class I took recently, and it’s waiting for a special book to make it complete (hmmm, mom, any time you want to pass down your copy of poetry signed by Robert Frost I wouldn’t argue with you).

Ah.  That feels good.  Now, wait ’til you see my collection of childrens’ books.  You will want to call me a hypocrite.  Please be gentle– addicts like me can’t help it.

{insert sagging shelf photo here!}

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