Getting Rid of 1000 Books

[@conorquinn607]

Don't think of it as getting rid of books, think of it as refining your collection

[@Yesica1993]

Thank you for this. I am 50+ and it's also recently hit me that I will never be able to read all the books I want to read. On the logical level, we all know that. As you get older, you really feel it at the gut level. I even deleted my Wishlist, which was in the thousands. People, get rid of your stuff that you don't want/need! One parent is gone, the other is mid 80s. The thought of being left alone in this house to deal with decades worth of their stuff - most of which really is JUNK that should've been gone years ago - is a weight on me every single day. I've learned the hard way that dealing with grief is hard enough. Don't add to it that extra burden (and guilt) of, "What am I going to do with all of this stuff?!" Don't do that to your loved ones.

[@QueenoftheBlackCoast]

I second this, I had to deal with that same thing a few years ago. My parents had a lot of stuff that I had to sort through. Not to mention the paperwork! I would give people some advice, check with your lawyer to see how long you need to keep their papers after they pass, in Ohio it's 3 years. Also, if they need to be in assisted living, you will need to have ( in Ohio it's 6 years) so many years worth of PHYSICAL copies of their bank accounts, mortgage, etc. Hopefully this will change at some point and digital will suffice but check first.

[@Yesica1993]

@@QueenoftheBlackCoast Wise advice. I know it's not pleasant to think about. But it's easier to deal with some things before, rather than after.

[@esbenandreasen6332]

Congratulations on your decision to lead a leaner life :) I think talking about mortality is incredibly important and not just for 50+ year olds. Spiritual maturity is about facing the fact that we are going to die; in today's society, facing anything even slightly unpleasant seems to be unbearable to most people. We need to grow up and remember, "Memento mori, baby!"

[@stretmediq]

I'm a paramedic so I have seen a lot of death I've seen horrific deaths, lonely deaths and even beautiful deaths and what I've learned from what I've witnessed is it's how you live that matters and because of that I've tried to not waste my life In fact I've done everything on my bucket list except going to space (and if I ever get the opportunity I'll do that too) and I've been lucky enough to share those life experiences with my beautiful bride of 42 years and my children and grandchildren

[@esbenandreasen6332]

@@stretmediq thank you for sharing and I hope you get to go to space. Maybe Elon needs a new project now that he's moved on from Twitter :)

[@stretmediq]

@esbenandreasen6332 if Elon Musk is on the same ship I'll stay behind 😆

[@caroldewey5043]

A number of years ago I decided that I had bought my last bookcase. So, I periodically weed my books to fit the space I have.

[@dana7340]

Michael, I commend you for considering those who will be left to deal with your collection. When my in-laws passed they left behind SO. MUCH. STUFF. They considered it a “gift” for my husband. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Nine years later we are STILL sifting through it. 😞 In truth it just felt like the world’s largest “🖕🏼F-U KIDS!!!🖕🏼”😭 If you care about whoever will be dealing with your stuff- disperse it before you pass. ✌🏼☮️🕊️

[@stevengentry9396]

This video really hit close to home, Michael, because your thoughts are a mirror to my own about 7 years ago. After roughly 40 years of accumulating several thousand books, and then having to undertake a move of residence, I came to a place that you describe for yourself. Reduction simply was the thing that had to happen. The first 1,000 is pretty easy; duplicates, easy to replace copies, superseded editions, already read/never going to re-read, etc. After that, the choices take a bit more deliberation. It is still, for me, an ongoing process, but it has certain benefits. One of them is discovering which books are really the ones that you never want to be without, what in that sea of good reading are the real lasting treasures that you want to compose your library. Good luck as you work your way through your unhaul.

[@billruttenberg]

I think madness has descended upon stately manner. I hope it survives. My best wishes to you and Roger.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Well, to be honest we are never far from madness over here.

[@BiographiaLiteraria]

Good luck with this - you did inspire me to not buy any books and read my shelves this year. I missed the target, because I went on a holiday to Oxford and my wife argued that I couldn't /not/ buy books there. So i got a bunch, but have forgiven myself and continued not to buy books since then. My collection is about 150 books smaller than it was at the start of the year, so it's made a dent, albeit slower than how youre going about it. In the process, i find I'm slowly letting go of various arguments for keeping certain books. That said, even though i recently bought an ereader, im not yet ready to ditch my Bleak House paperback! Maybe next year! No regrets so far!

