Decluttering- Too Many Books?

 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

GIFTING BOOKS: THE NORDIC WAY!

 There is an Icelandic tradition called the “Yule Book Flood” which involves the gifting of books on Christmas Eve. Participants spend the night before Christmas reading their newly acquired tomes and drinking hot chocolate. Apparently (according to our friend Google), this well-loved tradition began during World War Two and has continued to be a festive favourite among our Nordic neighbours. Of course I don’t need to remind you, fellow literary fans, of my own yuletide family tradition involving the gifting of festive fiction but when contemplating this sumptuous tradition, it made me ponder: why do books make such a wonderful gift? Here are 3 reasons why: 

1. The Personal Touch 

A well-chosen read that suits the individual's taste can be a sign of familiarity and affection. If your 87-year-old Grandma enjoys nothing more than a gruesome Stephen King, then gifting her a signed, hardback copy of Misery will make her day! You might be wondering whether this example is based on truth? My dear readers, it is! My Grandma (who sadly left us almost 19 years ago) informed us one Sunday, with great enthusiasm I might add, that she had watched a film called Misery. “It was good-o!” she exclaimed, “and the end... the make-up lady did a fantastic job!” It’s telling your recipient that you accept them and wouldn’t change them for anything.  

2. Immediate Captivation 

I grew up in an era where annuals at Christmas were a staple stocking filler. We knew exactly what they were, the rectangular, hardbacked shape giving it away. Tearing the paper off, I immediately pored over the escapades of my favourite characters from my weekly magazines (anyone read Judy magazine? Just me...?). When you acquire a new book, what do you do first? Do you read the blurb on the back? Do you sniff the pages? Or like me, do you run your fingers over the front cover?  It’s a tangible, sensory experience. It immediately invites us to take a closer look, whether this be reading the first page or scrutinising the illustration on the front cover. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m rather partial to an audiobook, but nothing beats holding a brand-new book. 

3. A Sign of Affection 

I am about to read A Box of Delights for the second time in as many years. I mentioned to my dear Dad last year that the TV series from the 80s was being re-shown to celebrate its 40th anniversary. A couple of days later, a Quentin Blake illustrated copy of John Masefield’s classic tale dropped onto my mat. The perfect Christmassy tale, filled with nostalgia and fantasy. If, like me, you are lucky enough to have a close-knit community of bookworms, a regular conversation starter might be “I’ve just finished reading this book and I immediately thought of you.” What greater way to tell someone that you were thinking about them!  

So, literary loungers, I am in full support of our Icelandic brethren. In fact, it appears that this is a tradition we all share. The gifting of books, whether on Christmas Eve, birthdays or just because you care is a wonderful thing. Throw a hot chocolate in and it might just be on the verge of perfection! 

“Gleðilega lesningu!” 

(Happy reading!) 

Debx  

FESTIVE FICTION!

 

Every year, around this time, my mum, my sister and I embark on an annual ritual. Before the christmas cake receives its first brandy soaked feed, the dreaded christmas card list has its annual airing and the christmas food order deposit is paid, a book shaped parcel is delivered through our doors. It’s a tradition that began a number of years ago, when a high street purveyor of books (that shall remain nameless) brought out a 3 for 2 offer on their seasonal range of novels. Their covers adorned with snowy scenes, starry skies and woollen clad couples promising feelgood christmassy vibes and cosy stories at this most wonderful time of year. I would be telling fibs  if I told you I could remember who started this tradition, but it now falls to my dear dad to pick the three christmas tales and send them onto us. I often wonder what his process for choosing is, but akin to contemplating how Santa delivers presents to all the children of the world in one night, asking would lose its mystery. I like to think that it’s led with magic and wonder but, in reality I think he just picks the most christmassy covers. 

