I need decisionmaking help re: book collection

[Hypno]

My husband and I have considered building a wall bookshelf niche on both sides of a window in our homeschool room.

I try to buy old books for the children for when they grow up to have a baseline of traditional knowledge. The books we have are just too valuable to remove from our home.

My wife did that and we have a ton of books that were never read.

The books that got read passionately were books for children. Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Later, some Newberry and Caledecot medal winners. Box car kids. Trumpet of the Swan. Famous Five.

Look for these online such as eBay. A lot of the modern versions are edited, either for political correctness or to simply dumb them down. Early Hardy Boys had a black maid, took clothes to the Chinese laundry, etc. Those are anachronisms today, but its interesting to note the historical context. More imporantly, the level of writing and vocabulary then was higher than in modern versions.

 

[Pray_Everyday]

I will post this link. It is a blog post by a former forum member.

Give it a read. It may just change your "view" of things.

Private Site

perhapsinsight.wordpress.com

Which view (unsure why you put the word "view" in quotes...) would that link change?

That I believe God is in control? Am I "being manipulated" because I have faith that God is in control? Or just faith in God, period?

That I am grateful that I was born into this "information" time period, thanks be to God? (Is it also due to "manipulation" that I believe this?)

That it is not the printing press itself, but man's fallen nature, wicked imagination, and hardened heart that leads to trouble? To blame the printing press for what people choose to write, publish and read ( because, to quote the link you provided : "give a more powerful outlet, one capable of reaching more people and therefore of wreaking more havoc") is similar to the leftist argument of blaming guns because it makes it easier/increases the likelihood for a higher casualty event (though the motivaton was still there - fallen natures, heardened hearts and wicked imaginations).

The former (?) member's opinions regarding literacy can also be found in this thread in the men's section, posts #34 and #40:

How the Greeks' abandonment of religion led to science and technology

Science didn't even exist until, what, the 16th century? The idea that the Greeks "invented" science is nonsense, as is the idea that they "abandoned religion." They made progress in philosophy, mathematics, and other learning, but throwing it all in the "science" bucket is just plain stupid and...

www.rooshvforum.com

It is ironic that on this thread on books the topic has turned against literacy. That's beyond threadjacking. I apologize if it's been disrespectful to the original intent of this thread.

Regardless, thank you for the thought-provoking link. As a woman, I've realized it is not appropriate for me to be engaging in this particular discussion, on this forum.

 

[Rob Banks]

Which view (unsure why you put the word "view" in quotes...) would that link change?

That I believe God is in control? Am I "being manipulated" because I have faith that God is in control? Or just faith in God, period?

That I am grateful that I was born into this "information" time period, thanks be to God? (Is it also due to "manipulation" that I believe this?)

That it is not the printing press itself, but man's fallen nature, wicked imagination, and hardened heart that leads to trouble? To blame the printing press for what people choose to write, publish and read ( because, to quote the link you provided : "give a more powerful outlet, one capable of reaching more people and therefore of wreaking more havoc") is similar to the leftist argument of blaming guns because it makes it easier/increases the likelihood for a higher casualty event (though the motivaton was still there - fallen natures, heardened hearts and wicked imaginations).

The former (?) member's opinions regarding literacy can also be found in this thread in the men's section, posts #34 and #40:

How the Greeks' abandonment of religion led to science and technology

Science didn't even exist until, what, the 16th century? The idea that the Greeks "invented" science is nonsense, as is the idea that they "abandoned religion." They made progress in philosophy, mathematics, and other learning, but throwing it all in the "science" bucket is just plain stupid and...

www.rooshvforum.com

It is ironic that on this thread on books the topic has turned against literacy. That's beyond threadjacking. I apologize if it's been disrespectful to the original intent of this thread.

Regardless, thank you for the thought-provoking link. As a woman, I've realized it is not appropriate for me to be engaging in this particular discussion, on this forum.

He quit posting here, so he is a former member.

I don't really why you're taking my opinions (well, not even my opinions, but my sharing of someone else's opinions) as being argumentative or aggressive or whatever.

For the record, my view (strongly influenced by the blogger I referenced, and other writers/ideas he introduced me to) is that the Industrial Revolution was bad and not of God, and that widespread literacy is pushed for purposes of manipulation.

And again, if there is anyone who was totally manipulated throughout his whole life, it was me.

I have also realized it is probably not good for me to be engaging in these discussions/arguments online. And it's not a matter of being a man or woman, either.

Edit: That's not even the former member I'm referring to. It's someone else. I don't really wanna post his username because I'm not sure he would be OK with that, but it's not the guy you linked to.

 

[Pray_Everyday]

He quit posting here, so he is a former member.

I don't really why you're taking my opinions (well, not even my opinions, but my sharing of someone else's opinions) as being argumentative or aggressive or whatever.

I'm not. If I came off that way I apologize. In the spirit of constructive criticism could you please let me know what I said that made it seem as though I was taking it that way?

For the record, my view (strongly influenced by the blogger I referenced, and other writers/ideas he introduced me to) is that the Industrial Revolution was bad and not of God, and that widespread literacy is pushed for purposes of manipulation.

