We are moving stuff out of my father-in-law's house as he moves to a small apartment. I was inspired to come home and tab another 50-100 of my books to leave our house.
My children may curse me for some things, but this isn't going to be one of them.
Had to close out my father's house earlier this year. The only benefit I had was that my parents had actually down-sized 7 years earlier. It was still incredible what had survived the last move. Just remember, though, there is another 25 years or so that you can break this promise to your children. That is a long time!
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish I could do that. I have a, perhaps unhealthy, emotional relationship with books. I am comforted by their mere presence, by the opportunity they present -- either by possessing thoughts and knowledge I haven't yet processed or by my knowing I will find comfort in reading them again.
ReplyDeleteI once got semi-addicted to selling on eBay. The thrill of the sale prompted me to put several books up which I now miss owning.
That and the not-so-fun packing and mailing of what I sold is what broke my eBay addiction.
That is no excuse for my reluctance to throw away the collection of Commodore 64 games I have stored away.
Donna - Make sure those Commodore games aren't worth something on e-Bay before you throw them out!
ReplyDeleteOn books: My father was just visiting us from NC. He is in his 80's and an avid reader, mostly of new fiction. But he never buys a book - he always gets on the library waiting list (sometimes he's #150 on a particular list, but he waits). He doesn't really want to own the books he reads (that makes it hard to come up with good Christmas gifts for him!). I on the otherhand, his oldest son, love non-fiction and love to own books - some of which I've purchased on e-Bay. In some way, books equate to security or pleasure or permanence I guess, and I have no interest in selling or giving away the vast majority of them.
akafred - but libraries want you to return the books!!!
ReplyDeleteDid you forget who you are married to? If you die first, she will keep every book out of sentimentality. I may have to have a literal book burning to clean the house.
ReplyDeleteIt's OK. I'm going to give them to Ben.
ReplyDelete