Why You Should Have A Personal Library

Why & How to Build Your Own Library

Background Info

I’m a Minimalist, I have a limited wardrobe, only the sneakers I need, and no unused items. Everything I buy has a purpose and use. When people think of a minimalist they think of sleeping on the floor in an empty room owning nothing. Some people are like that, I’m not that extreme. My minimalist status is if I were to move, everything could fit into my Mazda CX-5 excluding my bed. I don’t buy many things, but one thing I have no issue with taking up space is books. I spend a decent amount of money on books every year. They take up a lot of space in my room, but it’s the one area where I will gladly spend money and sacrifice my minimalist habits. I’ve been asked why not use a kindle and save all that space. I use my kindle every day, but there's nothing like having a physical book in your hand.

The Purpose of A Personal Library

I didn’t initially start out wanting to do this, but this year I was redesigning my room and I had a chance to realize how many books had (100+). I looked at these books and saw memories and remember the feelings I had reading them, the emotions I felt. Building a physical personal library allows you to go back to books you loved and re-read them. Seeing them surround you can help you remember what you learned from a book. Sometimes I look at my books and see the title, then I remember the lessons I learned from the book. This isn’t my main source of studying what I’ve read. I use a system I learned from Robert Greene and Ryan Holiday called the ‘notecard system’. I will discuss that more in a future post, but that’s the main study tool. But when I’m sitting at my desk working and I hit a slump or hit a block, looking at those titles can get me back on track. The long-term purpose of building my library is more than just collecting books and the knowledge in them. I also am in it for the long-term sentimental value. I picture myself in 10 years looking at hundreds of books and being able to have fond memories of the first time I read them. Eventually, it will serve as a display of a lifelong gathering of knowledge and entertainment. The key to making this part effective is only keeping the books that you would buy again.

How To Begin

I don’t expect anyone to just go out and start buying books and hoping they’ll like the so they can stay in the library. Books are expensive and nothing is worse than buying a book, hating it, and being down $30. I know I’ve done it a few times. What I do now is if there’s a book I think will be good but I’m not entirely sure I will borrow it from my local library. If I love it and think I’d want to keep it, then I will buy it. Another way I determine if I’m going to buy a book is if it’s recommended by someone on social media I follow and share common interests. The final way is if the book is to buy an author whose books I have read already, and am willing to bet on the new one. I haven't regretted this yet. I read I follow through with my notecard system, and the book goes on the shelf to be added to the collection. A source I have been using to buy books at an affordable price is buying used from www.thriftbooks.com. I have bought 4-5 books for $20 in ‘very good condition and have received them in like new condition. This is a great source of buying books without breaking the bank

It’s A Process

Getting just over 100 physical books took me over four years. You don’t buy in bulk and just keep them on your shelves. Reading for me is a very structured process. From reading the reviews to the purchase to the reading to the note taking and then the shelving. Buy a book here and there and go from there. It's not a rush, remember this is a life-long journey. One book at a time.

Only Keep The Books You Love

To assure the highest quality of your library is to only keep the books you love. The 4 and 5-star books only! If I buy a book and don’t like it, I donate it. As I grow the library I want to only be surrounded by my favorites. The ones I’d read again, the ones I’d buy again. This increases their value of them and assures you’ll always have something good to read.

Are you building a library? Share your thoughts on this with me! I hope you got some value out of this quick explanation, see you next week!