Why I Don't Own Any Books
I know what you’re thinking. “So that means you don’t read at all, right?” Not exactly! I read most nights before bed — but just not books I technically own.
Let me explain.
Somewhere along the way, we as a society felt a need to own everything that could easily be borrowed. Our individualistic mindset affected the way we view the concept of ownership, which is now considered the default or the norm. Once upon a time, we would borrow sugar from our neighbor and now we Prime Now it to our doorstep without interacting with a single soul.
But thankfully, the sharing economy has gained momentum in the last several years as apps like Uber and websites like Airbnb have become household names — and a concept that just makes sense. Yet, at the same time, we’ve somehow forgotten the power of our local library system, or the beauty of passing along a book to a friend after you’ve finished it.
Personally, we have purposefully decided to not keep books in our house unless we are in the process of reading them. This keeps clutter out of our home but makes sense from a practical perspective. Stay with me here!
We each have a nightstand on our side of the bed, which can fit about 6–8 books in it. We have an unspoken rule that this is the maximum number of books we can keep in our possession at any given time. Sometimes, I read books simultaneously or have plans to read one after I’m done with whatever I’m currently reading — so it’s nice to have a few on deck.
It also must be stated: If you are someone who takes great pride in their books you’ve collected over the years, then by all means, keep a book collection! If that’s something that gives you joy, then don’t part with your books just for the sake of parting with them. There is not one specific mold we should all fit into when it comes to minimalism — or life in general. This is just something that has worked well for us — and might help you if you’re in a similar place.
Reasons I Don’t Own Books:
1. I hardly ever revisit books I’ve already read.
As much as I love the idea of rereading books or pulling them back out to remember a quote I had highlighted, I just have never actually done either of those things before. And like I said, if you are someone who does revisit books you’ve read, either for reference or to revisit a beloved story, then by all means, carry on! Just take a moment to evaluate whether or not you find yourself revisiting books you’ve already finished.
2. I had books I had intentions of reading but never got around to.
On the flipside, I was guilty of holding onto books I had high hopes of reading but never got around to — for years. I had all the intentions of reading them, but unless I finally made the time (if I ever did!), they were taunting me on the shelf and collecting dust all the while.
3. I like sharing the books I’ve read with others.
When I finish a book I love, both fiction and non-fiction, there is nothing like passing it along to someone else who will enjoy it. Whether it’s to someone I know or the stranger who will encounter it in the little neighborhood “free library” box down the street, there’s something satisfying about knowing the words I valued will be shared with someone else — and then maybe we can even discuss it together.
SIDE NOTE: A few weeks ago, a friend of mine posted several books from his collection on his Instagram stories and offered to send each of them to whoever claimed them first. I claimed Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly and it arrived in my mailbox a week later with a personal note included with it (written on a typewriter). It was such an incredibly kind and thoughtful gesture and I vowed to do the same after I finished reading it — although my note, sadly, will not be written on a typewriter. Let me know in the comments below if you’d like to be the next recipient of this book! I’m about halfway through it.
4. It saves me money.
Taking advantage of the many free, alternative resources for reading has saved us both space in our house and money in our bank account. If you think about it, books range from $10–30, which doesn’t seem like a lot at the time but adds up significantly once you accumulate dozens of books. I haven’t done the math, but I would estimate we’ve saved hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars by not buying books over the years — as we’ve implemented this “rule” ever since we’ve been married.
How I Avoid Owning Books:
1. I take advantage of the library.
Somewhere between my childhood days spent wandering the aisles of the Woodinville Library just blocks from our house and becoming an adult, I lost sight of one of our world’s greatest free resources: the library system. But now I have taken full advantage of it! If I’m looking for a specific book, I look it up on the Nashville Public Library site, place a hold on it if it’s available, or add myself to the waitlist if all the copies are checked out. Then, I can arrange to pick it up at the branch just minutes from our house. The process may be a bit slower and require more patience, but if you time everything right, it’s pretty smooth. I encourage you to become an avid library goer if you aren’t already — free books available (mostly) on demand? Nothing better.
2. I swap books with friends.
In the event that I’m not on the hunt for something specific, it’s fun to pass books back and forth amongst friends. This is the sharing economy on an ultra personal/micro level — where you can engage in a conversation about what you liked or didn’t like about a particular book. You could even go as far as creating a traveling “book club” amongst a group of friends, where a handful of books get rotated from person to person.
PS There are many places to get free books — like Read It Forward, which gives out free hard copy, new release books to readers, who are encouraged to read the book and “read it forward” by sharing it with neighbors, friends or online through blogs or reviews.
3. I read the eBook version.
I recently got an Amazon Fire to pursue the eBook route and I’ve been decently satisfied with it. I have to admit (and join the masses!) and say that there truly is nothing like holding a physical book in your hands. However, having an eBook reader gives you access to even more books you might otherwise not find on the library’s shelves. However, all eBooks I’ve read thus far have been downloaded through the library — you guessed it — for free. But purchasing an eBook is an excellent way to support an author’s work in a small way; plus, you get to keep the purchased copy well after you would otherwise be forced to “return” it to the library.
What About You?
Are you an avid book collector? Or do you see yourself going the bookless route? Let me know where you’re at in the comments below. There’s no wrong answer!