Let’s Talk Bookish #1

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme that was originally created and hosted by Rukky at Eternity Books in August 2019. As of April 2022, it’s hosted by Aria at Book Nook Bits.
Today’s Question(s) is …

How do you feel about unhauling books? Do you get rid of books often? Or do you hold on to every book you buy? How do you decide which books to get rid of? Are there any books you would never get rid of?

My Answer(s) is …

I’ve gotten rid of (or unhauled) books before. They’re usually cheap paperbacks that I’ve replaced with nice hardcover editions, or books I’m no longer interested in reading. (Much to Corey’s chagrin, I have a book buying problem. I often buy books before I read them. ) And, sometimes, I’ll get rid of a book after I read it because I didn’t like it very much.

There are a few books I’ll never get rid of. They have sentimental value. For example, when I was ten years old, my parents gave me a whole slew of books for my birthday and Christmas. I didn’t read them back then because I hated to read. (My parents were hoping to pique my interest with the books they gave me; sadly, it didn’t work.) I’ve now started reading each of them and I haven’t liked a couple of them. However, because both my parents are gone and they wrote an inscription in each cover, I can’t get rid of them. It would almost be like losing my mom or dad again.

When I do get rid of books, I donate them to my local library, my friend’s Little Free Library, a used bookstore, or I find someone who may want them. I never sell them and I never just throw them away.

How about you?

About Jenni Elyse


Hi, I'm Jenni. I’m an eclectic reader. I mostly read fiction and I favor fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thrillers, and romance. The more kissing in a book the better!
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14 replies
  1. Louise Hallett
    Louise Hallett says:

    How lovely that you still have those childhood books with their very special inscriptions. I “unhauled” most of my physical books when we had our children (the “baby” is 20 at the end of this year) as we just didn’t have the space to keep them. Some went to local charity shops and I sold a couple of boxes to a second hand shop.

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      Yes, they’re a treasure now, some of my favorite possessions. 😀 I think it’s becoming more commonplace not to own physical books and just own the ebooks instead. Less space and just as easy to read. That’s cool you’ve sold some to second-hand shops.

  2. Margaret
    Margaret says:

    I can certainly understand why you wouldn’t get rid of those books! I used to donate to my library but I don’t think they’re taking donations. Perhaps they’ve started back up again. I need to get rid of some of my books since I won’t re-read them and they don’t mean anything to me. Others I will always keep. I’ve been using my library much more which means that I’m not accumulating books.

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      I actually have been using my library much more as well. I used to buy books frequently because of the author signings I’d go too. I now only buy my most anticipated books or auto-buy authors. 😀

  3. Wendy
    Wendy says:

    That set of books from your parents is a wonderful way to remember them. I don’t have many physical books, and when I get too many, I give them to my sisters or take them to a thrift store.

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      I do love just opening the covers and reading what each of my parents wrote to me. You’d think I’d have it memorized by now, but I don’t. Oops! 😉

  4. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books says:

    I have many favorites that I have no desire to unhaul. And I enjoy having physical copies from favorite authors. I do occasional unhauls and it usually consists of books that I’ve lost interest in and will likely never read. I can understand hanging on to the books from your parents. Those certainly have sentimental value.

  5. Aria
    Aria says:

    Thanks so much for participating this week, and great post! I also have held onto a bunch of books from my parents that have a lot of sentimental value, and I can’t imagine giving them away!

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      You’re welcome, Aria! 😀 Thanks for hosting such a fun meme. I’d love to keep participating. I’m just still trying to get used to my new schedule with school.

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      I’m sorry you only have space for one bookshelf. I’d probably donate books very regularly too if I didn’t have as much space as I did. Honestly, though, with libraries, ebooks, and used bookstores, donating books or changing out inventory, isn’t too bad. 😀 I’ve considered only keep the books that have special meaning to me. And, with the space I have, I don’t need to at the moment.

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