Once known as ‘Chick Lit’ (terrible phrase!), sometimes known as ‘women’s fiction’ (bit too broad), they nestle comfortably in Romantic Comedy Fiction (RCF) like a ‘hug wrapped in christmas paper’ as one such literary delight was described as. This particular style of novel is found in abundance at this time of year, with yearly instalments from bestselling authors who frequent the RFC shelves and deliver the Christmassy goods again and again. One thinks of Jenny Colgan (in my opinion, the Godmother of the feelgood yarn), Millie Johnson, Heidi Swain, Jessica Redland, Cressida McLaughlin and the list goes on. 

So what is it about the Christmas RCF that we love so much? Here are three reasons why Festive Fiction should be a staple of every reader’s holiday preparation:

1. It’s comfortably predictable

Please rest assured that I mean this as the highest compliment. Like all great works of literature, there appears to be a tried and tested formula to Festive Fiction (FF). Allow me to surmise! The main character, down on her luck, is not a fan of Christmas, often resulting from some sort of Christmassy related trauma. On the brink of losing her job, her partner or both, the story begins with our leading lady (conjecture) knee deep in the bleak midwinter. Throw in a pet or small child, and we have the perfect FF amuse-bouche. But wait! What is this on the horizon? A long lost relative, or- my personal favourite- an unknown benefactor, leaving a failing business to them in an idyllic part of the world? A last minute seasonal job at a stately home? A glimmer of hope embraces our cynical protagonist as she embarks on a new adventure. Throw in a healthy dose of eccentric locals and season with a “will they/ won’t they” subplot with a handsome stranger (who we are fooled into thinking is a bit of a prat) and we have the perfect recipe for a warming main course of romantic tropes and Christmassy shenanigans.  For dessert, a happy ending where the spirit of the season proves to be the answer to all life’s problems. Our girl has a booming business and a new life with the handsome stranger, who has stopped being a prat and is now a thoroughly nice chap (spoiler alert!).

2. The location!

Think of the most beautiful and Idyllic parts of our great Isle. Devon, Edinburgh, Colwyn Bay, stunningly sought after locations with property prices and living costs at an eye watering level. The reality of living, working and indeed running a small business in such locations has major financial implications but for now, let's imagine that it’s not a problem. This is my favourite aspect of FF. The location is always beautiful, romanticised depictions of stunning landscapes and that’s without the twinkling lights, trails of garlands and a 20 foot Norwegian Spruce in the town square. And it doesn’t stop there. We are treated to a tinsel trailing journey of luxurious whimsy as shops and meeting places are dressed in sparkling decor, enough to thaw the hardest of Scrooge type hearts. And it snows! Every year! 

3. The Independent Business

Allow me to take you on a trip down memory lane! My Grandma hailed from an industrial town in Lancashire called Widnes. When we visited, she would purchase iced sponge cakes decorated with a little flower on the top from a family run bakery called Kirkhams. Unfortunately, Kirkhams closed its doors in 2005 but 20 years later, I can still remember visiting there when I was small, the smell of the fresh bread, the neatly proffered trays of fresh cakes and each customer welcomed with an air of familiarity. Of course, this memory is drenched in nostalgia but the point is salient. There is a wistful romanticism to a small cafe or a bakery that is delectably appealing. The‘David’ of the confectionary world against the corporate ‘Goliath’ of the processed savoury snack is a noble quest. It’s a similar concept with bookshops, another popular FF setting. From a narrative perspective, it’s ideal and it’s the reason why characters in soap operas tend to be business owners. There’s a freedom to being your own boss that allows a character to shut up shop randomly to redress a misunderstanding or chase after that aforementioned, no longer a prat nor a stranger, handsome stranger. You can’t throw customers out into the freezing cold with gay abandon, unpurchased goods and half eaten turkey paninis still clasped in hand if you’re on the clock! 

I confess, there are moments in this blog, where I sound like I’m being facetious. It’s not my intention to ridicule, quite the opposite. Receiving my Festive Fiction choice is one of the highlights of my year. Sent with love from the people I hold most dear, they create a world in which Christmas solves all. It’s bauble adorned, cosy escapism at its best. 

Happy (Festive) Reading! 

Debs x