For as long as I could remember I’ve always dreamed of having Belle’s library in the Beauty and the Beast.
Or at least some beautiful room full of bookshelves or at the very least some customized built-in bookshelves that line the walls. I’ve scoffed when Will (or anyone outside of this community) says I’m hoarding books and have delighted in continuing in building my collection. I’ve oogled bookshelves and libraries on Pinterest and elsewhere:
(credit for all these here, here, here and here)
But in the last couple of years? There’s this whole other bookworm that has emerged within me and my dreams of owning a whole library of books has become a little bit hazy. Maybe it had to do with how I changed as a reader because of being unemployed. And maybe it’s partly because I’ve started embracing a little more minimalism lately (not like super minimalist..just paring down on what I buy all around and not having a desire to own a lot of things). I don’t know.
All I know is that the two bookworms within me want different things. On one hand I want a beautiful library of my own but on the other hand I don’t have a desire to own a lot of books anymore. I’ve become very picky about my process for what books stay on my shelves after I read them and I’ve seemed to become a much more calculated book buyer. I don’t know what’s happened to me.
I want a beautiful library but I don’t want to own a lot of books. That’s quite the pickle, yeah? I’ve always DREAMED of that beautiful library or book collection but how can you have that if you don’t actually want to own a lot of books.
I still own a lot of books right now but I’m slowly getting rid of stuff that doesn’t seem important. There’s so many books that have been sitting on my shelf for YEARS and I just don’t know that I’ll ever get to them. It seems sad for me to have all these books I’ll never read in my possession when someone else might love it. But it also makes me sad to not have bookshelves bursting full of books. I MEAN IT LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL.
It’s also a very confusing place to be in especially in this community. A bookworm who doesn’t want to own a lot of books? WHO AM I? I don’t even know.
And so the war in my bookworm heart rolls on — to have that beautiful library of books or keep a smaller collection of more meaningful books that falls more in line with my desire to not own as many things?
What about you? Are you a bookworm who wants or has a big home library? OMG PLS TELL ME ABOUT YOURS OR LINK ME IF YOU HAVE PICTURES BECAUSE #SHELFP*RN. Are you more minimalist in your book owning habits? Or are you super confused of what you want like me???
nevillegirl @ Musings From Neville's Navel says
SAME, THO. SAME. I want alll the books (and I already own a lot) and I’ve always dreamed of living in a house that has at least one wall of one room lined with bookshelves and one of those sliding ladders thingies along that wall to help me reach the books at the top (I’m super short!) and and and basically I tell people I want to live in a miniature library and that Belle from Beauty and the Beast is #wifegoals.
BUT. Now that I’m in college and thinking more about jobs and stuff, I doubt that I will be able to afford that many books, or an apartment (let alone a house!) with enough room for my library goals! 🙁 Oh, well. I suppose I’ll just continue to make a lot of trips to the library like I currently do? And be content with the books/bookish set-up that I have right now.
Maryam Dinzly says
OOOOH, I finally realize that I actually can relate to this! My mom HATES books, and also hates it when I read, so of course it’s no surprise that I cannot buy book. (But like that ever stopped me, psht.) BUT I had to moan and cry and groan a million times, until my best friend, who couldn’t stand to see me cry anymore, offered to keep my books at her house! And she’s not a reader, so empty bookshelf, HURRRRAY! But then, I realized that it’s not my house, technically, and it’s still a little bit unfair to hoard her house with TONS of books, so right now, I’m being SUPER picky with the books I keep. I only keep books that I KNOW that I will reread forever. But those books that I love, but don’t think I’ll ever read again? I’ll just donate them to the library. And that includes books I hated as well, cos no point in keeping them!
Also, I TRY to not buy books. Instead, I borrow them from the library, and if they’re REALLY good, I’ll keep track of them. Maybe next time when I’m married, WHICH MIGHT BE PRETTY SOOOON, I’ll buy all those books that I wanted hehe.
So yeah, I understand what you mean! Anw, sorry for rambling!
Heather H says
I can totally relate to this because I have fallen in love with e-books and the library. If I read a book and know that I will read it again, I will likely buy it for a bookshelf, but I like the minimalism idea too and e-books really make that easier for me to embrace 🙂 Sucks for instagram pictures though!!
