Opinions Needed: Book De-Cluttering
I recently read Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I've been searching for a while for a way to improve my habitat, so that my space is relaxing, joyful and pleasant. Kondo seems to get exactly that concept, and her position on organizing is forget finding new and more elaborate ways to store--radically pare down what you have, so
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I am pretty good at de-cluttering everything else in my life (multiple intercontinental moves will do that) but THE BOOKS. I have boxes in my parents' basement because I can't stand to get rid of them. And I don't feel too bad about taking up the space because look, my dad has copies of theology journals from the mid-80s down there. In addition to taking over the room that used to be my bedroom for a library extension after my mother got worried about the floor in his office collapsing under the weight of his books (not an unfounded fear).
So, perspective! If you're not compromising the structural integrity of your house you're doing pretty well!
BUT OKAY, thoughts. I've replaced a lot of reference type books, published dissertations, etc. with the ebook versions which helps a lot (bonus: searchable!). Anything you actually refer to regularly, though, I'd keep--being able to keep the book open next to you while you're writing/whatever is really pretty nice. Ditto for books you love--I have some I keep for comfort-reading just because. Otherwise, if you haven't looked at something in [time period--idk, a year?] and it doesn't serve a clear future purpose (like those house books, or, clearly, that Army handbook) maybe it doesn't need to live in your house.
GOOD LUCK!
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Thank you for that unique perspective ;)
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