HUGE BOOK UNHAUL | decluttering and getting rid of a whole bookshelf 

unhauls are sooo satisfying im not gonna lie. feels like taking a weight off, especially when you get rid of books you don't care about

just think, every book you keep that you don’t actually like, you’re keeping a person discovering it who might adore it. that’s my logic at least. i hate the idea of a book collecting dust on my shelf when it could be in someone’s home being read and loved instead ☺️

I was trying to decide what books to take to my dorm room this fall. I got it down to ten, did a second pass, and got it up to seventeen.

the first time I moved, I had to get rid of some of my books and when I tell you I cried? I CRIED.

Hi Emma, Really love a good unhaul vids, they’re my favorites. You did a great job! But I wanna share my tips for decluttering : 1. If you’re hesitating or if it’s a maybe, that technically means it’s a no. If you really loved it, you’ll never hesitate. 2. And if u still end up storing some, go back to them a few weeks after and you might just end up decluttering them anyway . 3. Always do a 2nd or 3rd sweep on the books that you kept, you’ll always find more to declutter.

I don't know why I clicked on here, except I'm an old man who is so in love with books, that I am in pain every time I have to cull the herd. I still have books from fifty years ago. Your knowledge and enthusiasm are worth a thumbs-up and a word of respect. Thanks, Emmie. Carry on.

LOL! This is so chaotic!! Emma starts off by saying she'll go by category then by genre or something like that but by the end she's just pulling random books! I love it!

The Raven Cycle is my favorite series of all time and I actually think that there is a good chance that you would really like it! I adore Maggie Steifvater's writing so much and think it is so unique from a lot of young adult fantasy style. The books are so rich and have a lot of depth and I return to them over and over and I love them more each time! I appreciate the writing style and the characters and the story more and more the older I get.

THANK YOU my friend made me read The Throne of Glass and I hated the series. I made it through the third book because I thought it was a trilogy, but half-way through the third book I realized there was no way to wrap of the series by the end. There are many more after I just couldn't read. I feel so validated now.

As a casual book collector and book lover this is really hard. There is nothing more cozy in a room than filled bookshelves and a comfortable chair. In the end I can part with ones I really didn't care for that much and I bought for myself. I hope you are able to make decisions that you end up being satisfied with. Good luck. And good vibes.

Think of giving things away as giving someone a chance to love it more than you did! It's a kindness to the world and to the book. Spread joy!

the raven cycle is so good!! i would keep the raven boys even if you dont read it right away, its one of my all-time favourite series!! i’ve grown out of a lot of the ya i used to read but these books have stood the test of time for me

genuine question, why keep books you didn’t like? as someone with limited shelf space, the moment i finish a book im immediately deciding if it has to go or not lol

Before you part with the books, I think it would be good to keep a list of those you put in storage and those you unhauled. That way you can avoid, in six months’ time, a fruitless search of your apartment for a book you no longer have.

I just find the concept of keeping books you don't like or even hate just a waste of time, space and energy. Save your space for the things you 💕 the day you finally get ride of all the things you hate will just be so freeing. But to each their own ey 🥰

I really recommend you to read 'The book thief'. It was a breath taking experience for me (and maybe the phase of my life I was in when I was reading it made the book so "a-part-of-me") , one of the few books that made me cry my eyes out. You wont regret it, I promise. 😊 (Sorry, my English is really bad 😁)

me as a person who has 3 FULL!!! bookshelves understands how hard it is to unhaul… but i don’t get keeping books you don’t like! get rid of them for more room for good books girl!!

My library is really small. I decluttered my books once by thinking about if I was gonna re-read them or not. I'm a slow reader. I read 20 books or less per year so it has to be AMAZING for me to re-read a book. So now, everytime I finish a book, I decide if I keep it or not. Will I read it again or not? Do I want to lend it or not? No? Time to donate it. I may not have a lot of books now, but I know I love every single book I have.

This is gonna be rough! 😢 we are here for you Emma!

