Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about keeping books.
Do you keep all the books you ever buy? Just the ones you love? Just collectibles? What do you do with the ones you don’t want to keep?
Buying books has always been a form of excitement to me right from the start - when I was a student and had a tight allowance so I hardly spend money on books. It was only on rare occasions (such as birthday treats) or through my savings that I would buy myself books at times, thus those books are treasures to me (until I married and moved house so I had given some of them away to my cousin).
Now that times are different and that I could afford books, I still keep most of the books I bought. Actually there are two reasons why I love keeping books. The top of the list is that I love collecting books. I love the feeling of owning the books I bought and read. And then, the other reason is that I would like my children to know what I have read and also hoping that one day they would read them as well.
As much as I love my books, sadly to say I don't have enough space for every one of them. Thus, I have to give away books that I know I won't reread or are just an "OK read" to me. If I know a friend who would like to read any of these books, I will send them to her, otherwise they will be added onto my BookMooch inventory list (I have some more books that I have yet to update) so any BookMooch member could mooch them from me.
What about you?
Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers are to share the books that came into their house last week.
Here's what I received last week:
1) American Rust by Philipp Meyer (ARC - Thank you, Wendy!)
What books came into your house last week?
Only if it is a 5 star book will I keep it. I just don't have the room. How often, though, do I give away a book, then six months later I wished I had it? Drives me crazy!
God I am sick, i keep every book I buy... of course if someone borrows it... thats a different story :)
And I like the book u got this time!
You already know I kept books that I collect that are my favorite. And they're mostly series books ;) And the books that I don't want, I donated it to the library or give it to friends who I know want the books :)
Hope you enjoy the book Wendy sent you! :)
Hi Melody, I try to keep all my books and it's really hard because I'm totally running out of space.
Coincidentally, I've posted AMERICAN RUST, also from Wendy, for my Mailbox Monday today. LOL!
Most of us need more room for our books! I donate the books I don't keep.
You had a great mailbox week; enjoy American Rust - I did. Here are mine:
http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/2010/02/mailbox-monday_21.html
I keep my books, enjoy your book. :)
Here's Mine.
I used to keep all of my books, but there comes a point when they just take over! So, I give away 3 or 4 every month on my blog. I only give away books I find average. Maybe someone else will appreciate it more.
I keep most of what I buy, but some do end up on Bookmooch...mostly the ones I'm sure I won't read again.
I keep most of my books too, and do tend to give away or donate books that I can part with.
great mailbox, happy reading :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Sandy - I understand how you feel, LOL.
Veens - Not sick at all! I'd love to keep all the books I buy too, but of course space is always the issue, hehe.
Julia - Series books occupy the most of space, so I'm always selective when it comes to those. :P
Alice - Yes, space is always the problem! Wish we've a free, unlimited space so we can keep all our books without all the hassle, huh? LOL.
Nise' - Yes, we all do! Donation is definitely a great way in creating more space for our new books. ;)
Diane - Glad to hear you enjoyed American Rust! Can't wait to read it!
Lori - Thanks!
Stacy - That's a great idea, Stacy!
Nymeth - BookMooch is great, isn't it? :)
Naida - Indeed that's the best way we can do to be clear of clutter, hehe.
I keep my books for the same reasons you do. My daughter enjoys looking at the books on my shelves that will be hers someday. And she tells me she can't wait until she's old enough to borrow from my library. ;)
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric