How to Organize Books
- Organize your books by genre. Separating books by genre will make it easier for you to find books fast. ...
- Sort them alphabetically. ...
- Arrange your books by color. ...
- Organize them by subject. ...
- Sort your books chronologically. ...
- Put rare or valuable books in a noticeable spot. ...
- Organize your books by how much you like them. ...
- Display the books you use the most. ...
- Chronologically, by Date Published. As I mentioned above, this is how I have arranged the majority of my books for the past decade. ...
- By Color. ...
- Artful Piles. ...
- By Subject/Genre. ...
- Geographically. ...
- In Order of Importance and/or Goodness. ...
- Secretively. ...
- Alphabetically.
What's useful way to organize your books?
10 Ways to Organize Your Books
- Organize by Color. One of the most popular ways to organize a bookshelf in your living room is to start by grouping your books together by color.
- Pick Modern Shelves. ...
- Stack Them. ...
- Fill a Basket. ...
- Play With Horizontal Stacking. ...
- Mix Them In. ...
- Try Alphabetical. ...
- Organize by Height. ...
- Arrange by Genre. ...
- Place Large Books Near the Bottom. ...
How to organize ideas for your novel in 5 steps?
Step 1: Start With Basics: Title, Setting, Characters. I usually begin outlining my stories and novel ideas with just a quick overview of the basics. I create a Title, Write a Quick Summary, Figure Out the Main Setting, and of course any notes I might have about characters.
How do I organize my books?
Sort books in your library
- Tap Library, then scroll down and tap the word that appears next to Sort or Sort By.
- Choose Recent, Title, Author, or Manually. If you choose Manually, touch and hold a book cover, then drag it to the position you want.
- Tap to view books by title or cover.
How to begin your book?
Part 2 Part 2 of 7: Organizing Your Plot Download Article
- Choose a structure. In the beginning stages of writing a book, you will want to organize your plot. ...
- Choose your conflict type. You may want to think about what type of conflict you wish to have in your story.
- Consider your themes. ...
- Plan your plot points. ...
- Once you know where you are going and how you are going to get there, write down the whole thing. ...

How do you organize too many books?
Add a Shelf It's easier than you think. For maximum efficiency, you can sort all your books by height, then adjust each shelf so each category of book just barely squeezes in there. See how much space that leaves you at the bottom, and add one or two shelves, depending on the height of the remaining books.
How do I declutter my book collection?
How does Marie Kondo declutter books?Gather all your books in a pile in the middle of the floor or split them into categories if your collection is too extensive: General books. ... Take each book and decide if it sparks any joy.Get rid of all the books that leave you indifferent.Neatly arrange the ones you decide to keep.
What do you do with too many books?
Too Many Books Lying Around The House? Here Are 9 Cool Ways To Store ThemLet Your Books Float On The Wall. ... Use The Space Under The Stairs. ... Transform That Ladder Into A Bookshelf. ... Or The Bed. ... How About A Circular Bookshelf? ... Let These Shelves Set The Tune. ... Give Your Bookshelf A Personality. ... Make The Most Of Your Coffee Table.More items...
Should books be pushed to the back of a bookcase?
Bring your books up to the edge of the shelf instead of pushing them against the back. This not only adds dimension, but it creates a hierarchy between the books and objects. With the books front and center, the accessories become supplemental players, offering touches of character and personality.
How do you decide which books to get rid of?
Here are 10 ways to decide what books you should eliminate from your home:Get rid of a book that's been adapted into a bad movie. ... Let go of any books in a series that you don't love. ... Recycle magazines that you haven't opened within the past month. ... Choose contemporary over classics.More items...•
Should I get rid of books I don't read?
This is a crucial step of the TBR shelf: set a "shelf life" for each book. If you have not touched that book in a year, you are not going to read it. Give it away. It is perfectly OK to get rid of books that you are not actually going to read.
How do I get rid of books quickly?
10 Ways to Recycle Your Old BooksDonate to your local library. Bring your gently used books to your local library. ... Donate to a local charity. ... Make some gift tags. ... Recycle your unusable books. ... Sell them or give them away online. ... Make a “Free Books” box.
How many books is too many to own?
According to Shelfari's Compulsive Book Hoarders Group, the answer is simple: 1,000 or more.
How do I stop hoarding books?
Start by sorting your books into six piles:Unread Books. These are the most difficult to part with. ... Books You Are Currently Reading. This pile should contain no more than five books. ... Books You Regularly Reread. This “keep” pile should consist of somewhere between three and eight books. ... Books Received as Gifts.
Why do designers put books in bookcases backwards?
The main argument for why designers like this look is that it shows the whites of the pages, creating a cohesive color palette on your bookshelf. “I love the sculptural effect you get by facing the pages out,” Meininger added. TODAY editor Jen Birkhofer loves the look, too.
