Monday, March 12, 2012

Books, Books, Everywhere I Look

I'm trying to sell my house so I can move into a smaller one.  I love my home but it's way more space than I need.  I've already gotten rid of a lot of tools.  I didn't know how to use them anyway.  Furniture went out the door without a single twinge.  With a couple exceptions (and they stayed), there was no sentiment connecting me to any of the pieces.  My books, now that's a different story.  I've been reading for a long, long, long time and I've saved a lot of books.  The last time I did a "book cleanse" was when we moved here sixteen years ago.  Do you have any idea how many books you can save in sixteen years?  Now add those to the ones that made the trip from our old house to this one.  I've transitioned from a keeper shelf to keeper shelves to keeper closet to...well, let's just say I could probably open a library with the contents of one of the bedrooms in the house. ;-)

As much as it pains me to do this, I'm going to have to part with some (okay, a lot) of my books.  There just won't be room for them in a smaller house.  Now comes the hard part.  How do I decide what stays and what goes?  A few are non-negotiable.  Julie Garwood's Saving Grace for example.  It's my favorite comfort read and has brought me comfort so many times over the past eighteen years that I've worn out two copies and am now working on my third.  That one stays.  Another favorite re-read is Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz.  I sobbed for a full hour after finishing Jude Deveraux's A Knight in Shining Armor.  How could I get rid of that?  Then there's Charming the Prince by Teresa Medeiros, What I Did For a Duke by Julie Ann Long, Julia Quinn's Bridgertons, Christina Dodd's Wilders, The Duke is Mine by Eloisa James, Robyn Carr's Virgin River series, Johanna Lindsey's Malorys and everything written by Tessa Dare, Kaki Warner, Lisa Kleypas, Jo Beverley and Joanna Bourne.  I could go on and on but you get the idea. 

How do I place these beloved friends in a box and dump them at Goodwill or, even worse, watch people toss them around at a yard sale with no care for covers or spines then argue over the 25 cent price?  No, I can't do it.  They've brought me too much joy to be treated in such a manner.  They were there for me during the dark times, when I needed them the most.  They deserve better homes!  That's where you come in, fellow book lovers.  Have I got a deal for you!

It was hard - very hard - but I've managed to make the tough decisions.  Okay, not all the tough decisions but I have made a start.  I have four boxes of books ready to go to new homes (quickly, before I change my mind!).  Some are old, others are new.  A few are signed.  I have single titles, categories and all sub-genres.  All you have to do is answer a few questions and I'll choose four random people to receive one box each.  So tell me...

What are the keeper books you could never part with?

Do they have their own shelf, closet or, like me, do they occupy their own room in your house?

Do you read one particular sub-genre of romance or do you cross over to different ones?  Which are your favorites?

Give me your best pitch for why my books should find a new home with you!

Due to the size and weight of the boxes I need to limit this giveaway to the United States.  Please indicate in your comments if you live in the U.S. and want to be included in the drawing.

~PJ

83 comments:

  1. PJ, you have my complete sympathies as I am in the exact same boat. I too am moving and forced to downsize and I can't bear to part with any of my beloved books either!! I don't have bookshelves-I essentially have boxes up boxes of books. I think my books would fill up an entire closet if not a small room, lol.

    I mostly read historicals, with some contemporary and romantic suspense books. I don't really dabble in paranormal at all.

    Like you, I could never part with my Tessa Dare books, JQ'a Bridgerton books, Sarah MacLean books, Judith McNaughts, Maya Rodale, Julie James, and Eloisa's Desperate Duchesses series, Lisa Kleypas's Wallflower, Hathaway, and Texas trilogy (ok,all of my LK books!). Nora's MacGregor series is also non-negotiable, as well as her Carolina Moon, Montana Sky, Birthright, and gosh so many others. Really, having to pick is really torture!!lol Though if push comes to shove, if the book is signed and/or personalized, no way am I getting rid of it! But,at the end of the day, since I found the books good enough to buy them with my hard-earned cash, aren't they ALL keepers to a certain extent?

    Best of luck with the sale of your house and the move, PJ!!! :)

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    1. Thanks, Lisa! Good luck with your move too!

      You're right, they are all keepers to a certain extent. That's why deciding which ones to give away is so hard! lol!