Have you thought about pushing your books forward and adding a styrofoam block behind to create a second row of books on one shelf? Could increase your capacity by another half to a full double amount of books. Unhauls are brutal, but it’s all about focusing your time on what you actually want to read for you. Hope you’re feeling better about it all-this is one of the bigger unhauls I’ve seen in a while. 🧡

This was so painful to watch because she was so haphazard and none of the logic made sense “I don’t like this book but I think I’ll keep it in storage”

Emma, I think you might love the Raven Boys! It's my favourite series to date, and there are so many elements I think you would love. There's magical forests, mystery, light magic, and so many twists and turns. the best depiction of a friend group and friendship dynamics that I have ever seen! The series also gets better and better as it goes on. I hope you read / love it!

calcifer is the cutest little thing omg

It was life changing when I came to the realization that books can be clutter. I now only keep the following: 1. Childhood/Young adult favorites 2. Books I'll read again 3. A few family books that belonged to my grandma 4. A very few other sentimental books 5. The random book I just can't live without even if it doesn't fall into any of the other categories 😀

Oh my, as soon as you said the book ‘The Monsters of Templeton’ I was immediately intrigued. There’s a countryside named templeton in the UK, and I never knew there was more than one place named templeton in the world. But anyway, a month ago yesterday I lost my grandad. He grew up & lived in this countryside forever. Templeton is a home to me. So I instantly have just brought that book. Yes, just because it says templeton. It’s probably not even the same templeton but still 🥺

Please give The Raven Boys a try! Those books are so unique and beautifully written

Stiefvater's Raven Cycle series is sooo good tho! I'm just 8 minutes in but I hope you're gonna keep The Raven Boys 🥺

I vote no on all the books, you really have a hard time letting books go so if you're questioning them then they're meant to go. I also say get rid of neon gods, you didn't like it so why keep it. You said you wanted to curate a library that was a perfect representation of you, and that book doesn't represent you

I'm building a library for my kids ❤️ It is full of classics and books that shaped me.

Maybe I am really stupid but I usually keep a lot of books that I have read and hated and still want to just as a reminder to me. Like "oh, this book was awful but I remember that like the worse book on my selves and it makes me feel nostalgic haha". I love feeling my own library as a bunch of memories (sometimes good, sometimes bad ones) that define my own personality and different moments in my life (bad choices included 🤣).

it's interesting that we have become so accustomed to what people might think of our bookshelves or needing things "for other people" that we've adopted that kind of thinking for books as well. When we go to the store and buy books for ourselves we don't usually have other people in mind so why would we hang on to a book for someone else? I think it's something that most people are unlearning in so many facets of their life, but I'm glad you brought it up!

unhauls are always sooo painful but at the same time they are so satisfying

You should make a video about all of your snow/ice books, i desperatly need book recommendations :3

Oh my sister, what a soul crushing experience. My heart hurts for you. But as always, you are also my hero for being able to make the tough choices! I do have a question for you: How do you end up reading so much? I'm doing pretty well this year but when I hear you whipped through 17 books in one month, I'm like, "Damn, I haven't really begun!"

Oh, friend! I feel ya. I have 9 (NINE!?) overflowing bookshelves and am in the painfull process of paring down. Soooo difficult! You're making much better progress than me- Thanks for the inspiration! From your voting pile, I would suggest keeping Allende's "Daughter of Fortune". I found it a memorable read. All the best for your move! Thanks for another great video.

unhauls are so stressful and satisfying at the same time!! i can never get rid of too many things but when I finally do it actually feels good!

Oh I really hope you get around to the book thief eventually! I’m not a huge historical fiction person either but I really loved it.

This is such a comfort video!! I always come back to it xx

Yes! Love the comment about building your own library! People are going to be interested in books they know you like and can talk about with them/eagerly recommend.

I’ve definitely kept 3 star books because I think maybe some day someone will want to read it. But I’ve decided if I wouldn’t recommend it, it can go.

