What do you do with your books after you have read them?

[CR]

I save my books when I'm done reading them and put them on my shelf. Now my bookshelf is overflowing and I need another!

[Vasyl]

Haha, I know that feeling! I keep telling myself I’ll stop buying new books until I finish the old ones… and then I see another one I “need.” 😅

[rosie xo]

For me I keep them as it is like a little trophy for me
Sometimes I will sell them on vinted if I didn't like the book or don't care for it on my shelves.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

rosie xo wrote: "For me I keep them as it is like a little trophy for me
Sometimes I will sell them on vinted if I didn't like the book or don't care for it on my shelves."

I haven't thought of that but they are like trophies aren't they.

[Vasyl]

I know exactly what you mean. Some books just stay with you for reasons you can’t explain — they make you stop for a moment and think about life, fear, and what really matters.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

Vasyl wrote: "I know exactly what you mean. Some books just stay with you for reasons you can’t explain — they make you stop for a moment and think about life, fear, and what really matters."

So true. I just reread The Secret History for a group read on here and totally changed whatever I was thinking about it the first time I read it a few years ago. I think I took the time to think about what I was reading this time and very much enjoyed it.

[Jade]

I donate them to my library or gift them to friends who I feel would like them as much as I did.

[Diane]

All of my books (except for a small few) are used. I get them from online used-book sellers or else I buy them from a very large (FOTL) book sale that takes place near me.

When I am finished reading them, I usually keep them if I liked them. Then I can either re-read them at a later date or share them. If I don’t plan on reading the book again I will donate it or sell it if I happen to be having a yard sale.

I know some of the online sites like World of Books and Thrift Books have buy-back programs. I think they only want certain titles though. But if you have what they want, they will pay you for the book as well as the shipping. There are also programs that will buy any books by the pound. Some places will even come and pick them up. I don’t remember where I saw that—you can Google it for more info.

[Debbie]

All go out to a circle of reading friends, which is where we (hubby and I) get most of our books from. My 5 stars, I buy and keep.

[Pamela]

Diane wrote: "All of my books (except for a small few) are used. I get them from online used-book sellers or else I buy them from a very large (FOTL) book sale that takes place near me.

When I am finished read..."

Like you, Diane, I've found myself going the used book route with physical books. I volunteer with a Friends of the Library group, so I go through donations as they come in and often will buy books that I just have to have. But I also believe in the importance of used book stores and purchase from one — and turn in read books to them. I even ordered books from them during Covid.

I firmly believe that books are meant for sharing, especially paperbacks that are printed on cheap paper. More than 20 years ago, I realized that when packing up all my books collected over years and donated many of them other than a few cherished authors. And shortly afterwards, my cousin and I began sharing books (it helps that we like the same type of books). After we have read them, we exchange them by mail.

And now my sister is in the mix. Its cheap to ship books by 'third class media' — a good sized box costs about or less than the current price of a single new book.

That's why in addition of boxes waiting for Christmas gifts, I have three boxes for books — my sister, my cousin and those that I will either donate or give to my favorite used book store.

And that is the reason that my "to be read" list has grown! Every bookshelf is filled.

[Diane]

Pamela wrote: "Diane wrote: "All of my books (except for a small few) are used. I get them from online used-book sellers or else I buy them from a very large (FOTL) book sale that takes place near me.

When I am..."

I love that you are able to share books with your family that way! You are lucky to have such reading friends.

I thought I mentioned above (but I see that I forgot) that I also borrow a lot of my books from the library.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

Pamela wrote: "Diane wrote: "All of my books (except for a small few) are used. I get them from online used-book sellers or else I buy them from a very large (FOTL) book sale that takes place near me.

When I am..."

I love that you share books too. I share with friends and one of my daughters (thankfully we have similar taste in reading.)

I don't keep many on my shelves. I donate most to the library or give to a used book store.