Emilie says
I relate so much with what you are saying! I work in the publishing world and I am surrounded by books all day long. And when I moved to a much smaller place with my boyfriend, I started to embrace minimalism. I got rid of a lot of books. Of course, in my dreams I still want the big bookshelves Pinterest-style, but I also want to have space and not feel overwhelmed by books. Also, when you stop buying books every chance you get, you save a lot of money! A Kobo reader helped me a lot with this minimalist thing I’ve tried to embrace for the last year. I would rather have a small amount of books that I adore, than a room full on books I haven’t read yet!
Stephanie says
I was lucky enough that my husband built me shelves when we bought our house, many years ago now. Periodically, I go through them and weed out the ones that I know I will never read-making room for the new. This can be both an exciting task and sad. I am also a k-12 librarian and bring home a disgusting stack to read for recommendations to the students and also have a first name basis with the public librarians in my town. My husband marvels that I am the only person that can go to return a book and come home with 5 more. I have tried to explain to him that I am NOT the only one. He just shakes his head. So when I think about it, I do have an amazing library of books. I just don’t personally own them all. It’s better for my marriage. 🙂
ashley says
I feel this a lot. I used to want that library (and I still do, let’s be real). That being said, I’ve gotten really good at purging. I’m not going to read this book, or I didn’t like that book. Give it to someone who will enjoy it! I’m okay with that. But of course that took 27 years to be there. And I’m constantly purging now. I’m almost addicted to going through my bookshelves now to make them more “me”
Leandra Wallace says
I’ve been thinking of weeding out my books. I have three bookcases, and a huge pile in the corner. When I rediscovered YA years ago, I just bought. Mindlessly! If it looked half-way decent & had a pretty cover, I was in. And yeah, now I have books that have sat there for years that I prolly won’t crack the cover on, b/c my YA tastes have become a bit more defined (ie picky!). And if we ever have another kid, alot of books will have to go, b/c my ‘library’ is in our third bedroom. Anyhoo, here’s some pics of my office/library(hope the link works!)
http://leandrajwallace.blogspot.com/2014/02/office-reveal.html
jaime says
I totally get this. Though I’m definitely one of those that has bookshelves bursting at the seams. Lately I’ve found myself being much more honest about whether or not I’m actually going to read a book and have therefore culled quite a few from my shelves. I actually have empty space these days!! Though that’s with 7 bookshelves in my room and two floor to ceiling shelves in our living room. that sounds ridiculous when I type it out LOL.
Anyway, know you’re not alone, I think it’s perfect to keep only the books you know you love and might possibly want to read again or hand down to family etc.
Happy Wednesday!
Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says
I’ve been having the same thoughts lately! You know I’m a collector and I’ve been STACKING my library but honestly… I do have limited space. I’m starting to really only buy and/or keep the books I’ve truly LOVED loved because I just don’t have the space to keep the books I just “liked”. My collections are growing which is so awesome but also I’m like, well in ten years from now, will I really NEED all those different editions? I start to wonder if I’m going to tire of having so many books because let’s be honest — I’m going to need room for all of the OTHER amazing books that will come out in the subsequent years! I already feel my buying habits shifting to not own every single book I read and to purchase favorites and I think access to ARCs has changed that — I still buy books I love, absolutely, but I have the opportunity to read a book before it’s released and I may end up not liking it and then I don’t end up buying it. It’s sort of made me reassess buying ALL of the books versus some!
Maren @ The Worn Bookmark says
I have actually been feeling pretty similarly to this lately. I also dreamed of having Belle’s library and for the past few years have really wanted just an entire wall devoted to bookshelves. My bookshelves are currently scattered all around my house. I used to go to the book stores or book sales and come home with so many books. But lately when I’ve looked around shopping online or in the store, nothing has been sparking my fancy. I have a bunch of books that I haven’t even read yet that I’ve owned for years that I have seriously debated just letting go. My shelves are bursting and I’ve often thought about clearing out books I know I’ll probably never read and in the newly cleared space displaying some of my favorites.
Cialina says
My dreams of having a huge home library is reserved for sometime in the way future. Especially because I live in a NYC apartment right now and there’s no space AND the majority of my books are stuck in my parents’ garage. I’m actually trying to reduce the amount of books I have in my apartment… whittling it down to the “necessary” books that I read and loved… I also struggle with giving away books that I haven’t read yet, but you’re right… When will I have the time to read these anyway?
Jade @ Reading With Jade says
I totally get how you feel, Jamie.
I used to look at the collections of many bloggers and youtubers and be in awe of their collections, and personal library space, and dream of that myself. But that’s the thing for me, it is just a dream. Because I know I don’t actually want to own that many books – I would feel so overwhelmed. Haha!