[@occultdetective]

I've unhauled a few thousand in the last couple of years, and now my wife and I are running a used bookstore online to help expedite the unhauling of thousands more. It's been painful, but liberating. Obviously I have huge collections that I will take with me to the grave.

[@rickcantrell5302]

30 years ago or so, I was living in a small apartment and I was renting a storage unit for most of my books. Suddenly, I could no longer afford the storage unit. I had to to do a massive book purge. I ended up getting rid of all of my Conan and ERB books, along with my smallish Shadow collection, and most of my largish Ballantine Adult Fantasy collection. Along with thousands of other books. I cannot tell you how many times I have regretted that decision. All those beautiful covers! So I know where you are at, and I just want to say - get rid of the stuff you like, and even the stuff you like a lot. But don't get rid of the stuff you love the most. I'm going to finish watching your video now. Maybe you already figured this out.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I can’t imagine getting rid of Conan, ERB, or the Shadow.

[@tonette6592]

I understand. I had a dedicated 'library' with most of the books long ago, but I had to make more room for people, then everything started going into that room. It had gotten so bad, we called it "The Room of Requirement". It's almost back to that since we had a family member move in and so much is tossed in there again. We got rid of about 8000 and probably have gotten more; last estimate, 3K? We would get rid of more, but one of us thinks some are unnecessary, while the other thinks that they are untouchable, while the opposite goes on with many of the other books. Your logic is mine, collector as I am, I know the books will mostly be dumped when we go, and I am a lot older than you are. We make concessions.People are more important than books, (although I may not have said that at times in my life .I am one of those, "OH! The Library at Alexandria" nerds.)

[@d.r.martin6301]

My wife and I have been offloading books to Little Libraries for a number of years; several hundred per year. We've found it pointless to take them to places like Half Price, as they offer literally two or three cents on the dollar. It's a waste of time. Might as well give them away directly to potential readers. We're at an age where it's highly unlikely we could read even a quarter of the books we still have. More radical culling is in order. But my main criterion for keeping a title-is there any chance at all I'll ever read this?-keeps getting in the way. Hopefulness rearing its eager head. Must be more merciless, I guess.

[@dqan7372]

Little Free Library road trip time. Just you, Roger, the MIL, and a thousand books.

[@waltera13]

That would actually make a hell of a video series. Especially if the mother-in-law is either salty or unwilling. That's the making of good TV right there. . .

[@obscuracrimepodcast]

The kindle has changed my life. I use caliber to remove pesky DRM and I research the editions I purchase. The clutter began to dominate my life. It felt like my books owned me.

[@parlabaneisback]

Same here, but I find it slightly ironic that I have thousands more ebooks than I could ever have accommodated as physical books. Still it's comforting to know that if I ever need to move I can just stick them in my pocket.

[@snowysnowyriver]

Same here. I had to move in 2015 and was really ruthless in getting rid of 90 percent of my books. I only kept those which had sentimental value to me, plus a few very valuable ones (mostly antiques). What has happened since is that Kindle has taken over and because there are no space issues, my collecting is out of control! I have over 10k books in my kindle account. Far more than I will ever have time left on this earth to read. But I love just browsing my collection and picking a book at random. And, as you say, they all fit in a pocket.

[@mediumjohnsilver]

But what about the big reading event of next year, “Julian Fellowes February”? 😮

[@Yesica1993]

Ha!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Oh no, you’re right! Better keep that one.

[@crawdad19141]

At 58 years young I am a few years older than you and think on this a lot. Its much needed topic to discuss and I am glad you bring it up for discussion My concern is not so much space, but value of my collection. I have a lot of money tied up in vintage and collectible books, comics, collectibles etc, that My family do not have any real comprehension of its monetary value. They certainly know what it all means to me personally but not what it would be worth to them when I pass and they decide to sell it all. I have this nightmare scenario that runs through my head of someone coming in and taking advantage of my family, by getting al "Dads stuff" off of their hands. In other words giving them next to nothing for my collection. I also know the time it will take for them to advertise, sell and ship thousands of items. So, what to do? I still love this stuff and still actively collect, but like you its just stuff, and I dont want to burden my family with the time and effort to deal with all this. I am likely going to start selling it all off or most of it anyways in a couple years. Hope I dont miss it...

