Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

My book addiction

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Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be joining the Inspired by Life … and Fiction blog. You will be able to find me here on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

It’s always daunting to introduce myself to a new group of people (though I hope I’m not entirely new to some of you), but I didn’t have to look around too long to be inspired by life (and fiction!) as to how to make your acquaintance.

My name is Anne Mateer, and I love books.

I love reading them. I love looking at them. I live living in the midst of them. Books make me happy.

My husband feels the same way. In fact, we bought a wrap around library wall of bookshelves—extra tall, and yes, ladder included!—nearly 20 years ago as an anniversary gift to ourselves. In one of our homes, we converting the dining room to a library space, because wouldn’t you rather read than eat? (Well, I do like both of those things, as look as I don’t have to cook the food!)

All of this is well and good, you might be thinking. You love books. I love books. Yay!

Not enough shelf space!

Only there is a problem. A serious, serious problem.

We just downsized. Again. The second time in two years. Both times we have cut our square footage by half. Half! (If, like me, you have trouble with the math, this means I am now living in about 1/4 of the space I had in the house we left 2 years ago!)

The truth is, as empty nesters, the day to day living part isn’t that bad. But when we made the first move in 2016 and put our house on the market, we stored our bookshelves and our books, eager for the time we’d have space for them again. A time we imagined was only a year or so away.

How the Lord must laugh at our plans, for here we are, still in a new-to-us city, where my husband’s temporary job has become more permanent. So permanent that we bought a place. Not a house, mind you. A very, very small condo in a downtown high rise.

Still, we made sure the home we purchased had a wall for bookshelves. We were happy at the thought of having our books accessible again.

Last week, 6 of our 9 shelves found a place in the condo, the other 3 (and ladder) relegated to storage once more. (At least storage is in the same town as we are this time around!) Then came the boxes of books.

60+.

Just a few of the boxes!

Yep, you read that right.

60+. Boxes. Of. Books.

Books we have bought and read and loved. Books we have paid to store—in a climate-controlled unit no less!—for the past 2 years.

Books we must now unpack.

Of course they will not all fit. Not on the shelves in the condo. Not even on the shelves in storage. Some must be let go. And “some” is probably more than most people keep in their homes! So we have begun the painful process of decision-making. Of giving away. For the kicker in the whole process is this: if we fill our bookshelves to the brim with old stuff, we will have no room for new. And that, my friends, just wouldn’t do.

My name is Anne Mateer, and I might—just might—be slightly addicted to books.

What is your process for dealing with all the physical books you read? (Because I know if you are reading this, you read a lot of books, like I do!)

Making progress!

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Comments

  1. I was curious after reading this, so I went through the house and checked. We have books in every room, except the bathrooms. I do purge pretty often, but I guess not when it comes to books!

    • I’m the same way, Cherilyn! I really keep a pretty tight rein on my “stuff”–except for books! They are so hard to let go of!

  2. Yes! Books are everywhere in our house 🙂

    But it is as nightmare, if I imagine how I move all my libraries 🙂

    And – Nice to meet you 🙂

    • It pretty much was a nightmare moving them all. I thought we’d never get through all the boxes, but we are very, very close now. Nice to meet you too, Blanka!

  3. I have piles of books (most I have read and think are keepers) that won’t fit on my shelves. When I can’t deal with it any longer I will weed them out. I take some to a used bookstore and trade them in for books by authors I’ve heard of and have never read. If I like the author’s book then I will add their name to my Favorite Authors List and the same bookstore will order their upcoming books new. By them pre-ordering my favorite authors books I don’t miss any of their latest books. Some books I donate to nursing homes, assisted living and to our church library. I have to admit, it breaks my heart to get rid of any books. I became a book lover when I read my first novel at 8 yrs old. I’m 71.

