Books stay with us long after we finish reading them. The stories, ideas, and memories can make it hard to part with a collection, even when your shelves are full and your reading habits have changed.
The good news is that unwanted books don’t have to end up in the trash. From thrift stores and libraries to neighborhood book exchanges and literacy programs, plenty of options let you pass them along to someone who will enjoy them.
Donate to Thrift Stores
Many thrift stores accept books in good condition and sell them to readers at affordable prices. Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Value Village, and independent secondhand shops are worth checking, though donation rules vary by location.
Related: 12 Thrift Store Items That Can Hide Unexpected Problems
Share Them With Friends or Neighbors
Before packing your books into boxes, ask friends, relatives, coworkers, or neighbors if they want any titles. Passing books directly to someone you know is an easy way to clear shelf space while giving your favorites another reader.
Sell Your Books
Books in good condition can bring in extra cash, especially recent textbooks, popular titles, and collectible editions. Check local used bookstores and online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay to see what’s in demand and whether the expected payment is worth the effort.
Related: 15 Survival Items You Can Find at Thrift Stores
Donate to Your Local Library
Some public libraries accept donated books for their collections, fundraising sales, or community programs. Call ahead to ask which titles and formats they need, since some libraries cannot accept every donation.
Leave Them in a Little Free Library
Little Free Libraries are neighborhood book-sharing boxes where people can leave a book and take another to read. They’re a simple way to pass along finished books and let local readers discover something new.
Recycle Books That Can’t Be Used Again
Books with severe water damage, mold, or missing pages may be unsuitable for donation or resale. Check your local recycling rules before putting them in the recycling bin, since hardcover books may need different preparation from paperbacks.
Related: 14 Prepper Items to Buy at the Thrift Store
Trade Books Online
Book-swapping websites and reader communities let you exchange titles you’ve finished for books you haven’t read yet. Services such as BookCrossing and Paperback Swap let readers share books, so check their current activity and rules before sending anything.
Donate to Homeless Shelters
Some homeless shelters and family support organizations accept books for adults and children staying at their facilities. Contact the organization first to ask what it needs and whether it has space for donations.
Send Books to Military Members
Operation Paperback collects donated books for service members and military families. Check its current donation guidelines before sending a box, since accepted titles, shipping arrangements, and program needs can change.
Support Prison Reading Programs
Organizations such as Prison Book Program and Books Through Bars provide reading materials to incarcerated people. Each program has its own rules about accepted genres, formats, and shipping, so review the guidelines before packing your books.
Related: 10 Things Every Homesteader Should Always Buy at Thrift Stores
Sell Them at a Garage Sale
If you’re already planning a garage sale, put your unwanted books out with the other items you’re selling. Reasonable prices can attract shoppers looking for novels, children’s stories, cookbooks, and other inexpensive reads.
Donate to International Literacy Programs
Some nonprofit groups collect books for schools, libraries, and communities with limited access to reading materials. Books for Africa is one organization to consider, but it’s best to check current donation needs and shipping requirements before sending books.
Decorate With Your Favorites
You don’t have to give away every book, especially if you have vintage editions, attractive covers, or titles that mean a lot to you. Stack a few on a coffee table, arrange favorites on an open shelf, or use them to create a cozy reading corner.
Give Them to Nursing or Retirement Homes
Some nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and retirement communities accept gently used books for residents to enjoy. Large-print editions, light fiction, puzzle books, and other easy-to-read titles may be welcome, so call ahead to find out what residents would appreciate.
A book you no longer need may be exactly what another reader has been hoping to find. Donate, sell, swap, or recycle your collection to make room at home while giving your books another chance to be read.