[@glockensig]

Sign 'em and sell 'em!! You're a KZbin star!!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha!

[@LAVIV007]

They should be teaching your channel. I'm so happy I came across it some months ago. Your approach is simple yet unique, no BS.

[@sterlingreads547]

I’m doing the same thing! Clearing out what I’ll never read or reread and surrounding myself with books I love. Good luck 👍

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

I went through a complete cycle of emotions during this video

[@fen938]

Nonsense Michael! Roger will bring you right back to life! 😎

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I hope so!

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Good for you Michael. This is difficult to do. I applaud you. 😊💙

[@unstopitable]

I feel your pain, bro. Sometimes I think the only thing that separates me from a hoarder is my organization skills. What you said was true (in a past video): We really own nothing. In the end, we have to give up everything anyway. I really wish someone would come up with a really good book scanner--not a DIY one. It's heartening to know I'm not the only one suffering from bibliomania.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

You are certainly not alone!

[@raskolnikov2112]

You are very brave. I can never do a book clean out. Good luck and stay strong.

[@mikemartin8605]

I'm dealing with a similar situation. I'm interested in watching your progress. Good luck!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

I’m grappling with the same thing - although I bought 14 books today…..BUT I have got rid of about 250 books over the last 6 months and I’ve been making a pnother big pile of more books to ditch. You’re inspiring me to keep going, even though it’s pretty painful. I totally relate to this….trying to figure out what you’re going to read. Thanks for doing the video.

[@lisarichards1956]

A mature decision. I donate to thrift stores and the library (for their book sales). Good luck in this huge task!

[@DavidWiley7]

Well now, this is one mighty brave step my friend! Don't listen to any naysayers who want to feed the acquisition disorder demon behind you - a purge like this, especially with the parameters you've set, is a very healthy thing indeed. I actively cull my collection, actually. When I finish a book, I usually weigh it in regards to whether I feel it will merit a future reread and, oftentimes, that leads to it leaving once I've finished the book. There's still a lot of books I want to read at some points, and even more comics now that you've led me down that path of awesomeness, but there's almost no chance that I'll run into a shortage of things to read. Shoot, even when I finish this I know I can reload with hundreds of other books without making a dent in the list of books that I think I'd like to read someday. Best of luck to you! I'm always a message away if you need someone to chat with about, well, anything.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks David!

[@salty-walt]

You've Made your decision and I'm not going to talk you out of it. But you do sound like you're suffering and trying to convince yourself. I recommend doing a "first sweep" - all the easy stuff that you know you can live without- get it boxed and sit with the feeling. You can even make a purge video of you showing which books are going into the box (if it helps your process, helps you say goodbye, or gives you a record.) You don't *have to* post it. Then sit with it. And *then* decide what you'll do for the second sweep. You'll be much better attuned to your inner voice and your needs for whatever books you keep. It might take a little longer up front, but you'll find yourself much more able to live with it in the long run.

[@LAVIV007]

Very courageous of you, I must admit. I know exactly what you're talking about, every single consideration and conclusion. Such a formidable hobby might easily be transformed to highly painful habit. In recent years, I have been relocating copies of the many books I'd read in my youth. And those started piling up. I found myself staring at them for long silent moments, utterly transfixed, as if the world just stopped. A strange feeling of dread always follow up. Thank you for your honesty.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

I did the same thing recently (although not nearly 1000!) - with similar criteria as you - mostly classics in ugly additions, literary fiction that I'm no longer interested in, and stuff I bought because I thought I was a 'different' reader. I just took it to the thrift store. Even though I probably could have gotten some money or credit I just did not want to deal with it. I just wanted them gone.

[@GMarieWrites]

I feel your pain - I’ve done this and now need to do it again. My favorite option for books was to donate to a local library who would either put them in circulation or put them into their book sales to buy other resources for the library. Works for dvds too. The options for selling books and getting a reasonable return have dwindled.