I also do not enjoy the Throne of Glass Series, so I'm behind you on unhauling those, ha ha! Also, I don't know if it could be a helpful mindset shift, but it's helpful for me when I'm unhauling books to remember that any book that's a generic edition is something that I can just buy again later. If it's a hard to find edition or a pretty one, and I'm on the fence about it, I keep it. But if it's just a generic edition or something easy to find again, I just get rid of it and put it on an Amazon or Goodreads list to remember for later if I want to buy it again. Also, for any that you're not sure of, you can also purge them but then check them out from the library when you get in the mood for that book later.

The way I view getting rid of gifts is this: A gift was meant to give you happiness. If you can’t keep it for whatever reason and that brings you stress that’s the opposite the intent of the gift. So IMO the giver likely would rather you NOT stress and just get rid of it if that’s what you need to do.

could cry whenever i see that you have uploaded. the most comforting. good luck on the big move!

Your videos are so lovely and calming, I am binging them! Thankyou for being you! Xx

awww the raven boys!!!! if its still up for votes i would definitely reccomend u keep it! its one of my favorite series ever and that is coming from someone who doesn't particularly like or keep up with series often

Nothing more satisfying than down sizing!!

power to you for getting through this! also i have another cat sidenote lol i highly recommend getting a hard plastic carrier for calcifer when y'all move (assuming you're traveling by car and i think you showed us the cloth carrier in a different video). ronald ripped open the first cloth carrier i got him and he climbed all over the car and eventually he ended up riding on the dashboard until we could find a pet store to get him a solid carrier 😭 honestly a hilarious story now, but at the time it was terrifying LOL. orange cats, i tell ya! but then again maybe calcifer is young enough that he'll be able to sleep the whole way regardless. also, i love this giant unhaul video because i finally feel motivated to donate some clothes! thanks emma!

You should definitely give the raven boys a try. I just picked it up recently and I’m loving the characters and the not overly complicated and beautiful magic system so far.

i read the paris wife ages ago and LOVED it!!! very sweet and sad and adult and it was interesting to read about hemingway from the perspective of a loved one, highly recommend even borrowing from the library!

The English Patient is my favorite Ondaatje, and my favorite book ever. In my opinion it is his most beautifully written. Please don’t let it go because of the historical fiction aspect - the war is really just in the far background. The story is about the relationships between the characters, the desert, and beauty, not historical fiction!!!

I also wasnt a fan of The Bone Season either. Ive moved a few times now so im used to do unhauls, im quite brutal I only keep books I really enjoyed 😅 good luck with the move

The cat laying like that is so cuteee 🥺

Your cat is just the cutest 🐈 Definitely the best part of the video

There are some beautiful quotes in The Calendar Of Wisdom and to paraphrase one of Tolstoy's to apply it to books:the more we treat books with respect,the more carefully we need to examine them to see if they are worthy of such respect 😁💖

you should definitely keep the raven cycle! it’s really good, one of the best series’ i’ve ever read honestly!

Definitely keep The Raven Boys, it’s one of my absolute favourites and I would highly recommend!

the immediate uh-oh i verbalised as soon as you panned to the YA shelf because i saw the raven boys ahaha i personally adored the book and the series as a whole is one of my favourites!

I'd trade you your "unhaul" for what happened to me. I had so many books, I had to rent a 10'x10' storage unit. It was stuffed front to back, side to side, and floor to ceiling with books. There wasn't even room for aisles between the bookcases. I'm talking about literally thousands of books. Devastatingly (and this word isn't strong enough to convey the hurt and loss of what happened), someone(s) broke into my storage unit and stole everything in it, completely cleaned it out. ALL GONE!!! I had a few games in there, too, like chess. The only thing left behind was a single chess piece on the floor (a bishop). The books (and bookcases, too) just gone, cleared out in a single day. And the manager and employees supposedly didn't see a thing. So at least you know where you books are, that they went to good homes. HUMBUG!!!

Oh! Emma! I can feel the pain! It's so hard to do it! But you'll see everything it's gonna be ok. Sending lots of love! 💕💕💕💕📚

I’ve gone through the same predicament last week. We’re here for you.

I had to unhaul so many books of my own when I moved to Toronto too, but never fear! There’s so many amazing bookstores here you’ll build your collection back in no time😅

Watching this waiting to see if she unhauls my favorite book of all time is harrowing.

