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Gave away my entire book collection yesterday.

All that’s left is an empty book shelf with dust imprints where the magnificent books had once been.

I am happy because I have long wanted to declutter my apartment and my book collection was growing beyond control — and at this point I’m reading e-books because I mostly read on the road and it’s more convenient than lugging around heavy books in my backpack.

But I’m also sad to see the books go. At one point — when I lived in a much bigger house — they never failed to bring a smile to my face.

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Ask me anything.

Hey look, actual "unique" questions

1: Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

2: Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?

3: Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

4: Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

5: Do you like to use post-it notes?

6: Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?

7: Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?

8: Do you have freckles?

9: Do you always smile for pictures?

10: What is your biggest pet peeve?

11: Do you ever count your steps when you walk?

12: Have you ever peed in the woods?

13: What about pooped in the woods?

14: Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing?

15: Do you chew your pens and pencils?

16: How many people have you slept with this week?

17: What size is your bed?

18: What is your Song of the week?

19: Is it okay for guys to wear pink?

20: Do you still watch cartoons?

21: Whats your least favorite movie?

22: Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?

23: If you’re a girl, bra size? If you’re a guy, pants size?

24: What do you dip a chicken nugget in?

25: What is your favorite food?

26: What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

27: Last person you kissed/kissed you?

28: Were you ever a boy/girl scout?

29: Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

30: When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

31: Can you change the oil on a car?

32: Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

33: Ever ran out of gas?

34: Favorite kind of sandwich?

35: Best thing to eat for breakfast?

36: What is your usual bedtime?

37: Are you lazy?

38: When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?

39: What is your Chinese astrological sign?

40: Are you horny?

41: Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

42: Which are better legos or lincoln logs?

43: Are you stubborn?

44: Who is better…Leno or Letterman?

45: Ever watch soap operas?

46: Are you afraid of heights?

47: Do you sing in the car?

48: Do you sing in the shower?

49: Do you dance in the car?

50: Ever used a gun?

51: Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?

52: Do you think musicals are cheesy?

53: Is Christmas stressful?

54: Ever eat a pierogi?

55: Favorite type of fruit pie?

56: Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?

57: Do you believe in ghosts?

58: Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?

59: Take a vitamin daily?

60: Wear slippers?

61: Wear a bath robe?

62: What do you wear to bed?

63: First concert?

64: Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?

65: Nike or Adidas?

66: Cheetos Or Fritos?

67: Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?

68: Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?

69: Ever take dance lessons?

70: Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?

71: Can you curl your tongue?

72: Ever won a spelling bee?

73: Have you ever cried because you were so happy?

74: Own any record albums?

75: Own a record player?

76: Regularly burn incense?

77: Ever been in love?

78: Who would you like to see in concert?

79: What was the last concert you saw?

80: Hot tea or cold tea?

81: Tea or coffee?

82: Sugar or snickerdoodles?

83: Can you swim well?

84: Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?

85: Are you patient?

86: DJ or band, at a wedding?

87: Ever won a contest?

88: Ever have plastic surgery?

89: Which are better black or green olives?

90: Can you knit or crochet?

91: Best room for a fireplace?

92: Do you want to get married?

93: If married, how long have you been married?

94: Who was your HS crush?

95: Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?

96: Do you have kids?

97: Do you want kids?

98: Whats your favorite color?

99: Do you miss anyone right now?

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“I have to be alone very often. I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.”

— Audrey Hepburn

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self-care is spending 90% of your day absorbed in fictional worlds/characters to avoid thinking about or engaging with your very real problems

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Happiness Will Come To You.

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Remember when Netflix and Tumblr didn’t exist and you read like 10 books a week? Good times.

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Friendly reminder: you don’t need a giant book collection to be a book blogger, lover, or reader.

I fell into the trap when I started blogging and when I got a job. Buying books just to build up a collection seems like is a thing to do. Book hauls are bragging rights and it’s a bit of a competition to see who’s got more and whose shelves are the biggest, sometimes even jokingly bragging how now they may not have enough for food or rent (it’s not funny, please don’t). It seems like it’s a thing to strive for amongst bloggers.

Except in the past couple of years of rethinking how I approach reading, I discovered something very important: I don’t care for big book collection or giant TBRs. Spending more money than I should on books made me feel incredibly guilty because I don’t actually make that much money. And the giant TBR gave me a lot of stress and anxiety. Not to mention the fact that as a renter, I don’t have that much space for a giant collection and thinking about moving it to a new place gives me heart palpitations. Suddenly, having giant book collection and a big TBR wasn’t a good thing, it became a burden, one that made me unhappy and stressed. 

So I began cleaning out my shelves. Books I wasn’t gonna read or didn’t want. I donated or gave away a lot! And it made me so incredibly relieved. The stress, anxiety, and guilt went away. I borrow more from the library and read more books I already have, instead of buying new ones. I discovered my happy place. I’m not the kind of person that needs a giant book collection; just my favorites. I’m not the kind of person that wants a giant TBR; just a few books that I really want to read at my own pace.

To be clear: I’m not saying you shouldn’t build up a giant book collection. Or that it’s a bad thing. This is not a shaming post!! If it makes you happy, go for it!! All I’m saying is that it’s not for everyone. If it’s not for you, don’t get caught up in the race that you think you have to participate in to be a blogger or reader.  Do not feel bad about not having a lot of books or borrowing books from the library or buying ebooks. You are a valid reader and blogger nonetheless!

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Life is too short to spend it at war with yourself.

(via purplebuddhaquotes)

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When you are in the middle of an intense book and life (read work) happens.

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“But if you forget to reblog Madame Zeroni, you and your family will be cursed for always and eternity.”

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What my day looks like: Curling up with a book.

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CANNOT WAIT.

Love from India, @taylorswift.

3 days until #reputation.

taylor.lk/reputation-iT

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New Booklr account.

If you (re)blog books, writing, or anything of the sort, please like or reblog this so I can follow you all.

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Flaubert’s poignant story on a quiet holiday with a cuppa tea.

Oh, and that’s my dachshund Chelsea chilling in the background.

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when you’re just trying to take a cute picture of your book… and then you remember you’re reading game of thrones