And my view is that God allows everything for a reason. It is perfectly fine for our views to not be in agreement. I appreciate that you shared that link, regardless (hence why I thanked you for sharing the link in my previous post).

And again, if there is anyone who was totally manipulated throughout his whole life, it was me.

I have also realized it is probably not good for me to be engaging in these discussions/arguments online. And it's not a matter of being a man or woman, either.

Well, if women are supposed to be "agreeable" then it would be even more important for a woman to not engage herself in these discussions. It is a constant struggle against my "tomboy brain", as I saw the phenomenon be called earlier, but as I believe God is in control and does - or allows - everything for a reason, that is a unique struggle for me to overcome.

Edit: That's not even the former member I'm referring to. It's someone else. I don't really wanna post his username because I'm not sure he would be OK with that, but it's not the guy you linked to.

I went to the blog you linked, and in the "about" page, that was the name username given. If I'm factually incorrect I have no problem admitting it, but the blogger and the poster who posted posts #34 and #40 have the same username.

Private Site

To quote the "about" page "there are no coincidences", but if it is in fact a coincidence that the usernames are the same while they are different people, then I sincerely apologize.

 

[Purple.and.rust]

You're good @Pray_Everyday , I think we can help each other on this forum. Thanks for having that in common with me about the thinking style. I, too, am trying to be more agreeable and feminine. Its quite challenging.

I encourage you to check out other posts by the member(s) you're interacting with. It helps paint a picture of the struggles and challenges they've experienced in the past year in their personal family lives.

They all need our sincere and loving prayers.

God bless you all.

 

[Rob Banks]

I went to the blog you linked, and in the "about" page, that was the name username given. If I'm factually incorrect I have no problem admitting it, but the blogger and the poster who posted posts #34 and #40 have the same username.

Private Site

To quote the "about" page "there are no coincidences", but if it is in fact a coincidence that the usernames are the same while they are different people, then I sincerely apologize.

No, you are right.

The link you posted (the RVF link, I mean) links to a different user. But it is indeed @ilostabet.

 

[stugatz]

I'm happy to see this thread, I have a similar situation but just with media in general. (I collect books, DVDs/VHS tapes, CDs/vinyl records, and a small amount of video & PC games.)

I don't like having to depend on streaming services for what I watch, but I also am beginning to notice that media collections take up space. And have you ever tried to move boxes of books? They're heavy. (Vinyl records are even worse, and those shellac 78s are excruciatingly heavy. Good thing I'm not into those reel-to-reel tapes.)

I've decided to begin with not just compulsively adding to a collection - I want to fill a shelf or bookcase, and then stop until I've read, listened to, or watched everything on it.

Some collections are never going to be "finished", so I need to just decide for myself what the limits are. For example, I was a huge movie buff before finishing high school, and I've estimated that I could very easily have a collection of a few thousand DVDs if I had the space. (I'm interested in movies all the way back to DW Griffith's stuff in 1915, we have over a hundred years of cinema both foreign and domestic.) Books - that's endless. Music and games are less vast, but if I were a rich man I'd probably be a compulsive collector who just adds and adds and adds without stopping to enjoy.

 

[Purple.and.rust]

Books are heavy. I have finally decided on my preferred storage bin for moving them around. Its a black plastic tub with a yellow 'diamondplate' form lid that is inset so its easy to stack the same bins together.
b
The books are still not in their final resting place but will be, in less than a year.

To move these bins, only a sturdy appliance dolly will do.

To slow down on collecting books, I've stopped buying them used. New are very expensive, this automatically reduces my collection.

I think there is a Schopenhauer quote on how by buying books we think we are also buying the time to read them, or something like that.

 

[Tamara]

I hope I can help the reader with something in return for your help.
I miss interacting on the forum and need help.
There's a couple of questions in this thread and some emotional attachment signs.



How does one cull books?
I am paying an expensive fee for storage and find it extremely difficult to think of parting with my books.

I know I must cut down on the number, right? I am being a hoarder by keeping so many.

When I did this, one other time in my life, at the time I left my parents, I wrote down the titles before they vanished.

I have found over the last two and a half decades, that I miss those books very much.

Its like I feel physical pain that I've lost these 'old friends'. Deep regret, yet I haven't replaced those books, I now realise.

Its not practical or rational to pay a storage place to keep your library. The time in storage may be up to one year or so, until I get my house.

These books make up the majority of my possessions.



If you were to go about reducing your collection, how would you do it?

Just keep one book by each author?

Just keep the books you've read more than twice?

My books are approximately 85% nonfiction and 15% fiction.

I briefly thought of buying a handheld scanning device and digitizing them.
But then I must rely on having the technology available to me to 'playback' the books.

I could try to memorise them all....ridiculously gargantuan task, I know.

They represent so much hardearned money.

They are comforting.

Marie Kondo once wrote: collections represent facets of personality experienced during different life stages. She wrote about the girl who kept different hobby supplies and sports equipment that reminded her of the different boyfriends she had.

I have these next 11 days off work.

