Donating Old books

I found today that de-cluttering is hard to do when it comes to books. I have always been an avid reader and have 4 full bookcases to prove it. I share books with family and friends when I find something worth passing on. Now I find I need to de-clutter and even though I have done this before I still have more books than I will ever re-read. I do have favorites, usually a series, like "Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling, or James Patterson's "Maximum Ride" series that I will read over and over when the mood strikes. Other favorites include Stephenie Plum's series which I think the latest is "Plum Spooky" with her female bounty hunter--very funny stuff. Or if you are into quilting the Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini is a great books about women and how they handle life's ups and downs. I take my books that we have all read and I don't want to keep to the Friends of the Library at Hutch Public Library. They sell them and I know the money goes to help the library. I just hate to take in too many at once so they won't think I am some freak who does nothing but read! But then again I am trying to de-clutter so the back of my vehicle is full of books yet again. I have tried to quit buying new books and only get my books at the library, but every now and then there is one I just have to have. Or so I think. And isn't that how clutter starts. We are constantly bombarded by advertising for so many things and they know the human psyche well enough to know how to make us want whatever they are hawking. Very few of these items enrich our lives, but they certainly do clutter it up. I have a friend who thought they Sham Wow looked like such a good deal they ordered 3 sets! They were then surprised when they didn't live up to the hype. So start your de-cluttering before you even start. When I have an impulse to buy something now I put it in my cart and walk around with it for awhile. I let it percolate in my brain and ask myself how it will enrich my life. Usually by the time I have walked around a bit, thereby getting more exercise, I know that it is an impulse and I take it back to where I got it. This has saved me from many an impulse buy. Don't let the advertising industry dictate what you do or do not need. You decide and take your time to do it. George Foreman's grill always look like a good deal, but how often will you need it. I had one years ago and seldom used it, so I took it to Goodwill with some other things. But when his next newest greatest one came out I had to fight the urge to go get it. That is what advertising does. Don't add to your clutter, take time now to clean out at least a small area that is cluttered and trash, donate, sell, or whatever you have to do to simplify your life. You'll be able to breath a big sigh of relief when it's gone!