How I've Been Rehoming(?) Books.
My Library
Or just another way to purge/destash/unhaul books.
For over the the past decade, I've been meticulously and slowly working on my library. It's been a fairly constant stream of collecting and rehoming because sometimes I need to hold a specific edition in my hands to see if I truly want it.
One of the perks of moving every 2-3 years is the constant need to go through everything and trying to offload. I've had 3 major unhauls since we moved about a year ago. Mostly just books I can't remember anything about and/or authors I no longer read from.
What is my process?
Most of my collection or what it'll ultimately be are books that I've read. Just recently I've decided to keep books that I've rated 4 and above. I do have physical tbr (to be read) sections on my shelf and a rolling cart, these are books I've bought through friend recs, book box subscriptions, or book mail from authors/publishers.
I know there's generally a lot unsolicited opinions about book collecting, but for me, reading is my hobby and I must collect the books that I absolutely love.
What's my rule for collecting multiple editions of the same book?
No rule, all vibes. There's less than a handful of books where I have multiple of. I'm not an ARC collector, but have a couple. Naturally, there's so many special editions out there that 2 is my max. For every move, we have a weight allowance and my books are always tip-toeing the line of going over that. And this has been my biggest deterrent from trying to collect everything on my list at once. At least until we’ll be able to finally set roots down somewhere. Because yours truly is so tired of moving.
Thoughts on others collecting multiple editions of the same book?
In bold, not my business. If that’s what makes them happy, that’s amazing. I absolutely love that for them. People would be better off if they just mind their own business…about a lot of things actually. You do you, my friends.
Where do the books you don’t want, go?
I’m in a couple of buy/sell/trade groups on facebook and list through Mercari/PangoBooks. But also offloading to friends that have Free Little Libraries. I volunteer with Operation Paperback, where you can help with book requests from those that serve/have served in the military, and their families. A few of the local charities nearby don’t always accept book donations especially romance due to capacity.
And there we have it, a little insight of how I go about collecting for my library. I can’t wait to finally have a place where we can truly settle down at.