An honest account of a test of books | Top 23 books on my shelf

I gave away a lot of my books.

No, I’m not into one of those space clearing programs based on popular books telling me how I should curate my belongings.

No, I’ve not lost my mind.

But, I realized I’d lost a sense of connection with many of the books I used to love. I couldn’t hear their love calls anymore.

My method of elimination was simple. It was involuntary. I let myself be moved to pick those ones I couldn’t relate to anyone. I do not advocate this method however to anyone out there. The sure shot sign that you can attempt this kind of an endeavour is for you to ask yourself if you’re acting from a place of emotion/urgency. If yes, don’t set a finger on your books.

I was not shocked to find the books I found on the pile of books to give away. But a sense of estrangement blocked me from feeling anything. I was ready to do away with them poor books. So, I figured that the books I gave away were ones that boisterous somatotropins had purchased for their sole welfare.

A few among the huge pile are: Vanity Fair, Middlemarch, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Emma, Mansfield Park, Possession, Messages from the Masters, Mill on the Floss, Human Factor, Northanger Abbey, Wuthering Heights…

Of course, someone else will surely give them the love they deserve.

And no, I’m not ashamed that some of these are great classics.