Monday, July 11, 2011

Book Donation

I've pretty much decided to donate all of my books (that aren't regularly used) to the local library.

I recently signed up for a membership at my local library, and have realized that I haven't picked up any of the books I've already read in many months - so why let them collect dust around my house?

I realize that to a lot of my friends this is blasphemy.  They are all very attached to their books and can't imagine life without them.  I received the same static when I got rid of all of my DVD's (albeit, I've been obtaining a small collection since - thanks to MovieStop's insanely low prices).

Here are my reasons for going "paperless":

  1. Time limits: If I check out a book, I have about 3 weeks to read it.  That's it.  For me, this is helpful because it forces me to actually make the time, and if the book is so boring that I don't make the time, it wasn't worth it.
  2. Do Gooderness: No, that isn't a word, but I don't care.  I feel good about donating the books I have, as I like to believe that I have awesome taste, which needs to be inflicted upon the rest of society.  Some of the books I will be donating will include The Art of Seduction, Eldest on hardback, The Life & Letters of Tofu Roshi, and Good Omens.
  3. E-books:  When college starts I plan on getting some sort of e-reader (suggestions would be helpful, I'd like to avoid the Ipad if possible).  So the need for books in general will go away.  Sure, I'd still rather read an actual book, but again, that's what the library is for.
  4. Space: The shelf my books currently inhabit would be perfect for displaying certain objects that I can't bring myself to donate/toss (e.g. - The hourglass I inherited from my Grandmother, my MVP trophy from work).  The lower shelves could be used for kitten play areas (not that they aren't already...)
  5. Embarrassment: Owning no books means that while I can tell people (as I often do) "Oh my god! You need to read this!" I cannot in turn bring it to work, hand it to them, and then be struck by disappointment when it just sits on their desk for months on end, unopened, not taken home, and definitely not read.  Only to leave me feeling stupid and embarrassed, and taking it back while they're absent one day.  Not that any of that has ever happened before...
  6. Financial: I won't be tempted to buy books, because I make a point of not owning them.
I think the days of judging someone based on how many books they have is over.  It is a ridiculous statement to begin with.  We have libraries, e-readers, and the entire internet - books are no longer a necessity, and owning or not owning a certain amount does not - and should not - define you.

Just as my choice to become minimalist does not define me - but it makes me a better person.

4 comments:

  1. Great idea! Every so often, I get rid of books from my own collection....usually when I run out of room on my very small book case back home!

    I just got the Kindle and I love it! It is super easy to read in the sun, easy to handle and on the new ones, there is internet! Granted, no flash and it can freeze, but if you are looking for mainly just a reader, I recommend it!

    What are you going back to school for, if you don't mind me asking??

    Lastly, I failed cause I forgot all about Comic-Con (I'm fairly new to this level of geekiness so pardon my noob ness!) And both Matt and Karen will be there!! ARGH!!

    I should put it on my calendar for next year :D

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  2. OH but forewarn: You will be more incline to buy books (it's just a clink of a button) with the Kindle!!!! hahahaa

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  3. I am going back to school for biotechnology, but I may switch to physics half way through. I'd like to finish up in 10 years or so with a phd in astrobiology X-D
    Yeah, big dreams for someone who is nearly 30 :D

    I wish I could go to comic con!! Want to meet Matt & Karen soooo bad! :-( I live on the opposite side of the country though. Boo. And next year I am going to Ireland for a friend's wedding so all my vaca money will be going to that instead of Comic or DragonCon. Maybe 2013... *sigh*

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  4. Ahhhh crap...I'm also planning a Euro trip next year!!! DAMN.....Well, if you have a connector in England, you could make a mad dash to Wales to catch them on set!! :D
    That all sounds super ambitious, I give you props! I'm studying right now to take the GRE and I'm not liking it! I wish a B.A. got you the money it used to back in the day!! Oh well!

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