https://www.reddit.com/r/minimalism/comments/1i9jn66/moving_countries_so_many_books/
created by untakenusernameee on 25/01/2025 at 09:47 UTC
10 upvotes, 5 top-level comments (showing 5)
I'm about to move countries after being in my current one for many years and collecting MANY books. I just went though and freaked out about not being able to get rid of SO MANY.
Literally 30 big dictionary-sized ones that are extremely expensive and that I will definitely want to read/refer to in future. Along with another shelf or two of regular-sized books.
I wish I didn't buy them all before I needed them! I just did the math and it is cheaper to ship them than to re-purchase them - but it is expensive to ship them!! The bulk of my shipping fees for moving my whole life!
On top of that, this is not the first time I've moved countries and may not be the last. So I'm already feeling weighed down and frustrated by all these books, as aside from them I can be extremely minimalist and travel light. I DON'T want to own them, but I DO want to own them. Does that make sense?
Comment by AnotherModMistake at 25/01/2025 at 10:06 UTC
11 upvotes, 3 direct replies
Do you have family where you're living? If you don't need them soon, store them with family and take a few back each time you go to visit. As for the other books, re buy them on kindle
Comment by Dinmorogde at 25/01/2025 at 10:50 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Why do you have them and do you use them on a regular basis? What is the need for those books today?
Comment by kulukster at 25/01/2025 at 11:46 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I don't know if this is still an option but there used to be an international "media mail" category for mailing documents and books. If, not and you really want to have the books understandably, see if you can buy them on digital and store the paper ones in a storage locker somewhere until you feel you are more settled.
Comment by VictorVonD278 at 25/01/2025 at 12:54 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Having had many many garage sales, physical books don't sell well. You might have luck online maybe if you can set up an Amazon profile but books move slow. Donate to a library.
Comment by inthisblueworld at 25/01/2025 at 15:04 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I get it. i have a thing with books too, but after moving around and living in the city with a small apartment and limited wall space, books are the worst thing to buy and pack. i ended up donating many of my collection after a couple of moves. the way i parted with them was thinking, i enjoyed these and now someone will get to as well.
if you love reading, libraries and book swaps are great!