How do you cull your books?

I just did a recent cull. I got rid of my whole collection of Star Trek Voyager books. I didn't want to get rid of them because it was a complete collection and I love Star Trek, but at the same time, I did not actually like the books themselves, had only read them once, and had no intention of reading them again. Based on those criteria, it was time for them to go.

by Bryony Harrison

I'm much the same. It's come to my attention that I've been carting around a bunch of books that I don't actually like, and never plan to read again, but which I feel like I *should* have. As soon as I can properly gird my loins, they're going to go. Really. For sure, this time.

That is how mostly I mostly feel about classics as well. I read Frankenstein and The Strange Case of Mr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Although I didn't enjoy them, I felt like I should keep them because they are classics. Finally got rid of them though.

With great difficulty!
On a recent house change, I had to get rid of some as I collect old children's illustrated books.
I must have gone through each one three times before I could actually put them in the "get rid of" pile.

by Finy

If I can't see myself reading them again, then it's time to cull. You've got to make room for more books.

by Sarah Bell

Yep, that's the best reason to do it!

I beginning to sell certain crime ones, as I'll never go back to them...everything else is a little harder...but you have to start somewhere. And I finally have!

by Lydia C. Lee

This question made me laugh. The simple answer for this question is - I just don't! Culling books is unheard of here! (Probably explains all those boxes full of books...)

by Lisa Morgan

I don't! In my eyes it is sacrilege to cull my books. An author has put his heart and soul into writing the book so the thought of culling brings tremendous guilt to me. I have inherited some of my grandmother's and father's book collections and those books are as much a part, if not more, of their history as other physical items. A book collection tells you so much about a person and it's these things I just can't bear to part with. If I was to cull, I'd have to adhere to certain criteria - badly damaged books (that I wouldn't regard as collectors' items) put on the top of the culling list closely followed by books that I dislike or did not read.

by shaunasheep

I DON'T cull (kill)!
IF I've purchased a book, fiction or non-fiction, that having read, & knowing I'll not do so again, I donate to Council Library. My books are always in pristine condition as are kept in a plastic bag & a BOOKMARK is always used!

by donjo

I didn't mean destroying books, just getting them out of the house.

Yes, I DID understand what you meant, Jennifer.
My answer remains the same.

With great difficulty! I always find a reason to keep certain books even though I know I will probably never read them again.

by norma

Most of the books I have trouble culling are non fiction. I can't admit that I am never going to read them.
Fiction is donated after I read them, with very few exceptions. Most of the keepers I have read more than once.

by mpwhe