Freewheeling Andy Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I have lots of books. They've been in storage for 2 years. I've not missed them. Now they're cluttering the shed. What should I do with them? They're not in great condition - some have been swimming in the bath, or in the sauna, or have been dragged under taxis in my bike pannier. The spines are generally mangled. Some are great - Evelyn Waugh, Tom Wolfe, Michael Chabon, Philip Marlowe, all of the Philip Dick short stories. Some are utter rubbish, though - particularly The Book Of Memories by Michael Chabon Is it worth my time and money selling them? I don't think so. Can I give books in such rough condition to charity shops? Probably not worth their while. At the moment I'm inclined to give them away if anyone who might be interested in reading a miscellaneous bunch of things is happy to drive to SW London and pick up 3 large boxes of books and not pick-and-choose and just carry them away. (You might also get a Scalextric thrown in, as it's something else that I don't want and is just cluttering). What do you all think? I suppose I could just keep them in the shed, but that seems like a waste for all kinds of reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I would see if anyone wants them, and if they don't take them to a charity shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 Do you want them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Maybe not all of them....lol! But I'm never one to pass up free books!! How about you list them and let people see what you've got? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 Aah. There's the problem. They're all in boxes and there are lots of them and I really don't want to do any work getting rid of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 If that is the case, you might just have to leave them there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 You could pick a nice sunny day, put the boxes on the pavement outside your house with a sign saying "free books - help yourself" and let people rummage! I'd love to see a sign like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 If that is the case, you might just have to leave them there! Bah. The bad consequences of laziness, eh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 You could pick a nice sunny day, put the boxes on the pavement outside your house with a sign saying "free books - help yourself" and let people rummage! I'd love to see a sign like that! If I let people pick and choose, how do I get rid of the rubbish ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 There's a second hand book shop 'Two Jays' in Edgware that might take some off you. They only take what they want. Tel 8952 1349 you could ring and run the titles by her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I think Janet's idea is a great one, and you may be surprised at what goes! But, if there's anything left that no one seems to want, just pop them in a recycling thingie somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Car boot sale? Otherwise yea do what Janet says. Any leftovers, good condition -> charity, bad condition -> recycling or tip (or bonfire? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly2008 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Any friends or family want them? I would hate to think of books being thrown in the tip or on the bonfire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Well if they've been in the bath, or ran over, they may be in a condition that only Andy could love! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aromaannie Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I would put them on freecycle - there's bound to be someone on there who will want them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcow Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Freecycle is a good idea or maybe donate to a church/school fete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Putting them outside with a sign is a good idea. You may be surprised, and wil probably at least get rid of a lot of them. Otherwise, the school/village fete thing is a good idea. These types of things love having bookstalls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 They will get wet!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 +1 for freecycle - someone will take them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~V~ Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'd release them into the wild Every time you go out, take one or two with you and just leave them somewhere to be found Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loopyloo100 Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I'd release them into the wild Every time you go out, take one or two with you and just leave them somewhere to be found Yes that's a good idea too! I never have come across a lone book on my travels, but I would like to and I would most certainly befriend it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 I'd release them into the wild Every time you go out, take one or two with you and just leave them somewhere to be found I quite like this idea. Just leave them on the tube with a "please take this book" post-it note, saying "I thought it was rubbish, but you might like it", or "everyone should read this. it's bloody great" Seriously, quite a lot of the books are in perfectly good condition. None are in great condition because I'm completely apathetic about preserving them. And if any of you wants to pick up a large and random box of books and happens to be in London with a car, you're welcome to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 V's idea is a great one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I quite like this idea. Just leave them on the tube with a "please take this book" post-it note, saying "I thought it was rubbish, but you might like it", or "everyone should read this. it's bloody great" Seriously, quite a lot of the books are in perfectly good condition. None are in great condition because I'm completely apathetic about preserving them. And if any of you wants to pick up a large and random box of books and happens to be in London with a car, you're welcome to them. I love this idea. you should also have a website or email address or something for people to let you know they found the book/what they thought and you could encourage them to do the same once they are done with it! (always has to be a website involved somehow with me right?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 OK. I'm getting sold on the idea. A "What Happened To Andy's Books" blog, for people who've picked them up to reply to. Chances are, I guess, that only 1 in 10 or so would get any response, but it would still be interesting. It might be embarassing, too, given what utter rubbish some of them are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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