Books are Sticky
Okay. So it's raining, and I'm taking a break from revising my new memoir, Showoff, by trying to rid myself of what I have long realized are too many books!
It's more of a problem than I realized, because, of course, I love books. Especially my books, all of which are old friends. How can I get rid of old friends?
Nevertheless, it must be done. I need to do some serious cleaning, in a—so far—vain attempt to de-clutter my life. All of this extraneous stuff just kind of sneaked up on me while I wasn't looking.
But oh my. I can give away clothes, objects d' art, even plants, but my books are part of my life, and I can't seem to let them go. Yes, I give them to the Friends of the Library, but then I go to their next sale and buy more books, and I can't part with so many of the ones I have.
Surely someone out there has licked this problem. Help!
Real-Life Ranch Tale Serves as Warning to Weary Urbanites.
Everyone has a story to tell just from living. But the key is in the storytelling.
By that paradigm, Mary Lynn Archibald is one great storyteller, and her memoir is at the same time sad and funny, but it is a story worth reading. It is the story of a couple of crazy urbanites who dream of escaping the dreary existence of the rat race, and become (sic) country squires on 120 acres of lush rural beauty called Twin Creeks Ranch...
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—Published by Capital Press: The West's Ag Website—by Bill Duncan
About Mary Lynn
Mary Lynn Archibald is a freelance copywriter, editor and author of two memoirs: Briarhopper: A History, and Accidental Cowgirl: Six Cows, No Horse and No Clue.
A former interior designer and teacher of art, design and autobiography, Mary Lynn has been a...
Connections
Causes Mary Lynn Archibald Supports
Battered Women's Shelter, SPCA, Healdsburg Animal Shelter, Nature Conservancy
Mary Lynn’s Favorite Books
Siddhartha, A Man In Full, Interpreter of Maladies, Sea of Poppies, Water for Elephants, Green Grass-Blue Water,
Mary Lynn is a fan of
Mary Lynn
I moved to a smaller house on becoming a widow and had to undergo this very painful exercise.
All I can say is, I released my books for private sale with the proceeds going to a local hospice which couldn't accommodate my husband, a disabled cancer patient, at the end of his life. There just wasn't enough money for adequate staff. The place was pleasant and peaceful and well-equipped, but half the beds were unoccupied. During his final weeks, he needed two-person care, 24/7, and was shunted around from pillar to post.
Perhaps you could consider something similar? This kind of perspective does enable someone in such a dilemma to let go. It helped me a lot.
Books
Mary Lynn Archibald Thanks for the good thoughts, Rosy. I'm sorry for your loss, but I know getting rid of stuff can be therapeutic, so maybe that helps. I hope so. Stay busy.