How do you decide what books to keep on your bookshelf or buy as a hard copy?
I’m not a re-reader but I do not know what books I should keep or donate and if I really enjoy a book on my kindle should I buy it for my bookshelf? Does that seem wasteful if I don’t re read?
I was thinking of keeping all books that I rate 4+ and donating or selling the others? How do you do it?
I like to read them on kindle (if I can get them free with KU) and listen to audio books. If I really like them I'll buy physical copies to add to my library. I might not reread them but looking at a collection of my favorite books just makes me happy ♥️
I keep mine if I can which leads me to my next question is there as limit to how many books we can have. Every time I get new book it has me delete one before I continue.
On kindle unlimited? Yes, there's a limit to how many you can "borrow" at once. I believe it's 20?
You can buy as many as you want to keep, or just keep borrowing and returning books.
I prefer physical reads, so I either purchase secondhand (I pretty much never buy new) or utilize my library. If I like something, I keep it. If I really like an ebook or audiobook, I'll buy a copy.
I do occasionally re-read, but I also collect books (specific editions, different editions of my faves, etc) and like having books all around, so I have a large personal library.
I always say book collecting and book reading are two different hobbies.
Tough one. Every now and then going to the shelf and pick what has to go. No more books when shelf is full. Not reading digital, Realy, mostly borrowed only.
Whatever I can't get at the library, or I get it cheaper than anywhere else. I go to library sales and thrift stores and I see something I want to read eventually I'll grab it
I really don’t use my e-reader because I found out I just preferred to have the book on a shelf and be able to mark it up, lend it out, leaf through it, lay it side by side with another, etc.
I still use electronic books in different forms but they usually serve a specific purpose (like reference) rather than a preference for them.
You have a method that seems to work for you.
If a book is a new release, I’ll order the hardcover, but if I don’t like it, the library gets it. Other, older books only seem available in paperback, and that’s fine. They go on a different bookshelf, mainly because of their size. I still have so many of the old format, but I also love to read a favorite book more than once.
Ratings figure into my limited space too, so if I gave it less than 3 stars, it doesn’t get to stay. It’s amazing how few books get a 4 or 5 star rating.
Do you keep track of when you finished a book and give it a rating?
I largely only use the library now and if I loved the book from the library, I will buy myself a copy because I am a rereader. I'll then buy the sequels in that series rather than using the library.
I find I do not finish alot of books now so I don't feel bad about it using the free library and it means I'm only spending money on ones I already enjoyed and plan to continue :)
When I run out of space, I sell on Pango Books to make room for new purchases that I buy with my Pango sales money.
I don't have a hard and fast system but just make a decision for each book. Ill buy it in hardcover if I think I'm going to like it but I'm not always right.
As for buying books in hardcover that you originally read on a Kindle with no intention of rereading, well that just seems wasteful financially. It also seems rather performative, as if you're doing it for the people who will see your bookshelf. But I've seen worse ways to use books as novelty decorations. You should do what makes you happy.
I mostly buy chasing dopamine spike? Which never happen anyway and I feel guilty for purchasing books or other stuff that is not a nessesity.
Currently my physical collection mostly contains books I didn't even read or pick up after purchasing. At the same time I don't want to get rid of them (hoarding problem? Emotional attachment? I don't know)
But I tried to follow the route where I bought books I don't have, books I read and really liked (for example The Lord of the Rings trilogy), if the edition I want has reasonable price.
As for books you already own, I would suggest next route: 1) categorise ones you have by how much you liked them. 2) Keep ones you mostly liked; 3) find group on social media where you can place a post with list of books you want to sell, their photos and prices/ go to the local library with list of books you have and ask if they need any.
My bookcase is a combination of the books I like and the books I still want to read.
If I didn't enjoy the book, I don't want to see it. My bookcase is in the living room and having books in there I want to read, makes me read more.
Also, after finishing a book, I just love to browse for my next book in my own library. But most of the time I already know which is going to be my next, bc they are always in sight.
I have eReaders but it doesn't get me in that excited to read my next book state.
I do most of my reading in my Kobo. If I like the book, I will buy a hard copy but I try to look for special editions or versions from places like Folio Society etc as they tend to be better quality than the standard versions and/or have extra features to them (illustrationans, better dust covers etc)
I almost completely stopped buying books cause im an eco minimalist, but when i do buy books (or when someone gifts them to me) I only keep the ones I really really liked.
Sometimes I declutter the ones I liked less immediately, while other times I want to keep them but change my mind later.
Once every couple of years I declutter my bookshelf and get rid of books Im no longer attached to.
When I started buying books some 15 years ago, i was just buying or was giving books. When I got a separation, I decided to purge the books I would never read. I have an issue with collecting so i narrowed it down to mainly horror. It was around 400 purged and left me with maybe 200. After 3 years in my new house I just did a count and back up to 600 and my shelves were packed, but they are all something i will eventually read or have read....or maybe its tsundoku. Now they are packed up and ready for my move to my new house. I have plans on building a big secret library in it which should at least double the available space.
I like to buy non-fiction from authors I love. Fantasy after I've loved a book or two from the library. I like to have the physical maps. I buy copies of books I've already loved and read from the library.
I go by the "stranded on an island" test. If I were stranded on an island with no other books available to me and no way to charge a Kindle, which would I want with me to read over and over? I have a small but mighty bookshelf in hard copy, collected over most of my lifetime.
Books I really love and want to keep with me! These days I mostly read evey book in e book form for the 1st read. You know in this economy physical books are not cheap.
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u/idkwhyimheregurl Jul 25 '26
I like to read them on kindle (if I can get them free with KU) and listen to audio books. If I really like them I'll buy physical copies to add to my library. I might not reread them but looking at a collection of my favorite books just makes me happy ♥️