I Had 467 Books... I Waved Goodbye to Half of Them
How to get rid of your literary clutter
My bookshelf had become my everything shelf–my jewelry box, my in-out folder for papers I didn’t know if, or when, I’d ever need, and a candle/hand lotion/knickknack repository.
Every time I searched for a book, which was often, I’d have to pull everything down from the shelves because inevitably the one I was looking for was in the back of the last place I searched. Even so, I had no intention of organizing my bookshelf. That wouldn’t bring me joy. I didn’t have the time.
What would that even look like?
I heard friends wax on rhapsodically about alphabetizing their bookshelves, color-coding them a la The Wing (RIP), or doing a giant purge in favor of a Kindle. But my mentality was “there must be genius in the madness” so I left well enough alone.
Until my friend Emma put her foot down. Ok, it wasn’t quite that dramatic. She merely offered to come over and help me organize my literary clutter. Naturally, I said no. Don’t bother. That’s ridiculous. Until she insisted. I was no longer certain this bookshelf revamp was a choice. It felt more like an intervention. Denial that I needed any help was a sign that my illness had reached epic proportions. I was a book hoarder–and the only way out was through.
Despite being a fan-girl of Oliver Burkeman, and understanding that even if I lived several lives I’d never get through my TBR pile, I deluded myself into thinking that someday I’d hole myself up for a year (or two) and just read. I would become a monk but instead of a monastery devoid of aesthetically pleasing design elements, I’d run off to my own library/cave with a cozy fireplace, a comfy-yet-gorgeously-upholstered chair and (I haven’t figured out this part yet) a steady flow of food and drink that I wouldn’t have to shop for or cook because there would be no interruptions to my reading bliss.
So, we picked a day and Emma showed up at my apartment…
Emma and I spent two hours organizing and here’s what I’ll say: despite my resistance, approximately half my books were books I’d never read or need for any reason. I had duplicates. Books I kept for sentimental reasons, but I could no longer recall what they were. Books for projects I thought I’d pursue that I now knew I never would. Books I thought I “should” read. And books for the “me” I believed I would become.
I had feelings upon feelings about all of these books, but the only real question became: would I ever read this?
Here are some helpful tips for those of you considering a bookshelf revamp:
Recruit a "tough love" helper. This is not a job for the faint of heart.
Ask yourself: would I miss this if it was gone? Will I ever reference this?
If you haven't read it, will you ACTUALLY read it? If not, it's fine to say goodbye.
Recognize your feelings. It’s ok to feel a sense of loss or disappointment.
HYDRATE. HYDRATE. HYDRATE.
Wear your Apple watch because this counts as exercise and you’ll be surprised at what a good workout it is.
Have a plan for what to do with the books you no longer want. I didn’t and I now have a pile of books I swear I’ll bring to a used bookstore someday.
The Method:
Take everything down from your shelves and go book by book.
Organize by categories that make sense to YOU, mine were:
true crime
“big ideas”
books written by friends
literary classics
memoirs
essays
books I referenced to write The Mother Code
craft books
Anne Sexton (she got her own category!)
books I vow to read (a majorly trimmed down TBR pile)
On the shelf, put the books you're less likely to need higher up, and save the prime real estate for your go-tos.
I didn't alphabetize or color code, I just grouped things by how my brain works.
Surprises along the way:
When we were done I felt a weight off my shoulders. No more keeping books out of guilt or obligation. Each book on my shelf has a reason for being there.
My bookshelf represents me–my curiosities, my passions, my aspirations–and as I evolve my books will too.
Like everything in life, there are no rules. I could get rid of a book just because…and I could keep one for the same reason.
I actually have more shelf space now. Time to buy some new books!
Do you have any tips for organizing your bookshelves? Leave them in the comments below.
In Community,
Ruthie
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Also impressed that you counted them!!
Well done, R! I am guilty of the double row too. I definitely organize according to how my brain works, genre and subgenre mostly. It’s been a while since I last purged. I think I’ll start with my wife’s books. 😂 To be fair they’re mostly thrillers…