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  2. GAH! I almost forgot LLG and her Girl-Bachelor series!! See? This is impossible!!! lol

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  3. Aw, I feel your pain PJ! I had to move last year and it was torture getting all my books here but I survived it with the help of a good friend who helped me carry the heavy boxes. I have 1&1/2 bookcases of books I'd never part with. They are mostly YA paranormal series and classics since that's all I'd ever read before. Romance is my new favorite. My favorite subgenres are:
    -paranormal romance or urban fantasy
    -historical (especially regency & victorian)
    -young adult, especially anything paranormal or dystopian
    I've only recently started trying out the contemporary and western ones but since I'm still fairly new to romance outside of YA I haven't had a chance to explore enough to have favorites yet. So I'd love to be a new welcoming home for any of your book friends:) Especially any series, I adore a good series:D

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    1. I'm a series girl too, Bella. Not sure I can bear to part with those yet! lol!

      If you like westerns, give Kaki Warner a try. I highly recommend her!

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  4. Hi PJ,
    Please enter me for the drawing. I wish my books had their own room. I don't have much shelf space, so most of my books are in boxes. It's a hassle when I want to dig out a certain book to read. I cannot part with any of my copies of Julie Garwood's historicals. I read a lot of romantic suspense, historicals and contemporaries. I don't read as much paranormal romances except for Cynthia Eden and Heather Graham. Your books would have a loving home with me.

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    1. I'm sure they would have a very loving home with you, Jane. I'm glad I'm using random.org to determine the winners. I'd never be able to choose!

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  5. 1) Some of my keepers that I can't part with are Sherry Thomas's Not Quite a Husband, Elizabeth Hoyt's The Raven Prince, and the Leopard Prince, many of Pamela Morsi's Americanas - Heaven Sent, Garters, Courting Miss Hattie, Here Comes the Bride, and Sealed with a Kiss, and Laura Lee Guhrke's Guilty Pleasures and And Then He Kissed Her, just to name a few. These are the ones I come back to re-read every year or so, and can still see why I love them.
    2) My keepers sit on one bookshelf and box separate from my nightstand where I keep my to-be-read books.
    3) I pretty much read only historical romance, but once in a while I will read a paranormal/historical mix or a steampunk. I rarely read any romance set in contemporary times.
    4) I adore books, and home is just not home without a stack of books sitting somewhere. Books always have a good caretaker in me.
    I live in the US and would love to be included in the drawing. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. I haven't tried a steampunk yet but I know many people who rave about them. Do you have any titles to recommend? Now that I'm cleaning out, I'll have room to add a few new ones. ;-)

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  6. Let's see, my keeper shelves contained books from childhood including Tolkeins hobbit series, Louis La'Mour Westerns, Robert Louis Stevenson's White Fang and Beam Stokers Dracula to name a few.
    Labor Day weekend 2911 our home burned, books on my shelves in 3 rooms of my home became ashes and there were around 1
    5000 of them including over 400 brand new in a mixture of genres and MMPB, HB, Trade PB formats PJ.
    Now in a different home and so in past months since fire have cried over my lost "treasures", replaced only 3 or 4 of my Kim Harrison's, my Sherrilyn Kenton's, my Lois La'Mours and LK Hamilton's.
    Friends have mailed me another 50 odd in used MMPB's of several genres and my pre-orders that came in are all I have left if my UF and PNR series that had every book from the beginning to end on my shelves.
    My hardest blow was losing books signed by authors including ones from Donna Grant, Jeaniene Frost and Jaci Burton to name a few.

    Add my name to your drawing, I have not bought book shelves yet but unless you smoke have lots of room for some of your books.

    jacabur2008(@)gmail(.)com

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    1. Pardon the typos, my smart phone auto spells and Bram came out Beam and of came out if and 2011 came out 2911 to spot a few after it posted for the whole world to see.

      Jackie

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    2. I'm so very sorry about the fire at your home. I can't begin to imagine how devastating that must have been. Don't worry, I don't smoke and neither does anyone else in my house.

