How many books do you own?

[evangelist6589]

Got nearly everything moved into my new place. One thing I have noticed is that I have way too many books…. Books I have not looked at since 2002 or before. Why keep so many books when I do not refer to them often? I am gonna start downsizing books. Got allot of psycho-babble, Charismatic, and self-help nonsense from the old days. Joel Osteen, Bill Johnson, Randy Clark, Webber, Jon Acuff, Homer Rice, and others need to go to the trash.

Prior to the move I had 300+ books. I probably lost or misplaced books during the move as what often happens when moving. But my collection is way too exhaustive. Sure if I was a professor or had a large house then I could buy books and never look at them in over 10 years and still keep it around, but in my situation this is not a good idea.

 

[preachinjesus]

Some where in the neighborhood of 2500 volumes. I recently thinned out a couple hundred that don't appeal to me anymore or aren't worth keeping. My library is prett diverse but I've focused on commentaries, biblical studies, and systematic theology.

My library has been a long time in the building and continues to grow. It's a great time to buy important texts because of the proliferation of online resellers and such. However, over the past year I've been growing my library through digital means primarily.

Libraries are important, more important is that we read broadly and thoroughly.

 

[SolaSaint]

PiJ, WOW, I would love to see your library, amybe take a pic..lol

Sounds real nice.

 

[Berean]

Got nearly everything moved into my new place. One thing I have noticed is that I have way too many books…. Books I have not looked at since 2002 or before. Why keep so many books when I do not refer to them often? I am gonna start downsizing books. Got allot of psycho-babble, Charismatic, and self-help nonsense from the old days. Joel Osteen, Bill Johnson, Randy Clark, Webber, Jon Acuff, Homer Rice, and others need to go to the trash.

Prior to the move I had 300+ books. I probably lost or misplaced books during the move as what often happens when moving. But my collection is way too exhaustive. Sure if I was a professor or had a large house then I could buy books and never look at them in over 10 years and still keep it around, but in my situation this is not a good idea.

All of them, I return borrowed books

 

[John of Japan]

Several 1000, haven't counted them in years. Maybe 1000 or so in my ministry library. But we moved to an apartment a couple of years ago, and are downsizing. So when I re-read a novel, I chuck it unless it's a classic to me. Going to keep the Sackett novels, some of Harry Harrison, some of the more recent action novels, etc.

 

[Oldtimer]

Never counted them.

A number of years ago I pared down some of my library and gave away boxes & boxes of books on subjects that no longer had appeal. Especially fiction, outdated computer technology, and how to climb the corporate ladder of success.

Don't toss books in the trash, except those that may be "trash". Donate them to a worthwhile organization(s) who can benefit from the sale of same.

Which, BTW, is my favorite source of books today, as I rarely buy new ones anymore, unless highly recommended by trusted people. One close look at what's on the Lifeway Christian bookstore shelves is the reason why.

 

[John of Japan]

Never counted them.

A number of years ago I pared down some of my library and gave away boxes & boxes of books on subjects that no longer had appeal. Especially fiction, outdated computer technology, and how to climb the corporate ladder of success.

Don't toss books in the trash, except those that may be "trash". Donate them to a worthwhile organization(s) who can benefit from the sale of same.

Which, BTW, is my favorite source of books today, as I rarely buy new ones anymore, unless highly recommended by trusted people. One close look at what's on the Lifeway Christian bookstore shelves is the reason why.

Sorry, Oldtimer, there are no similar organizations that I know of in Japan to donate English books to.

 

[Deacon]

There's a thousand or so in the book shelves – the numbers limited by shelf space. I've got a few boxes of them wrapped, sealed and stored in the shed outback too.

I've got about 4000 digitally, mostly research stuff, bibles, commentaries, research stuff. The eyes are getting older; I never thought I'd say this but it's easier to read them.

I've been collecting since I was a kid and have given away more than I have - there are quite a few in various church bookshelves in the area and a few in missionaries book shelves around the world.



A couple of favorites:

• a 1734 John Baskett OT
• a signed copy of Chaim Potok's The Chosen
• a first edition copy of McClaines Standard Fishing Encyclopedia
• a boxed set of The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary

Going to keep ... some of Harry Harrison, some of the more recent action novels, etc.

Harry Harrison – the ole' rat's a science fiction fan!
I don't have many in my display bookshelves – only upstairs at by bedside.
Sadly I lost most of my classic Scifi in a flood.

Rob

 

[Revmitchell]

I have more than 900 books ranging from theological in nature to world history. When I moved out here from Florida the biggest expense in moving was my books because if the weight.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I've got a thousand or so. I've been, as financing allows, putting everything on my Nook. I like having so much easier access to them, but I am enuf of an old guy to like having paper in my hands and literally turning pages as opposed to swiping my hand across the screen.

 

[SovereignMercy]

4000+

My favorites include the NKJV, John Gill's Writings, the Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, Spurgeon, writings of Augustus Toplady and Gadsby's Sermons and hymns.

