Lifestyle
What to do with your old books (other than pretend you’ll read them one day)
If your bookshelves are overflowing, it’s probably time for a cull. Here's how to clear space by swapping, selling, donating or repurposing your old reads.
By Bron Maxabella
Let’s face it, many of us have a book-buying habit that far outpaces our book-reading reality. The thrill of a new cover, the promise of a gripping story, the stack on the bedside table that just keeps growing… and growing… and growing. At some point, most of us realise we’re unlikely to get through all those “must-reads” before the pile topples over.
So what do you do with all the books you’ve already read (or guiltily started and abandoned)?
Books are wonderful companions. But they’re also just things – and things can pile up. There’s no guilt in moving them along to their next chapter, especially when you know they’ll be appreciated by someone else (or at least give you back a bit of shelf space).
Whether you’re downsizing, decluttering, or just trying to make room for a few fresh titles, here are some great options for what to do with your old books.
1. Keep them – but only your favourites
Let’s start here: you don’t have to part with every book. Some books feel like old friends. They’ve marked a moment in your life, comforted you during a tough time, or taught you something you always want to remember.
I’m guilty of the ‘keep them all’ school of thought, but if you don’t have walls of bookshelves like I do, it’s a good idea to ‘curate’ your collection.
Here’s how to keep your collection manageable:
- Keep a ‘forever shelf’ with your most loved titles, the ones you’d happily reread or recommend.
- Use the Marie Kondo test: does this particular book spark joy? If it does, keep it. If not, thank it and pass it on (see below!)
- Rotate your collection: store seasonal or sentimental books and refresh your display every few months.
Don’t be afraid to scatter a few around. After all, nothing warms a home like a well-thumbed volume of Annie Leibovitz’s Wonderland on the coffee table.
2. Donate to the Lifeline Book Appeal (and other worthy causes)
If you’re ready to let your books go to a good home, donating is a feel-good way to do it, especially if your books are clean, gently used and still in decent nick.
- Lifeline Book Fairs are legendary. They accept donations year-round and proceeds go toward suicide prevention and crisis support. Visit the Lifeline website to find your nearest drop-off point.
- Local op shops like Vinnies, Salvos and Red Cross often take books, though some only want certain types (fiction, cookbooks and kids’ books tend to be winners).
- School libraries, aged care homes or prisons might appreciate donations – but check in first to see what they need.
Street libraries and neighbourhood hubs are always in need of fresh stock – pop a few books in next time you pass by. - School fetes and fundraiser days (like election days)
A little tip: don’t donate books that are mouldy, falling apart, or riddled with old bookmarks, sand, or spaghetti sauce stains. If you wouldn’t give it to a friend, don’t give it to a charity.
3. Start a street library
During COVID we found the ultimate way to connect with our neighbours and find our old books a new home: yep, we started a street library. These are charming little nooks dotted all over the globe that ask people to ‘leave a book, take a book’. In our case, just take the books! We have so many.
We house our street library in an old metal Ikea cabinet on the verge in front of our house (check with your council before you launch your own). After four years, it’s still holding up and going strong.
Setting up your own is pretty easy, especially if you already have the ‘book supply’ issue covered with your own surplus.
- Buy or build a box – you can DIY with recycled materials or buy a ready-made kit from streetlibrary.org.au.
- Stock it with your preloved reads – fiction (especially romance and crime), cookbooks, kids’ books and biographies all quickly zip in and out of our library.
- Register it online – so fellow book lovers can find it (and maybe even add a few new titles to the mix). You can do this at the Australian Street Library or the global Little Free Library.
- Spread the word – Facebook community groups and local school newsletters are a great way to let people know your library is open, you can also letterbox-drop the streets in your area if that’s your thing.
- Make it charming – paint your library in bright colours, add a noticeboard or notebook for messages, or pop in a bench nearby. We have both the bench and the book, plus tons of personality – our library is called “Leroy’s Library” after our dog and offers “books and barks” because you can be sure Leroy will be in the front yard, barking a “welcome” to anyone who stops by.
In all, we find hosting a street library to be a lovely way to give our old books new life and get to know our neighbours better at the same time. It’s also been exceptionally good at keeping up a great supply of new books to read.
4. Sell them for cash (or credit)
If your books are in good condition and you’d like a few dollars back (perhaps to fund your next haul), consider selling them.
- Local secondhand bookshops (like Brunswick Secondhand Books, Elizabeth’s Bookshop or Bent Books) may offer cash or store credit. Just call ahead to check what they’re buying.
- Online secondhand bookshops (like Preloved Bookshop or Berkelouw) will pay for many types of books and take donations of others.
- Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree are easy options for local sales – group similar books together (e.g. “5 cosy mysteries for $10”) for faster results.
- Sell at a local market: Pop up a stall or join forces with friends to make it a fun day out. If you have a local farmers’ market, they will often welcome a regular ‘book shop’.
Just don’t expect to retire on the proceeds – secondhand books rarely sell for much – but there’s something satisfying about earning a little back from your past literary adventures.
5. Upcycle them into something fabulous
Feeling crafty? Old books can have a second life as art, décor or even furniture. If you’re the DIY type (or just want an excuse to get out the hot glue gun), try these:
- Fold pages into sculptures (there are loads of tutorials online for everything from angels to, um, hedgehogs).
- Use pages as wrapping paper, bunting or envelopes.
- Create a secret hiding place by cutting a hollow into an old hardcover.
Pinterest is a goldmine of inspiration for book-based craft projects. And no one needs ever know that your whimsical book clock was made from a novel you never finished.
6. Bundle books into thoughtful gifts
Books make beautiful, appreciated gifts, especially when you pass on a story you’ve loved. Bundling a few together makes it feel extra special, like a mini curated library just for your friend.
Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a theme – gardening, armchair travel, feel-good fiction, crime thrillers, food writing… you get the idea, whatever they’re into.
- Add a little extra – pop in a cute bookmark, a handwritten note about why you chose each title, or even a packet of tea or some chocolate.
- Wrap with charm – use brown paper and string, pages from an old book (see above!), or a reusable tote bag for a low-waste option.
This way, you get to declutter your shelves and delight a friend at the same time.
7. Recycle responsibly
Some books are beyond saving. Water damage, torn covers, or that odd smell that says, “I’ve been living in a shed since 1992” – these aren’t suitable for donation or resale.
In which case:
- Recycle the pages through your council’s usual paper recycling bin.
- Reuse the covers or send them to the bin, although check with your council whether they, too, can be recycled.
- Contact your local council about bulk recycling options if you have boxes to offload.
As heartbreaking as it is to say goodbye, sometimes you have to let books go to the recycling bin in the sky.
Feature image: iStock/Deagreez
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