Yes, I do still want my own little library, but I don’t need a whole room for it. I just want a curated collection of books that I love, enjoy, and most importantly, read! And I don’t mean read once and then leave languishing on my shelf – I only keep books that I know I will return to and reread in the future. When I first realised that this is where I want to go with my book collection, I thought about putting a number limit on the amount of books I keep… But I just think that’s too hard, so I restrict myself to the one bookshelf and I hope to never exceed that.
Perhaps you are looking to own even less physical books than that, well e-books are to be your best friend. Haha!
starryeyedjen says
I waver daily on the personal library dilemma. I would LOVE to add more shelves in my reading nook, have a rolling ladder to access the top shelves, and have the perfect window seat to read all the books. I’ve been culling books more and more lately, and especially after moving last month because it seems less important to keep ALL the books and more important to simply keep the ones that really meant something to me. On the other hand, I have a seven-year-old who’s already an avid reader, and I don’t want to deprive her of reading those books just because I no longer have room for them.
So, basically, I’ve decided to collect the books that matter to me; put aside some that I loved but that I maybe don’t need to own forever, just in case Katie’s interested in them later; and then I’m making a list of others that I think she might want to read but that I’d prefer to give away in the meantime. As you said, someone else deserves to get some enjoyment out of them, if not me. And there’s always the library, if Katie does decide she wants to read any of them. So, instead of hanging on to every book the publishers send me now, I’m reading them and then passing them on. There are obviously exceptions, but it’s already helped me de-clutter my shelves a bit.
Good luck with your own personal library dilemma!
Heather says
I can very much relate to this. For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted a massive library, much like the ones pictured in your post, but in more recent years I’ve become a different reader. I’ve moved a lot and every time I move there are A LOT of boxes of books, which is kind of a pain. I’ve also started reading a lot on my Kindle (something I vowed would never happen) and have also changed my idea of what kind of home I want. The idea of living a more minimal lifestyle is very appealing for so many reasons, so… the struggle is very real.
Michelle says
When I had limited book space and no hope of getting another bookshelf, I tried to keep my books to a minimum. It would mean frequently culling and reevaluations of what books I wanted to keep/read. However, sitting in my office right now are the skeletons of built-in shelves that will take up one entire wall. Suddenly, I no longer feel the desire to be more selective on the books I keep or the books I bring into the house. I think it is because of the fact that I will finally have more room for books than I ever dreamed possible.
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
I am a bookworm who owns very few books. I use the library or buy Kindle versions when I do buy books. I just don’t have the space, and I can’t stand when things look cluttered. I doesn’t mean you love the stories any less, you just don’t need the physical books anymore. The story is the important part. 🙂
Lauren @ Bookmark Lit says
I think if I ever had a house with enough space for a room full of books, I would love to have that. I definitely have some major library goals, but like the idea of keeping some favorites separate from the rest. I’ve slowed down my book buying a LOT in the last year or so. I only buy books I already know I love. I’m hoping eventually I’ll have a big library full of books I genuinely enjoyed, and get rid of the so-so ones!
Kayla says
Part of me wishes I was more selective about the books that I purchase physical copies of. I’m definitely an impulse book buyer in the sense that I know what books I want to read, and if I see one then I’ll buy it. I’ll give myself some credit – I rarely go into a bookstore or online and buy books at random (at least I don’t do this anymore, I used to). I now have teetering stacks of books piled on an old desk in my apartment, and I’m getting nervous that if I continue on this path that (1) my desk will collapse and all the books will fall over and (2) that I’ll never read them all! However, every time I say that I’m going to go through the books and take some to used book stores to sell, I can’t bring myself to do it. I can part with everything else in my life, but books are the one thing I can’t seem to let go of. Next steps for me: buy a house with a big room that I can transform into my library!
Brandie says
My OCD tends to get the best of me, and I ‘think’ I want a large book library, but I get the urge to clean and purge things several times a year. And with those urges, I get rid of/donate books I haven’t read and know I’ll never read. My bookshelves have turned into a tribute to my favorite authors and favorite books, instead of being full of books I haven’t read yet. Don’t get me wrong, I still have 2 shelves of books that I haven’t read, but that’s pairing it down a LOT from what I used to own. I have really converted to eBooks, so when I LOVE a book really hard core, I purchase it in paperback for my shelves so I can have it on display and because they’re so pretty. Now most of my hard copy books are just that – my favorites that I want to display and that’s about it. I have a wall of built in bookshelves in our bedroom, so I have to have some books. 😉
I love the idea of minimalism. I think I’ve kinda been living like that my whole life and just didn’t know it. I tend to throw things out if I haven’t used them after a year. Sometimes less. And I’m really picky about what I buy nowadays. It’s a good way to be!
