tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post1366707019083691472..comments2023-12-12T11:49:36.184-06:00Comments on GreenBeanTeenQueen: How Does a Book Earn a Place on Your Bookshelf?GreenBeanTeenQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708155058381407531noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-25674152749184200862010-01-24T17:23:32.270-06:002010-01-24T17:23:32.270-06:00I used to buy about 50% of the books I read when I...I used to buy about 50% of the books I read when I was single. Once I got married, I stopped buying books. My husband is not a reader so he doesn't see a reason to have a large shelf of fiction when you can use the library. After 20 years of marriage I have wholeheartedly adopted his attitude. The only books I buy are reference material like knitting books and cookbooks.Dani In NChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032707452740200776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-32822550570376769122010-01-14T17:48:42.973-06:002010-01-14T17:48:42.973-06:00Shelf Elf-I so know what you mean about hugging bo...Shelf Elf-I so know what you mean about hugging books! Those are the books I want to keep for sure.GreenBeanTeenQueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08708155058381407531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-45874208893761003992010-01-14T17:24:05.525-06:002010-01-14T17:24:05.525-06:00There are some books I just want to hold, kind of ...There are some books I just want to hold, kind of hug (yes I am a nerd). You know, when you've finished reading something and you sigh, and you hug it, and you daydream about the best parts for a while before you put it down? Those are the books I have to own. I'm getting a lot better about not buying EVERYTHING I vaguely want. Book that I cannot believe I still haven't bought (just read via ARC): Graceling. It is a hug-worthy book, absolutely.Shelf Elfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411801633280373756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-87701399605613507072010-01-13T16:48:01.618-06:002010-01-13T16:48:01.618-06:00This is so hard for me because I have a really har...This is so hard for me because I have a really hard time letting books go. They're like my babies. So I think I have a more rigorous BUYING process than shelving process. I will almost never buy a book I haven't read before. That has just led to some tragic circumstances. I have a couple of books I haven't read and I've had them for 2-3 years. I feel so bad for them. It's like I don't love them.<br /><br />But even then, I only have so many (current) bookshelves. So rereadability is a definite factor. If it captured me on every level then it definitely has a place of honor on my shelves. :)Heather Zundelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16621649337908358313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-62804342228333319412010-01-12T20:02:56.754-06:002010-01-12T20:02:56.754-06:00I hold onto my favorites forever. The rest I hold...I hold onto my favorites forever. The rest I hold onto for a few months to a year. Once a year, I make a big donation to the public library.Kim Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08418263881244080814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-38763417145171476372010-01-12T19:53:44.581-06:002010-01-12T19:53:44.581-06:00Books have to earn a spot on my shelf, definitely....Books have to earn a spot on my shelf, definitely. My parents put their house on the market, so every time I've gone over there over the past couple of months, they make me take a box of my books with me. It's fun rediscovering some of my old favorites, but if it's not a particular favorite or one I want to lend to my friends, off it goes to the Friends of the Library! I periodically go through my shelves of books I've reviewed and donate things to our library and/or our teen group. I love books, yes, but I am a big proponent of weeding!Abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09618668989233112126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-25809476973208918862010-01-12T08:56:10.812-06:002010-01-12T08:56:10.812-06:00I keep very few books-most of mine are donated to ...I keep very few books-most of mine are donated to my public library, since I work there I know how horribly out dated our young adult section is-Bobbsey Twins anyone?Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14235537102211708600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-60071788438255514732010-01-12T08:40:07.470-06:002010-01-12T08:40:07.470-06:00I had to go through the same things...I went throu...I had to go through the same things...I went through the books I hadn't read in years and gave them away....mostly nonfiction but it ended up being about 60% of my books, and I'm slowly getting my libary back.NeutralGroundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05658824118617169209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-67885942517342508692010-01-12T05:46:43.162-06:002010-01-12T05:46:43.162-06:00I love the way you have taken a look at your libra...I love the way you have taken a look at your library and the purpose for the books you chose. For me I have two criteria, is it something I really want to read, (Can't