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A question for those who cull books
So, I'm going through the library with the intent of culling out 1/2 to 2/3 of the books.
For those who just gasped in horror, move along, this is not the post for you.
Still reading? Okay. Part of this is surprisingly easy - out go all old reference books (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
suricattus, I've set the Howdunit series aside for you), most duplicates (most but not all, because I cannot seem to part with any of my 3 print copies of Pride & Prejudice), series books where I liked only the first couple of books (which, naturally, stay) and yellowed classics (on account of them being downloadable for free, so why keep a ratty print copy?)
And some things are easy keepers - all the Terry Pratchetts, Dorothy Sayers, Thurbers. Anything signed to me. Books that I know I love. Books that it hurts me to give up even if I know that's illogical to keep them (the 3 copies of P&P).
But this leaves a surprisingly large grey area. Review copies that I sorta liked. Series books that I haven't touched in 20 years. Books I liked but the author has pissed me off (Hess, I'm looking at you.)
And hardest of all, books that I used to love but have no idea if I even like anymore. For example, I used to adore the Grub-and-Stakers series. I thought it was the funniest, zaniest thing ever. Only I went back to reread a favorite and what used to be cute was grating and stilted. I dumped it before I finished two pages.
I don't have time to reread them all, and in some cases I'm afraid to. Back in the day, I thought On The Eighth Day and Those Who Hunt the Night were the best books ever written so I'm more than a little afraid to crack the covers and discover they're crap.
If you cull your books, what criteria do you use? Would you keep something out of sentiment?
For those who just gasped in horror, move along, this is not the post for you.
Still reading? Okay. Part of this is surprisingly easy - out go all old reference books (
suricattus, I've set the Howdunit series aside for you), most duplicates (most but not all, because I cannot seem to part with any of my 3 print copies of Pride & Prejudice), series books where I liked only the first couple of books (which, naturally, stay) and yellowed classics (on account of them being downloadable for free, so why keep a ratty print copy?)And some things are easy keepers - all the Terry Pratchetts, Dorothy Sayers, Thurbers. Anything signed to me. Books that I know I love. Books that it hurts me to give up even if I know that's illogical to keep them (the 3 copies of P&P).
But this leaves a surprisingly large grey area. Review copies that I sorta liked. Series books that I haven't touched in 20 years. Books I liked but the author has pissed me off (Hess, I'm looking at you.)
And hardest of all, books that I used to love but have no idea if I even like anymore. For example, I used to adore the Grub-and-Stakers series. I thought it was the funniest, zaniest thing ever. Only I went back to reread a favorite and what used to be cute was grating and stilted. I dumped it before I finished two pages.
I don't have time to reread them all, and in some cases I'm afraid to. Back in the day, I thought On The Eighth Day and Those Who Hunt the Night were the best books ever written so I'm more than a little afraid to crack the covers and discover they're crap.
If you cull your books, what criteria do you use? Would you keep something out of sentiment?
no subject
I could lose most of the Cherryh books but have no need to weed them out right now. I've got the space.
If I can find it in a library, it's likely to get tossed.
no subject
Good rule!