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Post by Miranda on Oct 22, 2016 10:54:22 GMT
.. because I have finally started giving my books away.
I have a collection that spans many years and many genres. A lot of which I have not read for a long time. So I've decided to give them to my local library so others can read and enjoy them.
But oh lord it hurts. They are old friends, even those I only read once. Reminders of past times and where I was when I read them. How I saw the world and why I bought that book.
But .... they have to go.
There used to be a couple living in the flat above mine. One of them died in January, the other moved out to be with her daughter. In April, the council came round to clear out their flat. And I remember watching hundreds of books come flying out of the front room window and landing in the garden. Then thrown in a skip and taken away, all creased and jumbled and torn.
So I decided that when I shuffle off, that's not happening to my books. They will continue to be read. So ... gird my loins and get it done.
Sigh.
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Post by lugsbug on Oct 22, 2016 17:45:50 GMT
Miranda - I feel for you! I cleared all my books out earlier in the year - must have been over a thousand. I kept hold of a few dear favourites - just a shelf-full. I gave mine to the British Heart Foundation so hopefully they will raise a bob or two. I could never destroy a book - makes me shiver to think!
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Post by Miranda on Oct 22, 2016 17:51:13 GMT
I'm keeping some as well. Those I just can't bear to get rid of. But my crime collection is going as I no longer have the stomach for the dark stuff.
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Post by lugsbug on Oct 22, 2016 18:37:26 GMT
The only crime ones I've kept are my Reginald Hill's Dalziel and Pascoes' - they are so wonderfully written and I'm trying to get a full set
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Post by monic on Oct 22, 2016 18:39:16 GMT
I'm scared to start culling my books as it will just make me want to re read them. When my mum moved we took 8 boxes to the shop but I just keep buying more. I am not sure about giving them to charity shops cos they get binned so often.
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Post by Miranda on Oct 22, 2016 18:39:17 GMT
I've kept my Agatha Christies and my Dick Francis collection. Cos they are my bedtime reading.
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Post by Miranda on Oct 22, 2016 18:40:02 GMT
That's why mine have gone to my local library.
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Post by lugsbug on Oct 22, 2016 18:50:09 GMT
I wasn't aware that you could donate to a library - I will have to consider that option once I've (inevitably) regrown my collection  |
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Post by Miranda on Oct 22, 2016 18:52:31 GMT
I went in yesterday and asked and they seemed quite pleased. So I dropped off about 30 books today and will donate the rest over the following week.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2016 8:43:09 GMT
This a problem so close to my heart too. I have so many books and I find it so difficult to part with any of them although at my age I feel I should. My late cousin who tried to leave her books to the local library found they just didn't feel able to take them "People don't read like they used to". My own library sometimes tries to sell books, not sure how successful they are. I have thought of giving them to the care home where my husband was before he needed a nursing home but again, how many people would read them? My granddaughter who is another book lover will try to keep as many as she can and that she wants to read but the rest...... it seems it is a problem we share. I have only just seen this thread so, sorry I am late in responding. If anyone has any other ideas on what to do with so many books please tell us.
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Post by Miranda on Oct 24, 2016 10:27:16 GMT
It might be worth sharing them around a few places rather than trying to offload them all in one place. Especially those in good condition. Do you have more than one library where you are?
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Post by marion on Oct 24, 2016 10:32:51 GMT
I very rarely keep a book once I have read it. A couple of authors, yes, but that is mainly just in case I need something to read if I get ill!!!!! Not that I ever seem to be short of an "unread" mountain. So mine go straight to the charity shop when I have accumulated a few.
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Post by gowergirl on Oct 26, 2016 9:55:42 GMT
Another book lover & hoarder here.I usually give my books[usually ones I haven't enjoyed] to charity shops or to the local branch of Age UK.Our local Primary School takes them too,when they have a Summer & Christmas Fete.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2016 16:42:57 GMT
.. because I have finally started giving my books away. I have a collection that spans many years and many genres. A lot of which I have not read for a long time. So I've decided to give them to my local library so others can read and enjoy them. But oh lord it hurts. They are old friends, even those I only read once. Reminders of past times and where I was when I read them. How I saw the world and why I bought that book. But .... they have to go. There used to be a couple living in the flat above mine. One of them died in January, the other moved out to be with her daughter. In April, the council came round to clear out their flat. And I remember watching hundreds of books come flying out of the front room window and landing in the garden. Then thrown in a skip and taken away, all creased and jumbled and torn. So I decided that when I shuffle off, that's not happening to my books. They will continue to be read. So ... gird my loins and get it done. Sigh. our Library used to take donations , but have stopped the practise now otherwise give some to a Charity of your choice, the one I used to be on the committee used to accept all qualities of book from apparently rare to those in bad condition as even for those we got 5pence for pulping, the good books were taken to a bookshop for valuing
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 18:18:07 GMT
A few years ago, I did the same. There were some books that I refused to give away, though. Now, I get all my books online, and let Amazon store them for me, though occasionally still think "why did I get rid of that one?" when I want to re-read it, only to discover that it isn't available as an e-book. I suppose I'll have to go down to the library.
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Anymore to come?
