On the 1st of January every year, I play a simple game I call “By the end of…” The premise is straightforward. I outline the goals I intend to achieve by the end of the coming year. The goals can be as elaborate or as practical as you wish. For example, “By the end of 2026, I will be a billionaire,” or something more grounded such as, “By the end of 2026, I will pay off my credit card, clear out the shed, or finally tackle that pile of ironing.” What it does, dear reader, is allows us to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the next chapter of our lives. It also depends on what stage you are on your personal journey, your mood and the size of that ironing pile. If you’re someone who journals (or, like me, hopes to become one- “By the end of 2026, I will be a journaller”), this makes an excellent first entry for the year.
According to our online companion Bing, the definition of declutter is to “remove unnecessary items from an untidy or overcrowded place.” In that sense, decluttering is an ideal New Year endeavour. Once January arrives, the Christmas decorations inevitably come down, revealing the thin layer of dust that somehow hides behind the twinkling lights and tinsel (why do Christmas decs create so much dust? And tree flocking- whose idea was that?). Dusters dust, vacuum cleaners clean, and before long the boxes of decorations are returned to the loft for another year. But why stop there? Wardrobes bursting with unwanted clothing and accessories, old tech or, in my case, chargers for tech I no longer possess and bookshelves bursting with books. Clothing can be bagged up and taken to the local charity shops (which I heartily encourage) or repurposed in some capacity. Chargers can (and should be) recycled responsibly. But what do we do with books we no longer need? Throwing a book away as waste feels erroneous and although recycling is an option, the thought of a pulped book makes me feel a little sorrowful. There’s nothing wrong with a book that has simply been read!
Here are three solutions to clearing your bookshelves without discarding a single page:
Reselling:
If your books are in good condition, why not sell them on? Organisations such as WeBuyBooks will pay for unwanted books and offer home collection. The app is simple to use with a barcode scanner that highlights whether they will accept each item and how much they will pay you. The amount per item is relatively low compared to the price of a new book but it’s a great way to clear your shelves and make a little money back. If you sell items worth £25 or more, you will get an additional 5% on your offer. Be mindful that whilst they will buy a variety of items, if they already have multiple copies of certain titles they might not accept any more. This changes daily so it’s worth checking back. Other organisations such as World of Books offer a similar service.
Donating:
Donating to charity shops is always a great way to support a good cause. If you do decide to take your unwanted books to a charity shop, don’t forget to make a gift aid declaration to ensure your chosen organisation can claim on your donations. An organisation called Anglo Doorstep Collection offers a home collection service for all donations including books. Simply book online, pack up your unwanted items and they will collect. There is no obligation to be at home as they will happily collect from your doorstep. After costs, all remaining proceeds are then given to their partner charities. Anglo Doorstep Collections - Charity Collections.
If your books are in excellent condition (I’m sure, dear reader, you do not do anything as sacrilegious as break the book spine or (God forbid!) turn over the page corners), why not ask at your local library whether they accept donations? Do you have a community book exchange? If not, why not start one? My local supermarket has a trestle table filled with preloved books of varying genres.
Gifting:
Share your books! Set up a book swap with friends, at work or in your local community. Ask each participant to wrap their book up in brown paper. Pop a label on with a very short synopsis (no longer than a sentence!) or even just the subgenre then allow each participant to choose a ‘gift’. Just make sure the book is in good condition and no spoilers!
Do you commute? Leave your finished book on the train, in a coffee shop or in a waiting room with a short note. You’ll be surprised how quickly this will be picked up and enjoyed!
And so, fellow Literary Loungers, let’s make our first goal of 2026 a simple one: to champion the written word by sharing stories far and wide. You never know whose day you might brighten with a well‑loved novel passed along or a donation to support a cause close to your heart. And the best part? Clearing space means empty shelves ready to be filled with new adventures!
Happy reading!
Debx
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