We rid ourselves of nearly 500 books when we downsized. And yet, we still own 2-300, plus 50+ kindle books. I still find myself missing one we got rid of, and it comes as a shock to realize I don’t own that anymore.
Having five - count 'em - FIVE glorious floor to ceiling bookcases in mynliving room alone, and anywhere from two to four bookcases in every other room in the house including the kitchen and dining room - on which to house not only my books but many that belonged to my husband and a friend of his who bequeathed his entire library to us when he died - a wealth of history that included some wonderful first editions of things like Uncle Tom's Cabin and several by Mark Twain - trying to envision this task you describe for myself sounds like a fate worse than death itself. It would be like cutting off my leg, or indeed my own head. Couldn't do it. IMPOSSIBLE. I mean, at any given time I am in the process of reading about 20 books, with the next reads lined up in orderly fashion on three small shelves that each hold about 30 to 40 books. And yes, I read about 150 books a year, including the children's books I read to my Mimi-children. Those are the best ones ;)
Now, don't get me wrong, I do have rules about owning books. They have to books I will read, or need for reference or research. Once I've read a book, if I'm reasonably sure I won't need it or read it again, I find a person or organization or even a Little Free Library to pass it on. But there are books I simply could never do without, many out of print or simply rare. Irreplaceable.
I would sooner give up having a kitchen than my home library. A home without bookshelves? Perish the thought. But I admire your ability to be forthright and courageous about your decision, though it gives me agida to even think about. Bless you ♡
The level of ultra-sober unsentimental pragmatism required for this book act was daunting in its evolution, but liberating in the degree to which it has freed us from anguishing with each book lost. We are cutting off an appendage to save the patient. We hope. So many novel challenges at this late date, and with such impediments to normalcy and predictability! Now that should inspire some writing, should I remain sane sufficiently long. This new nearer date has worked wonders for my state of mind--when I can avoid thinking about the what and who and where that we leave behind. And life goes on.
I get that. And there are two of you. I imagine that might make it a bit easier - after all, you’re both having to do this and it’s all for the point of living nearer to precious members of your family, and being together. That is an excellent incentive. Having a lot of my late husband’s books is one small way to keep him nearer. I’ve downsized from two households - in two states, necessitated by an extremely unfair custody arrangement and work - to one, and found homes and places for everything I could that was my late husband’s when he died. It took about two years, so your ability to do this inside of one year has my vast admiration and sympathy for the stress it must be causing. I’ve never been a collector of “things,” but a lifetime of memories are sometimes encompassed in a few objects. Sending hugs <3
We left behind all but a very few books when we moved from our home to that senior living place. We just left them on the shelves and let the children dispose of them as they saw fit. As you say, there are libraries, and there is Kindle!
We rid ourselves of nearly 500 books when we downsized. And yet, we still own 2-300, plus 50+ kindle books. I still find myself missing one we got rid of, and it comes as a shock to realize I don’t own that anymore.
Dear lord - I cannot imagine.
Having five - count 'em - FIVE glorious floor to ceiling bookcases in mynliving room alone, and anywhere from two to four bookcases in every other room in the house including the kitchen and dining room - on which to house not only my books but many that belonged to my husband and a friend of his who bequeathed his entire library to us when he died - a wealth of history that included some wonderful first editions of things like Uncle Tom's Cabin and several by Mark Twain - trying to envision this task you describe for myself sounds like a fate worse than death itself. It would be like cutting off my leg, or indeed my own head. Couldn't do it. IMPOSSIBLE. I mean, at any given time I am in the process of reading about 20 books, with the next reads lined up in orderly fashion on three small shelves that each hold about 30 to 40 books. And yes, I read about 150 books a year, including the children's books I read to my Mimi-children. Those are the best ones ;)
Now, don't get me wrong, I do have rules about owning books. They have to books I will read, or need for reference or research. Once I've read a book, if I'm reasonably sure I won't need it or read it again, I find a person or organization or even a Little Free Library to pass it on. But there are books I simply could never do without, many out of print or simply rare. Irreplaceable.
I would sooner give up having a kitchen than my home library. A home without bookshelves? Perish the thought. But I admire your ability to be forthright and courageous about your decision, though it gives me agida to even think about. Bless you ♡
The level of ultra-sober unsentimental pragmatism required for this book act was daunting in its evolution, but liberating in the degree to which it has freed us from anguishing with each book lost. We are cutting off an appendage to save the patient. We hope. So many novel challenges at this late date, and with such impediments to normalcy and predictability! Now that should inspire some writing, should I remain sane sufficiently long. This new nearer date has worked wonders for my state of mind--when I can avoid thinking about the what and who and where that we leave behind. And life goes on.
I get that. And there are two of you. I imagine that might make it a bit easier - after all, you’re both having to do this and it’s all for the point of living nearer to precious members of your family, and being together. That is an excellent incentive. Having a lot of my late husband’s books is one small way to keep him nearer. I’ve downsized from two households - in two states, necessitated by an extremely unfair custody arrangement and work - to one, and found homes and places for everything I could that was my late husband’s when he died. It took about two years, so your ability to do this inside of one year has my vast admiration and sympathy for the stress it must be causing. I’ve never been a collector of “things,” but a lifetime of memories are sometimes encompassed in a few objects. Sending hugs <3
We left behind all but a very few books when we moved from our home to that senior living place. We just left them on the shelves and let the children dispose of them as they saw fit. As you say, there are libraries, and there is Kindle!