# I'm Debookifying **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 15, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079 "2010-01-15T15:28:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/41 "2010-01-16T15:46:13Z")
Be Warned… I’ve mentioned this (Okay, gone on about this) in a couple of other threads as well - we got rid of many books and scores in June 2008 in preparation for showing the house. We moved out to temporary quarters in Oct. of 2008, and everything went into storage; we moved into the new house late Dec. of 2009 when it was at the bare minimum required for occupancy. From there, it was Sept. of 2009 when I finally got to unpack the books and put them in their new shelves. Recently, I went to read or re-read some of our Robertson Davies and couldn’t find any. Funny… Oh, well, maybe I’ll read some Timothy Findlay - Hmm, can’t seem to find any of his, either. Funny… What about Margaret Atwood? Nope, missing as well… Michael Ondaatje? Phew, he’s here… So, either one of the 20 boxes still in the midst of the basement getting finished is mislabeled and full of books, or we somehow gave a bunch of Can Lit to a friend’s church rummage sale… It fits the pattern - I’ve never yet purged the book collection without wanting or needing something that I gave away within the year. **steadierfooting** - I do use the libraries as well. Here in Toronto, we are extremely well served by the Toronto Public Library, where you can place a hold on books and they will be brought to your neighbourhood branch as they become available. I also have a Research Reader’s card for the University of Toronto library system, and it has just become part of my routine to go there once a week. That being said, I still go past bookstores all too frequently. There’s no time limit on books that I own, I can re-read if I wish, I can go over things I didn’t get the first time around, I can catch up on author’s references (“Isn’t that the name of a character in Dickens?”). I have always accumulated books at a faster rate than I can read, and I’d rather change my surroundings to accommodate that fact than suffer the consequences of trying to change that habit. Then there are the times when I’m after something that even the U of T library doesn’t have, or has lost. That’s how I came to own a copy of Hoffman’s “The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr”, the book upon which Schumann’s “Kreisleriana” is based, for one example. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/42 "2010-01-16T16:50:06Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > _Refrigerator_ boxes. That put my back out just thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/43 "2010-01-16T17:17:35Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > That put my back out just thinking about it. Well, aside from … you-know-what … **Hal** is a very manly man. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/44 "2010-01-16T17:54:03Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > That put my back out just thinking about it. Heh…that was a joke. I don’t own nearly that many refrigerators. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/45 "2010-01-16T19:17:40Z")
Just saw this and found it slightly humorous as I just started the process with some old computer books. I filled up two paper grocery bags at least and made a dent in my office. The big job is removing about half of my sci-fi and fantasy books. I also need to figure out if I should donate them or try a book swap/used book store. I won’t go the Internet route as it will be too much work. > [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > plus a couple of necessities (no home should be without its _Hitchhiker’s Guide_). Just wanted to agree with this part. Are you moving back to Ocean County area? ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/46 "2010-01-16T20:13:00Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Are you moving back to Ocean County area? Yup – back to Brick. We moved away, and then found that we were driving the hour back every weekend to spend with family. We finally decided that it would save us a lot of time to just move back. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/47 "2010-01-16T20:47:45Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Yup – back to Brick. We moved away, and then found that we were driving the hour back every weekend to spend with family. We finally decided that it would save us a lot of time to just move back. Cool, good luck with the move. I hope it all goes smoothly. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/48 "2010-01-16T21:17:09Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > My first martial disagreement … martial. marital. Same diff, eh? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9a140/32.png) [@foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolscap)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/49 "2010-01-18T04:40:36Z")
but…but… A wall of books are great insulation on that cold north wall. What else could I put under the corner on the couch if not a little stack of paper back books. . and where would I put my drink while typing at the computer. and I would have to buy something to prop my feet up and the end of a long day . and sometimes…just sometimes…I even READ them:rolleyes: ok I do donate those books I just can’t stand anymore but, there is more than a little truth in all I have posted. ---
**Author:** ![gang\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f07891/32.png) [@gang\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gang_green)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/50 "2010-01-18T05:44:23Z")
I purge as often as I can stand, and I still have about 15-20 boxes of books. Once I gathered up all my old Dell sf stuff from the 70s that had those lurid painted covers. The guy at the used book store was very happy to get those - apparently there are people who collect them. I’m about to start another purge. I just don’t have the room for them any more. ---
