I mentioned earlier this month that I had five projects on my organizing to-do list, one of which was to go through our books so we could donate them to our school’s book drive. This project was unexpectedly rewarding for me. The original intent was to go through my kids’ books so that they could create some space on their bookcases for new (old) books that we might find at the book sale. One child, the avid reader, had recently gone through her books, and didn’t have any more to contribute to the cause. She reads them and they’re organized, so I was okay with that.

The second child (who I would not classify as an avid reader) told me I could get rid of all of his books. I said, “Okay, go get them and put them in the book donation bag” (which was in the family room.) He thought I could do this for him; I insisted he do it himself.

And then—a funny thing happened. As he went through his books he discovered (get this) that he had some interesting books that he just might like to read. While this may sound like a step backward, since he wasn’t letting go of too many books for the sale, I was quite excited. He may pick up a book or two and do some reading this summer. (Woohoo!)

So then it was my turn. I had books in a few different places—my office, our family room, and our T.V. room in the basement. I decided to go through all of them and decide which ones to keep and which ones to donate to the sale. In the process, I reorganized my books a bit. Now all of the organizing books are in my office, along with business books and scrapbooking books (all the things I do in my office.) I have home decorating books, and gardening books upstairs in the family room, along with other reference books and some keepsake books—books I may or may not read again but have special meaning to me. This includes the book a former coworker gave me when I was on bed rest (for the boy who now isn’t my avid reader.) On the bookshelf in the basement are books I’d like to read—either for the first time or a second time.

One of the things that was rewarding to me about this project was discovering books in my collection that I haven’t yet read. Some were simply ahead of their time for me, like this one. I was so excited to reacquaint myself with these books, and I can’t wait to do some reading!

The sale was Saturday and Sunday, and boy was it fun. There were over 45,000 books to choose from. The soft cover books were $1 and the hardcover books were $2. And then on Sunday, near the end of the sale, you could load up a grocery sack full of adult and kids books for $7. We went to the sale both days because the kids read so much on Saturday, I thought we needed more to get through the summer. But let’s just say—we’re now all set on books for a while!

Oh, how I loved this whole event. It was so thrilling to see so many books there, and know that those books that were just weeks ago sitting in someone’s home not being read. Now the clutter has left their home, and the books have moved on to other people’s homes where they will be read, used and loved. Really cool stuff.

Book Organizing Tips

When decluttering, a happy home always helps. Wow, can you imagine that 45,000 books left peoples’ homes this spring in my community alone? If it weren’t for the sale, I know we wouldn’t have gone through our books at this time, which means we wouldn’t have created the space for new books to come into our home. We also wouldn’t have had the chance to become reacquainted with old books that we can’t wait to read.

If you have some books sitting around, use this post as a springboard to go through them and let some go! Find a happy home in the form of a community sale like the one our community just had. Contact your local library to see if they are planning, or are aware of, any sales in your area. Even if the library isn’t aware of an upcoming sale, they might be interested in your books to add to their collection.

Another option is to participate in a book swap. You could either set up a swap with friends, or you check out the website www.PaperBackSwap.com. This (currently free) membership site allows you to swap books with other members. When you are ready to share a book, you list it as available for swapping. When another club member requests your book, the system will send you an email asking you to mail it out. You then print a wrapper using two regular pieces of paper and you can add pre-printed postage directly from the site. Then you can mail the book from your home mailbox. You have to pay the postage for outgoing books, but when the other member gets your book, you get credit for sending it. Each item you send gets you credit good to order for yourself. Each book is 1 credit. When you use the credit you earned, the item you order comes to you free of shipping costs. So you get each book for just the cost of the postage you spent to send out a book of your own. Pretty cool.

Organize your books so you can more easily enjoy them. Categorize your books based on how you think of them or based on why you would use them—as reference for a project versus reading just for fun. Then, store your books in a location that makes sense based on this use. For example, store scrapbook reference books in your craft room and store novels near your favorite reading chair.

Don’t be afraid to let some books go! When you let books go you create space for new books, and you send along your old books to a happier home—a place where they will be read and enjoyed by someone else. I can’t tell you how excited the people shopping at the book sale were to get their hands on new-to-them books. Keep the books you want to read or browse through again, and keep books with special meaning. But, send the others on to a happier home. You will be amazed at how energizing this is!

Remember the library. If books are hard for you to let go of—and your bookshelves are overcrowded—think twice before bringing new books into your home. Use the library instead.

Tub of books

Make it easy for young children to access their books. While were on the topic of books, I thought I’d throw in this final book organizing tip. If you have pre-readers in your home, store his or her books in baskets or bins with the covers facing outward. This will allow your child to easily see the part of the book she is most familiar with—the cover—by flipping through the container full of books. No more pile of books on the floor—gotta love that!

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you find it hard to let go of books—or exhilarating? What is your favorite place to donate books? Do you have any book storage or organizing tips to share? I can’t wait to hear!