Where should you not put bookshelves?
Practically, a bookshelf should never be placed in front of a window – not only will they block light in this position, but you won't be able to affix the piece to the wall for optimal safety. Similarly, bookshelves in a smaller room might feel a little off if placed directly next to the doorway.
Why do people put books in bookcase backwards?
It's a really simple answer: copyright! That's right, this isn't some breakthrough of a design trick. Although it's actually kind of a hot button issue with book lovers who aren't fans of hiding the titles. It's because the network would have to get copyright clearance from every single title in order to display them.
What do minimalists do with books?
donate to a local library, goodwill, or garbage dump. books that i have read and have no use for anymore – get rid of them. examples would include fictional books or self-help books that weren't all that helpful. again, get rid of them.
How do I organize a large book collection?
Here's how to decide which books to keep or get rid of.Separate your hardcovers and paperbacks. ... Arrange your books by color. ... Organize books by genre or subject. ... Display your favorite books front and center. ... Organize your books alphabetically. ... Group together the books you haven't read yet.More items...•
How do you cull a book collection?
7 Important Questions to Ask Before You Cull Your BooksWill I reread this book? ... Have I ever read this book? ... Do I own duplicate editions of this title? ... Am I only holding onto this book for sentimental reasons? ... Do I need to hand this book back to the person I borrowed it off?More items...•
How many books should a minimalist have?
For me, it is a bunch of favorite volumes, most of them, books about minimalism and personal development, and a Kindle. But for you, it may be a collection of 50 or 100 volumes. The answer is that it depends on what works for you.
How to organize books?
Organize by book interaction. If you want to take things one step further, you can organize your books by the type of interactions you have with them. Some ideas include: workbooks, reflection books, coloring books, puzzle books, cookbooks, reference, diaries, and notebooks.
How to organize books for smaller projects?
Organize books by project length. Keep books used for smaller projects with one another: they’ll be easier to locate when you need them. Save massive collections of books for larger projects and store them on a bookcase shelf or dedicated bookcase.
How to organize author last name?
Organize by author last name starting with the letter Z and ending with the letter A. Sometimes it can help to view a collection through a different organizational style.
Why is it important to organize books by size?
Organizing by book measurement is a useful way to keep tabs on the different physical size of books . Not only can it be aesthetically pleasing, but it can be extremely practical, too.
What is the Dewey decimal system?
In a nutshell, this system organizes books by subject, followed by author last name. The general classes of the Dewey Decimal System are as follows:
Who is Rashelle Isip?
Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based professional organizer and productivity consultant who helps people get organized so they can stress less, have more fun, and be happier at home. Her work has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Fast Company, Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, Business Insider, and The Atlantic. Get access to her free guide, 10 Simple Ways to Make Your To-Do Lists More Effective, by clicking here.
How to organize a large collection of books?
Another great way to organize a larger collection is by genre. If you have one similar to this one pictured by neatnikdc, you can give yourself a bookshelf makeover by arranging titles based on category. Group mystery novels with other mystery novels, nonfiction with nonfiction, and so on. This is a great idea if you often pick books based on which genre you are in the mood for.
How to organize a bookshelf in a living room?
1001kirjaa. One of the most popular ways to organize a bookshelf in your living room is to start by grouping your books together by color. This beautiful glass-fronted library from 1001kirjaa proves that organizing your books by color can be incredibly pleasing to the eye.
Why is it important to organize your books?
Not only does a system make it easier for you to find your next read, but it is also much more visually appealing. A well-organized bookshelf can become the centerpiece of any living space, and the good news is there are so many different ways you can organize your books (both aesthetically and for function).
How to organize an extensive book collection?
One of the most common ways to organize an extensive book collection is alphabetically by author's last name. This makes it easy to find exactly what you want to read, quickly.
How to display books in a small room?
If you want to display a few of your favorite books but don't have the floor space for a full bookcase, consider installing floating shelves. These streamlined shelves from theliteraturearchive appear to almost disappear into the wall, but are incredibly useful for organizing a handful of books. This is a great idea for a small living room, in a bedroom, or above a desk.
Do you have to dedicate an entire shelf to books?
You don't have to dedicate an entire shelf to books . A more minimalist approach like this one from nordde_ allows you to mix in a few of your favorite books without creating a full-fledged library. Whether you're a Kindle reader or you just don't have space to store hundreds of books, picking a few and displaying them elegantly is a great idea.
Who covers the spruce?
Ashley Knierim covers home decor for The Spruce. She has over 10 years of experience in writing and editing and has held positions at Time and AOL. Every bibliophile knows the importance of a well-organized book collection. Not only does a system make it easier for you to find your next read, but it is also much more visually appealing. ...
Where to Donate Books?
One of the largest social assistance providers in the world is The Salvation Army. The proceeds from their stores support Adult Rehabilitation Centers that provide help for those suffering from addiction. Locate a facility near you.
