How To Declutter Books: A Gentle Guide For Book Lovers

As someone who grew up believing that books make a house a home, I understand the unique challenge of decluttering a beloved book collection. With five kids who’ve inherited my reading passion (our bedtime reading often turns into “just one more chapter” marathons!), our bookshelves were literally overflowing. Today, I’m sharing how I learned to thoughtfully curate our family’s library while still honoring our deep love for books and reading. This isn’t about getting rid of books – it’s about creating space for the stories that truly matter to us. In this article I share strategies for how to declutter books.

And spoiler alert—it looks a lot different from my other how-to-declutter articles. Because books simply need a different set of strategies.

If you’re looking for the best books on decluttering, of course I’ve read them all. I share a summary of my top 5 picks in my other article here.

Understanding the Emotional Connection to Books

Let’s acknowledge something important right away: books aren’t just objects. They’re portals to other worlds, trusted friends, and holders of precious memories. I still have the copy of “The Hobbit” that my dad read to me when I was ten, complete with hot chocolate stains on page 47. And I will never part from it because of those memories. Each book tells two stories – the one within its pages and the one about how it came into our lives.

That’s exactly why decluttering books requires a different approach than organizing other items. This isn’t about Marie Kondo-ing our way to minimal shelves – it’s about thoughtfully curating a collection that continues to bring joy and value to our reading lives.

Creating Categories That Make Sense for Book Lovers

I’ve found it helpful to sort books into emotional categories rather than just genres. Here are the categories that worked for me:

• Soul Books (those that changed my life or represent core memories)
• Reference Books (that I actually consult regularly)
• To-Be-Read (being realistic about what I’ll actually read)
• Books for Different Life Stages (including kids’ books we’ve outgrown)
• Borrowed Books (that need to find their way home)
• Books I Enjoyed But Won’t Reread

This system helps honor the different roles books play in our lives while making decisions easier.

The Gentle Art of Book Letting Go

Here’s where we need to be honest with ourselves, fellow book lover to book lover. Some books have served their purpose in our lives. That self-help book that got you through a tough time? It might be ready to help someone else now. Those duplicate copies of classics? Maybe they could inspire a new reader.

I started with the easiest category: books I’d borrowed and needed to return. Then moved to obvious duplicates (somehow we had three copies of “Pride and Prejudice”!). The key is to begin with books that don’t tug at your heartstrings to start building some momentum.

Finding New Homes for Beloved Books

This is crucial: we’re not throwing books away – we’re helping them find new readers! I’ve discovered so many wonderful ways to share books:

• Local libraries (many accept donations for their collections or book sales)
• School libraries (especially for children’s books)
• Little Free Libraries in our neighborhood
• Women’s shelters (particularly for novels and children’s books)
• Senior centers (large-print books are especially appreciated)
• Prison literacy programs
• Local used bookstores (some offer store credit!)

Remember: every book you donate might be someone else’s new favorite story.

Creative Ways to Keep Book Memories

Sometimes we’re holding onto books more for what they represent than their content. Here are some creative solutions I’ve found:

• Create a photo album of special book covers and inscriptions
• Frame beautiful book pages from damaged copies (perfect for nursery décor!)
• Make book-page garlands for your reading nook
• Scan meaningful inscriptions into a digital memory book
• Use damaged-beyond-repair books for craft projects (book page flowers are gorgeous!)
• Keep one representative book from a series instead of all of them

Digital Alternatives for Reference Books

Let’s talk about those heavy reference books taking up entire shelves! While I’ll always prefer physical books for reading pleasure, I’ve found that some books serve us better in digital form:

• Cookbooks (except family heirlooms or frequently used favorites)
• Travel guides (they’re outdated quickly anyway)
• Technical manuals
• Textbooks
• Annual publications
• Encyclopedias

Many libraries now offer digital lending for reference materials, which has helped me let go of dozens of outdated volumes.

Creating a “Books to Process” System

Here’s a practical tip for maintaining your curated collection: create a dedicated space for books “in processing.” In our home, it’s a single shelf where we place:

• Books we’ve just finished (to decide whether to keep)
• New acquisitions (to read within 3 months or donate)
• Books to donate (once the box is full, it goes!)
• Books to return to friends or library

This system prevents new book clutter from accumulating while respecting our love of reading.

Maintaining a Mindful Book Collection

The goal isn’t to stop buying or collecting books – it’s to be mindful about our collections. I now follow a few simple guidelines:

• One in, one out for non-reference books
• Reading new acquisitions within 3 months
• Regular library visits to reduce impulse book purchases
• Keeping a “books to buy” list (and reviewing it after a month)
• Sharing books with friends and family through a lending system

Conclusion: How To Declutter Books

Remember, the perfect size for your book collection is whatever allows you to truly appreciate and engage with the books you own. Some of us might keep 50 books, others 500 – there’s no wrong number as long as your collection brings you joy rather than stress.

Your book collection should feel like a well-loved garden – tended with care, growing thoughtfully, with space for new growth while honoring the perennials that come back season after season. Trust me, if our family of seven passionate readers can find peace with our book collection, you can too! Why not start today by choosing just one category to mindfully review?