THE BOOK PURGE

I've recently undergone a giant book purge... here's why.

[MsEdnavfloureiro]

Really like your phrase: "don't feel that you need to own a lot of books to be a bookish person". That's so true. I start my purge almost two years ago and I stop to buying books and go to the library. I re-read a lot of my books and I save the ones that I really love the story and have a sentimental value to me and it's ok to be this way. I can't read every book I want I just don't need to own them all!
amazing video. really like it.

[watchingsmosh]

I legitimately could watch you speak on any topic. You're so eloquent & honest, I always enjoy hearing your thoughts and experiences. Keep up the amazing work!

[sboudreau]

I wondered when a Booktuber would have this epiphany. I have 5 bookcases and now I have changed my relationship with books as well. I like going to the library and checking out books and then returning them! Lots of ways to read books and still have a great relationship with books without buying loads and loads of books. I still have my favorites. And now buying books is more special to me.

[bookofdaisy]

I would love to see a bookshelf tour now that so many books are gone!

[not_them]

I donated around 40 books to my local library this month after deciding to get rid of 50, I've begun to realise what you're saying in this video. I want the books on my shelf to be things I'm excited about now whether they're read or unread. It's really also a relief to get rid of things sometimes.

[booksaremysociallife]

This was very brave of you. There are a few books on my shelf that I myself have to consider purging. I love how you don't feel bad about it, but rather look at it as something good.

[JurassicReads]

Holy crap I'm always so shocked to see how in tune with my current reading/writing/etc life you are. I've been struggling with my own battle against my books... Seeing them on my shelf sometimes reminds me of good things, sometimes of bad, and then sometimes I realize I'm a totally different person once I moved on from said book. I recently donated 40-50 books of my own to my local salvation army.... And then I went inside and saw that the books that they'd had before my donation was SMALLER than what I'd donated. It made me feel almost embarrassed, then happy because I realized that other people may be able to appreciate the books I was giving away whereas.. I stopped appreciating some of them a long time ago! Thank you for putting my own frustration into words :)

[emmanuelokoye]

Of all the creators here on Booktube, I feel my growth as a reader has been most similar to how I've watched you grow Ariel, and I love that. I couldn't agree more with this book purging, and actually made a note to do one myself this year.
Great video!

[mibelloaleman]

You hit the nail on the head - many unread books sometimes feel like a burden, which has happened to me. I look at the massive amount I have and feel burden and stressed. But it's like you said, it's a reflection of my interests, therefore, they are treasures. Love you video!

[gerganamarianova]

Dear Ariel, First and foremost I'd like to thank you. For being such a massive inspiration, for opening my eyes to so many other books over the years (it has been years already?) and for making me smile. Thank you! This video....I'm so happy that you did this!  Not only, because you have expanded your reading tastes, but also because I did (and have been doing) a very similar thing these last two years (1 and a half to be exact). When I felt this massive shift in my perception of books and genres, I took to cleaning out all the YA books I felt I would not read again. The parting with the physical object was so much easier that I expected. Having been a massive reader and book buyer, I expected actual pain at the thought of giving away precious pieces of my personal library. However, what I discovered was that the loss of the pages didn't erase the memory of reading "Beautiful creatures" for one night and then repeatedly chanting 16 moons-16 years. Or of finishing  "The DUFF" after devouring two giant bowls of cherries.
I look forward to seeing you read new genres and to hearing your thoughts on them. Thank you again!
Love, (I'm allowed to say that, right?)
Gery.

[NatashaNicos]

I dont like having unread books on my shelf. Every time I realise I lost interest in some of the books in my tbr pile I just give it away and find something else I do wanna read

[cesca]

I recently did this for the exact same reason and it feels so good now to look at my bookshelves and think.. yes, this is me this is what I love as you said it's a representation of what I enjoy and what I'm interested in at this moment in my life Its like my bookshelves are growing with me and changing as I am changing

[TheNovelNomad]

I utterly agree that book tastes change, and I often purge my shelves by donating to my local library and second-hand book stores. The feeling of pressure to read the books on my shelves has often led me to pick up a book I own on a whim and discover that I absolutely love it! It is often refreshing to spring clean my shelves.

[lizdancer]

I've been trying to use my ereader a lot more recently. It means you can't see what books you have so less stress! Also ebooks are a lot cheaper so I feel less regret buying it if it's not too good!

[sofivear]

I completely get what you're saying about your TBR becoming a representation of a past, outdated version of what you were excited about in one point.
Thank you Ariel! You always make us reflect about things

[LuvBytes]

Thank your for posting this very insightful and reflective video. I find it very reassuring when book collectors post unhaul and purge videos. I did a book purge two years ago and decided to only keep and buy books that reflect me and suit my tastes. Watching booktube and its "incessant buying frenzy" culture, made me appreciate the small collection I have and to not jump on bandwagons. I've learned to stick to what I enjoy while occasionally going out to explore other genres.

[leanzagarcia]

I really love watching your videos and seeing you grow and change, and to actually acknowledge and reflect on those changes. As for book collecting, I don't own nearly as much as most booktubers do, but I have bought books that I've kind of lost interest in, which is sad. But I'm also trying to be much more picky when buying books so that I'm always excited about them!

[kelsyfish]

I've only just started on booktube, but I find TBRs in general kind of stressful. What I want to read seems to vary so much sometimes that having a large backlog does feel like a lot of pressure to read certain kinds of things. Kudos to you for talking about your changing relationship with books! 😊

[UnicornHunterbooks]

I definitely know what you mean. I used to have a serious book buying problem, and then for years was mostly going to the library, and now, I have discovered the library's $1 books, and now I have a book buying problem again.
I always feel bad getting rid of books, but every time I do, it's to trade them for other books, so I feel ok about it once I get different books from that trade.

[littledevonnook]

Every 6 months or so I look over my shelves and get rid of any books that I know I won't read again or ones that I no longer have interest in. I have definitely experienced this shift from YA to a wider variety of books and I'm loving it :) great video!