Where Can I Sell Used Books?
BookScouter.com is my favorite place to start. BookScouter claims they are only for textbook buyback. However, I have had good luck finding the prices of regular trade books. Book Scouter will let you know what websites are currently paying for the book you want to sell. This will help you decide if it is worth selling your book. These websites charge based on how much they believe they can sell books, so books in high demand will sell at a higher price.
How to deregister a Kindle?
Click Manage Your Devices from the Manage Your Kindle Page. Click on the Kindle that you wish to deregister. Click Deregister. Click the Deregister button in the Deregister This device pop-up .
How to sync Kindle Unlimited to Kindle app?
Depending on the type of Kindle you purchased, and whether or not you have a subscription to Kindle Unlimited, your library will be replaced by various document types. When you open the Kindle app on your device, press the “Actions” button in the top right corner and select “Sync to Device.”
How to organize your Kindle library?
It’s always good to organize your stuff. It is also easy to do on your Kindle device or app. Open the “Settings” tab on the home page, and you’ll see an option for “Organize Your Library.”
Why do people leave their Kindle library?
They figure that it’s automatically organized is a good thing, so why would anyone want to change anything? But there are many reasons to schedule your Kindle books! The main reason is that if you don’t, you’ll waste time looking for novels or biographies, only to remember you read them on your Kindle and can’t find the book now.
How does Kindle work?
When you purchase a Kindle, it takes all of the books you have stored in an Amazon account, puts them into your library, and sends them to your device. If you have hundreds or even thousands of books stored in your Amazon account, it can take quite a while for the device to send every single one of them.
How to add a book to a collection in Kindle?
Place your books in the collection. Hold the cover image of a book in your hands. The pop-up screen will open, and the first option is “Add To Collection.” Click the box to the right of the collection you wish to add the book, and then hit the Done button at the bottom.
How to sort ebooks on Amazon?
Log in to Amazon. Manage Your Content and Devices and click on the Content heading at the top to view all your ebooks. Click the Sort By menu to arrange books. You can change the sort order to Acquired Date, Title, Author, or Acquired Date. Click the Action button to manage one item.
How Do You Organize Your Books?
While reading can be a very intimate activity, there's a thriving community of readers to chat to and swap recommendations. The real trick is to make sure your "To Read" pile is bigger than your "Read" pile.
How to organize a collection?
This is the easiest method for keeping your collection in order. Organize your volumes in alphabetical order, according to authors' names, or by title.
What are the problems of avid book collectors?
As an avid book reader and collector, you face two problems: you need to organize your book collection and deal with the lack of space. Books come in all shapes and sizes, cover all subjects, and put the world firmly on your doorstep. That's the joy of books.
What is a good option for cataloguing?
A good option is using a cataloguing website.
What to do when you're feeling low?
Keeping your favorite books to one side can prove a handy pick-me-up on days you're feeling low. If you are feeling down, a fantastic immersive story can cheer you up. Don't forget that there are plenty of websites you can browse when you're feeling depressed too.
When does Goodreads give you a summary?
At the end of the year , Goodreads will give you a helpful summary of how much you've read.
Can you print off LibraryThing catalog?
And if you prefer physical records, LibraryThing lets you print off your catalog!
How to scan a barcode on Goodreads?
This is actually really quick to do. Click “scan” in the app. The camera will activate (you may need to give the app permission) and then you just hold it over the barcode on each book.
How to create a new shelf on Goodreads?
Click on “my books” at the bottom of the page, then on “create a new shelf.” You can create as many as you like, depending on how you plan to organize your books. Goodreads automatically creates shelves for you called “want to read” and “read” and you can easily move books from virtual shelf to shelf.
How to maintain your newly organized home library?
To maintain your newly organized home library, scan new books into your app when you bring them home.
What is the second pile of books?
The second pile is books that will stay in the room they are in and the third pile is books that you’re going to move to another room. 4. Scan all the books.
How to organize books?
There are tons of creative and practical ways to organize books and it’s really just a matter of what makes sense to you: Fiction and nonfiction. Hardback and paperback books. Alphabetical by author. By location in your house. 2.
Why do we keep books on a cart?
Keeping all your favorite books on a rolling cart makes it easy to move them around the house.
Who is Keri from One Mama?
Keri is a writer, graphic designer, wife and mom of two from Texas. She began One Mama's Daily Drama when her teens were little as a way to help parents navigate the chaos of family life. She is passionate about planning, organizing and helping other parents find practical solutions to everyday challenges.
Why label storage boxes?
Properly labeling storage boxes will help you have quick access to particular photos in the future.
How to store photos digitally?
Use portable storage media. Store your photos digitally on USB thumb drives, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, or external hard drives.
How to get all your photos on your computer?
If you want to get all of your photos onto your computer, upload them from your camera or smartphone, rename the files, and put them into the correct folders.
