Comments on: Minimalist Library

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:28:28 +0000

I just came upon the NYT article on “But will it make you happy”. Have to say it came at the perfect time! I’ve been trying to downsize my library and it’s been so hard. I love my books and like you said, although i know that there is no a small chance i will read any of them again, i’m so attached to the idea of having them exposed for the world to see. I’m already a minimalist when it comes to other things (clothing, furniture, personal possessions) but for some reason, i can’t let go of my book. I’ve made a decision and starting today, i’ll either donate, exchange or sell (if i’m lucky) 10 of my books per week (was gonna write day but that will be too hard:)).
Anyways, love your website and will start reading it daily to hear more about your simply living lifestyle.
Thanks!
Paula

By: Ross Hill

Ross Hill — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:41:30 +0000

I stumbled across bookmooch.com recently and it seems like a really awesome idea – I think it can be an easy way to downsize the connection and let your books find new readers. Then if you want to read it again, you can always request it through the site again.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:51:29 +0000

@Gypsy – thanks for reading through the achieves! I appreciate it.

By: Gypsy

Gypsy — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:53:13 +0000

I am loving reading through your old posts … so inspiring. I have seriously downsized my ‘library’, from a very large 12xcube bookshelf that took an entire wall, to now only what fits in the bottom of my bedside cabinet – about 20 books. I use the public library extensively so I certainly don’t miss out. And now, I have put the large bookshelf on TradeMe (the NZ version of Craigslist) … liberating!

By: The Everyday Minimalist

The Everyday Minimalist — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:45:43 +0000

My personal library is now e-books!

I cannot believe I was dumb enough to wait all this time, thinking I needed an e-reader to read e-books.

Now, I just get the books for free from The Gutenberg Project, open up Stanza on my other laptop (A Mac), and I spend HOURS reading classics I swore I’d get around to, but never did.

I am still going to get an e-reader later, but once the price drops. It’s kind of hard to keep holding up a laptop to read a book, but it’s still better than having a thick book with no lighted background to help the words show up in dim light

By: Tammy

Tammy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:40:13 +0000

Hey Emily – Thanks for reading the article and congratulations on baby number 2!

We do our best to support writers. That’s why I still buy some of my books and then donate them back to the library. At times we haven’t been able to afford a new book because of financial constraints. That’s part of the reason I’m such a huge fan of the library and sharing.

I’m sure the library will take really good care of the books if you go that route. It’s always hard giving away items that have been in a family.

With that in mind, do you think anyone else in your family would want your great grandparent’s books? Giving them to another family member might make parting with the books a little easier. Also, you might consider keeping the books that you treasure the most and writing down a family history about the library.

Thanks for letting me know about paperbackswap.com. I’ll check the site out. It sounds like an amazing resource.

Hugs to you and keep me posted on your progress.

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:23:27 +0000

Thanks for this! My hubby sent it to me with a note that he was going to use these questions as we continue to try to pare down our library. With baby number two on the way, the room that currently houses our books will be his/her nursery. And we have very little extra space to move our books into.

At this point, I think I have the hardest time with getting rid of the books that belonged to my great grandmother and great grandfather. My great grandmother didn’t give them to me directly; I got them when it was my turn to look through her belongings for items I might want. I felt like their books should not be wasted and snatched up a bunch of them. I guess I should just remember that someone else might be able to use them more than I ever will.

Also, we really like getting/passing along books through paperbackswap.com. If we can’t get something at the library (or the wait is ridiculously long), we get it on that site and then pass it along again when we’re done. Although we’d love to be able to purchase books to help further support the writers, it’s just not financially feasible for us right now.

By: Hayden Tompkins

Hayden Tompkins — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:05:44 +0000

I also keep in mind the “legacy” factor.

What books specifically do I want my kids to fall in love with? So it doesn’t mean every book on the list of “Top 100 Books Ever” but the ones that I have a deep emotional connection with. So instead of all of the Chronicles of Narnia, I’ll keep “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe”.

I know it’s rough when it comes to books but I think having a very clear purpose as to which books you decide to keep helps.

By: Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell

Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:19:23 +0000

I love this idea, Tammy. As a writer/author, whose livelihood depends on people buying what professional writers are penning, as well as someone who lives in very tiny digs, buying new and then donating to the library serves both the writers and the need to keep our inventory to a minimum.
Public libraries do usually have woefully inadequate budgets and donations helps them a great deal.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:58:25 +0000

Facing the prospect of a move myself, I took a hard look at my books to determine which I’d keep vs. give away. I’d rather give them new homes than move them! God I hate moving. I had some friends sort through them today and they took a bunch off my hands. It was strangely liberating. I love books, but I love reading more. I’m looking forward to a life less encumbered with stuff.