Moving is one of the most stressful experiences in life, and if you're a book lover, the stress multiplies when you start packing.
Your bookshelves have somehow become a small library. Those boxes you packed with books weigh 40, 50, even 60 pounds each. The moving truck fills up faster than you expected. Your moving costs are climbing. And you're standing in front of your shelves asking the same question millions of people ask: "Do I really need to move all these books?"
The answer? Probably not. And that's okay. In fact, it might be the best decision you make during your move. If you are on a tight timeline, my guide to getting rid of books fast when moving covers every realistic option.
Last verified October 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred
Why Moving Books Is Harder Than You Think
Let's be honest: books are heavy. A single box of books can weigh 50+ pounds. If you have 200 books, you're moving up to a couple hundred pounds of paper.
Beyond the physical weight, there's also the emotional burden. You have memories attached to those books. You read that novel on vacation in 2015. That cookbook was a gift from your grandmother. That textbook represents a degree you worked hard to earn. Letting go feels like letting go of those memories—which is why so many people just pack everything up, load it in the truck, and deal with it later (usually by letting boxes sit in the garage for years).
But here's the secret: you don't need to keep the books to keep the memories. And there's a practical, meaningful way to let them go.
The Real Cost of Moving Your Books
Moving companies typically charge by weight or volume. A rough estimate:
- 200 books = roughly 100 to 200 pounds
- Movers price by weight, so that weight shows up on the bill
- Plus the space those boxes take up in the truck, which could be used for furniture or other items
Now ask yourself: will you actually read these books again in your new place?
Donating a hundred books takes real weight off the moving bill. What you save could go toward unpacking services, new furniture for your new place, or just taking the stress out of the move itself.
The Emotional Cost of "Maybe I'll Read This Someday"
Let's be frank: that stack of books you've been meaning to read for five years? You're probably not going to read them in your new place. Life is busy. Your reading priorities have shifted. And that's completely normal and okay.
Research on decision fatigue shows that holding onto items "just in case" creates mental clutter. Every time you see that unread book, it's a tiny reminder of something you haven't done. Multiply that by 200 books and you've got a lot of mental baggage—literally and figuratively.
Donating those books isn't failure. It's closure. It's giving yourself permission to move forward (literally and figuratively) without dragging the past with you.
How to Decide Which Books to Keep and Which to Donate
You don't have to donate everything. Here's a practical framework:
Keep These:
- Books you've read multiple times and loved
- Reference books you actually use
- Rare or collectible books with sentimental value
- Books by your favorite authors (for the emotional connection)
Donate These:
- Books you've owned for years but never opened
- Duplicates (you don't need three copies of that bestseller)
- Textbooks from classes you won't return to
- Books that don't match who you are anymore
- Books in poor condition you're unlikely to reread
Where to Donate Your Books During a Move
The advantage of moving is that you usually have time to find the right place for your books. Here are your options in Albuquerque:
New Mexico Literacy Project: The Best Option for Large Donations
If you have a lot of books to donate, the New Mexico Literacy Project is your answer. Here's why:
- 24/7 Drop-off: You can donate anytime, including during moving day chaos
- No sorting required: I accept books in any condition, so you don't need to sort through everything
- Bulk donations welcome: Moving your entire library? I can handle it
- Meaningful impact: Your books find new readers instead of a landfill
Drop box: outside the gate, by the road, 5445 Edith Blvd NE
Call/Text: 505-250-3804
Other Options:
- Albuquerque Public Library: Call your local branch about donation programs
- Buy Nothing Albuquerque: Join the local Facebook group and post your books. Local residents will come pick them up
- Local schools: Teachers love book donations for classroom libraries
The Moving Timeline: When to Donate Your Books
Here's the practical approach:
4-6 Weeks Before Your Move
Start going through your books and deciding what to keep. This gives you time to sort without rushing.
1 to 2 Weeks Before
Drop off your donations at the New Mexico Literacy Project. Since the drop box is open 24/7, you can do this whenever it fits your schedule.
1 Week Before
Pack only the books you're keeping. You'll be amazed at how much space you save and how much lighter the boxes are.
The Unexpected Benefit: A Chance to Reinvent Yourself
Here's something nobody talks about: moving is a chance to reinvent yourself. Your tastes change. Your interests evolve. That mystery novel collection you loved in your twenties might not reflect who you are now.
Donating books as you move is actually an opportunity to be intentional about the space you create in your new home. Instead of filling your new shelves with books out of habit or obligation, you're curating a collection that genuinely matters to you right now.
That's something special. And it all starts with making the decision to let go of the books that are weighing you down—both literally and emotionally.
Make Your Move Lighter (And Meaningful)
Donating your books during a move isn't giving up. It's making a smart choice that benefits you and your community.
You'll save money on moving costs. You'll reduce stress by making decisions now instead of dealing with boxes later. And you'll know that your books are staying in circulation instead of ending up in a landfill.
Welcome to Albuquerque. And thanks for thinking about where your books go next.
Ready to donate your books before your move? The covered 24/7 drop box sits outside the gate, by the road, at 5445 Edith Blvd NE. Just drive up and unload. I'll take it from there.