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    3. PJ from reading have found several comments talking about the authors we all share and glad to find other lovers of Nora Roberts/JD Robb series books, Patricia Briggs, Jude Deveraux and Nalini Singh. I have lived for years with their works gracing my shelves and now that they are all gone it feels at times like a friend has passed on and left me behind to mourn, after all the time spent invested in the characters lives they became friends and even though they live in my memories and I have quite a collection of free from Amazon reads on my Kindle there is nothing ever like the feel and smell of a real book in my hands! and I am thankful for the fact that 20 boxes of books had been already taken to be passed on at Half Price Books several years back or those books would have burned to ash as well!
      I forgot to say am in US, not that Texas can be considered out of the country even though most people who live in the state consider it to be it's own "country" from the sheer diversity of it's different areas. LOL

      Thanks for this generous giveaway, having moved boxes and boxes of books for years know exactly what you are facing. Also know that you have a really hard decision on what books to let go of, like you books are my lifeline when times go bad. Right after the fire could not touch one for about a month. After that managed to finish out 2011 with a book in my hand every day! Besides my blog, my online social sites, my family and my pets books kept me sane while having to face the worst blow life has ever dealt us besides losing my father in 2009.

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  7. I know how you feel PJ. I moved 2 years ago and had to downsize as well. It isn't easy when it comes to our books. :)
    I could never part with any of my Highlander books, ever. The Bridgerton's, Mallory's. Stephanie Lauren's Bastian Club books and Cynster series. Sherrilyn Kenyon, Outlander series, To Kill A Mockingbird. The Madness of Isn Mackenzie, Any Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux books.
    I could go on and on. I read all genres except Horror. Love Historical Fiction as much as my beloved Scottish Historical romance, Regency and Cowboys. And last but not least JD Robb's In Death series. I have so many filled bookshelves but the 2 in my room are for my keepers as well as piles in Rubbermaid bins. lol Talk about obsessive :)
    Carol L
    Lucky7450 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. I downsized when we moved from our last house and missed the books so much that I ended up replacing at least half of them through a used book store in our new location. lol!

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  8. I keep some books on a bookshelf others are in tote bags. I keep all Nicholas Sparks Jane Porter and autographed books.
    I think it is fun to share books, I like to know other people's opinion.
    I like romance and suspense.

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    1. I like to share too, runner10. As hard as it's been to choose which books to give away I'm finding myself excited for the people who will be opening their boxes and finding the surprise contents inside!

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  9. What an agonizing decision choosing those books that could go must have been. As for me, I am hanging on to Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne, Roses for Harriet by Patricia Oliver, the entire Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh, the Ice series by Anne Stuart, Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, Slightly Married and Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh, several by Carla Kelly, Barbara Samuel, Elizabeth Hoyt, Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz and...well, obviously I have a Keeper Closet too, supplemented by a large Keeper Bookcase. My rule for Keepers has been that if I close the book with a smile or a sigh AND I can recall the plot next week or next month, it gets to stay. From the titles I have listed, you can tell that I am an eclectic reader--as long as it is romance. More than that, I cannot imagine how I would survive without my books. When circumstances in my life get overwhelming, I retreat to my reading to recuperate and regroup.
    Thanks for the chance to win your treasures. I live in the U.S.

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    1. "I cannot imagine how I would survive without my books. When circumstances in my life get overwhelming, I retreat to my reading to recuperate and regroup."

      I think that's one of the reasons I've had such a hard time coming to this point, TxDee. Books have been there for me during so many tough times but, on the other hand, I'm feeling good today that I'm passing them on to help somebody else. :)

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  10. As Thomas jefferson put "I cannot live without books"...that's a given, especially when it comes to my favorite romance novel author Lisa Kleypas. I am rather trying to collect her entire work and yes, they have the best shelf on my bookcases in my favorite room of the house. I can curl up in a chair in that room and read LK until doomsday! She could actually rewrite the phone directory and I would buy it, love it and keep it. Historical romance is my thing, but I am starting to appreciate contemporary as well (reading the Travises series by Lisa Kleypas right now) and a few paranormal with a strong romantic spin. The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark is the latest paranormal I have read, devoured it and anxiously waiting for the sequel. Christina Dodd is also one of my favorite...I have quite a few of her HR and PR on my keepers-shelf and I am going to start her Bella terra series asap. I worship books, I have done so all my life. Your books would find a warm and loving environment in my house.

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    1. Old Tom was a very smart man! :)

      I adore Christina Dodd's books! I just reviewed BETRAYAL the other day. You have some great reading ahead of you with this series!

