Hi, I'm Laura, and I am a bibliophile. I love reading, I love stories, and I love to immerse myself in another world. Last year I read or listened to over 80 books.
I grew up preferring to read over going outside, sleeping, and even playing with my friends. My reading slowed some when I went to college and was busy in those first few years as a young adult, but at some point in my 20s I decided I missed books and began to prioritize it again. I spend a lot of time on r/52books, and I am addicted to Goodreads. I love to see what my friends are reading, what they liked or didn't like, and what they are placing on their own "To Read" lists. Reading is a central part of my life.
Knowing all this, you might wonder why my bookshelf is so sparse. Well, one thing I really don’t like is stuff. I can't stand clutter at all. I want my counters clear and my bookcases sparse. Therefore, when asked to participate on this blog with my own Shelfie, I had a momentary freak out. How do I show a Shelfie when I don't have a curated shelf? I don’t even own many books! And that's all due to one book.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is my bible. This book, and the process called Konmari, are constantly referenced in my home. Its principles have become the focus on my life’s philosophy. I've used it on everything from removing kitchen utensils I don't need, to keeping my computer desktop empty, to even getting rid of relationships that are not working out for me.
If you don't know what this truly magical book is about, the gist is that you only keep the things in your life that bring you joy. Some things are obvious - my Harry Potter books bring my joy, as do my Funko POP Snape and my Mickey Mouse hoodie. Other items may not bring me joy exactly, but I use them in a way that brings me joy - my toaster oven allows me to make bagels every morning, which brings me joy because it helps me make my favorite food. As I started my Konmari journey however, one thing became abundantly clear - books I've already read do NOT bring me joy. Instead, I seem them as clutter, and a cluttered home leads to a cluttered mind. When I have less mess, the calmer I feel.
I'm not a monster however. Of course I have a few books around! There's my Harry Potter collection, including the first three illustrated editions, and I have a bookcase full of the few important books in my life, which I share with my husband who luckily has the same approach to clutter that I do. I also have a small "To Read" pile of books in my bedroom.
Overall though, the books I own are the ones that spark joy when I see them. I used to have a huge pile of books to read, but they all made me feel guilty for not reading them. Once I trimmed that list to a select few, I felt happier and calmer. Also, many of my
books are electronic, held on my Kindle and iBook apps. But most importantly, I utilize the library, checking out actual books and ebooks and audio books with Hoopla and Libby.
Laura Kovacs, Library Specialist
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