    • Good suggestions, Pat! I’ve been taking them to our local Goodwill, but I’ll look into nursing homes and assisted living! Great idea! I’ve been a book lover from the time I could read as well. 🙂

  4. I feel your pain. I even have a wall bookshelf in my garage. Your bookshelves are beautiful. I need to downsize.

  5. I give books that I have read to friends and family. Also, I donate a lot to the local library. Donating to nursing homes is a good idea, too. 🙂 I am glad to know there are others who have a lot of books, too. 🙂

    • Me, too! And as I had hoped with this post, I’ve found more of you out there. 🙂 Good suggestions, Melissa. I do try to pass books along to friends and family, too. It’s been a little harder in a new city where I don’t yet have an overabundance of friends.

  6. A woman after my own heart! Books! These little tombs of joy. I have always loved books. Since the first time my mother took me to a library at age four. The library was my friend. When I started home schooling my children, we started our own library. It grew every year. When I tried to downsize the library, my now grown son asked me not to. So we have books. In every room. And as I was introduced to Christian Fiction, the shelves (and my kindle) are filling up quickly. Because what greater pleasure is there than to be able to go to the shelves, pull out a favorite book and read it (again).

    • I agree, Jocelyn! In fact, what I missed most about our books being in storage for 2 years was pulling out my “comfort books” in times of stress and re-reading them. (For me, those are books like the Little House on the Prairie series, anything by L.M. Montgomery and Jane Austen.)

  7. Welcome, Anne, to Inspired by Life … and Fiction.

    In my last home, I had a library with shelves on all four walls. Not to mention bookshelves in every other room in the house except for the kitchen and two out of three bathrooms. (Yes, one bathroom had a bookshelf with books on it.)

    When I downsized eleven years ago, books and books and books had to go. My smaller house just couldn’t hold them. In the years since, I have switched to ebooks almost exclusively. I own hundreds upon hundreds (a couple of thousand at least) of ebooks and audiobooks, and they all fit on a small device in my hand. I am happy because, due to vision and wrist issues, reading on my Kindle is much easier and a more pleasant experience. Still I miss that library in my old house.

    • Thanks for the welcome, Robin! I think having my kindle has helped with the pain of parting with some of my physical books. I love, love, love that I can buy ebooks without having to find space for the on my shelves! Of course, that can be a bad thing, too, because it means I buy way more than I have time to read!

  8. Hi Anne. It’s very nice to meet you and read your post. I can sympathize with you about downsizing. Been there and done that.
    What I do with my books varies. If I like the books I will keep them to read again. After the second reading I usually part with them either by giving them to friends or donating to the local library. I keep all signed books which I store in plastic tubs under the bed. Mostly I read and either donate or giveaway. Lately I pull out actual books from the library or buy the ebook version. Easier to store in cloud or return to library than to find a place for them here in my seniors apartment.

    • Thanks, Shirley. And yes, I need to return to a library lifestyle. Truly, I have no excuse! There is a big beautiful new library just a block from our building. I need to put it to use! Of course I already have a kindle full of books waiting to be read as well! 😉

    • Shirley, there are three books I’ve read more than 2 dozen times each. THE ROBE, THE BIG FISHERMAN both by Lloyd C. Douglas and A SUMMER PLACE. I forgot that author’s name. The book belonged to my mother. The Robe and The Big Fisherman I bought in paperback so many times and wore them out. I found both in a yard sale in hard back. Unfortunately, they disappeared (long story) and I recently replaced them with paperback again. Only because I couldn’t find hard back in print. Other books by favorite authors I read multiple times. Those I want in a book that I can put on a shelf. I have over 3,000 ebooks and at least a 1,000 in print (paperback & hardback).

  9. Welcome! Glad to have you here!

    Oh, the books! I have so many, as do our kids. I could say no to toys but books were my downfall! I do have a friend I share some of my excess with, but I have a number of authors that are must-reads and their books are keepers! Such a delightfuly problem to have!

  10. Welcome! I love your bookcase! I can truly sympathize, as we have downsized for the 3rd time, have most of our remaining belongings in storage, and are living in an RV while we research and build a small home. I kept as many books as I could, but most had to go. WAHHHHHH (me crying). I’m impressed with how many boxes of books you protected, cared for, and loved during your transitions. Way to go!

