Spring is here. Albuquerque's sunshine is getting warmer, the trees are blooming, and your thoughts turn to one thing: cleaning out your cluttered house.
For book lovers, spring cleaning often means finally dealing with those overstuffed bookshelves. You know the ones—books stacked horizontally on top of vertical books, volumes shoved in every available space, books you don't remember buying peeking out from the edges.
It's time to let some of them go. But if you're anything like most people, you've been overthinking it. "What if I want to read this again?" "What if I need this for reference?" "What if someone gives me grief for donating it?"
Here's the permission slip you've been waiting for: Stop overthinking it. Donate your books. Your life will be better for it.
Last verified May 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred
Why Spring Cleaning Your Books Is Good for You
Spring cleaning isn't just about making your house look nice. There's actual psychology behind why decluttering feels good:
Mental Clarity
Clutter creates mental load. Every unread book, every duplicate, every book you kept "just in case" is a tiny decision you're deferring. Remove that clutter and you'll feel lighter—literally and mentally.
More Space for What You Love
Overstuffed shelves mean you can't see what you actually have. Thin out your collection and suddenly your favorite books have room to breathe. You'll enjoy them more and see them more clearly.
Intentional Living
Instead of keeping books out of habit, you'll build a collection that actually reflects who you are and what you care about right now. That's powerful.
It's Actually Easy
Unlike other spring cleaning projects, book decluttering is simple. You don't need special tools or cleaning products. You just need permission to let go.
The Simple 3-Pile Method for Book Decluttering
Forget complex organization systems. Here's the method that actually works:
Pile 1: Love It (Keep)
Books you've read multiple times. Books that bring you joy just looking at them. Books that represent who you are or want to be. These stay. No questions asked.
Pro tip: Don't feel bad about only keeping 30% of your collection. That's normal and healthy.
Pile 2: Haven't Opened in 2+ Years (Donate)
If you haven't read it in two years and haven't thought about it, you're not going to. That's not a failure on your part—your interests have just evolved. It's time to let it go.
This includes:
- That cookbook you bought for one recipe
- The self-help book that didn't resonate with you
- The series you started but never finished
- Books you kept for decorative purposes (yes, I know you did)
Pile 3: The Maybes (90% Should Be Donated)
Books you're unsure about? Be honest with yourself. Most "maybes" should go. Ask these questions:
- Have I referenced this in the past year?
- Would I actually reread this?
- Is this book still true to who I am?
- Am I keeping this out of guilt?
If you answered "no" to most of these, donate it.
Don't Overthink the Condition
One of the biggest barriers to donating books is worrying about their condition. "This book is a little worn. Is it good enough to donate?" "The spine is creased. Will anyone want it?"
Here's the truth: it doesn't matter. Books don't need to be in pristine condition to have value. A worn book is still a book. A marked-up copy is still readable.
I accept books in any condition—highlighted, dog-eared, water-damaged, whatever. I'm not picky. I just want to get books back into circulation, whether they're perfectly preserved or well-loved.
So stop worrying about condition and start donating.
The Bigger Picture: What Happens to Your Donated Books
When you donate to the right place, your books don't end up in a landfill. They get a second life.
At the New Mexico Literacy Project, adult books are carefully handled — some are resold, others are kept in circulation to families throughout neighborhoods like Edgewood, Placitas, and beyond. I also donate children's books free to UNM Children's Hospital, care facilities for adults with developmental disabilities, and rural New Mexico.
Your books get a second life instead of a landfill. That's a better outcome than throwing them away or hoping a thrift store will handle them responsibly.
That's not just decluttering your shelves. That's making a practical difference.
The Practical Plan: Spring Cleaning This Week
Day 1-2: Sort Your Books
Go shelf by shelf. Don't overthink. Use the 3-pile method above. Get your books into "keep" and "donate" piles.
Day 3: Organize Your Keepers
Arrange the books you're keeping in a way that makes you happy. Alphabetically, by color, by genre—whatever sparks joy.
Day 4: Drop Off Your Donations
The New Mexico Literacy Project is open 24/7. You can drop off your books anytime. No need to call ahead. No need to sort or organize them. Just bring them in.
Location: 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A, Albuquerque, NM 87107
The Reward: What Your Bookshelves Look Like Now
After you're done, your bookshelves will look different. Less crowded. More intentional. When you look at them, you'll see books you actually love, not books you feel obligated to keep.
You'll have room to browse your collection. You'll be able to see spines clearly. You'll remember why you love certain books, and you'll feel good about the books you kept.
Most importantly, you'll feel good knowing your books are staying in circulation instead of a landfill — and children's books are donated free to the pediatric ward at UNM Children's Hospital, care homes for adults with developmental disabilities, and small-town New Mexico school libraries.
That's spring cleaning done right.
Ready to refresh your bookshelves? Bring your donations to the New Mexico Literacy Project anytime, 24/7. No sorting required. Learn more about donations.