live without) and second is it something I really want to recommend to my students. You have given me a lot to think aboutSandra Stileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05028361723666419462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-1647220946634211532010-01-11T22:25:16.658-06:002010-01-11T22:25:16.658-06:00Weeding out books? People actually do that? man,...Weeding out books? People actually do that? man, I know I should go through my books. On many of my shelves I've started to stack books horizontally on top of the vertical ones. bad bad me. I buy books on the pretense that I will use them in my future classroom (2.5 years and counting!). A good portion of my books are goodwill finds. I don't buy a lot of new books, only if I really loved it. Most of my YA and "grown-up" reads I get from the library. My hope is that once I do have a classroom, several shelves and boxes will be empty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-86054611534371906182010-01-11T21:36:36.090-06:002010-01-11T21:36:36.090-06:00I used to have a book-buying policy that I only bo...I used to have a book-buying policy that I only bought books that I had read before and absolutely loved (put into effect when I was a poor college student), but in recent years I've been a lot more likely to pick up and try out several books at one go as long as they were cheap paperbacks. But the end result is that my shelves were overflowing with paperbacks, some of which I loved and want to keep, and some I wouldn't mind getting rid of. I ended up signing up at paperbackswap.com, where you can trade paperbacks you don't want anymore with people who have titles you're interested, for the cost of postage. It doesn't result in any fewer books, since I get a book for every one I send out, but at least it refreshes my shelves and gets rid of some of the stuff I really don't want (hopefully for something better).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-24923225995942730832010-01-11T21:35:37.411-06:002010-01-11T21:35:37.411-06:00I'm cheating at the moment. I live in a too s...I'm cheating at the moment. I live in a too small apartment that couldn't even begin to hold the books I have at my parents' house. Once my boyfriend finishes law school and we move into a bigger apartment/one where rent money pays for apartment space instead of the name of the town I'm going to have to apply some sort of criteria for books to earn their places. Kudos to you on actually doing it and getting rid of such a large number!!Kristi(e)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04629840914831004454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-28771052140110356842010-01-11T19:11:56.497-06:002010-01-11T19:11:56.497-06:00My major criteria is whether or not I'm likely...My major criteria is whether or not I'm likely to reread the book. I have had some books that I've given away, only to find myself purchasing them again when I wanted to reread them.Paige Y.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09823929357425078374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-6119339809990929512010-01-11T18:49:02.233-06:002010-01-11T18:49:02.233-06:00I weed it out. If I can see myself wanting to rea...I weed it out. If I can see myself wanting to read it again, then I'll keep it. Otherwise it gets donated or used as a giveaway.Donna (Bites)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12585421704517898076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-59275913083314644442010-01-11T16:55:59.392-06:002010-01-11T16:55:59.392-06:00I have weeded books in the past but currently have...I have weeded books in the past but currently have books stacked on the floor because there is not sufficient shelf space. I can't seem to get my husband interested in building new shelves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-4555336563302235582010-01-11T16:53:19.619-06:002010-01-11T16:53:19.619-06:00I used to be a major book hoarder... until my husb...I used to be a major book hoarder... until my husband and I moved into a junior one-bedroom apartment. When I was really forced to weed because of space, I found that I prefer the idea of a library that is more reflective of me as a reader and less what I was able to beg/borrow/steal/get as a freebie. So I pared down a lot of the random nonfiction and contemporary fiction that had fallen into my lap, but kept books in genres that I love: poetry, children's & young adult books, fantasy & science fiction, nonfiction about books, writing, and sociology, and graphic novels. Becoming a heavy library user in a good public system helped with this, as did becoming a middle school librarian... it's easier to pass up a book when you know it's sitting on nearby shelves that feel like an extension of your own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-11616862775592051172010-01-11T14:13:59.192-06:002010-01-11T14:13:59.192-06:00I just did a major weed of my books, I got rid of ...I just did a major weed of my books, I got rid of four giant cardboard boxes, all donated to the library where I work (except for the ones my friends stole). I pulled out books I knew I was pretty sure I was never going to read again, books that fell into the "what was I thinking when I bought this" category. When the time finally came to drop off the books, I was a little shaky, and did pull one paperback out and take it back home. Now that I am moving I will most likely have to do it again, sigh.