Elizabeth says
The older I get, the less I want physical stuff of any sort (including books). I have come to several realizations about myself as a reader in the last couple years that have really impacted my acquisition of books– I rarely reread books and I actually prefer reading ebooks to physical books. I try to do as much reading as I can from the library and I try to limit myself to only purchasing books in a digital format (that way I not only get to read in the format I prefer, but I don’t have to worry about book clutter). I allow myself one exception per year, and that’s the library book sale. Now… I may never actually NEED a library, but that doesn’t mean that in my fantasy dream house I wouldn’t have one. Because who doesn’t want a cozy, quiet room devoted to books and reading?
Trina (Between Chapters) says
Ever since getting more involved in the book community, I’ve found many book nerds who also don’t want to own many books. For me, it’s a space and budget restriction. I just have no where to put more books, and I’d rather spend my money on things like clothes if I can get a book from the library. Most of my book purchases are things I’ve already read. But there are so many out there who are the same way! You are not alone!
naina says
I am the same like I would love a whole room devoted to books like my own personal library but at the same time I don’t want to just keep buying books, mainly because I am broke and I don’t have that much space. I feel like I don’t want too many books either like I am very picky as to what books I buy and what I borrow from the library. I only buy books I know I can’t get at the library and those I know I would re read and series which I love.
Angie F. says
Book minimalist here! I did a post a few months ago about how I have to donate books when I’m done reading them (unless they’re signed or Twilight). I looooooove looking at beautiful personal libraries, but the very idea of having one for myself doesn’t sit right. There’s really no point to it for me except to look pretty, but I don’t sit around staring at my shelves, and I’m not the type to have photoshoots with my books so that everyone else can sit around and stare at them. I’d much rather just have my small collection of signed books and absolute favorites that I know for sure I’ll reread (or have).
Laura @ Scribbles & Wanderlust says
I think a lot of the warring differences (and your book-buying habits, which are also influenced by income) between your two inner bookworms have to do with available space. When I lived in 190 sq ft apartment down the road from you in Philly (AND WE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT), there was *literally* no room. The dream to have Belle’s library stopped immediately. Minimalism won. But when I moved back to IN where it was more spacious AND more affordable, book buying increased. I had the space for it.
Maybe you have a lot of this going on in your life too? Income is a HUGE factor when in comes to book influx. You have to become pickier by necessity, because books are getting more expensive and one YA hardcover costs half your groceries for the week (or full groceries if it’s an Adult hardcover). But I also think, knowing you and having a basic idea of the space you live in, it may be a square-footage factor. And having books piling on top of one another in a corner not only looks sloppy, but it can create a chaotic mind as well (ESPECIALLY if you’re embracing the minimalist attitude in other parts of your life).
I’m definitely with you on the buy-or-not back and forth, though. I recently had a post warring about book buying habits. My biggest issue, which still hasn’t really been answered, is: if I have the printed galley or a book I *adored* do I buy the finished copy? If so, do I break bank and get the hardcover, or wait for the paperback? With digital ARCs this isn’t an issue, because if I loved it I’ll buy it, no question. But one is currently taking up physical space. So do I replace it? Or not? (WHAT DO YOU DO?)
Katie says
I still 100% intend to have a couple of giant bookshelves filled with books, but I have become slightly more selective in which books I buy. I work at a Barnes and Noble right now, so I’m allowed to check hardcover books out of the store rather than buying them, so now when there is a book I want to read but I’m not sure about I check it out instead of buying it.
Granted I still buy ALOT of books. I just ordered another 5 this month and I haven’t even finished reading the ones I bought at the end of last month, but these are books that I’m super excited about and feel pretty confident I am going to love.
Katsyxo.com <3
Bryan says
I totally understand. For years I was surounded by shelves full of books. Then I moved to a smaller house so instead of shelves of books I have boxes of books. Libraries and bookstores are some of the most relaxing places on earth.
