books | Simple and Lovely

Books are one of those things that seem to multiply behind your back (anyone else?). I used to think books were something I could automatically keep, because well it’s a book. You can’t have too many books, right? Wrong! If you are trying to pare down on your belongings you should definitely take a moment and get rid of some of those books! It’s worth it when you end up with a completely empty shelf or two! Here are my tips and tricks:

1. Take out all the books you have and make a pile in the middle of the floor. Out of this big pile, first, make a seperate pile of all your absolute favorite books. Come up with a max number that makes sense for you before starting to sort favorites (mine is around 10). Make another pile of books you have that you haven’t read yet. Put the remaining books in the donate pile.

2. Out of the books in the haven’t read yet pile, get rid of any you’ve had for more than a year. Chances are if you haven’t gotten around to reading them yet you probably aren’t excited about reading them anyways.

3. Cookbooks are a tough one. I’d say get rid of all except your absolute favorite cookbooks because let’s face it, you get all your recipes off Pinterest anyways.

4. Keep a limit on the number of unread books you’ll keep in the house. It will stop you from going to buy a new book when you have plenty at home to read or it will force you to get rid of one you have that you don’t really want to read in order to get a new one you’re excited about.

5. Once you finish reading a book, immediately give it to a book-loving friend or add it to a donate pile (don’t put it back on the shelf!) so someone else can enjoy it instead of cluttering up your bookshelf.

6. One more thing: coffee table books. I’m definitely a sucker for a pretty book filled with pretty pictures but I have a rule for keeping these from getting out of control: if you don’t have it on display, get rid of it!

Sidenote* Investing in a Kindle definitely decreased the number of books I own, even though I’ll never fully be able to give up actual books!

Good luck decluttering those books everyone! :)

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”― C.S. Lewis

I’ve surpassed my goal of reading 10 books this year (by 3!) so that was the first time that’s ever happened, yay! I usually try to rotate between books that are more fun reads to more serious/non-fiction books. Here are the next few on my list and one that I’m currently reading and enjoying:

To Entertain: The Goldfinch By Donna Tartt
I know this is super long and I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews but overall everyone seems to think this book is worth reading. I’m finally ready to give it a try. Also, doesn’t it always feels like you really accomplished something after finishing an especially long book? It seems like a perfect read to dig into for the winter.
“…a novel of shocking narrative energy and power. It combines unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and breathtaking suspense, while plumbing with a philosopher’s calm the deepest mysteries of love, identity, and art.”

To Inspire: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
This seems a little different than something I’d usually pick up but it may help me on my journey of eating better even if it is a little extreme!

“This is the story of a year in which we made every attempt to feed ourselves animals and vegetables whose provenance we really knew . . .”

To Learn: The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance by Katty Kay
I just saw this book recently and was intrigued. It’s not so much about how to gain more confidence but more about the science behind confidence. I can’t wait to learn something new and see how I can apply it to myself!

“Confidence. We want it. We need it. But it can be maddeningly enigmatic and out of reach. The authors of the New York Times bestseller Womenomics deconstruct this essential, elusive, and misunderstood quality and offer a blueprint for bringing more of it into our lives.”

Currently Reading: The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan
I’m not too far into this but so far I’m loving it! I’m immediately interested in anything about advertising (it was my college major) and I like how there are a few different stories that apparently intertwine somehow in the middle. Can’t wait to find out how!

“…an exhilarating novel about Frances Gerety, the real pioneering ad woman who coined the famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever,” and four unique marriages that will test how true—or not—those words might be.”