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

September 18, 2024

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? Let’s dive into the quirky, cluttered world of my book collection and explore the tangled web of emotions and memories that keep these pages from finding a new home.

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.

Questions That Keep Me Turning Pages

Existential Shelf Life: If books are reflections of our thoughts and experiences, are they part of a larger literary universe we’re unaware of?
Olfactory Oddities: Why do some books smell like nostalgia and others like old coffee spills? Is there a scent-based hierarchy in book preservation?
Animal Analogies: If animals hoard items for survival, why do I hoard books for pleasure? Are we just different species with similar instincts?

Have Thoughts on Book Hoarding?

Do you find yourself unable to part with certain books? Or perhaps you’ve mastered the art of decluttering and have some hilarious stories to share? Drop your musings and bookish tales in the comments below—we’re all in this overthinking (and hoarding) journey together!

Found this post page-turningly funny? Share it with your fellow book lovers and let’s celebrate our unbreakable bond with books! 📚😂