[@charliedogg7683]

Been there Michael. In fact, still there but a little further along than you. At 60 you realise that you've been alive for longer than you will likely have left to live and the "there's plenty of time in the future to read that" rule starts breaking down. In addition, I don't want to burden my children with having to go through my ephemera collection (comics, books, other paper items) after I shuffle off this mortal coil. Furthermore, I can make some money selling the valuable stuff and use it to spend time with the family (restaurant, outing, holiday, whatever). A lot of the rest I can give to people who might enjoy the reading experience. The way I see it, it's win/win. And it's very cathartic to reduce a collection to just the essentials. Incidentally, how easy a book is to replace is one of my main criteria, along with emotional attachment and the likelihood that I'd want to read something again. Some people can decide in a few hours what goes and within a day the shelves are bare, for others it takes much longer. Let the process take the time it needs to for you in order to minimise any possible regrets in the future.

[@gavinmcintosh5716]

I had a similar epiphany myself not too long ago. I read on average 2 books a month (I'm a slow reader and busy family man, I'm afraid). If I make it to 78, then I'll get through another possible 720 books😮 I now prioritise what I read and what I keep.

[@thomasr7292]

Couldn’t have been an easy choice but good on you for making it Michael! I was inspired to cut back on buying books myself after you started the challenge.

[@ItsTooLatetoApologize]

I don't have anywhere as many books as you but I still do have what "normal people" would consider a lot. And recently while helping my in-laws prepare to move to another country for retirement and clearing out all their accumulated things has had an impact on me. It has also dawned on me that in possibly 5 years time I maybe moving to another country myself. I will take books with me, but I was confronted with the thought of looking at my book shelf and deciding what I would be willing to pay for to ship abroad. That was quite an illuminating moment. I have started selling books and there is much more to go. Great video as always.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Moving to another country must be a major undertaking.

[@sandyokey1019]

It is tough to get rid of books. I’ve done big unhauls twice in the last dozen years due to downsizing. Not to this amount but maybe at least a third. I’ve tried this year not to buy any books I don’t intend on keeping in my personal collection. And once read, I donate books I don’t feel the need to keep. While the getting rid of books is difficult it does provide a certain exhilaration once done. If you have any used book sellers near you, if you give them a call you may find they’ll come to your home and give you a price on books and actually remove them for you. And I think this is going to complete your 500 book challenge. Read them or donate them or sell them, you’re still getting rid of them. Once accomplished, you’ll also have the reward of feeling free to buy a book or two that meets your new criteria😊

[@nunyabizness6595]

"The servants quarters had to be expanded."😂😂😂

[@saltyk2795]

We should all occasionally reassess our lives, and purge the things no longer needed, perhaps. Good work, sir!

[@toddbelanger1923]

I totally understand what your doing...I'm doing that with my old toy collection from the 60s 70s...sold a ton already and made a small fortune doing so...I only own like 300 books total and I love them all, tough to let go of any of them..hmmm but there will be a day soon I'm sure..I'm 55..lol

[@hannahbrennan2131]

I recently got rid of a lot of books too. I was running out of room on my shelves and I don't really have room for another shelf. I live in a small apartment, not a stately manor. I donated them to a local used book store.

[@QueenoftheBlackCoast]

I wish you success in your endeavors. I wouldn't have guessed you're 50! I figured 40 at the most. Anyway, you're responsible for my finally breaking down and purchasing a Kindle last month. I do love it though I will always prefer my physical books

[@maxvitriol7568]

Book triage. Painful but sometimes necessary. My wife and I had to do it a couple of years ago when we moved very rapidly several hundred miles to a place with less storage. I used a similar criteria. Books I bought several decades ago but whose interest has passed -- gone. Modern sf novels available on kindle -- gone. History books outside of my specific areas of interest -- gone. Science fiction anthologies of whatever age -- usually kept (they are printed in small numbers and often don't get kindle editions). Nice collectible hardcovers retained. Art books retained. Translated French sf, retained. Sf magazines and comics retained. Non-fantastic fiction, apart from editions used in college -- gone. My wife had her own criteria. Fortunately, I had a very good bookseller in the area who came to the house to buy stuff. (As he said, I'd been buying stuff from him for 30 years, so he knew I had some good stuff.) He apologized for not buying more, but the book business is not doing as well these days. Some was sold to Half Price Books for their usual pittance. Some were simply left for the buyer of the house to deal with. I would estimate 1,000 books would be 35 of those small U-Haul boxes. Not a small matter. As to impending mortality, well, we all come to realize that just because we buy a book doesn't mean we're buying the time to read it. The rest

[@davidhall8656]

I recall you living in the east bay. If you plan a garage book sale, please post so us fellow east bay residents can unload a few.