Daughter of Fortune is my second-favorite Allende after The House of the Spirits, so I'd definitely keep that one!

Yes! Another upload from my favorite bookish person on the entire planet!! 🥹🌸

I read Tulip Fever a couple years ago and it really stuck with me at the time, so I think you should give it a try!! It’s that kind of book where you just start talking to it and getting really frustrated, but at least for me it was a memorable experience and I like that I’ve read it. And, even though I haven’t read it, I think you should keep The Paris Wife, it seems like a super interesting read

A pity about the bone season since every instalment just gets better and better 😩😩😩 The raven cycle is worth going through, esp since the spinoff about Ronan is soooo good

As satisfying as these are to watch, my heart hurts for you. Stay strong and best wishes with the move 💜✨ Ps. Atleast the one consolation is that the book is never really gone, because you can always repurchase it physically or read the ebook

Good luck with the new move! I am sorry you have to get rid of so many books. I had to go through that once and it was a tough time, but the move will bring exciting new things. I haven't been here for long but I am excited to see you continue to grow as a creator in whatever capacity you feel like pursuing

i spotted geek love in ur storage stack. one of my all time favs, i hope u get to read it someday!

My husband and I want you to try re-reading Vita Nostra from a deconstructionist lens since you liked Derrida. By the way, you inspired me to un-haul some books from my shelves to make room for others!

Most of my books are on my Kindle, but I get it! I once left the country for awhile and had nowhere to store my physical books. I had to give them all away! It was so painful. Since moving back, I've restarted my library and wouldn't want to do it again. :( I love your kitty! Such a darling!

Paris Wife - Yes I read it and liked it. I read it with A Moveable Feast and liked getting the dual perspective of the memoir which is true but can be unreliable and the historical fiction which is fiction but based on research. Would be a great summer read actually. edited to add: I've been there a few times getting rid of books and what I would tell myself 1) I can always find them again and 2) other people will enjoy them. Can guarantee that someone finding a second hand copy of The Maid so soon after release date will be over the moon.

The Raven Boys is probably my favorite YA book/series so I would actually really love it if you kept and read it, HOWEVER past experience has made me realize that you typically don't like books that I consider favorites, so there's a very real possibility that you won't like it. I can't even give you any things to compare it to because I genuinely know nothing like it sooooo yeah Also I've said this before but that Greek language textbook gives me war flashbacks >.< I'm so bad at learning new languages so I took the first semester of Greek like, three times and failed each time, but I still have the textbook bc I do still really want to learn lol

I would absolutely reccommend keeping the Raven Boys, I am not a fan of fantasy series at all but I have read all 4 of the books three times over because every few years I cant help but come back to them. I can understand hesitating on picking them up, the covers are really unapealing tbh, but they're so worth it. Someone else said it in the comments as well, but they really do get better with each book.

hey emma please keep the ammber spyglass because that is my favourite book of all time. That series is honestly better than the harry potter one in my opinion.

This was such a meditative video jeeez. Also The God Of Small Things is one of my favourite books, I'm glad you're going to be reading it again

Of the books you've read, only keep the ones that you know you will love with every fiber of your being for the rest of your life!

I had to unhaul a lot of my books too for going to college so I 100% feel your pain. No matter how many I get rid of there's still so much more but my books are my life its hard to get rid of. All I gotta say is that my dorm room will be crowded with boxes which is stressing me out but you did well with the unhaul

I so need to do this. I have 2 large book shelves that are way overstuffed. Then books on a table in my bedroom and books on my desk in another room. I don't have room for another bookshelf.

I adore the Raven boys, one of my all time favorite series 😭

Also it's not like you're dumping the books, think of it less like you're getting rid of them and more like you're passing them on to someone who will love and appreciate them

Will you make a video going around and donating these to little free library boxes? As hard as it is to unhaul, we need to remember that a lot of books can be purchased again if we come to a point in our lives where we do want to visit them. I like to keep books that have a personal meaning and editions that may not be so easily available. Those that have an unspoken story with the object itself. Most books can be easily obtained again if just purchased to read them, and if we aren't getting to them in a reasonable amount of time.. well.. we can't read ALL the books and they are probably not as high on the TBR appeal as other books if they've been hanging out on the shelf for a long time.

