getting rid of books and other things

[miriam_e]

Finally got started properly on packing and labelling my boxes of books. I thought I had about 60 boxes. I was wrong. I have more than 80. :( I worked through about a quarter of them today, but really only managed to put aside about two and a half boxes to be discarded. That's not good. I was hoping to be able to get rid of about three quarters of them. I have to do better. On the positive side, I found some things that I'd wanted to work on for ages... though now I won't be able to until after I've moved. Another positive is that I've found online ebook replacements for some of my biggest, heaviest reference books. It pains me that I'll be getting rid of those books, but I can take comfort that as ebooks they will be more accessible. I have to be more merciless in stripping away so much of that treasure I've built up over 70-odd years. I have literature from my childhood! Julie mentioned something that I'll try to keep in mind. She called it Swedish Death Clearing (I think I have that right). It is the process of clearing out all your stuff so that those who come after you don't have to. I must do better.

Comments

[greylock]

( I worked through about a quarter of them today, but really only managed to put aside about two and a half boxes to be discarded

Ooof.

As much as I have a vested interest, could you locate a nearby second-hand bookshop (there are not many left), and ask if they want to buy a bulk lot?
A reputable one might buy everything.

I must do better

Or, you're getting reading for a viking funeral!

[miriam_e]

nearby second-hand bookshop and ask if they want to buy a bulk lot

Yes, I should do that. I should also contact the local computer club (if it's still running) and ask if they want any of my computer books. I was just going to put boxes of books on the side of the road out the front of the house with a sign "FREE".

There's something particularly silly about me misspelling "better". (Corrected now.)

A viking funeral would be dramatic. :) But I prefer a quiet death and mummification by being undisturbed over time. Actually, I prefer never having to die, but I don't think I'll have that luxury... even the more modest one of extending my life by a mere few thousand years... :(

[greylock]

I'm one of those people who DOES collect books from the kerb (last year I got six cookbooks I doubt I have used and a 1960s-era recipe card collection).

Given the speed at which tech moves there might be maker spaces or the like that may be interested too.