Megan @ Semi-Charmed Kind of Life says
You can DEFINITELY be a bookworm without owning a ton of books!! I only have one small bookshelf (three shelves total) of books, and those are my absolute favorites or writing books. Otherwise, I use the library ALL THE WAY. I rarely reread books – there are too many other books out there to experience! – but if it’s a book I LOVE, I’ll keep it and loan it out to friends. The only time I wish I owned more books is when I want to join the #bookstagram community (because I’m pretty much limited to whatever I have checked out from the library at any given time), but minimalism and feeling free of material things is more important to me. 🙂 But I appreciate some good shelfporn just as much as the next bookworm! You can get your fix by visiting social media and local bookstores/libraries. 🙂
Wendy @ Book Scents says
Firstly… I love that Belle gif! I have wanted that Belle library for as long as I can remember. So I agree, I WANT a library like that with shelves and shelves and lots of books! But I understand what you mean about being minimalistic. I think what I want is a beautiful library — but full of books I LOVE. I’ve gotten a lot better about buying books lately , especially this past year, of buying finished copies of books I loved or only buying sequels I’ve been waiting for or ones I am pretty sure I’ll love. I’ve been using my library a LOT more for everything else. I’ve bought so much less this year and I really like that the books I got are ones I love and will want to reread. So basically I hope to have lots of books and make a library full of LOVED books. 🙂
Critica says
I understand the conflict. I mean, the pictures of those gorgeous libraries are #goals, but… I’m a university student majoring in education. I’m broke. I’ve been limiting which books I buy and only purchase the ones I think have the highest chance of me loving. (So far I’m not doing the best job at that though.) I sell used books that I don’t feel the need to own anymore, and I plan on going to the library WAY more often. I’ve been getting paperback more often if the book is smaller (because let’s face it, if you’re going to get a 1000-page book, that paperback’s spine is going to be nasty). I think it’s all pretty reasonable though. At the end of the day it’s not about the library, it’s about the experiences we have with fictional characters.
Zeee @ I Heart Romance & YA says
Like you, I have always dreamed of having Belle’s library and promised to myself that I WOULD HAVE ONE! I promised that I would have a library when I had my own house…and we recently bought one (when I mean recently, I meant January of this year… LOL) and had an extra room that might be perfect for a library. Now the dilemma. Since we are planning on starting a family, should I even use that room and convert it to a mini library or not do anything because baby, right?
On the other hand, Like you, I have been very picky about what physical books I want to buy. I have mostly turned digital and only have books that I really, really want to keep physically be on my shelf.
My goal would prbably be to slowly buy the books that I love in hardbound and display those on my keeper shelfves. Now, on books that aren’t available in hardbound format, I may have to really pare it down to my favorites that I will re-read. And Now that I thunk about it, Those hardbacks should be books that I would reread as well.
Shannon says
I’m a bookworm who only buys books I absolutely love.
I read books voraciously from the library, but only buy books after I’ve read them and know that I love them. Then, I add them to my bookshelves, as if they were beautiful pieces of art for my walls. Which means that one day I may have a library in my home, but it will take a long time to curate a large collection of love. I’m pretty sure it’ll be worth the wait.
Lily B says
wow those are absolutely beautiful. I wish I had a built in bookcase. Sometimes I tease that I will cause an accidental hole in the wall and my husband will have to remake it into a bookcase for me ha!
I have small house, which is unrealistic for the amount of books I have and want, right now I am running out of space and books all over the place, drives my husband nuts. I started slowly giving some away, its hard to part, but I don’t normally re-read and I know the people I give them too will appreciate them. I also am a big fan of a digital library now, cause I can have more books on my kindle than anywhere else. It ain’t fancy, but it does the job.
Mandy says
So, I actually have a “library” in my house. It’s not as big as Belle’s, but I love it. (Pictures here: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mandustries/library/Texas/The%20Murtis%203/Library?sort=3&page=1) But I, too, struggle with the “too many books?” conundrum. I’m trying to keep my YA shelves from encroaching or taking over the rest of them, but it’s hard. I’ve only recently done a massive cull, but they seem to grow much faster than I can make myself give books away, haha!
It’s a constant struggle, made worse by our being book bloggers, I think.
Deyse says
Right now I’m struggling with that too, this year I moved and my books were a mess, until finally on november I re-arranged my things and organized my books and oh my god, I’m out of space on my shelves! I definitely don’t have space to put another bookshelf but when I go to the bookstore/am browsing on the internet I feel that urge to just purchase because I obvs want to read that book, even thought my rational mind knows that own already like half a bookshelf of books unread so pretty obvs that I don’t actually NEED that new book. Ugh, it’s a hard struggle.
Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads says
OMIGOSH THIS IS SOOOOOO ME!!!!!! I wrestle with this as well. At first, I picked up way more books than I read, and then went nuts with the library borrowing, all the while still BUYING books, but not READING them. Silly, I know. But I loved the idea of having a library of books, floor to ceiling with that wheeled ladder (and you know I’d slide and sing!) and shelves just filled with stories to explore. But then I, too, started to embrace more minimalism (which is necessary when one lives in a two-bedroom condo with a toddler (who has a ton of stuff) and a husband (who has more chess books than one person can read in a lifetime. In the last year, these two sides have drawn closer and are more in sync as I’ve learned that I do want a beautiful library, even if it takes over our small space, but I want that library to be filled with books that I love. I’ve brought bags of books back to the used bookstore, mostly books that I read and they were okay or just good. My shelves are slowly shrinking to just loved books, or books that I haven’t read yet. And it feels amazing and liberating. My next struggle is parting with books that I bought but don’t think I’ll ever read. I know my tastes have changed a lot, but I have a hard time giving away something I paid money for, without even trying to read it first 🙂
lulufrances says
ohhhh i totally see where you are coming from!!
i am quite an organized person who dislikes clutter and “stuff”, but i make exceptions for books (because: HOME LIBRARY. yes please) and clothing (seeing as i am becoming a fashion-photographer and currently style my own shoots, it’s helpful to own a collection of clothes)
so that’s how i deal with it. minimlaize things in general, but with aforementioned exceptions 🙂
Avanti Ciera says
I’m a book work who used to have a personal library when I was younger. I turned my whole walk in closet into a library because I owned so many books! But it was such a pain once my family moved to a new house. Ever since them I’ve scaled back on what I own. Now I just have one bookshelf full of books.
I’ve started being conscious of what I buy and have started using my library a lot more. Plus once i read books I tend to give them away or donate them to mt library since I never reread books. Why take up the space with old books when I could use it for new books? Besides I can only read so fast, it would already take me 2 years to finish all the physical books I own (let’s not talk about ebooks), I can only imagine how long it would take me to get through an entire room full of books!
Jackie says
I think I feel conflicted like you. There has always been a part of me that has dreamed for a personal library. One with shelves built right into the wall, cozy recliners and throw blankets, a fireplace, and a big window to relish in the sunshine or grey rainy days. But, old habits are hard to break. A life of moving around forced me to perpetually cull my book collection. I donate books often, and the only ones I hold on to are my absolute favorites or books that I have yet to read. All of the books I own reside in three boxes. And not the massive boxes either. Oh yea, and I don’t currently have bookshelves. Eh, my apartment is kind of small. I have no idea where I would put the shelves. Oh well…less to dust, right?
Chrissa Reed says
Hi Jamie,
I can totally relate to this bookworm dilemma! I’ve long dreamed about having the big amazing library but I’ve gotten to the stage where I only like to keep books that I’ve absolutely loved. If I know I’m never going to pick it up again, I just don’t see the point in keeping them. So that might mean that I’ll have to wait until I’m 90 to have a big enough library, but oh well. So be it 🙂
Holly J says
This post is me. So me. I really noticed this as I was reorganizing my bookshelf recently. I have stacks in my room, and I just have nowhere for them to go, and all I want is for them to be GONE. I just don’t have the space. It’d be nice to keep all the books I really enjoyed/loved, but with how small my bedroom is and the fact that I only have legit one bookshelf, it’s making me realize that I may need to do a lot more culling. And I WANT to. Of course I still want that gorgeous library full of books (seriously, though, I want a library when I get a house of my own), but at the moment, it’s not at the forefront of my mind. Because the culling really needs to happen first, and that sucks, but you know, I don’t NEED to keep all of these books. Especially if I know I’m not going to reread them or even think about them again. And, I don’t know, I kinda like the idea of less books because then the ones I’m keeping are the ones that are special and too important to let go of, you know? I don’t know, but I have these two bookworm sides warring within me too, and it’s difficult to balance.
Really great post, Jamie!!
Katie @ Doing Dewey says
I’ve recently become very minimalist in the books I keep. I basically don’t re-read books, so I’ve come to terms with the fact that liking something enough that I would, in theory, re-read it isn’t enough of an excuse to keep a book. Instead, I think of my books as being conversation starters, something I display so visiting friends can check out what I’ve been reading lately. I only keep books I might list if someone asked me for my favorite book at any given time, so I have a core set of books I love that stay on my shelf always and some recent reads I enjoy that I’ll eventually willing to give away after more time has passed since I read them. I used to want to own all the books, but I’m definitely all about the minimalist approach now 🙂