    • Thanks, Angie! And wow–an RV! And I thought I was living in a tiny space! Kudos to you! It’s been hard figuring out what to keep and what to get rid of, but there is only such much space, so it must be done.

  11. Welcome, Ann. What a great addition. I, too, have a book problem. My husband is constantly building more shelves. I did have to let go of SOME when we moved across the country and then again when we moved from townhouse to regular house.

    It’s so hard when he pries them out of my hands!!!

    • Yes! Of course my husband has the same addiction as I do and neither of us are willing to pry that book from the other’s hands–so be grateful you have someone to help you! 🙂

  13. Thanks for sharing….makes me feel a bit better about our books being in storage, in piles on the floor and doubled up on the bookshelf. Since we plan to move yet this year, I have tried to go through the books to give them away to the library, but even then, I wonder whether I gave ones away that I really wanted to keep!!
    Looking forward to your biweekly sharing 🙂

  14. Welcome, Anne! For the last decade I’ve been living with my mother. My books have been stores in large plastic tubs. Since our home flooded due to Hurricane Harvey, those tubs are now in the garage. We plan to purchase bookshelves for the former craft’storage room turned into computer/reading room. My books will FINALLY be on display!

    • Yay! There is something so comforting about being able to look at your books, isn’t there? I’m glad Hurricane Harvey didn’t damage your complete collection!

  15. Welcome, Anne! I’m so glad you’ve joined the team here. (I’ve been on deadline; who are you replacing?) I have few shelves and loads of books, so I keep a lot of my keeper books in tote boxes with lids. I keep the yet-to-read books on the bookcases in my room. I’ve run out of space for totes, so some of my keeper books are stacked in front of the small bookcase atop a couple of stacks of totes. My name is Andrea, and I also have a book addiction.

    Happy writing and reading!
    Andrea
    Writer/Copyeditor
    WritingToInspire.blogspot.com

    • Lol! Yes, the bookcase beside my bed is pretty much full of yet-to-read books. Too many of them! I buy them because I want to read them then–oooo! there’s a new one I want to read! 🙂 I’m stepping into Lenora’s place. Big shoes to fill!

      • I understand that vibe completely! I’ll miss Lenora, but I know you’ll be amazing here too. Again, welcome!

  16. You sound like me! I have boxes and not enough space. My husband built a huge bookshelf in his den and I think I need one in my sewing room…but I have to admit if he does…it will take up a lot of space usually meant for sewing! Such a problem….I am lucky.

  17. Welcome to the blog, which I thoroughly enjoy reading everyday. Looking forward to getting to know you.

    I am definitely a book addict – many book shelves and I have had to buy baskets which are in different colors to suit each room. In 2014 both my husband and I retired – me from teaching for 33 years and him from a 15 year ministry career which he began late in life. Our retirements meant more books coming into the house, so I have been trying to sort and giveaway as many as I can. So hard to do, but as long as I can find good homes for them, it makes it somewhat easier.

    • I know what you mean about finding books good homes, Betty. I want someone else to love them as much as I have! So nice to meet you! 🙂

  18. Welcome, Anne! So happy to have you here on the blog! I LOVE hearing all about your books and bookshelves! I’d collected many bookshelves of books (not as many as you!). But over the past couple of years began to go through them. I’ve donated many, many to my church library where I now volunteer. It’s been fun to see others enjoying them now too!

    • Thanks, Jody! It’s so great to join y’all here. And how fun to get to volunteer in your church library! I know you love helping readers find those books they will enjoy!

  19. I’m also addicted to books. While I have several bookcases that I can use, the books I can’t fit in them are in plastic tubs alphabetically by authors’ last names. I have two ways of cross referencing what books I have–1) an Excel spreadsheet list alphabetically by title (authors’ names next to titles) and the alphabetical, physical arrangement by authors. Once I’ve read a book, I decide if I MUST keep the book. If so, I may lend it out and then get it back. If I don’t feel that I MUST keep it, I give it away, donate it to our library used book store (receipts from sales used to buy items for the library), or sell it on Amazon. While I’m reading them as fast as I can, I have enough books to keep me busy for the rest of my life. However, I also have to have the new books of my favorite authors. I am blessed with zillions of books!

