Old books. We all have them. We sometimes want to get rid of them. But what can we do with them?
I have more than enough tomes on my bookshelf to contend with and a very embarrassing to-be-read pile. But I also have those works of fiction and non fiction that I know and love and will keep forever. But what about those books that you’ve read once or twice but no longer need in your life? They are just taking up valuable space. Here are my top suggestions:
Donate them – charity shops and local events love your old books!
There are plenty of places to donate your old books. Charity shops, local events (we have a little coffee morning ‘Pop-In’ in my village where you can give your old stuff – I’ve bought many an old book here!).
Sell them
There are plenty of places you can sell your old books – but you may not get much for them. Car boot sales, Facebook selling pages, Ebay and book specific websites such as WeBuyBooks are the best places, although you may only get pennies.
Get them valued
You never know, you could be hiding a rare first edition in there. Obviously this would require checking through the books first but should you come across a rare first edition of a book, you could be quids in.
Give them away
If your family and friends are anything like mine, then they will always love and appreciate books that are new to them. Half of my collection have been given to me over the years by my family and friends and I guess that most of theirs have been too. That way you can always borrow one back if you decide you really want to read it again.
Make art
I actually don’t agree with this one at all as I hate people even writing in and defacing them – let alone this. But people make these wonderful pieces of artwork out of old, unwanted books. Much as I appreciate the beauty, it is something I could never do to my books.
What do you do with any books you no longer want?