[@ThisJustInBookTube]

Great video, Mike!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@cloisterene]

I'm currently in the (ongoing) process of curating my book collection (amassed over several years of hurriedly grabbing every interesting thing I could get my hands on), with similar reasoning as a foundation for making the important decisions. I now apply the same criteria for future acquisitions, as well. I only work on it when feeling energetic, but have already removed *many* tall stacks (perhaps a pickup truck load) of books I am no longer obliged to arrange, organize (by subject) and keep clean. I'm careful not to toss anything I would later painfully regret (i.e. desirable + scarce, or of significant monetary value), so approach the task with mindful deliberation and focused intent.

[@terrystewart1973]

1:47 "Something needs to be done" - buy another bookcase! I've pruned my book collection several times over the years, but I've always ended up getting rid of books I regretted giving away. Usually, I've ended up buying new copies of the tings I used to have. Seriously, be careful of what you get rid of, and how.

[@spartaguswoodall3062]

I only keep books that I haven't read, with very few exceptions. I like to put them back out into circulation for others to find and enjoy.

[@glockensig]

I am going to inherit my Mother's books.....😑...... I was going to ship them to you and Roger 😐 She wants "Happy Trails" put on her headstone....I would rather put on there "Done buying books!"

[@binglamb2176]

No, no, no! The correct answer is to add more bookcases not to unhaul books!😁

[@Yesica1993]

Ha ha, that would be my first thought. But, yeah, sometimes you do have to pare down.

[@revenantreads]

Crom’s bones, the Great Culling is upon us! I’m happy to see Star Trek will be spared the sword 😅

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

That would be boldly going too far!

[@pbofan]

Too funny, I’m listening to you while I’m boxing up a half dozen books this morning from my eBay sales, for exactly the reasons you discuss in this video. Same age, same reasons… It’s not fun, but it’s necessary.

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

When cleaning out our basement "storage" area last year, I had to get rid of a bunch of books (not 1000😅). I gave them to a charity seller. It was a simple solution, and it will benefit at least a couple of people.

[@bookjack]

Talking about getting rid of books and mortality in the same video! You're a brave man, but it is very necessary. To be a collector you must also be able to let go. Its a cycle

[@jscottphillips503]

Can't you just dip into the Necronomicon for a spell to create some inter-dimensional storage space? What good is such a grim grimoire if you don't use it for purely selfish reasons? But if not, I hope we at least get some 1000 Book Unhaul videos. The Mother-in-Law Challenge!

[@duanespurlock5879]

I intended to read BLEAK HOUSE for 20 years. I've had a copy with Edward Gorey illustrations on my shelf all that time--actually, probably longer than that. Finally I realized I wasn't going to actually read it; so I checked out the audiobook on CDs from the local library. I probably enjoyed it more from listening to it than I would have by actually reading it! Parts were laugh-out-loud hilarious, others were just remarkable passages of writing. So, I now say I've "read" BLEAK HOUSE" if I use a flexible definition of "read." Oh, I still have that copy of the book.

[@ObscureBookAdventures]

For me getting rid of books is always a little painfull. I did get rid of a lot of graphic novels two years ago and some of them I regret selling. But most of them aren’t irriplaceble and I haven’t had the urge to buy back yet because I could do that probably in the future too. I’m planning to buy another bookcase in a couple weeks. Because I as by a mirricle found some space in my house left. lol.

[@zoea2812]

You could donate them to old people's homes, youth groups, charity shops, schools. That way you could feel better in removing them from your collection.

