IT’S BOOK STYLE SPRING CLEANING TIME: TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS!
Every year, spring returns and with it, a sort of reawakening of everything around us. Also accompanying its arrival is the usual urge to get in some spring cleaning. Much as I should do some deep cleaning throughout my entire house (why can I never be organized?), usually the only “spring cleaning” I do is of the bookish variety. This is why today we’re talking spring cleaning book style! (Besides, this is more fun, right!?)
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Initially my plan was so share a group of books I am literally getting rid of because, guys, I have a lot (the annoying boxes in my office attest to this which goes back to my lack of organization). But I decided against that and am instead sharing some of the ways I organize – and looking for your advice, too!
Let’s get this book style cleaning party started.
SPRING CLEANING BOOK STLYE: SUGGESTIONS
1: Make a Goal (or Two!)
It’s always helpful to start a process if you have a “goal,” or you KNOW what you want. At least, in theory it is. So. If, for example, you really don’t want to get rid of any books, you probably shouldn’t start the “spring cleaning” process because you won’t be able or willing or interested in getting rid of the books. For me, I always go into the task wanting to get rid of at least one, maybe two boxes. It works and I feel like because I’m willing, the process goes easier.
FUN BOOK STYLE SPRING CLEANING TIME: SOME TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS! Sharing a few tips for book reorganization. #BookTwitter #BookLovers #Reader #Reading #Readers #TopTenTuesday Share on X2: Pick a Time
I do a reorganization of my shelf at least once I year. I also picked May or right around there because that was the end of my reading “part” in an awards program, and so I had all of the new books form there that either needed space or a donation box. So my annual “unhaul” situation happens in the spring and actually, I’m kind of one of those nerds who enjoys organizing! Once I get started, it’s not bad.
3: Unhaul the Books
This is kind of the same as point #1, but it’s a conclusion rather than a starting point. So, once you’ve organized, decide what you want to do. I sell some on eBay, but I also donate a ton to a small resale shop we have in town. A couple of years ago, I also donated a ton of books to the library for their annual book sale. Then get rid of them! Or if you’re like me, you leave the boxes in your office and do nothing. No, actually in truth, I have donated several boxes, and like I said, I sell on eBay, too, but that’s SLOW going, and so I keep around boxes to add re-lists, etc. Who here has great seller tips?
QUESTION
So, I’ve asked this before, but since it kind of goes hand in hand with my version of book spring cleaning, I thought I’d ask this. How do you guys get “rid of” your ARCs? I’m struggling SO much with the idea of having to keep these ARCs around. Some I read and enjoyed (but don’t see myself re-reading or bought a finished copy for) and others were unsolicited and I’ll never read. Is there a place to donate them that won’t sell them? Leave me all of your thoughts!
What about you; how do you spring clean (bookworm or normal)? Do you have a great ARC donation suggestion? What’s your best spring cleaning book style tips? How did you spring your lists – did you feature books you’re unhauling or another direction? Comment all of your thoughts below.
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl and Top Ten Tuesday: March 9: Spring Cleaning Freebie (for example, books you’re planning to get rid of for whatever reason, book’s you’d like to clean off your TBR by either reading them or deciding you’re not interested, books that feel fresh and clean to you after winter is over, etc.)
I have SO MANY books in my office that I need to get rid of, it’s just been so hard to find a place to unload them lately. The library is not accepting any donations right now, and I’m not sure of the policies of the used bookstore near my sister. I’m contemplating just putting a table out in the driveway with a “free books” sign!
I FEEL THIS SO MUCH, Angela. My office is FULL of boxes. I upload some on eBay now and then but that’s SLOW going. In the meantime I feel like I live in a tragic state of disorganization and really, I am NOT okay with it. ;)
I always donate to my local library! They don’t care that they are ARCs, they are just happy to have the books to share with the community :)
I love the idea of finding someone/some place to donate the books. Just want to share the reading love. :)
I’d put them in a Little Free Library. We have a ton in our neighborhood!
This was going to be my suggestion too! Check the official map for Little Free Libraries near you, or you can look on Google Maps too. Sometimes you find one that’s stuffed, but they usually have room for more, especially the ones by public parks. ARCs are perfect for LFLs, since those are about giving books for free, and you’re not supposed to sell ARCs.
