The spring is upon us, and that means it’s time to clean out our closets and reorganize our rooms. The phrase “spring cleaning” refers to our annual effort to polish off the dust and grime that surely multiplied over the winter months. We sort through our winter clothes and eliminate the articles we didn’t wear. We redecorate our rooms to emulate the blooming spring rather than the snowy winter. But we tend to forget one essential thing…
Resetting our bookshelves!
How do you know if it’s time for a reset?
The first step is to take a look at your bookshelf. Are books overflowing off the shelves? Are there traces of dust along the wood? Do you even know how long it’s been since the last time you’ve touched half of the books? Depending on how you answered those questions, your bookshelf might be in desperate need of a deep clean. I’m not just talking about a quick setup switch: placing a book here instead of there or getting rid of that one book you ended up despising. I’m talking about a nice polish and sweep of every book on that shelf.
So let’s dive into some tips and tricks to keep your bookshelf clean and maintain your new organization for the warmer weather!
Step 1: Get those cleaning supplies out
First things first, you need to take everything off of your bookshelf. Dust the shelves that haven’t seen sunlight in ages and whip out an all-purpose cleaner. Cleaning the shelves is essential because books can be damaged by certain substances that may accumulate there. Dust in particular can stain the pages and and even cause the development of mold by attracting moisture. The buildup of such substances can wear pages down and either make them stick together or rip apart.
It is essential that you clean your bookshelf regularly to preserve your favorite books. Removing dust with a soft cloth, feather dusters, and even vacuums produces the best results. All-purpose cleaners (Murphy’s oil soap, diluted Dawn dish soap, Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface cleaner, and even white vinegar mixed with water) will safely clean the wooden boards.
Step 2: Examine each book
Getting rid of books is a difficult task for book lovers, but it is a necessary part of of the process. No one wants an overly cluttered shelf. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you pick up each book:
When was the last time I read this book?
Consider getting rid of anything you haven’t read for over 2 years. You clearly haven’t given it much thought recently, which makes it a good candidate for retirement.
Do I want to read this book in the near future?
Whether it’s on your TBR (to be read list) or a book you’ve already read, you should ask yourself whether or not it’s really worth reading (or rereading). I assess whether I will read it within the next year. People with a lengthier TBR may extend this timeframe to 2 or 3 years. Regardless, if the answer is no, it may be time to say goodbye.
Did this book leave a lasting impression on me?
If you fell in love with a book and you still remember the characters, the climax, and the setting, definitely keep it (this may even include your favorite childhood picture book). Conversely, if you can’t even recall the main character’s name, the book has clearly not left a lasting impression. If this is the case, it may not be worth keeping.
Am I keeping this book because I like it or because I should like it?
BookTok gets to us all. I personally have fallen in the BookTok trap more times than I can count, where I only buy and keep the book because it’s popular. You need to ask yourself if this book is primarily supplementing your aesthetic or your reading experience. For instance, if you’re holding onto a novel because it looks good next to another, set aside the aesthetics and toss the book.
These questions can offer insight into your reading habits. I still have some books on my shelf that I haven’t read in years, but I don’t have the heart to get rid of them. There’s nothing wrong with that!
Step 3: Organize the books
There are tons of ways to organize your shelf. You need to figure out which system, or systems, work for you. Here are some options:
- Chronologically. This can be by title, by author, or even by publication date! It ensures a tidy bookshelf because you are able to readily look up the book.
- Aesthetically. Whether this is by color or by the cover image, the bookshelf will surely please the eye.
- By Genre. If you are a reader who enjoys a wide range of genres, then dividing the books this way can be very effective.
- By Series. Consolidating book series together makes for a highly organized setup, as you can easily read the series in order. Many series also have similar covers, creating an eye-catching bonus.
These are just a few options when setting up your bookshelf. Feel free to mix and match! I personally set mine up by genre, keeping my fantasy series together on one shelf, my romance standalones on another (color coded), and my fiction novels at the bottom.
Remember, organization is meant to make your life easier. If you love the way your bookshelf looks when color-coded, go for it! If you prefer to keep book series together to remember the order, do that! Experiment with different methods to find out which one best suits your wants and needs.
Step 4: Maximize Style
Keeping small trinkets and such on your bookshelf cultivates a unique and personalized space jut for you! Don’t be afraid to put your favorite things on the shelf to show off your personality and maintain a style that you love! I am a huge fan of knick-knacks. In particular, I enjoy Legos, plants, and candles. What better place to put these little trinkets than on my bookshelf?
But can it get to be too much? I find that my bookshelf looks cluttered when I have too many items on it. If you’re having trouble taking your books off and putting them back on the shelf, you may want get to rid of some knick-knacks. I typically arrange a plant on a shelf or two, place a larger candle in an open space, and scatter small Legos throughout. This is where your book setup becomes key. Stacking books on top of each other will leave additional room.
Step 5: Have fun with it!
At the end of the day, this bookshelf is yours. Set it up how you like, keep your favorite books, and place trinkets wherever you want. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to maintain it! Plus, by decluttering, you gain the privilege of making room for new books!
One last thing
Now, for my final piece of advice: Donate! You may not have even considered donating books to your local thrift shop or shelter, but there are countless people out there who may love the book you’ve decided to get rid of. Of course, if the book is in poor condition and the words are barely legible, no one would fault you for throwing it down the trash shoot. But for the books that are deemed acceptable, there is no better feeling than donating to those in need.
Who doesn’t love a beautifully aesthetic bookshelf? So turn on your favorite playlist, buy yourself a coffee, and get a jumpstart on your spring cleaning!