What happens if you store photos incorrectly?
Beware of the elements. If stored incorrectly, your photos can be damaged or even destroyed by heat, moisture, mold, rodents, and bugs. Keep your photos in a cool, dry place that’s away from direct sunlight.
How to store printed photos?
Choose proper storage containers. Instead of putting your printed photos in just any kind of box, go to a local craft store and purchase photo storage boxes. Make sure to only use products made from acid-free materials.
Who is Donna Smallin Kuper?
Donna Smallin Kuper is a Cleaning and Organization Expert. Donna is the best selling author of more than a dozen of books on clearing clutter and simplifying life, and her work has been published in Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, and Woman’s Day.
Who is Donna from Better Homes and Gardens?
Donna is the best selling author of more than a dozen of books on clearing clutter and simplifying life, and her work has been published in Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, and Woman’s Day. She has been a featured guest on CBS Early Show, Better TV, and HGTV.

Book Length
Book Measurement
- You can organize a book collection by book measurement. This method is a useful way to track the physical size of books. Not only can this method be aesthetically pleasing, but it can be extremely practical, too. If you’re visually inclined or enjoy the more tactile approach of handling books, this may be suitable organization method for you. Here are some book organization varia…
Color
- Do you want a colorful way to display your book collection in your home or office? You may want to organize your books by color. This unique organization approachcan add instant style and decor to any interior. Similar colors make for a very pretty palette. Gather books with similar cover colors and organize the books on a shelf or table. For example, you could organize yellow book…
Dewey Decimal System
- Are you a fan of the book classification system used in libraries? If so, you may want to organize books according to the Dewey Decimal System. In a nutshell, this system organizes books by subject, followed by author last name. The general classes of the Dewey Decimal System are as follows: 000 – Computer science, information & general works 100 – Philosophy and Psycholog…
Functionality
- How do you use your books? That is, how do you interact with your books on a regular basis? Do you read intriguing historical fiction, whip up delicious meals with the help of a cookbook, or practice problem sets in a mathematics workbook? If you use certain books or collections of books in specific ways, then you may want to organize books by their functionality. Here are so…
Genre
- A great way to keep similar titles among one another is to organize books by genre. Bookstores use this method to conveniently shelve and store books. Whether it’s drama, fantasy, tall tales, biographies, or nonfiction, you can organize your books by standard genre categories and subcategories. Here are some book organization variations to try: Organize alphabetically by ge…
Language
- Do you understand, speak, and read more than one language? Lucky you! You’ve got access to an entire world of books to read and enjoy. If you own a varied book collection, you may want to organize books by language. This technique makes it easy to locate your favorite Romanian romance or Nepalese non-fiction in a pinch. Here are some book organization variations to try: O…
Project
- Are you working on a projector a series of projects or assignments for work, home, or school? Maybe you’re working on a marketing project for work, a personal health project at home, and a biology project for school. If so, then you can organize books for a specific project with one another. This makes it easy to find what you need whenever you work on your project. Here are …
Publication Date
- Books are wonderful barometers of historical, social, political, economic…and even personal change! What’s more, tracking the progress of knowledge and learningcan be quite an interesting adventure. If you’re into historical or chronological reference, you may want to organize your books by publication date. Here are some book organization variations to try: Organize by year.L…
Publisher Or Publishing House
- Are you a diehard fan of specific book publishers or publishing houses? Do you have a favorite graphic design publishing house or a preferred health-based publisher? If so, you can keep your collection in ship-shape order by organizing your books according to their publisher. Here are some book organization variations to try: Organize publishers alphabetically. Locate publishers …
What to Do with Old Books?
Where to Donate Books?
- The Salvation Army
One of the largest social assistance providers in the world is The Salvation Army. The proceeds from their stores support Adult Rehabilitation Centers that provide help for those suffering from addiction. Locate a facility near you. Read more: Does Salvation Army Take Books? - Goodwill
Goodwill is an organization that offers job training and employment placement services to people with barriers to obtaining jobs. You can easily find one near you.
Where Can I Sell Used Books?
- BOOKSCOUTER
BookScouter.com is my favorite place to start. This claims they are only for textbook buyback. However, I have had good luck finding the prices of regular trade books. Book Scouter will let you know what websites are currently paying for the book you want to sell. This will help you decide i… - HALF PRICE BOOKS
This was my last stop. I found a banker’s box with hardcovers in excellent condition. I made $20, which was enough for the cost of some magazine boxes and bookends that I needed to organize my bookshelves.
FAQs
- Should I throw away old books? Books with moldy pages can’t be recycled. They must be thrown out in the trash to prevent spreading their mold to other books. It is okay to recycle a book if it cannot be used again or given a new life in another way. Are old books worth any money? The condition of a book is very important. It will have a significant impact on its value. A book in poo…