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  11. Sorry, I forgot...I live in the US and I would love to be included in the drawing. minadecaro@hotmail.com

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  12. I completely agree with you about Saving Grace. I'm reading that one right now for about the sixth time. I won't get rid of any of Julie Garwoods historical romances and I reread them all of the time. They have a place on my over flowing book shelf and I nkow exactly where to go when I want to read one. I mostly read historical and romantic suspense and I love when the author combines them those are my favorite. I love that books give a person the ablility to go somewhere else for a little bit. They are my one true escape when my life is a little upside down and I need a break from reality. I live in the US. and would love to be included in the drawing.

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    1. A fellow SAVING GRACE lover! I've probably read it more than 20 times, Rebekah, and I never tire of it. Never!

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  13. I have lots of saved books too. I keep trying to downsize, but it is hard. I love romantic suspense. Favorite authors are Laura Griffin, christy Reece, Cindy Gerard. But I love plain old romance too, Christie Craig, Carly Phillips. I live in the US and would love to be included in the drawing.

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    1. Good luck, TrishJ! Be sure to check back to find out if you're one of my winners. I'll post the list Tuesday night.

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  14. Hi! I know what a tough decision it is you're making, but do keep your favorite's.
    Q1, I would never part with any book written by Kristan Higgins, I have a couple of autographed ones, but mainly because she writes with all the elements I look for in a novel, leaving me always sighing and happy in the end. Love the emotions she brings out.She writes funny, generous, super romantic, and nostalgic novels.
    Q2. I have a bookshelf for my favorites.
    Q3 I read all kinds of romance. The Twilight series started my love of reading, enjoy listening to historical romance- Lisa Kleypas.Jill Shalvis, Robyn Carr, Suzanne Brockmann, Susan Mallory,Andersen, Philips, Rachel Gibson, N. Sparks, etc. my favorite genre is Contemporary Romance. Of course I love the V.River series,too.
    Q4 I've found in books a new way to enjoy life, it's my new addiction. It's the best way I find to soothe my worries and find joy when times are tough. Reading has brought out in me this new desire to be inspired, to write, a whole other facet I didn't know or dreamed I had. It fills me with happiness. I have learned to admire and respect authors and makes me want to be a better person. I'll be honest, If I do win a box of your books, I'll keep the books I truly love (just by your mention of authors I know I'll keep most) but those that I don't prefer,I'll donate to my public library which I visit 4 times a week or take to a nursing home or hospital for others to enjoy. I couldn't have the heart to toss a book after knowing how much heart authors put into creating their novels, it's a labor of love.
    Thank you for this opportunity. buzzetta@hotmail.com I live in Florida, US.

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    1. Sounds like you and I share a lot of the same favorite authors. There are many names in your list that I couldn't part with either.

      Love your idea of donating ones you don't want. I do that too.

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  15. What are the keeper books you could never part with?
    Everything by Lisa Kleypas,Kresley Cole, Madeline Hunter, Liz Carlysle, Gena Showalter's LOD series,and now that I have a Kindle...everything!

    Do they have their own shelf, closet or, like me, do they occupy their own room in your house?
    They take up all the shelves in my closet. Who needs clothes anyways.

    Do you read one particular sub-genre of romance or do you cross over to different ones? Which are your favorites?
    I love historical romance first and foremost, but I will cross over to paranormal, and once in a while contemporary.

    Give me your best pitch for why my books should find a new home with you!
    I would truly appreciate it. I have purchased so many books, and my sister periodically comes to borrow them. I always joke how lucky she is to have a sister who has boxes of awesome books to lend out. Wish I had one like that, lol. You could be like the book-giving sister I never had!

    I do live in the U.S. and I do want to enter the contest! Thanks:)

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    1. Laughing at your books taking over the shelves in your closet. When that started happening here I finally faced the fact that some of them had to go. :(

      You said, "You could be like the book-giving sister I never had!"

      I've always wanted a sister!

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  16. I forgot to add my e-mail address, in case I win!
    sarah_duda@yahoo.com

