MKHebdon's Profile

As a used bookstore owner and bibliophile I fight this every day in the shop and at home: strategies I've put to use. I have one bookcase (the prettiest bookcase -- choose the best you can find) and my husband has one bookcase. Our baby is going to have one shelf. I keep the books that have changed my life and that I reread with regularity; they are sorted by category onto the lower shelves. The top shelf of my case is for all of the "haven't read yet" titles and I adhere to bringing in no-more books than I have room for on that shelf. I regularly ship books to friends and family members when I've finished reading them and they don't make the cut for keeping forever. I also regularly donate to the libraries, nursing homes, and other charities. At the shop, I often find titles that I want to read and have limited myself to an 8 inch x 10 inch x 6 inch box for personal holds to cycle into my "haven't read" space at home. However, if I haven't read a book in a year that it's been sitting in queue it gets donated (back to the shop or respective charity). I am highly selective about the books I bring into the shop/home... if it's damaged, has a split binding, has aged (not well), is written through and through (in a manner that's not helpful) then it doesn't come through the door.
The best advise I can share is that sharing a book with another; friend, family or foe; charity; bookstore or any other place is like sharing a piece of your knowledge and best wishes for their learning. As lesova wrote, "share the love" and feel good that something you treasured will be treasured by the next person who reads your book.