Every year, right after my birthday, I go through a little ritual: sorting out my books. Why right after my birthday? Well, because my loved ones know how much I adore books, I often get many of them as birthday presents.
When I think back to my younger days, especially my 20s, my love for reading was undeniable. There was this particular interest I had in books from North America. I was curious! I wanted to understand more about the people here, their way of life, and their traditions. So, each time I was getting ready for a business trip, I packed 3 to 5 books in my suitcase. It was my way of taking a piece of this newfound love with me wherever I went.
During my childhood, books were a common sight in my surroundings. Our house resembled a mini-library, with bookshelves occupying almost every nook and cranny. This love for books was not just limited to my home; even my paternal relatives had an abundance of books in their house, ranging from storage rooms stacked with books to proper libraries. It appeared as if my family had an insatiable appetite for books.
However, during a big move from Ontario to British Columbia, I finally realized the enormity of my book collection. The number of books I owned was mind-blowing. I even got a unique bookshelf for an 8×5 room to accommodate them. But seeing them all, I knew it was time for a change. I needed to declutter. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I gave away 45 boxes of books. I only kept those that I really loved and revisited often. And even though it felt good to free up space, giving away my books was bittersweet. There’s something magical about the touch and smell of an actual book.
To make reading more convenient, I transitioned to digital books. My first e-reader was a Sony, but I later switched to a Kindle Fire. With this device, I could have hundreds of books with me all the time, all in one place. A bonus was that my Kindle connected to my Goodreads account. Sometimes, I’d even get free books from there! Plus, whenever I stumbled upon a word I didn’t know, I could quickly check its meaning with the built-in dictionary.
When I later moved from Oregon to Tennessee, I was secretly glad I’d reduced my physical book collection. Trust me, relocating is way easier without heavy boxes of books. Now, a fun fact about my husband: while he didn’t own as many books as his parents, he valued and loved them just as much. I remember the shock on his face when he saw me giving away so many books. But over time, he understood my reasons. Both of us love books; even today, we buy them or get them as gifts. But we’ve made it a point to check our collection regularly. We give away the ones we believe might find a better home elsewhere. It is sharing the joy of reading.