5 Ways to Tidy Your Bookshelf

Talk is cheap, let's get to work.

Hey, you. Yeah, you. I know you're a book lover. You love to read, and you own a library filled with books to which you are always adding.

And while I'm glad to see that you're doing so well, I have some bad news: there are a lot of books in your house right now that don't need to be there.

Not if you're serious about your self-care routine and keeping your mental health in check.

That doesn't mean you should throw them out. Just check and organize them and keep only the ones you love! A well-organized bookshelf not only makes your space look tidy but also helps you find your favorite reads quickly. Here are five ways to clean up the unnecessary books in your home library and make space for what truly matters.

1.) Put your favorite ones on e-readers.

E-readers are great for traveling and can also come in handy when you have no room for physical books on your shelves. Just download an e-book version and take it with you wherever you go! Plus, digital books save space, reduce clutter, and help you keep your collection organized without sacrificing your love for reading.

2.) Give them away at local thrift stores or libraries instead of throwing them away!

You might even get some money back by selling them online. You have to remember that making a profit from them isn't that important at this point. Don't keep them around until you find a buyer—the important thing now is to get rid of them fast, especially if you are too emotionally attached to pretty much all of your junk. I know I am. But the longer we keep them around, the harder it becomes to do it. Later on, we might tell ourselves we "just don’t have the time." So don’t wait—rip the band-aid off. Find a place and donate them. It will also feel good. Charity always does.

Another option is to look for book exchange programs in your community or little free libraries. Sharing books with others means they get a second life and bring joy to someone new.

3.) Gift books to friends and family members who enjoy reading.

It's always nice to give away a book you love, especially if you know the person you're giving it to will enjoy it. Books make thoughtful and personal gifts, and they can help create meaningful conversations. If you have duplicates or books you’ve already read and won’t reread, why not share them with a fellow book lover?

4.) Don't forget your nightstand.

Check the books on your to-read list, those you keep next to your bed, and those you've started but never finished. Are there any you’re never really going to read? If so, it’s time to let them go.

Also, don't keep old magazines and newspapers just for a recipe or a single article. If you want to save something, consider taking a picture or scanning the page. You can hold on to some of them, but find a creative way to store them so they look nice and don’t add to the clutter.

5.) Last and most important: keep it clean.

Do not buy new books—at least not physical ones—until you’ve read all the books you already own and have chosen to keep. If you do buy, opt for e-books or borrow from the library. Otherwise, you'll end up right where you are now—with a messy bookshelf and a cluttered home.

By keeping your bookshelf organized and resisting the urge to accumulate more books than you can handle, you create a peaceful and inspiring reading space. A clean, well-arranged bookshelf means you can truly appreciate the books you love and enjoy a stress-free reading experience.

Happy decluttering!