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00485945338050509446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-44310792192868903762010-01-11T12:43:08.547-06:002010-01-11T12:43:08.547-06:00Jaymie-My husband is a hardcover snob and likes to...Jaymie-My husband is a hardcover snob and likes to collect his favorites in hardcover (when possible). He only buys he absolute favorite books too, where I want to buy everything!<br /><br />Catherine-It is terribly hard. I feel bad getting rid of books and I never know what to do with them or who to donate them to. Since I have a lot of MG/YA I'm going to give a bunch to a children's shelter in my parent's hometown.<br /><br />Kelly-I have this horrible habit of keeping books for "someday when I have children." I don't have kids yet and when I do, I know I'll want to buy so much more!GreenBeanTeenQueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08708155058381407531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-34462928113186032432010-01-11T12:24:26.197-06:002010-01-11T12:24:26.197-06:00I recently weeded out about 25 books out of my kid...I recently weeded out about 25 books out of my kids' bookshelves (to make room for more!) I save so many because I know the younger ones will enjoy the older books eventually. I have two boys and one girl, so mostly I took out the princessy books my daughter grew out of and the baby board books out of my youngests. It's hard to let go!Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-85972243002895365552010-01-11T12:06:43.865-06:002010-01-11T12:06:43.865-06:00I've been collecting books probably for severa...I've been collecting books probably for several decades longer than you, and so all I'll say is that the problem doesn't go away, it grows! My hubbie thinks I should get rid of most of my collection, but it's sooooooo hard to decide which to keep, and which to donate.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900383840255608898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-30334914924808098072010-01-11T11:54:17.404-06:002010-01-11T11:54:17.404-06:00I don't have hard and fast criteria - it is mo...I don't have hard and fast criteria - it is more of a "gut" thing for me. In general, I have bought books that were part of a series because I wanted to keep the series going. Lately I have been more reluctant to buy, especially if the next book was hardcover. There are certain authors I buy automatically. As far as books I keep once I have bought them, series books are usually kept unless I am giving up on the series as a whole. I also keep books that move me in a special way where I know I will read them again. Good question!Jaymiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02074879023566615830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-38698288946899391332010-01-11T11:32:39.216-06:002010-01-11T11:32:39.216-06:00I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds we...I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds weeding out books hard! It's easy for me to do at the library-because most times it's old and looks bad. But at home, I have a personal connection to that book! <br />I do need to stop impulse buying books and read them at the library first!GreenBeanTeenQueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08708155058381407531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-7258958819631535092010-01-11T10:27:19.658-06:002010-01-11T10:27:19.658-06:00I also find it so hard to give up books. If I real...I also find it so hard to give up books. If I really dislike a book it goes to the BookMooch pile. Other than that though, I find I have to go through fairly regularly to try to weed out the less liked books to make room for new ones.<br /><br />I tend to keep more non-fiction, series, and favorites. I do so hate to give any up though!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18102250492155489672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-49942387347734210452010-01-11T07:57:21.413-06:002010-01-11T07:57:21.413-06:00I have the same issue. I have three bookcases and...I have the same issue. I have three bookcases and I try not to overflow, so I have to weed occasionally. I have two things I do to keep it under control. 1. Since I work in a Library, I read all books there first and then only go to the bookstore to buy ones that I really loved. No impulse buying! 2. I weed anything that I would not reread if I had to right that minute. That way I keep myself from hanging onto books I didn't really like in the first place. Good luck with your weeding!!Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06493359469313592497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6075890361193230583.post-35436101569590817252010-01-11T07:40:06.147-06:002010-01-11T07:40:06.147-06:00I think I'll be doing some weeding soon, too (...I think I'll be doing some weeding soon, too (painful as that may be). Although libraries usually benefit as I donate the books.Christina Diaz Gonzalezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05176663522450578863noreply@blogger.com