What to do with my book collection?

noir_blood

I like books. Like, really, really like books. Thanks to being a lit major, a span of working at Barnes and Nobles, and my own buying habits I probably have over 1000 books.

Right now, living with my aunt and I uncle, I actually had a little office they let me use, which is where I kept all my bookcases, books and comic books. With me moving out in the coming week, I'm trying to decide whether I want to actually go to all the trouble of packing up the books, moving the bookcases, and then unpacking the books again. I'll have enough space where I'm moving that I could probably accomodate at least two bookcases, but I just don't know if it's worth it or not.

On one hand, I almost consider some of my books part of my family. I had them since forever, and not to get to sappy or such, but some are tied to specific memories.

But on the other hand..there's tons that I read once or twice and that's it.

What could I do if I wanted to give away my books? It would be nice to get a profit out of them, but if worse came to worse, I could see myself giving them away if I knew they went to a good home. I could always keep them at my aunt and uncle's place, but I know my aunt's been clamoring for the office space, so I rather not inconvinience them.

Bloods End

Rather than investing in tables or chairs, make elaborate settings made of books. It's fiscally responsible. Or you could rent out storage space.

RUNN1NGMAN

Well, the charitable thing to do would be to donate them to your local library's book sale, which is where most public libraries make a lot of their money. That's what I do with mine.

You can also sell used books on Amazon or other websites, but that may be more of a hassle than it's worth.

There's a book-swapping website similar to what Goozex does with video games that you could offer them up on. You won't be making a profit, but you'll be able to save up credits for more books down the road.

My wife showed me a picture in a Pottery Barn catalog or something of a "coffee table" that was really a stack of books. If you covered them in plexiglass or something to protect them from spills, it might look pretty cool.

Thanatos

I donated all of my books that I didn't want to the library, like Runn1ingman suggested.

Personally, I have access to the public library system, and I knew I wasn't going to read the vast majority of those books ever again, so I unloaded them. Best thing I could've done, because moving them would've been a pain in the ass.

noir_blood

Yea, that's really what I'm swinging too. I guess I could take them to Half Price books, but I'll be super piss if I lug all those books there and get offered a buck.

Kalkino

I had to get rid of several hundred books last year when I moved country - second hand book stores don't pay much at all - almost wasn't worth the effort of going all the way down there to be honest. It would have been better if I was willing to accept in store vouchers, but I wanted the money. So I'd say sell them online or donate to charity. Not just libraries, but hospitals, social clubs, military veteran clubs, hospices, hell - you could even start a programme to give hotel guests an alternative to the Gideon Bible.

Thanatos

noir_blood wrote: »

Yea, that's really what I'm swinging too. I guess I could take them to Half Price books, but I'll be super piss if I lug all those books there and get offered a buck.

They're gonna offer you a buck.

This is why I donated mine.

Elin

Another idea for donation is to call you local senior center, retirement home. A lot of the time they'll take donations for the residents. In some of those places they can't even get out to go to the public library.

Willeth

Elin wrote: »

Another idea for donation is to call you local senior center, retirement home. A lot of the time they'll take donations for the residents. In some of those places they can't even get out to go to the public library.

This. Also hospitals and children's homes, orphanages. Prisons, even.

VisionOfClarity

Put the ones in good condition on half.com for a month or so. Whatever doesn't sell drop off at the public library. I did this in 8th grade and my local library was so happy I was given a free pass on late fees forever. I don't know about your library but I know mine will also sell some unpopular or old/out of date books cheaply (like .10 - 1.00 depending on the book) to raise money for the library.

Thylacine

Take them to halfprice books...they usually offer a pretty good amount depending on the books.

Though, last time I actually got more money from Hastings. You can either choose to get cash, or if you choose store credit you can get a lot more. Last move I took books up there and they offered $50 cash or $90 store credit. Since I buy books and video games fairly often that made it worth it.

ihmmy

Whenever I've gone through my books and pulled a bunch I didn't want, I sold them at a second hand book store... no you don't get much money, but I did get credit to get books I hadn't yet read (or ones I had, but wanted to own)....

If you have lots, I'd say donate like half and sell half. Take the ones you want to sell to the bookstore first, because there will probably be some that they just won't take,a nd you can donate those to your library afterward

matisyahu

If you still like to read, you could list some of the ones you currently have on bookmooch.com

It's basically where I get all my pleasure reading books. It's really easy. You send a book, you get a book. You don't have to pay anything except for the shipping fees when you send books to other people.

The 1:1 book given:book received ratio is likely more favorable than anything you'll find at a used bookstore.