I will be moving these books into the new storage.
I know this could be the perfect opportunity to make quick, pragmatic snap decisions on donating or selling.

But I'm not looking forward to the regret.

I am also concerned in a self-parental way, that my inability to make this decision is some type of inertial depression and unhealthy emotional attachment.

My realist dream is to have a multi bedroom house and one of the bedrooms becomes dedicated as my den, my library and reading room.

Other rooms will be dedicated to writing and then painting.

The house I'm moving the books out of, is too small for my books. I am hostage to finding living space for these books.

About 20% of the books I own, I haven't read yet.
They were bought with the intention of providing myself variety for reading choices as I get older.
I truly created my own library of choices, where I can browse and 'check-out' a new book for pleasure.

I think I just wrote myself into keeping these books.

You might use some by repurposing them
Into furniture, for the time being, such as nightstands or an entry console, with glass on top, but also try to work on your attachment to these things. Books shape how we think, but we are not intrinsically defined by their content.

 

[Pray_Everyday]

You're good @Pray_Everyday , I think we can help each other on this forum. Thanks for having that in common with me about the thinking style. I, too, am trying to be more agreeable and feminine. Its quite challenging.

It really is!

(It occurs to me that admitting it's dificult to be feminine is probably an unfeminine thing...)

The difficulty, for me, comes from the fact that I don't reject doing feminine things (wearing very feminine clothes, cooking, cleaning, organizing, for example) but my actual thought processes (overreliance on logic over feelings, though I probably use feelings more than a man; tendency to debate) are not what is commonly described as feminine.

It's so much easier to change what one  does.

I encourage you to check out other posts by the member(s) you're interacting with. It helps paint a picture of the struggles and challenges they've experienced in the past year in their personal family lives.

This is only the second forum I have ever posted on, so I'm still familiarizing myself with some of the features (the other forum had less features, since I didn't use the app version). I probably should learn how to search posts better - I usually just read threads that look interesting to me, and I lurked for a long time before making an account.

They all need our sincere and loving prayers.

God bless you all.

Yes, I agree. God bless you, too.

...

Regarding the original topic, I'm planning to go through all our books and media again and see what is useful and beneficial to us and what is not. Last time I went thought the books was almost 4 years ago, and as our faith has grown since then, I'm sure there are some that would not make the cut today. I'm specifically thinking of a book about yoga that an old friend gave me, but who knows what else will turn up.

Regarding other media (DVDs and CDs to be specific) the main difficulty is that my husband wants to hold on to them. Possibly out of sentimental value, or perhaps he sees it as money that was spent. I don't see myself watching or listening to them again. But for now, he doesn't want to get rid of them, though he did agree that we can put them in a storage shed out back to make more room indoors. I'm praying he will have a change of heart and agree to donate these items.

 

[Purple.and.rust]

I've been slowly culling movies and cd's too. That's awesome you respect your husband's wishes, keep it up.

A path to feminine thinking is probably just learning to hide the masculine thinking in speech.
I tried a free 30 min. video call with a top of the line personal trainer that I found in the manosphere yesterday.

It was nice connecting on the same wavelength with shared knowledge of fitness and food and body systems but it felt odd that I had to keep reminding myself I was female and it felt forced to try to convince him to set up a slower program for me. He thought I could reach my goals in 3 months.
That's the kind of timeframe a man can reach with fitness goals.

He is excellent for his philosophy and personal accomplishments and I would absolutely hire him but I naively underestimated the cost by 9x when you take into account the currency exchange. It will be a pleasure to watch how successful he'll get in the future.


I felt I did something wrong(not feminine) by admitting in the first few minutes of the videocall that I've been studying redpill/game/selfimprovement for the last 2.5 years.
What normal feminine woman would do that, right?
It saved my health though, helped me with friends and family, lifestyle, job, faith....so much!

 

[IconWriter]

In your culling of books, here is another thought: Some books that I've kept are special books I enjoyed as a child. some read to me by my mom. As a result of keeping them, I can read them to the following generations of children in our family, sharing what I loved about them. Yes, they could be found reprinted, brand-new, today in bookshops, but somehow my own are more special. Some were inscribed inside the cover, by the giver. Those are well-worn treasures. worth keeping.

 

[Purple.and.rust]

Good ideas, thank you @IconWriter
I have a couple of signed books that I will not get rid of.
My earliest books are long gone although I can still recall some of the content.

My Dad wanted us moving alot when we were really young. Every 2 or 3 years and many early belongings were lost or misplaced/donated or thrown out.
I'm grateful for my early nomad life. He taught us all that the most important thing was to stay together, no matter where we lived. When I learned about that game technique of alpha providers giving their dependents emotional rollercoaster rides to keep their interest high, I realise this is how he did it. I don't know of any other reason why we kept moving.

My first portion of culling is done and I'm looking forward to the next load I bring to sort through.

It is endearing to me to have everyone's help. I think about all the suggestions and tips and ideas as I'm caring for my books. I have felt like I had all your company while perusing my library. I sincerely appreciate everyone taking me seriously with my request for help.

 

[Purple.and.rust]

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