Reviewing the Contents of my Personal Bookshelf

In an effort to be more frugal, to take better care of my belongings, and getting organized for my eventual college departure I have been trying to clear out the "clutter" in my room. I started this weekend and did a major cleaning of my bathroom (my mom was so proud) and started going through all my books. I realized that almost half of my personal collection could be given away and I wouldn't miss it (that will be going to Goodwill).

The books in this first group included birthday or christmas present books that I ended up not caring for and required reading for some of my middle school and pcds high school classes that I didn't care for.

The second group though was what really got me thinking. These books are ones that I feel have brought valuable insight and knowledge into my life. Many of the books that were on my most memorable list I am keeping. These are books I want to lend to my brother to read one day in hopes that he will enjoy them as much as I did. Other books in the second group are gifts or purchases that I have not yet read, but plan to someday. Some of these titles: The Color Purple, A Room With A View, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Sophie's Choice, Into the Wild, Essential Neruda, and the Elements of Style.

I realized that each of these titles on my shelf now have taught me a lesson I deem valuable: whether it be to always explore garage sales (Dogs of Babel) or to not care about what others think of your big pink house (Secret Life of Bees). Kind of a fun way to spend musing my Labor Day Weekend :)