Sorting My Bookshelves - Why

My process and a free printable.

It has become my annual project to take everything off the shelves from all the places in the house and sort the books. I dust, organize, and categorize all the books. Sometimes I take the opportunity to move shelves and furniture. It helps our home feel refreshed for the busy season ahead.

We are a family of readers. I have spent several years shopping at used book sales. Collecting books is a hobby for me and my family. We have shelves of non-fiction, YA fiction, picture books, novels, antique books, collections, and collections by author. Throughout the year as we do our schoolwork and I gather new books, the shelves get a bit out of control.

I can hear the critics complain, “This sounds like a lot of work!”. Yes, it is time-consuming. I often take a few days or more to go through our library.

But what I am doing as I go through this process is slowly getting my mind back into happy teacher mode. In the midst of winter I can loose sight of why I do what I do.

My Reasons Why:

• As I sort our bookshelves I am able to make visual progress and impact the physical organization of our home. So often my jobs are invisible and this project is somewhere I see immediate results.

• So many books hold memories and happy moments that I have had with my children. It is like a physical photo album of memories. “Oh, this is the book about the moon and stars we took to Wyoming in 2017 for the solar eclipse trip.” I find it encouraging and inspiring to keep reading to my kids.

• Sorting our books reminds me of all the wonderful materials we already have. (And keeps me from buying duplicates.)

• It slows me down and gives me some alone time. (The kids know if they bother me that I will enlist their help)

• While I work, I listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos I have collected and kept pinned for inspiration. Which is much needed in February.

• Each year my kids “outgrow” levels of books or topics. As they mature they become interested in different things and they move up in their reading levels. I can make sure our shelves feel fresh for their current interests.

• I am reminded of how quickly time goes by and that each moment snuggled on the couch with a book counts.

📲Check out my TikTok of my living room shelves.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

I consider this project one of my yearly homemaking tasks (just like spring cleaning or sorting the garage). It can be overwhelming but I am always thankful when I have done the process.

My family and I receive the benefits of this intentional organizing and decluttering. Most of the year I don’t have to do much dusting or cleaning up the shelves.

This time set aside shifts me into “happy school mom mode”. I find that I am filled up by the podcasts I listen to, the time alone, and the physical relief of an organized space.

I encourage you to give it a try.

How can organizing your bookshelves help you plan for the year ahead?

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Here are some other articles from my blog that will help you in your reading life:

• When My Reading Plans Fail

• Quick Ideas to Get Kids into Summer Reading

As you sort your shelves it can be helpful to write out a TBR (To Be Read) list. I have created some free printables for you and your kids. ⬇️⬇️

Check it out in the PDF link below. Enjoy!!

📚📖📙Happy Reading & Shelf Sorting! – April

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Photos by Dorka Kardos-Latif / freestocks on Unsplash