    • You are amazing, Suzanne! I keep wanting to put my titles in a spreadsheet (because yes, I have bought books before then realized I already own them!) and you have done it! Kudos to you! And yes, I, too, have enough books to keep me occupied for life. And yet my favorite authors keep writing more. A good problem to have. 🙂

  20. I have several boxes of books stored alphabetically by author in my downstairs storage room. Most of the newer ones I have on bookshelves. If I know I’ll never read the book again, I usually donate it to our library or to a friend. I definitely have two many books and so does my husband.

  21. About 15 years ago, we had built-in bookshelves along one wall of our family room. I had a double row of books on each shelf. I decided to purge and donated about half so that I could actually see the books I had. Within a year we bought a house more than double the size. I had a room that was dedicated to my books. I went on an eBay binge buying mysteries by the box. I think we ended up with 10 bookcases all full. Ten years later, we moved again. We still had plenty of room for my books but my taste in books had changed. I no longer wanted to read most of the secular books I had. Some had too much smut, others were just too dark. I was also reading mostly on my iPad. So I purged again drastically. The local library received a huge donation of books to sell and were very happy.

  22. One of my summer projects will be to go through my books again to see which ones I can part with. Some will be donated to our local library and others to our thrift store. I’m at the point I need another book shelf too.Even though I know I will never reread all of the books I want to keep, some I just can’t bear to part with because I really enjoyed them. Sometimes I think book collecting must be a sickness, but if it is, it’s a good one to have. It’s also probably hereditary in my case. My kids are readers and book collectors too.

    • A great use for some summer days. I’d probably been in better shape if I’d gone through and weeded out my books on a more regular basis. I’m sure this book collecting is a sickness, but I don’t think anyone who has it wants a cure! 🙂

  23. I grinned when I read your post, Anne. 60+ boxes of books? I thought, finally, someone who understands. I, too, have tubs. In my basement and crawlspace. My bedroom is lined with filled shelves, I have a curio full of antique books, and in my living room, five, completely full, handcrafted maple bookcases. And I still keep bringing them home. Library sales. Used book sales. Half-price books. You name it. I keep pondering where I can put more storage, in fact. I know. I know. I should part with some. And I have. A few novels here and there, but with unsavory results . . . I acquire more nonfiction selections instead. I don’t know what it is. There’s just something comforting . . . inviting . . . about books. I love to be surrounded by them. To see them lining my walls. To feel those worn pages in my grasp. Such a wonderful respite to me. As you can probably tell, it’ll be awhile until I do any major purging. But kudos to you and anyone who has done so, or is in the process.

  24. My name is Trish and I am a bookaholic.
    Several years ago, I went to buy some books. I have fibromyalgia, and my rheumatologist told me that an hour before I go to sleep, that I was to do something enjoyable, calming and had absolutely nothing to do with a TV or computer. She didn’t want me to do anything stimulating. Ever since I could read, I been a veracious reader. In fact I used to fight my dad as to who got my favourite book. More times than not, he won but anyway. What was my favourite book? It was the dictionary! Dad loved his crosswords, but of course when he needed help with it, there was his daughter, collecting as much information she could learn.
    So anyway, when my rheumatologist told me to do something that would help calm me before sleep, I immediately thought of reading. We have a Christian bookstore across the road from the rheumatologist’s office. So I decided to go there. I don’t go there often, so I had my usual treat. A shake. All sorts of books were calling my name. I hadn’t read Amish/Mennonite books before. Actually, I got introduced from then on about different types of books and different authors. I must admit, I went crazy getting all sorts of books. The assistant manager served me and thought that I was holding a book sale. i told him no, that they were all for my personal use. He checked my previous transactions and found that I was indeed an avid reader. He then did something that I really wasn’t expecting. Because I buy so many books from them, he made a note on their computer that all future transactions I made, I must be given a 15% discount! I was stunned and trilled, but I wasn’t saying no to that!
    When I lived in our previous house, I had 5 bookshelves, full to the hilt. Even with those, I didn’t have enough book space. I still had boxes of books that hadn’t been unpacked yet There was no room to put them.
    In our current house, there is even less space for books. I loan my books out, I’ve given boxes and boxes of books to the local library. When I’d joined my library, I found Christian books were sadly lacking. So I decided to do them a favour, and also help me in getting the number of books down. I still have boxes of books that I haven’t read yet. There are books already that I’ve seen that I’d love to read, but I’m trying to be tough on myself. I’m trying not to buy any more books until I’ve read all the ones I have. I’ve got quite a number to be boxed up and given away. They can either go to the library or to our church. They sell them and the proceeds go towards missions.
    So who knows? Maybe after I pack up some more of these books, and there’s quite a few that are ready to go, I might be able to unpack some of the books that are out in the garage. There’s still too many to fit in the available bookshelves we have here, but at least there are some that I haven’t read from there yet.

