One of my goals this year is to simplify and one of the ways I plan to do that is to sell or donate at least 1,000 ordinary items that are crowding our closets and drawers by the end of July. My ultimate goal is to find a home for every item by repurposing, selling, donating, or finding a way to recycle our unwanted stuff without incurring any costs.
The sad truth about books is that, other than my favorite cookbooks, I never pick them up again. I read them. I get a ton of joy in the moment from them. Then, they collect dust on a shelf. I could pass them along to friends and family, but they don’t always have the same taste as I do in books. In fact, some of these were gifts. Gifts that didn’t suit my tastes or lifestyle. So, they just sat there and made me feel like I had a to-do list I didn’t ever really want to get to.
I snagged a copy of Superfood Snacks while I was a guest on New Day Northwest. The author was on before me and while her food was tasty and the book was beautiful, I’m not about to spend $30 to bake a batch of cookies with specialty ingredients. I would have given the book away, but I don’t know anyone who’d want it. So into the garage sale pile it goes.
Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy is the follow-up {13 years later} to the Bridget Jones diary series. It was an entertaining enough read–though, not as good as the originals. Bridget is now 51, widowed and starting to date again. She is just as flawed and nutty. Read it. Time to pass it on.
American Sniper is the autobiography of Chris Kyle. They made a movie about it too. I will say this was a super interesting read–something totally different than what I normally pick up. In fact, I decided to pick it up, only because the HH was done with it. I probably would have never thought to buy it on my own, but I am glad I read it.
If you have never read any of Jeannette Wells books, you should totally check out The Silver Star, her writing is very honest and raw. It is one of those painfully good books. I read it, though, so it’s time to move it on down the road.
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim was a quick afternoon read. I really enjoyed it. It’s in the form of several essays, so you can pick it up and put it down easily. Hopefully, it will provide the same quick escape for whoever buys it.
These went straight into the thrift store pile. Maybe, somebody will snag them up? Maybe they will use them as fire kindling?
Year to Date Totals
Donated: 7 items
Kept: 43 items
Recycled: 24 items
Tossed in the Garbage: 59 items
Yard Sale Pile: 271 items
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Kathie S. says
You have inspired me Mavis! I too will see how many things I can liberate from our home this year. With two kids, my husband and myself maybe we can reach 1000 items too. 🙂
Mavis says
Keep me posted on your progress!
Ellen in Clackamas says
I also have a LOT of books that I need to release from my house! A few are old favorites and I do re-read them but some were read and done and now need to be gone. I have a hard time letting them go especially ones that were my Mom’s or Dad’s. But they gather dust and take up space so I am going to bite the bullet and start weeding them out.
thanks for your inspiration Mavis!
Mavis says
You can do it! Here’s to clean, clutter-free spaces.
Loretta says
I am a HUGE re-reader, as are my kids. I’ve decluttered over 1,000 books over the past few years, but still have at least that many that I won’t part with. In fact, when we moved into this house a few years ago the first thing I did was have beautiful wooden bookshelves made. Am ruthless about everything else, and not at all sentimental,and hate clutter, but I adore physical books. Just as long as they all fit on the shelves:-) We are all big library users too.
You are an inspiration though Mavis. I’ve been tracking all the items I’ve been letting go this year too. Probably only about 40 so far, but the trick is not to bring in the equivalent amount of stuff to replace it:-)
Patty P says
I used to buy books to read, but now I request them from the library. There are a few exceptions….I have bought some books on our hobbies: rabbits and beekeeping, mainly because they are good resources. I do buy my son books, but we also get books from the library, and we do go through and donate books regularly. I work at a school, and we often collect “like new” books to distribute in the community to lower income families, so this works out great. I do, however, still have a few books from my childhood that I shared with my son, and will keep them for my grandchildren someday.
Jamie says
Thank you for this awesome challenge and taking us on the journey!
You have inspired me to do the same, and it is nice to get rid of some of the clutter! We live outside of town a ways so no yard sale for us, but I can donate older books to the small library in town!
Tina says
You should make a book page wreath with the dictionary. It will look cool!
Melissa says
Sorry I didn’t read all the comments so someone may have suggested this already – nothing wrong with selling books at garage sale but if you’d rather not store them til summer I just saw a sign at the library today reminding me they are looking for Friends of the Library book donations so that would be a worthwhile use for them 🙂
Jonnie says
Your goal is commendable, and inspiring. When we sort through our books, we donate them to a local women&children’s shelter, as we do clothes, ours, and those we collect. Kitchen items, and etc… go to help sweet up new homes for these women as well. The there are Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Disabled Vet’s Thrift stores. We don’t make any money, but we gain relief from too much stuff, and give others what help we can. So we will continue on, and shop these places as well. Every little bit can help someone.
Liliana says
I donated books I no longer read to the local library.