So true, Rachel; the fact that they’re not to be sold is why I’ve been “struggling” over what to do with ARCs! We talked to the library a while back and they said they had a “free” box they could be put in but then another time, it seemed like they’d sell them. *sigh* I just want to do my best to give them to a place that won’t sell them, but I also recognize that I just have to find the best solution and let it go from there. It’s just kind of driving me nuts to have 3-4 boxes of these ARCs sitting around my house. ;)
I don’t know that I have any close/around me. But I’ll have to check because I agree. That’d be a great way to get rid of the books. :)
I’ve taken my ARCs to the local library where they have a used section for people to pick books and leave a donation to the library if they’re so inclined, but it’s not required. I’ve also given them to friends who like to read or put them in Little Free Libraries. I like to unhaul my non-ARCs at paperbackswap.com or Half Price Books. Great post!
Great suggestions, Dedra; thanks! I don’t know that I have any free libraries around here, but I should check. I think my library did once say they have a “free bin,” but when I called a second time, they acted like they’d sell them. *shrugs* I just don’t want to knowingly give them to some place they will sell the books, but I’ll just have to do my best and let it go from there. :)
I don’t buy many books but if I do own a copy and know I won’t read it again, I donate it to the library for their book sale or I give it to someone I think might read it. My TTT Spring Cleaning post
I have donated a lot of books (both to the library and resale shop), but I also sell some on eBay, too. Then I have the ARCs, which I haven’t a clue what to do with! But I’ll keep trying. :) Thanks for the visit, Anne.
It is nice to unhaul some books! It always feels good to donate to a library or bookstore or whatever.
For sure! :) Thanks for dropping by.
When it comes to getting rid of ARCs, I’d recommend either contacting your local library or seeing if there’s a youth detention centre or prison nearby who may be taking book donations for their libraries. They’re probably the best ways to get the ARCs out of your possession without the risk of them being sold on. Either that or just leave a box outside your house and let your neighbours help themselves!
Good idea re: your second suggestion, Alyce! I did check with my library and got two different answers; the latter one suggesting they may sell them. I just have to do the best I can and donate them somewhere I feel good about and after that, I have to “let” it go. I tend to overthink things. :) Thanks for the visit – and suggestions!! :)
I go through my books every so often but not at a planned time. Basically whenever my shelves start getting too crazy I go through them. I used to have a hard time letting go of books but not so much anymore. I’ll also see if my library has a copy of them and if they do, I’ll get rid of it. As for ARCs, I try to give them to friends who might be interested. But there is currently a box of them sitting in my garage with no home lol Happy reading!
I don’t have a hard time unhauling books. At least so far. (Hoping it stays this way.) I don’t have anyone in my life who likes to read like I do. Or they read VERY different to me. *sigh* I’ll just keep plugging away on possible places to unload these ARCs; they’re just driving me nuts. ;) Thanks so much for the visit, Molly; it’s good to chat with you!
Yes, libraries and detention centres are great places to donate ARCS.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-about-fresh-starts/
Thanks, Lydia. :) Appreciate your visit!
Nice suggestions! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!
Thanks! :)
appreciate the tips, thanks so much! Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/spring-book-unhaul/
Thank you for the visit, Stefani. :)
Honestly I always get stuck on what to do with my ARCs, the ones I have are just kind of floating around in storage, so I’m not much help there!
It’s SO frustrating for me; but then I’m the sort of person that can “deal” with clutter for so long before I read a kind of breaking point and I *have* to get rid of the clutter. :D Thanks for visiting, Jo!
Great list of tips! As someone who lives internationally where it’s not so easy finding second-hand places to sell/give books away to, I’ve found Twitter to be a surprisingly useful platform. This’ll probably not be useful for you but that’s also an avenue to post you’re selling books or giving away ARCs and tagging the book community usually always results in some interest :) And now after reading this I want to spring clean my shelves! Lol
Good idea, Dini! I have seen (off and on) over my years blogger the Twitter hashtags, etc. Right now I sell on eBay and it does work, but for me, it’s “slow” going which means I still have a ton of boxes sitting around. It takes up space and eventually I end up taking more boxes to a local resale shop. :) Hope your spring cleaning goes well; I’m in need of doing this too!