<p>I thought I’d consult here on an issue because I think you adults have a better grasp of manners and etiquette in most situations, so I defer to your wisdom.</p>
<p>Basically, I’m in the process of cleaning out what has to be a good 8 years of mess from my room (which I’ve never really used because the bed is not suitable for sleeping), and I’ve come upon the realization that I must possess over 100 books. My grandmother worked for a publishing company for a long time and knows that I used to have quite the passion for reading, so when I was still pouring through books she got them for me faster than I could get through them. </p>
<p>Long story short, I have many fantasy and sci-fi books that are in great condition, that I have not read and probably will not read anywhere in the near future. After a summer of less than fruitful job searching, I’m also very strapped for cash. Though I fully intend to let my brother, who remains an avid reader and book collector, to peruse what I have before I do anything with it, is there something wrong with selling the books to a used bookstore even though they were gifts and I have not read them?</p>
<p>I’m confused because I definitely feel guilt and reservations about the idea, but I also am quite the hoarder as I have discovered in the process of cleaning my room. (Keeping every school assignment I’ve ever done, all of my shoe boxes, gift bags and boxes from every gift I receive, etc.) So, I’m not sure if these reservations are actually justified, or if I’m reluctant to go through with this plan because I attach sentimental value to everything even if it is of no use to me. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your perspectives on the situation. For the record, I have probably read a good… 20-30 of the books I own, if there would be some sort of a better moral option stemming from that number.</p>
<p>Julie…
nip your tendency to save everything sooner rather than later…
I totally encourage you to sell and or give your books away … if you are not reading them and won’t be reading them, then give them a new life on another bookshelf… if you do get some cash for them, well, then you can perhaps use some of that $$ to get your grandmother (assuming she is still alive??) a little gift… or use some of the money at the next book sale your local library has and pick up replacement books that you WILL read… </p>
<p>Not sure what chromosome is responsible for us keeping all these sentimental things (shoe boxes, gift bags etc etc) but it is actually a detriment for keeping our lives simple… and I have a lifetime of stuff throughout the house… and as much as it is evil to throw good things away, they really can bury us alive… sooo, try and stay on top of your “stuff” and understand that it is okay to reduce, reuse, recycle, regift…</p>
<p>Absolutely reduce, recycle, regift and sell the books. I don’t agree that you have to ask your Grandmother. They were gifts. You may do as you please with them.<br>
As far as reducing clutter I would definitely recommend picking one day a week to take a few minutes to sift through things. Taking stuff to a local charity thrift store or giving it to someone who will use it or selling it to a bookstore where someone else will buy the book and read it is all good stuff. You’ll be surprised how good you feel doing it.</p>
<p>OK, here’s another idea - give Grandma a shot at getting the books back, she, like your brother might want some of them. She doesn’t need to know that you haven’t read allof them, just that you really need space (and/or money, depending on Grandma).
Also, will you be tempted to buy other books? If so, they a look at Paperback Book Swap, or some of the other book swap websites, rather than selling the books turn them into book credits.</p>
<p>Please give your books a new home, and don’t just keep them to keep them. I work at a library that has a used book store inside of it. A few times we’ve had boxes of books donated that were someones prized collection. Unfortunately they also turned out to be just about worthless and unsaleable because they were plain old and did not have special bindings, signatures etc. It’s sad but true that a new Jodi Picoult will sell for five times the price of an old Isaac Asimov.</p>
<p>Since your grandmother worked for a publishing company the gift of books was logical for her and not in the extra-special category. Definitely let someone else have access to them- they are useless sitting on your bookshelves. I doubt your grandmother wants any of them, you could offer, but if that would be awkward just quietly sell them.</p>