[@helencheckley7536]

Always make sure you really want to unhaul a book or books. I did a unhaul. And the biggest regret was I unhaul end all my dr who classic books from the 60s and 70s books. I still think of them now. ❤😊

[@AndrewBuckleBookReviews]

I think we all probably realise we have too many books. I have been getting rid of books of late but generally when I get rid of some, I end up just getting a load more for the piles of books on the floor (as well as on the shelves)

[@Jim-be8sj]

I recently did this. My books have been in boxes for a few years and I didn't really miss them. Then a few months ago I moved to a new place and couldn't stand to see all the boxes of books cluttering the place. I ended up giving thousands of book to charity thrift stores and kept about ten of them. I even had a special box with nothing but Conan the Barbarian books that ended up going to the thrift store.

[@stephennootens916]

I kind of know how it feels. I have a great deal less room and over the last couple of years I have slowly will myself to get rid of books. Some I put on a list of books I might buy as an Ebook if I really get into the mood to read it others I have no interest in and most likely can't remember how I got it or it was random hand me down. But I need the room so I do what I have to.

[@freelivefree7221]

You can get rid of duplicates too. If you have a 2nd Charles near you it can be a good place to dump old books you don't want. They give you cash or credit for it. That said it won't be a lot of cash. They can be picky though and they may not take good care of your stuff so...

[@barbaraboethling596]

Hey, what about adding a capacious annex for books at rustic Vaughan Lodge???

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Not that much room at The Lodge.

[@garylovisi357]

Michael, good luck, ah, but are you trying to convince us or yourself. It must be very difficult and a situation all collectors must face. I also have a few books - a few 20 or 30 thousand. And i am trying to downsize but it is very difficult. Being a writer, i also have 50 years of notes, ms, etc in my file and more new books coming out this year and next. By the way my publisher will be sending you a copy of my newest book soon as a review copy, so another book on the way to add to your horde at the manor. Good luck with your book situation, it can not be easy.

[@brianbaker5938]

I would keep all of my Library of America books. I must have over 40 volumes.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Definitely keeping those.

[@dylantindall5573]

Your objective - creating space. Your criterea: books you are not going to read and books that are not easy to replace. Those books which fall into both catagories are also defeating your objective. By the way, if you read two new books every week for the next forty years (- wishing you a long fulfilling life) then you will need room to cycle through over an additional four thousand and one hundred books minus those unread books from your collection that you will definately read. Looks like Shakespeare is for the curb as well as Dickens.

[@carolinec3951]

Congratulations on your decision to "Swedish Death Clean." I have taken 1-1/2 truck loads of stuff to the thrift store in the last month. Bags of books donated to the local library too. Now the trick is to keep lots of new stuff from coming in ROGER. LOL.

[@JeffMPalermo]

Priorities! You need to move these "people" who are taking up valuable book space out of the manor!!! 🙂

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Let’s make a deal. If you ever make another video I’ll throw them both out! It will be worth it! And I can blame you.

[@JeffMPalermo]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Well played!!

[@jenniferr.9528]

Belgravia was good, but Star Trek is better.

[@bucephalas67]

Over here in UK we have storage businesses where you can rent a small lockup for a monthly fee usually quite affordable as you are a man of means is this not an option ? Do you have these types of lockups in the US?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

We do but then I would just have books rotting away in storage.

[@BookishChas]

Great video sir! Good luck with getting rid of all those books, however you choose to do so.

[@tottifan6979]

Michael, you're vegan. You have at least another 50 years on this earth :)

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha! I hope so.

[@nightcrawler2884]

"the servant's quarters had to be expanded" 💀

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Such a bother!

[@MourningConstitution]

Thanks!

[@wburris2007]

You are still young.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

If you say so!

[@bonpourvous]

Do you have Charity shops in the US? of course some are picky as to what they will take off your hands.

[@joedenby2645]

I'm going through the same thing with my record collection.

