Hello friends...
It's been a great week, filled with friends, family and some much needed time to work on some things around here, such as rearranging my office and finally putting some order to my overpacked bookshelf.
David had a long day trip yesterday, so I had all day to move an entire room around and get this project done, before going back to work.
It was good to have the goal of finishing before David got home, because it gave me incentive to keep going, even when my back was done and I really just wanted to sit down and read a book.
After all, much of my rearranging involved moving books and as much as I love my books...they aren't fun to take off the shelf and put back on, when you have a decent collection. But I did it and I'm happy with the progress I made.
Now I only read fiction from the library and if it's really a keeper, I'll buy it for my own shelves, which I did recently with Richard Paul Evan's Broken Road series. But I found them on Thrift Books, so I got them at a great price and it was worth adding them to my collection of series. Speaking of series...once I find an author I enjoy, I will collect multiple books of theirs, especially if there is a series. I love having little collections around the house.
I love biographies, but once I've read it, I will pass it on for someone else to enjoy. I also love books about homemaking, personal finance, cozy home books and story books written in the style that I write in, which are just short stories about life.
In order for a fiction book to stay on my shelf, it has to have a feel-good element to it. I love mysteries, but I don't keep those anymore and I don't buy them. Thankfully I can read all the mysteries I want, straight from the library. But when a book touches my heart and I love the characters, I will keep it. Those are the books I want to hold on to, like old friends.
I have a smaller bookshelf that stands beside my desk and I was able to move all of my journals and personal writings to that shelf. Now they are all in once place - even the extra copies of my own books - so I know where all my stories are and can easily reference them when needed. I don't know why I haven't done this sooner. But regardless, they are done now and it feels great to be organized.
I have more books stacked here and there around the house. I love using them on side tables, as decoration.
Yesterday I made a small bag for donation - books that never really moved me, but I'm happy to pass them on and let someone else give them a try. I also packed some of my own books into a small bag that I plan on keeping in the car. There are times when I've wished I had one of my own books to give to someone that I meet, but I never have them on me. I think it will be fun to leave some copies here and there, as I go places.
Well, thanks for reading all about my books 😀📚
Books are and always have been a huge part of my life. Are you a reader? E-books or real books? Mysteries or not?
Tell me what you collect and what you read. I would love to know.
Until Next Time...
Blessings!
I loved this post about your books and your organizing of your books, Debbie. I love to read. I am a 'real' book reader; my eyes don't like e-readers. I bagged up books (6 bags worth) and took them to the library on Tuesday for their used book room and their upcoming bag sale. I pass my books to my mom and when she returns them, I pass them on to friends or the senior center or the library. I love women's fiction (feel good and romance), cozy mysteries, some biographies, and some nonfiction. I am not a fan of blood/gore or fantasy.
ReplyDeleteRobin, I don't like blood and gore either and I've never read fantasy or science fiction. I like the cozy mysteries and the clean thrillers. And I often suggest to the patrons who have books to donate, to take them to the nursing homes or assisted living facilities. They usually have a small collection of books.
DeleteYou have a great selection of books Debbie...I saw a few on here that I enjoyed reading...I really enjoyed "Where the Crawdads Sing." We have several of those little tiny closed in libraries on poles in our area. I always try to take a few there for other to read. You will have to show us your office..I know it is so warm and cozy...
ReplyDeleteShug, I am going to start looking for those little libraries. I think they are so cute! And I will show my office...soon :)
DeleteWow! That sure looks like a great job done! You have such a wonderful collection. I love many different genres too. I love "real" books and I also have many on my ipad mini. I donate many of my real books once I"m done, other than the extra special ones too. I have such a pile to catch up now! I used to be such a voracious reader and now I don't make enough time, other than at night and then I often fall asleep reading. Lol But I keep chipping away at them. Blessings xo
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I can't read before bedtime. I will fall asleep before I finish the first page :)
DeleteWhen we moved five years ago I got rid of the vast majority of my books.Both libraries and Little Lending Libraries are easy to find in my area (I can walk to two of the latter), which means I can always find something to read.
ReplyDeleteI love those little lending libraries! I need to start looking for some in our area.
DeleteI've always been drawn to friends and family's bookshelves. Curiosity, yes; but I think there's something comforting that lends warmth to a room. Since moving, I've only one scarcely-populated (shelf) containing old "friends."
ReplyDeleteFunny! Many years ago, I gave away my copy of Simple Abundance, then soon regretted it. Imagine my surprise recently when I spotted that title on our library's $1 table. Hearing my story, the young librarian said, "God must have wanted you to have it."
I love to look at what other people are reading and what's on their shelves, as well. I really enjoyed Simple Abundance, but I absolutely loved her book called Peace and Plenty. It told much of her personal story of all her money being taken from her by her ex-husband (married at the time). She made millions off Simple Abundance and then her husband spent every dime she had and she found herself broke and starting all over.
DeleteBooks - time to wonder elsewhere in the world! I love my books and have so many old books (belonged to grandparents) that I still need to read.
ReplyDeleteAh, you and read about the same books/authors, smiles. I love cozy mysteries, biographies, but not so much sci fi. Wishing you a lovely day my friend.
ReplyDeleteMy recent "reads" are on my blog right now... like you, in the recent past I've had to pare down my books due to storage considerations. Looking at yours has been very interesting.
ReplyDelete