How do I decide which books to give away?

Question

I'm a homeschooling mom of 4 ages 16, 14, 11 and 5. I have too many books and need to get rid of some but I'm having a hard time choosing which to get rid of. I've stopped buying new ones since joining Flylady but still can't let go. Some categories that I have: picture books, chapter books, science, geography, history, Bible, textbooks for every age.

Since my youngest is just 5, I don't know yet what books he will like so it's harder to let go.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions you have for me.

Kelli

Answer 1

It's hard isn't it Kelli?   I keep telling dh that I need more bookshelves.  *grin*  I love the look on his face when I say that.  

The easiest way is to start with those books that you haven't used.  I know I bought books 5 years ago thinking that they looked wonderful, but we haven't even looked in them...  

I sold a few of those at a used curriculum sale about a month ago.  

I went through my bookshelves and sorted into 3 piles to start with:  keep, sell and who knows.  LOL

That at least got rid of those ones that I knew we could part with right away.  Boxed them up and got them out of the way.  We then put the keeps back onto the shelves.  

Then it's a matter of sitting down with those undecided and really thinking about how much you used them/didn't use them.  

Good luck.  While I got rid of a lot, I sure didn't get rid of enough...

Answer 2

Determine which books already benefited your family the most, then give, not rid, those books to someone so that they too can get a similar benefit.

Save enough of those better books for your younger child so that he or she matures in a similar way.  Then, depart with those too because by now the wisdom from the readings is  part of the life that you and your children live; their purpose in your household has been served, pass them on joyfully!

Answer 3

You could ask your other children about which books they enjoyed and which they didn't and get rid of the ones they didnt particularly like. And ask them which ones they would recommend for their younger sibling.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

What has really motivated me to clear out, besides and out-of-state move last year, is joining PaperbackSwap.com:

http://www.paperbackswap.com

I've gotten rid of lots of books this way...and also "scored" a lot of great HS books & materials.  The site is more than just paperbacks - it's all genres of books, even audio books.  They have a sister site, SwapACD, where I use a lot of the credits I earn on books to get free CD's.  There is another site coming soon for trading DVD's.

Anyway, the motivation is there to get rid of a book that's just been collecting dust, when I know we (DS is the same) can get a great book or CD we want in its place.  :-)

PBS has a great HS'ing forum, too!

If you want/need more help or info, email me.

Oh, it's been a great place to get rid of the "curriculum junkie" items I've bought the past 5 yrs and never used ;-).

Answer 5

I completely understand. I'm mom of 7 (ages 4-12) and we are always overflowing with books. Every year at Christmas we have a massive book exchange. Our rules are:  if you get a book give one away, if someone wants to keep a book discover the reasons.

Remember, you can probably get the book again if you really need it later.