Why Can’t I Throw Away Books? A Literary Hoarder’s Lament

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Date: September 27, 2024 by Toby Balsley

Books. They’re supposed to be gateways to adventure, knowledge, and escapism. Yet, here I am, staring at a mountain of them that I can’t seem to part with. From high school novels to college textbooks, beloved reads to ones I despise, and even that old 1990 database design manual—why can’t I just let them go? My cluttered world of my book collection and tangled web of emotions and memories keep these pages from finding a new home (or the trash).

The Mixed Bag of Memories

My bookshelf is a colorful chaos of emotions and memories. I’ve got books from high school that I both loved and hated. Remember that one novel you couldn’t put down and the other you couldn’t wait to finish just to throw it away? Yeah, I’ve got both.

• High School Hits and Misses: There are those coming-of-age stories that shaped who I am and the textbooks that made me question why I ever thought chemistry was cool.
• College Classics: From enlightening literature to the dreaded 1990 database design book that still sits untouched, wondering why I can’t just bid it farewell.

The Love-Hate Relationship with Books

Some books have a special place in my heart, while others… not so much. It’s a delicate balance of sentiment and practicality.

• Books I Love: These are the ones that made me laugh, cry, and think deeply. They’re like old friends I can’t imagine my shelf without.
• Books I Hate: The ones that caused eye-rolls and groans every time I glanced at them. Yet, they’re still here, stubbornly occupying space.
• Books I Won’t Read Again: Finished them but can’t bring myself to let them go. It’s like keeping a trophy for something you no longer care about.

The Unread and the Unwanted

Then there are the books I want to read someday but haven’t gotten around to yet. They’re like potential adventures waiting patiently on the shelf.

• Books I Want To Read: The titles that promise new insights or thrilling stories, but somehow always stay in the “someday” pile.
• Books I Recall: Some I remember vividly, and others? Not so much. The memory of why I bought that 1990 database design book is fuzzy at best.

The Great Book Hoarding Mystery

So, why can’t I throw these books away when I can easily part with other clutter like clothes, shoes, dishes, or art pots?

• Sentimental Attachment: Each book carries a piece of my past, a memory tied to a specific time or experience.
• Potential Use: Even if I haven’t read a book in years, there’s always the lingering hope that I might need it someday.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Let’s not forget the beauty of a well-stocked bookshelf. It’s like a personal library that showcases my intellectual journey.
• Fear of Regret: What if I throw away a book and later realize I desperately needed it? The what-ifs keep me holding on.