**Author:** ![not\_alice](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_alice/32/7283_2.png) [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/51 "2010-01-18T06:20:28Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Twelve boxes total? > > Amateur. > > I guess that’s the trade-off one makes for having a wife and a family. > > _looks at the mountain of 20 boxes of books in my room alone_ Nooo, I’d never get rid of you, my precioussss! Who is calling who an amateur? Some years ago I downsized, and took 45 boxes to the local used bookstore. They took 23 boxes worth, said that was unheard of (Bookbuyers in Mountain View CA for the record), gave me something like 800 in cash and 1500 in credit. As I lived within walking distance, I figured if I ever needed them back, I could grab them off the shelf and buy them with the credit. For years, the staff marveled at my credit total whenever I did get a book (I took very few if any back). The rest I left in front of the nearby Mountain View library return slot. Did I mention I had to rent a UHaul just to move these books? ---
**Author:** ![Mom-of-Andrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@Mom-of-Andrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mom-of-Andrew)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/52 "2010-01-18T07:25:08Z")
I joined [PaperBackSwap.com](http://PaperBackSwap.com) to get rid of books. The idea was that I could transfer my book credits to the sister site SwapaDVD and build up my blu-ray collection. I now have several more books than I started with. So much for my plans (To be fair, I also have a few more blu-rays as well) ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/53 "2010-01-18T08:23:54Z")
For those of you who want to know what other uses you could give books, here are a few (cool works of art and bookshelves) [http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/70A40D9D-A4BE-40C6-9ED7-D30C7E0367B2/](http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/70A40D9D-A4BE-40C6-9ED7-D30C7E0367B2/) [http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-europe/at-europe-london-closeup-the-amazing-staircase-042543](http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-europe/at-europe-london-closeup-the-amazing-staircase-042543) > **[15 Coolest Bookshelves - Oddee](https://www.oddee.com/item_96613.aspx)** > > From a Circular Bookshelf to another with a bench, meet fifteen modern bookshelves. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/54 "2010-01-18T14:41:35Z")
> [@foolscap](#): > > but…but… > A wall of books are great insulation on that cold north wall. The technical term for insulation on the warm side of the vapour barrier is ‘Mould couch’… ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/55 "2010-01-20T00:05:18Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > [Bookhaven](http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rlz=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=used+books+fairmount+philadelphia&fb=1&gl=us&hq=used+books&hnear=fairmount+philadelphia&cid=13625654299879139259) (across the street from Eastern State Penitentiary) will pay cash; [The Book Trader](http://phillybooktrader.googlepages.com/) (now at 2nd and Market) is credit only. I can also recommend The Last Word, on 40th between Walnut and Locust; cash or credit, and they donate the books they don’t buy. Not a huge store but crammed with stock. Handsome tuxedo cat, too. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/56 "2010-01-20T18:08:15Z")
Thanks, ryobserver! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/57 "2010-01-20T18:31:56Z")
> [@ouryL](#): > > In the early 80’s, I got rid of my entire Perry Rhodan collection of scifi books(119+). They were too much to slep around and after all, the books were ubiquitous and could be found in any library and bookstore.:o > > Of course, then went out of print…☹ So you’re the one who provided the Perry’s I bought for ten cents each in South Lake Tahoe. 😉 I have about the first 90, give or take one or two, but I feel a connection to them because we provided Forry with some of the German magazines when I was MITSFS librarian. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/58 "2010-01-20T18:39:12Z")
Over break we dragged boxes of books out of our storage area, and my daughter took about 8 - 10, including some of her old kids books, to Half Price Books where she got about $80. They donate the ones they don’t use to hospitals, which is nice. But you’ll have to pry my 6,000 or so sf books out of my cold, dead, fingers. They are in my will, in fact. A complete run of Galaxy has to be worth something. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/59 "2010-01-20T18:42:03Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’m kind of glad all y’all live so far away, because a Doper book exchange would be a Bad Thing for my basement library (between Jim’s cultural thing and my constant reading). The best book exchange I’ve been in was a poker game, with books for chips. It worked well because you can keep out the ones you want and bet with the ones you don’t. I was very lucky that day, which is how I wound up with _The Best of Barry Malzberg_. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079/60 "2010-01-20T18:44:20Z")
> [@steadierfooting](#): > > For those that have massive amounts of books…Why not just use the library? I do use the library for recent, expensive, non-fiction books. But the library doesn’t carry sf magazines, and in any case my sf collection is probably 5x the size of the library’s, with no Robert Jordan books either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-debookifying/525079.md?page=2)