How To Declutter Your House and Throw Books Away - Or Not!

How To Declutter Your House and Throw Books Away - Or Not!

Today, we're clearing books from the house. It's my husband's idea, of course - I would never ever, of my own free will, throw a book away.

Somehow, books of mine that were on the throwaway pile keep reappearing back on the shelf. It's a complete mystery...

"Have you read this?" my husband asks, pointing at a book by a favourite chick lit author of mine.

"Yes, but I might want to read it again," I reply.

I hold up some old musty science fiction classic with yellow pages.

"Oh, but we can definitely throw this one out!"

"No, that's mine!" he says, grabbing it and putting it back on the shelf.

Then he notices that I have several copies of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He can't understand why one copy is not enough.

"Well, they're different editions," I say. " Some of them have illustrations."

He looks disbelieving, but lets me keep them.

I think I'm a bit like Smaug in The Hobbit, only I collect stacks of books not gold and jewels.

Of course, many of the books were bought second hand at charity shops or boot sales, but it's still such a wrench to part with a single one.

Being a teacher, I also have loads of papers and out of date course books that I'm holding onto for some unknown reason. Last night I was ruthless and collected numerous textbooks that I bought years ago but haven't referred to in ages.

In the end we assemble a massive pile of books that he immediately takes to the charity shop. I think he's afraid I'll change my mind.

It's a green thing to do and I'm pleased that we did it; and funnily enough once you've disposed of a book you don't really miss it, do you?

I must keep telling myself this...