The purge (for book lovers)

“I can purge books. What’s your Superpower?” — RE:Books

Written by Maya B.

WAKE UP!

It’s time to crawl out from under those warm winter blankets and face the fact that it’s January. And it’s…purge time!

You’ve now had time to mourn all the money you spent and the joy and happiness you left behind in 2021. For those who keep every single book they ever bought, the time has come to tackle what any avid reader would consider a dreadful chore.

I’ll get to that in a bit.

By now, many of you have probably forgotten about your new year’s resolutions — that’s if you made any resolutions this year. According to researchers, only 22% of people made new year’s resolutions for the start of 2022. And we’ve already blown past January 19, also known as “Quitter's Day” — the day most people give up on their resolutions.

Still, it IS the start of the new year. Plus, where the fuck are we going during this semi- sort-of lockdown? Who wants to go out in this kind of weather, anyway?

(“I can’t do this anymore” — me, every winter!)

So, many of us are stuck inside, glancing at the temperature on our weather apps, which pretty much always reads, “Every day is going to be shitty this week.”

Even your pets are probably thinking, “Screw this, I’m shitting in the house today!” and those who dare go out realize that with all this snow, parking spots are now completely arbitrary and “staying within the lines” no longer matters.

So, if your favourite winter activity is staying in, or running back inside after freezing your tush off, there is one positive we’ll give January.

January, for many, is the month of organization and re-organization. Marie Condo’s favourite time of year (this is conjecture only).

Still…

IT IS TIME TO PURGE!

IMO, there are ONLY two things you really must purge in January and that can’t wait until spring cleaning, which at this point will be when my body finally thaws.

The first? You must purge all your intimates! That’s right, ladies. It’s time to get into those drawers and take out all the hole-filled panties and raggedy bras that we all have and (face it) don’t support anything anymore — not even emotionally. Time to toss them out and go to the nearest lingerie store to get some fresh new underwear as crisp as the January air. (Trying it keep it positive.)

The second? it’s time to PURGE YOUR BOOKSHELVES! This is where I was getting at. (Before you have a panic attack at this thought and start madly looking around for your last Ativan, hear me out! I’m here to help.)

If you hate the cold, then January is the worst thing in the history of things. And I can already imagine my partners-in-book-purging crime — who also know they need to purge at least some books — staring at their bookshelves, sorting through books while muttering, “How can I let you go? I can’t just let anyone have you. Mommy loves you, precious!”

It’s not just me. Many devoted readers, like myself, just don’t have the space for physical copies of the books they read in the past year. Also, many just don’t like clutter. Or the dust that gathers on their bookshelves/piles of books on their bedside table that could at any point topple over.

Honestly? I’m drowning in books by the end of every year! That’s why every January, I have the same tough conversation with my “other half” — which, really, is me just looking into the mirror saying, “It’s time to purge some of your books.”

I know the ME staring back at ME gets upset at these yearly convos, but I saw it in her eyes — a flicker that showed, again, that deep down in my soul, I know it’s time to purge my books.

I have collected so many books that sometimes, I look around and wonder how my house turned into a library, and when did I become the librarian?

When I purge my books, I have a two-pronged plan to make purging my books less painful. Hopefully, it will make you feel better when you know you need to start purging!

Step #1: I identify any books that relatives, friends, or colleagues may want and set those aside in one pile. I then give myself a one-week window to deliver those books. I must keep to my schedule — the seven-day window — otherwise, I may lose focus and change my mind. So for one week, I am madly dropping off books like I’m doing a freaking paper route.

Step #2: After that one-week window lapses, if there are remaining books from that pile, plus at least a third that I’m willing to let go of, they go into boxes. Let me tell you, this “selective process” is difficult. But I must keep my eye on the prize — making more room for books I acquired during the holiday season, for myself and as gifts, and new books that I know, for a fact — like I know I will lose at least one mitten during the winter — I will welcome into my place throughout this new year. These boxes must be sealed and taken to the nearest donation depot as soon as possible! Time is of the essence.

It’s sort of like how when you drop your kid off at daycare or kindergarten for the first time, and the teacher swiftly kicks you out so there’s no prolonged goodbye or tears (most likely from us mothers).

My “two-step book purging method" is my tested and re-tested method to purge books. No other way seemed to work. Some books would “magically” find their way back onto the shelves if I didn’t get them out of the house or sealed into boxes fast enough.

By purging the books that I least desire from my bookshelves, I’m also part of a majority of book lovers who I polled on trusted Facebook book-lover groups. I discovered they also choose to donate books to the Salvation Army, long-term care homes, hospitals, libraries, and schools.

Many, like me, also agreed that when they purge books, giving to family and friends comes first and foremost.

Another option is to reach out to local used bookstores. Some take all books, but most want to choose from a list. Usually, a used bookstore will give you a nominal amount for your beloved books or a much-desired (and substantially larger) in-store credit so you can experience someone else’s previously enjoyed reads.

Personally, I like to support authors as much as I can, and they don’t get any portion of sales from a used book. Still, I like to think that by donating my beloved books, I’m giving someone who is less fortunate an opportunity to enjoy them as much as I did.

I also reached out to some book influencers on Instagram and TikTok, who concurred that this is their standard practice, too.

Online “book influencers” get so many free books — copies that publishers and book publicists will send them to review in a fun way in exchange for a free copy — that they end up having to purge WAY more often than once a year.

(So, if you live near someone who promotes books via BookTok or in exchange for free Amazon reviews because they are avid readers, have a following, and get free copies, get to know them!)

Warning: After you purge your bookshelf, you may feel like a little part of you has died.

So, put on five hats, two pairs of sweatpants, and the warmest jacket you have, and make it your mission to check all the free little libraries nearby, the public library, as well as local thrift stores, second-hand bookstores, and indie bookstores, especially if you can’t stand seeing those empty spaces, which, even though it was you who decided which books you could let go of, can still feel like they left YOU. (And notice how much dust they left behind!)

Depending on your municipality, you may find that the local library takes books and sells them at a very reduced rate to help fund their operations and programs.

Same with hospitals and long-term care facilities, who may grab books for their patients and residents.

So, take this time and purge if you must — and I must! Or keep your books forever. Whatever makes you happy.

But always, always remember that while it may pain YOU to purge books, in doing so, you are really giving the gift of reading — think of it as spreading your book recommendations and love of reading onto others.

If it helps, think of purging your books as spreading the joy of reading. Get that into your mindset when you let go of those babies. It will not only feel less painful, but you’ll also have less purging-my-books regret. And who knows, it may even motivate you to declutter other parts of your home.

Consider what you’re doing as a public service!

Happy purging! (Plus, this is an indoor “activity” that you can do without freezing your ass off!)

xo

Maya B.

P.S. We’d love to know what books you simply cannot, and will never, purge. And if you have any other ideas on how to make purging books easier, we'd love to hear from you! Click here to share.