Yes I love unhauls 😂😂 Omg I love your Hokusai Tshirt 💜

I’m moving right now so this is great to watch! Thank you :)

You can live without a wardrobe or a fridge or something surely. Anything but this.

I'd have more than a few glasses of wine - I'd have a whole bottle if I had to do this. You are strong and we are here for you. We will send more books your way when you move ❤️

The Paris Wife is one of my favorite books!! Keep it! Also that’s a really cool edition.

Emma, keep the English Patient, it is brilliant!! The war is only one part of the story, it's the human element of it that makes the story. I 'm in the middle of an unhaul and it is soooo hard. I'm proud of what you achieved in a small amount of time though and hope I can do the same.

When I move out of my parents house all my books are staying there until I finish boot camp. After that, and when I rent or buy a home, my books are coming with me. Wherever I live, my favourite books need to come too. Best of luck unhauling, I hope it goes by quickly!🥺

Sending lots of good vibes for your move, and your unhaul. Good luck with everything. 🎭📚

Every time I try to get rid of books it never works 😅 but it looks like you had better luck than me lol

Omg I just went through kinda the same situation as you, but I moved to a different CONTINENT loll. I had to get rid of literally 95% of my books ): I only was able to bring about 20 or so…. But at least now I have the excuse of going book shopping more often 🤭

The Raven Cycle is my favorite YA series and I usually hate YA fantasy. It is really unique!

I feel you ! I can't with "selected poems", like who do they think they are to "select" poems for me ? I need the whole thing to select by myself lol

The Rilla of Ingleside edition is so pretty!!

Hey Emmie, if you haven't already, you should try watching the Madoka Magica movies! It's been months and I haven't stopped thinking about it to this day (so much about hope and altruism). There are so many hidden symbols, it's really thought-provoking and on a different scale, it's really really pretty to look at! (the moody teens in the movies are pretty realistic too XD) Also, if you're looking for a light-hearted manga centred around a bunch of preteens that living one floor of a large manor (victorian-ish vibes), you should check out Shadows House! It has the perfect mix of mystery and fluff that I think could be something you'd enjoy! (i know you just did an enormous unhaul but still!)

I vote you keep The Raven Boys!!!! It is one of my favorite series, and it gets better and better as you go along. There's twists and surprises, and it delivers when it comes to the friendship between the boys. I just adore the series! Scorpio Races is also one of my absolute favorite books! It's like someone put part of my personality onto the page and created that book! Ha ha! Both Raven Boys and Scorpio Races are more character driven, tho, so it may help if you go into it with that in mind. They're almost like magical realism, in the sense that it's not going to be like Throne of Glass or Harry Potter, where the fantasy and magic are very much linked with high adventures and fantasy world building. The magic in Raven Boys and Scorpio Races is more like taking real life and then amplifying the moments that COULD be magic in our world so that they become magical.

when it comes to building a library for others (at least for me), if i wanted to borrow a book from a friend, i'd also want to ask their opinion on it. if they hated it, i probably wouldn't pick it up. so if you know a friend would love a book you hated, give it to them! but if it's a ~just in case~, let them do their own browsing at a public library or the like

I feel this! Am in the middle of a book declutter myself, & it's a great feeling to get rid of the ones you don't like, but it's really hard at the same time lol. I sorted out all my unread books (c. 60!!!!) & reorganised, so am ready! We can do this, Emma! XD PS - I loved Daughter of Fortune by Allende, so I'd keep that. Also enjoyed the Monsters of Templeton, has an interesting plot, but if I had to choose between these two, I'd keep Allende ofc :-)

It's great to declutter sometimes and have more shelf space for books that actually interest you! I didn't get the hype behind Before the Coffee Gets Cold either, though I did get the hype behind a different Japanese author- Convenience Store Women. I would keep that book about Toronto- I love books set in places I know or am getting familiar with.