Need help decluttering...Cookbooks!

Starpolisher · ‎03-10-2010

Since I retired in June I've been decluttering my house. Today I found several cookbooks from Marybeth Roe, Joanna Lund and Suzanne Somers. I have rarely used them and really don't have much room for storage. Besides why store them and not use them. I'm having a hard time discarding them for fear I'll regret it later! In the past I've gotten rid of books only to re-buy them just to have. I never read them again. I finally cleaned out my cosmetic and bath gel stash and it was really hard for me to do but I really hate to get rid of books! Help...I need therapy! What would you do?

"Kindness is like snow ~It beautifies everything it covers"
-Kahlil Gibran

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I'd move them along.

Bellabutterfly · ‎04-10-2014

About 2 years ago, I went through all my books...Lots and Lots of books, reading material, cookbooks, garden books, craft books...OMG I can not even tell you how good it felt to get rid of them. I got rid of close to 75 maybe more...It was a pain lugging them to unhall...But freeing to one's soul.

My advise to you is to call one of your local library's...Many will take good books. Another place is an Assisted Living Residence...Many have their own library, for the residents.

I did both...

Just do it...You will never be sorry!

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

How about donating them to a library?

You could go 'visit' them whenever your want!

aprilskies · ‎03-09-2010

I am in the same boat regarding my cookbooks. I have gotten rid of so many but am having trouble with the rest. I really dont use them. Every time I need a recipe, I go online instead of paging through them all. Just seems like too much trouble. But, I havent been able to part with the rest so far.

I donated all of my books to the library. The only books I have left are on a 5 shelf bookcase and it includes my remaining cookbooks and regular books. I need to do another culling.

If it helps at all, the books I already donated, I dont even remember what they were except for a few, but the space that I gained was priceless. Now, I really dont buy many books, I check them out of the library and if I do buy one, it is only because I know it is the type of book I need for the long haul.

If you bought some books back and havent used them, you have to figure out why you thought you needed them back.

GingerPeach · ‎03-12-2010

@Starpolisher wrote:
Since I retired in June I've been decluttering my house. Today I found several cookbooks from Marybeth Roe, Joanna Lund and Suzanne Somers. I have rarely used them and really don't have much room for storage. Besides why store them and not use them. I'm having a hard time discarding them for fear I'll regret it later! In the past I've gotten rid of books only to re-buy them just to have. I never read them again. I finally cleaned out my cosmetic and bath gel stash and it was really hard for me to do but I really hate to get rid of books! Help...I need therapy! What would you do?

Hi @Starpolisher

I donated over 40 bags of books (over a two year period) to my local library. I still have almost a whole wall of books left, not including the couple of shelves in my kitchen of cooking and food books. So you are in a good spot.

What I did, and what might help you, is to just create a table or spreadsheet and list all the books you donate. That way you can not only have a record for IRS purposes, but for your own memory. You could even sort by title and/or author or subject - or however you wanted to. Don't forget to add the date you donated them.

Just as an fyi,, since I had so many to donate, I sorted them by hardback, paperback, and "trade" softcover. Your local libraries will be delighted to receive them.

[was Homegirl] Love to be home . . . thus the screen name. Joined 2003.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

@Starpolisher wrote:
Since I retired in June I've been decluttering my house. Today I found several cookbooks from Marybeth Roe, Joanna Lund and Suzanne Somers. I have rarely used them and really don't have much room for storage. Besides why store them and not use them. I'm having a hard time discarding them for fear I'll regret it later! In the past I've gotten rid of books only to re-buy them just to have. I never read them again. I finally cleaned out my cosmetic and bath gel stash and it was really hard for me to do but I really hate to get rid of books! Help...I need therapy! What would you do?

If your library has book sales, take them there. Maybe it will be my library! LOL

lovescats · ‎03-10-2010

I know it's hard to get rid of stuff but for cookbooks if you really need a recipe most likely you're going to be able to find it online.

AnikaBrodie · ‎03-10-2010

Our public library has book sales spring and fall as a fundraiser. They have a lot of cookbooks in their collection and they go like "hot cakes." Donate the ones you don't want to your library. They'll appreciate it.

"Faith, Hope, Love; the greatest of these is Love." ~The Silver Fox~

ChynnaBlue · ‎05-22-2012

I would donate them. If you're not using them, you have no reason to regret not having them. If you have a single recipe you like, make a photocopy or scan it into the computer and give the book away.

There is limited space in our homes - save it for things you love and use.

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