[@duffypratt]

If Roger weren’t so selfish, he’d just let you use some of the crypts where he stores the bodies. Earlier this year, I got rid of about 20 boxes of books. Unlike you, I only have around 100 unread books at any one time, but my shelves were getting so cluttered that it was getting difficult to find things. I allowed myself to keep 1) books I would re-read or refer to; 2) the best edition where I had multiples of the same book; 3) books that are nice furniture; and 4) books with special sentimental value. I took all of the discards to the local half-price book store. They rejected about 95% including everything that was too old to have an isbn. The rejects went to Goodwill, which I suspect put them promptly in the dumpster. With patience, I could have made a few thousand on eBay. If I were smart, I would start putting all my iffy books on eBay now. But I’m not smart.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m not all that smart either.

[@jcrass2361]

I feel this video in my bones

[@waltera13]

Oh no! A Purge!

[@troytradup]

A task both painful and freeing! Although I'm reminded of the fairy tale of the old man who has spent his life gathering an enormous library and begins to feel the weight of his books dragging him down -- literally pulling years away from him. So he gets rid of all of his books and only then realizes for every hundred books he's given away he's been granted another hundred years of life. And he remembers once counting at least 10,000 volumes on his shelves ... 🤥

[@Toracube]

I feel your pain…and this will be pain… I’m in the same boat… I’d have them but I’d have to give you mine..and we’ll be back to where we were.. I went to a library to put them there so anyone can read them but they wouldn’t have them…and my stuff is miles better than their stuff…. Arghhhhh

[@nedmerrill5705]

One of the titles is _The Agony and The Ecstasy_

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

Vaughan Lodge seems a little barren of books though. 😂

[@Vicshade]

Clearly, the answer is to build more. Just kidding. You may feel better by getting rid of books you no longer want.

[@benriley6716]

Madness! Blasphemy! Lol. On a serious note, congrats on slimming down. I suspect maybe the Lady-of-the-Manor had a bit to do with the decision? (actual task...recycle center and done)

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha! Maybe a bit. 😅

[@konstantinos-6-6-6-8]

I’ll take a bullet for the team, you can send them to me!

[@MrStrangermoon]

you need to read al ghazali - alchemy of happiness. after you read that you not anxious about dead and after. its islamic book.

[@Monsterblood]

I only have room for 2 bookshelves, and they're both double-stacked. I also have about 7-8 boxes full of books. Does that mean I need to get rid of some?! 😭

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

No, you just need to move into a Manor.

[@disshelvedwithadamwhite8731]

Getting rid of a massive amount of books. I felt like I was watching a funeral.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Sorry!

[@disshelvedwithadamwhite8731]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 No, I can see why you need to do it. I should do the same but don’t have the wherewithal to do it.

[@DDB168]

I certainly wouldn't mind doing some bower birding at the Vaughan Manor. Peruse the non-fiction shelves. I was crossing my fingers 🤞I would be bequethed all the Sgt Rocks 🤭 That's amazing value btw, a mother in law for only 1000 books (that'd be the Fox News angle 🤭🤭)

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Sorry, I would never get rid of SGT Rock.

[@telstar9367]

The only things I won't get rid of are my complete Doc Savage collection and my signed copy of Watership Down.

[@VarangianVigilante]

A friend of mine said once: "We all just collect for the next collector"

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

True.

[@nedmerrill5705]

Let me guess...You put the mother-in-law in the Bat Cave (under stately Vaughan Manor). (Sorry for the stupid mother-in-law joke.) Definitely read _Bleak House._ Good book. I read the ebook copy from Project Gutenberg. I completely understand your decision to keep the rare books like _Star Trek._ What do you plan on doing with the rejected 1000?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

They are going to a variety of places.

[@peterg1646]

Make sure you hold on to 'The Look in Your Eye' by Peter G. ;-)

[@rosemarybrandl7895]

How many books do you own?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Roughly 2500.

[@fangs1972]

I hope Roger is helping you through this book-offloading pain, lending you some mummy wrap for your tears.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Roger is completely unsympathetic.

[@leticiatoraci9855]

Belgravia was a very interesting book.

[@leticiatoraci9855]

I understand though the need to get rid of books and other things too. For me this is an ongoing process.

[@leticiatoraci9855]

What I usually do with unread physical books is read around 35 pages of it. Then I know if I want to read more or unhaul the book.

[@richarddelanet]

Just wondering if you have ever considered meditation?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

It does work for Roger.

[@richarddelanet]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 I might have known. I guess he has a certain advantage.