The Evolution of a Former Book Hoarder
I have been a book collector for as long as I can remember. Being surrounded by a physical library has been a comfort in my most troubling times. My coziest moments are spent exploring the shelves of used bookstores and thrift shops.
There exists a fine line between a book collector and a book hoarder. At one point in my life, I would have considered myself the latter, but the older I get, the more I realize that reading is a communal, societal experience.
If I love a book, I feel selfish hoarding it, like Gollum and his precious ring. And if I despise a book, there is surely someone out there who would get value out of it.
These days, when I finish a book, I drop most of them off in a Little Free Library. The rest go to family members. Since I don't often re-read books (at least intentionally), keeping them after they're read feels like an act of greed.
I often contemplate the future journey of my donated books. Who will find them? Will they love the book as much as I did? Will they pass the book on to someone they love? Will it sit on a shelf gathering dust?
I hope it makes them feel. I hope it enriches their journey. I hope it ignites a spark that shines through their soul and inspires them to share the experience like I did.
You can do your part. Let your books go.