 

[John of Japan]

There's a thousand or so in the book shelves – the numbers limited by shelf space. I've got a few boxes of them wrapped, sealed and stored in the shed outback too.

I've got about 4000 digitally, mostly research stuff, bibles, commentaries, research stuff. The eyes are getting older; I never thought I'd say this but it's easier to read them.

I've been collecting since I was a kid and have given away more than I have - there are quite a few in various church bookshelves in the area and a few in missionaries book shelves around the world.




A couple of favorites:

• a 1734 John Baskett OT
• a signed copy of Chaim Potok's The Chosen
• a first edition copy of McClaines Standard Fishing Encyclopedia
• a boxed set of The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary

Great stuff! I have:
a first edition of Animal Farm
a very fancy one volume ed. of Lord of the Rings fr. my college roommate
a NT of the first Japanese Bible, the Moto Yaku--very rare
a Greek NT from about 1830
an American Hort-Westcott Greek NT in 2 vol. (1886?)

Harry Harrison – the ole' rat's a science fiction fan!
I don't have many in my display bookshelves – only upstairs at by bedside.
Sadly I lost most of my classic Scifi in a flood.

Rob

My son has been converting me to the more recent SF. The Lost Fleet series is a great set, kind of like "Hornblower Goes to Outer Space." But I still have a lot of the old stuff.

Sad about your flood loss!

 

[John of Japan]

I've got a thousand or so. I've been, as financing allows, putting everything on my Nook. I like having so much easier access to them, but I am enuf of an old guy to like having paper in my hands and literally turning pages as opposed to swiping my hand across the screen.

I'm with you there. I have a Kindle Fire, but still love the feeling of a book in the hands.

 

[Mexdeaf]

I'm going to guess a thousand or so between church and home. Many are out of print such as old Sword of the Lord books and Christian biographies and autobiographies. Some I have not read in years but since they are generally not available anyplace else I keep them for future reference.

A while back I found a copy of Dallas F. Billington's autobiography at Salvation Army for $1- a great blessing and a keeper!

Most of today's books are not worth buying a hard copy of. Most fiction I buy on Kindle or from the Public Library book shop for a dollar or so.

Here lately with college I do most of my reading on-line.

 

[annsni]

I have over 600 on my Kindle alone! Then there are the 4 bookcases. Then there are the books in hubby's office. Oh - and the girls have a bookcase too. Wait - all of the kids have a bookcase so that makes 8. Then there are the bins in the basement and garage.

I homeschool. 'Nuff said.

 

[evangelist6589]

Some where in the neighborhood of 2500 volumes. I recently thinned out a couple hundred that don't appeal to me anymore or aren't worth keeping. My library is prett diverse but I've focused on commentaries, biblical studies, and systematic theology.

My library has been a long time in the building and continues to grow. It's a great time to buy important texts because of the proliferation of online resellers and such. However, over the past year I've been growing my library through digital means primarily.

Libraries are important, more important is that we read broadly and thoroughly.

Amen! IN my number of books I did not count digital books

 

[evangelist6589]

I'm going to guess a thousand or so between church and home. Many are out of print such as old Sword of the Lord books and Christian biographies and autobiographies. Some I have not read in years but since they are generally not available anyplace else I keep them for future reference.

A while back I found a copy of Dallas F. Billington's autobiography at Salvation Army for $1- a great blessing and a keeper!

Most of today's books are not worth buying a hard copy of. Most fiction I buy on Kindle or from the Public Library book shop for a dollar or so.

Here lately with college I do most of my reading on-line.

Good idea. I think my collection is very exhaustive but there are always others.

 

[DiamondLady]

SO many books, NEVER enough time!!! I have around 400 books I keep in my collection. I read probably close to 500 books a year. Some are books I read that I'm going to use in my teaching, some are books I read for devotional material, some I read for pure pleasure, others for planning (cookbooks, etc.)

MOST books I read are either sold, donated, shared, or given away. I resell on Amazon.com most of the books I read for pleasure. I'd need another house to keep all the books I've read over the last 50 years of my life.

I do have a Kindle and an Ipad, but for reading I still prefer the feel of a book in my hand. You can't use a yellow highlighter when studying on the Kindle! LOL (yes you can highlight but it's not the same.)

 

[thomas15]

I have over 1000 in my library. Like others here, mostly commentaries, theologies and Bible studies. Also some history especally Civil War. I do not have enough shelf space to keep them out, quite a few are in boxes in the attic. Most of my books I get used.

I have about 100 Bibles. On top of that I have some for giving away. Most of those are nice editions.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I have over 1000 in my library. Like others here, mostly commentaries, theologies and Bible studies. Also some history especally Civil War. I do not have enough shelf space to keep them out, quite a few are in boxes in the attic. Most of my books I get used.

I have about 100 Bibles. On top of that I have some for giving away. Most of those are nice editions.

Suggestion....try a Kindle or a Nook! God forbid you have a fire....your house will go up like a tinder box...starting with the attic.