Oh boy. It's been so long since I last posted and I feel like I need to apologize and explain myself. So first off, if you've been coming here looking for more bookish content, then I'm so sorry for dropping off the face of the earth for so long.
My explanation: First in June, I had a week of vacation that involved a lot of traveling. It was great getting to see friends and family after almost 6 months of not seeing any of them. However, it cut into my reading schedule and once I'm off my schedule, it's hard for me to get back on it. I also have this terrible thing where I realize I've fallen behind on something, feel guilty about it, and then think it's been too long and I can't pick it back up again because there's been too much time that has passed. It's stupid and unfounded, but I deal with it. Adding to this was the feeling that NetGalley's ARCs and my TBRs were becoming more like a homework assignment and less pleasurable. It was a task to check off my to do list and not something to enjoy and be excited about.
So July hits. . . and brings some seasonal depression with it. I was busy with work, I had fallen into a reading and writing slump, and I spent most of my days in bed just staring at the ceiling and playing different scenarios in my head. Not healthy, not productive, and not helpful when I also had to prepare to move. And this leads me to today's post . . .
How to Move with Books!
Anyone who has had to move and happens to be a book collector knows . . . books are not an easy thing to move. They are bulky and heavy and easily damaged while in transit. And there's the emotional trauma of all your favorite books being hidden from view in boxes. So, after just going through a move, here are a few tips on what to do to make this life event as easy as possible.
1) Boxes
When you start packing, make sure your books go in smaller boxes. Yes, this means you'll have more of them, but it also means they will be lighter and easier to carry. Do yourself and your movers a favor and save your back with some small to medium boxes. I actually got most of mine from my local grocery store for free, just call ahead and see when they have some boxes to get rid of.
2) Suitcases
Another good way to transport books is to pack them in your suitcases, especially rolling suitcases. It's an easy way to transport heavy objects. Just make sure you stack your books in a way that the covers and spines aren't damaged when you tip the case up.
3)Start packing early and work in small bursts.
There is nothing like having to put your books in boxes where you can't see or easily access them to make you want to read them. Start off by only packing in small bursts. Maybe you only pack one box a day or maybe you work on it for an hour a day. Small bursts seems to also ease you into packing away your collection. It's saddening to see your shelves empty and this will help prevent any kind of depression or panic that seeing your books gone or knowing you can't open up those boxes to pull them out that may arise.
4)Mark all of your boxes!
This is a no brainer. Always mark your boxes with either what is in it or which room it's going in to make the unpacking process easier. However, if you are a collector, it is helpful to mark your box as "Books #1, Books #2, etc" and then keep track of how many book boxes you have. This lets you keep track of whether or not everything has arrived at your new place. This may also allow you to keep track of what is where. Maybe all of your classics are in books #1 while your cookbooks are in #3. A little organization goes a long way when you start unpacking.
5)Get them out of the box!
When it comes time to unpack, do not worry too much about making sure everything is perfect on your shelves right off the bat. Nothing will be perfect right away, you have to shift things around anyway. Just start by getting your books out of the boxes and onto the shelves. Maybe you'll find a new spot to put that book that doesn't really fit anywhere else. Or maybe you'll decide to use a different organization style. Let yourself look for new possobilities for your new place.
Of course, there is no perfect way to move with your books. It's a hassle, it takes a lot of time and effort, and then you have to unpack and organize everything all over again. These little tips might help you out a little bit.
Hopefully, I'll be back into reading and writing now that my life is starting to settle down. I'm not going to create a TBR this month because I feel like I need to follow my mood right now instead of a strict list to go through.
I'd love to hear your moving tips and how your summer reading is going. Please leave a comment below. Thanks!
My explanation: First in June, I had a week of vacation that involved a lot of traveling. It was great getting to see friends and family after almost 6 months of not seeing any of them. However, it cut into my reading schedule and once I'm off my schedule, it's hard for me to get back on it. I also have this terrible thing where I realize I've fallen behind on something, feel guilty about it, and then think it's been too long and I can't pick it back up again because there's been too much time that has passed. It's stupid and unfounded, but I deal with it. Adding to this was the feeling that NetGalley's ARCs and my TBRs were becoming more like a homework assignment and less pleasurable. It was a task to check off my to do list and not something to enjoy and be excited about.
So July hits. . . and brings some seasonal depression with it. I was busy with work, I had fallen into a reading and writing slump, and I spent most of my days in bed just staring at the ceiling and playing different scenarios in my head. Not healthy, not productive, and not helpful when I also had to prepare to move. And this leads me to today's post . . .
How to Move with Books!
Anyone who has had to move and happens to be a book collector knows . . . books are not an easy thing to move. They are bulky and heavy and easily damaged while in transit. And there's the emotional trauma of all your favorite books being hidden from view in boxes. So, after just going through a move, here are a few tips on what to do to make this life event as easy as possible.
1) Boxes
When you start packing, make sure your books go in smaller boxes. Yes, this means you'll have more of them, but it also means they will be lighter and easier to carry. Do yourself and your movers a favor and save your back with some small to medium boxes. I actually got most of mine from my local grocery store for free, just call ahead and see when they have some boxes to get rid of.
2) Suitcases
Another good way to transport books is to pack them in your suitcases, especially rolling suitcases. It's an easy way to transport heavy objects. Just make sure you stack your books in a way that the covers and spines aren't damaged when you tip the case up.
3)Start packing early and work in small bursts.
There is nothing like having to put your books in boxes where you can't see or easily access them to make you want to read them. Start off by only packing in small bursts. Maybe you only pack one box a day or maybe you work on it for an hour a day. Small bursts seems to also ease you into packing away your collection. It's saddening to see your shelves empty and this will help prevent any kind of depression or panic that seeing your books gone or knowing you can't open up those boxes to pull them out that may arise.
4)Mark all of your boxes!
This is a no brainer. Always mark your boxes with either what is in it or which room it's going in to make the unpacking process easier. However, if you are a collector, it is helpful to mark your box as "Books #1, Books #2, etc" and then keep track of how many book boxes you have. This lets you keep track of whether or not everything has arrived at your new place. This may also allow you to keep track of what is where. Maybe all of your classics are in books #1 while your cookbooks are in #3. A little organization goes a long way when you start unpacking.
5)Get them out of the box!
When it comes time to unpack, do not worry too much about making sure everything is perfect on your shelves right off the bat. Nothing will be perfect right away, you have to shift things around anyway. Just start by getting your books out of the boxes and onto the shelves. Maybe you'll find a new spot to put that book that doesn't really fit anywhere else. Or maybe you'll decide to use a different organization style. Let yourself look for new possobilities for your new place.
Of course, there is no perfect way to move with your books. It's a hassle, it takes a lot of time and effort, and then you have to unpack and organize everything all over again. These little tips might help you out a little bit.
Hopefully, I'll be back into reading and writing now that my life is starting to settle down. I'm not going to create a TBR this month because I feel like I need to follow my mood right now instead of a strict list to go through.
I'd love to hear your moving tips and how your summer reading is going. Please leave a comment below. Thanks!
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