    • I love your story, Trish! What an amazing thing to be given doctor’s orders to read for an hour every night!And what a great bookstore manager to reward your loyalty!

  25. Dear Ann,
    We have your books in the church library. The library is 75 years young and we have books for all ages. Our collection is around 15,000 and we’ve moved the library 6 times.
    We also stored our books in air-conditioned storage during one of our moves and it was 3 years before we saw the books again.

    • Hi, Janet! So glad to hear your church library has my books. That makes me happy. 🙂 Having had your own books in storage, we understand each other’s pain at being apart from them–and our joy at having them back!

  26. I love your shelves. I, too, am a bookaholic. But most of mine I get free through contests or review crews. Hubby says he won’t move that many but we moved three years ago to retire . I don’t see us moving real soon! Thanks for a great post I have several of your books. Welcome!

    • And we are happy to be settled, even if it is here. 😉 Seriously, it’s turned out to be a great place to live. And so nice to connect with you on occasion!

  28. This made me smile! We downsized 3 years ago to a house that is only 1300 sq ft. (Less than half the size of our previous home.) We have 2 kids, and whittled down our belongings to the bare essentials. It was great. Books have slowly taken over, though. I get rid of every book after reading it; the problem is, I have so many that I haven’t read — and want to read each one before passing them along!

    Each month, I send my grandmother a big box of Christian fiction and devotionals that I’ve reviewed. She enjoys them and shares them with her friends in their little prayer group. I also take a lot of books to my classroom, give to my friends, etc. Print books are meant to be shared.

    • Dianna, I’m like you. Once I’ve read books, I want to give them away, unless they are absolute favourites. There’s only a few series that I will keep to read over and over again. I’ve given away boxes and boxes of books in an attempt to lower my collection. As much as I’d like to downsize my collection, I want to read them all first. I’d better hurry up or I’ll never get all of them read!

  29. As empty nesters I branched out and took 2 of our smaller bedrooms and made libraries. I still have a large guest bedroom. I am overflowing again now and I really don’t want to get rid of any of my books. I am also adding to my new physical books about 4 Times a year when I order from CBD. I spend quite a bit. My husband just built me a new bookshelf that goes almost the whole length of the wall so that gave me a big extra bookshelf but I have it full because I had so many doubled up that when I spread them out a little I have run out of space again. Oh my! The worries of a bookhoarder! Lol! But I Love Books Too!
    Brenda Murphree

    • I’m so jealous that you have library bedrooms! Oh, the luxury! Enjoy them–but I know what you mean. No matter how much space I have (or don’t have!), the books always get out of hand.

  30. I like you love books all kinds of books, I volunteer at a small library and we have no funding so all of our books are donated, that is what I do as I read them, The Lord has blessed me so as I can see folks read what I love and the story continues! God Bless You and keep donating and reading!

  31. We were on the road when this posted, so I almost missed it! But just wanted to say how thrilled we are to have you here on IBLF, Anne!

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