I’ve heard the first step to tackling an issue is to acknowledge it out loud, so in the spirit of the new year being a time for change, I’m going to admit the problem right here: I have too many books.
The problem isn’t that I own and collect books, because that very thing makes my soul very happy, but the fact that my little house and its humble bookshelves are struggling to accommodate them all. In the past few years, they’ve gone from being in neat rows on my bookshelves, to being in stacks moving vertically towards the ceiling. Like paperback skyscrapers.
So, my collection needs a gentle declutter, and since I thrive off a good challenge, I thought I’d set a goal to read 50% of the books I haven’t yet picked up by the end of this year. And to hold myself even more accountable, I’m going to make a big old book cover gallery here and cross them off as I go, because who isn’t motivated by a list?
My hope is that I might discover some new favourites, and be thrilled to keep those books around for the long run. Equally, I hope I will be ready to move some of these books on too, donate some to work or gift to friends. One woman’s mediocre thriller is another woman’s treasure – or so the saying goes. The ones I move on will create so much needed space at home (and make room for new books – ahem, who said that?!).
So, here I am, ready to tackle my bookshelves this year – let’s go!
Progress: 0%
Updated 18/1/2025