    Thanks,
    Sarah D

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  17. Reading your post made me both sad that you had to give up your treasures and giddy at the thought of having them for myself. I have been a lover/collector of books since my first Dr. Seuss. 1)Keepers in my collection include my classics; Pride and Prejudice, Little Women and such and move on to all things Nora Roberts Nicholas Sparks and Lisa Kleypas. I've also recently added Goodnight Tweetheart to that, its such a nice read. 2)My husband built me shelves for my books (I even gave up my shoe rack for extra storage space) and that kind of morphed into taking over my closet then resulted in shelves of books being shifted into our spare bedroom. 3) I love all genres. I've recently started reading more historical romances but I love it all. In the past I would have said I prefer the paranormal/suspense genre best but I am expanding my horizons now so maybe that will change. 4)Other than the general "I love books" that almost everyone says I have a true appreciation for literature, not just reading. Although I love my kindle nothing makes me happier than picking up an actual book and curling up to read it. Add to that I'm currently on bedrest and I need you to be my source since I can't go out and forage for myself right now. But whether or not you choose me I truly hope you find a magnificent home for all your beloved books (although clearly my home would be the best option). I currently reside in the great state of New York and sincerely hope I am one of the lucky beneficiaries of your drawing.

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    1. That's a good pitch, Tiffany! As I said earlier, I sure am glad I don't have to choose one of you. I'd want to send books to all of you!

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    2. Haha thank you very much. Reading these posts myself I see how difficult it would be for you.

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  18. I empathize, PJ. I moved to a smaller house about four years ago, and pruning bookshelves was one of the toughest parts of the move. It was also one of the most time-consuming since I kept stopping to read parts of the books I discarded and those I kept. I had narrowed my romance keepers to four bookcases by the time I made the move. But four years later, despite buying an increasing number of books in e-format, all four bookshelves are overflowing, I've added another bookcase, and I have half a dozen bins of books stacked in a closet--all this even though I take a box of books to my local library or Good Will or donate them to a church yard sale almost every month.

    I have the very first Nora Roberts book I read--All the Possibilities; I bought it as a used paperback in 1985. The cover is ragged and pages are loose, but I can't bear to toss it. I feel the same way about collections of Mary Balogh, Jo Beverley, and Mary Jo Putney, all of whom I've been reading since their earliest books. I find that even as I add old favorites to my Kindle as I have with In the Midnight Rain by Ruth Wind, Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase, A Place to Call Home by Deborah Smith, and many others, my emotional attachment to the much-read paper copies remains as strong as ever. And, of course, many of these and other favorites such as Till the Stars Fall by Kathleen Gilles Seidel aren't available as ebooks. Then there are the dozens of signed books that no ecopy could ever replace.

    Nearly all of my romance keepers are historicals or contemporaries with a smattering of paranormals and romantic suspense. But I haven't addressed keepers that fall into other categories--children's books, YA, literary classics, poetry, memoirs, mysteries. :)

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    1. I knew you'd understand, Janga. I remember when you went through the same process.

      How amazing that you still have your first Nora Roberts. I remember that book! I sometimes wish I'd kept more of the early ones but then it would be even harder to decide which ones to give away to good homes.

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  19. Very hard to part with old friends. I couldn't get rid of my Kathleen Woodiwiss & Judith McNaught collection in hopes my 20 year old daughter will one day pick up a book and fall in love with reading. My kindle collection is growing daily. When I do donate, I give to Salvation Army. I am a strictly romance reader and historicals are my favorite - I was born at the wrong time :)

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    1. I think e-readers will make it easier to keep books but there are so many that I still have in paper and can't imagine giving away. I hope your daughter does fall in love with books one of these days. It's wonderful to be able to share our love of reading with the next generation.

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  20. The keepers I could never part with are all my old gothic books. Availability is getting to be few and far between these days. Also on my keeper shelf are Teresa Medeiros books- love them all - and other reads by Jennifer Blake, Jennifer Ashley, Anna Campbell, Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas and on and on!

    All my keepers are in their own separate bookcase in my front hall. I like to keep the separate and handy! Though most of them are historical romances, I also enjoy mainstream fiction, memoirs, classics like Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, young adult and juvenile stories and paranormal.

    I treat each and every book in my collection with the respect it deserves. I'm always ready to open my home to more strays! :)

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    1. More of my favorite authors! I have favorites by all of these authors that I couldn't part with. I gave away most of my Jennifer Blake collection a couple years ago but couldn't make myself part with SOUTHERN RAPTURE. How could I possibly say goodbye to Ransom? ::sigh::

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  21. Your post was emotional and beautiful. I sympathize with you since moving is a wrench and books are so precious. It is indded difficult to part from these treasures. I keep all my beloved classics for sure, from childhood favorites to my adult books I cherish. They are all meaningful and special to me. I have builtin shelves which came with this bouse which is so practical and they are filled to the brim so when they are overfull I put the overflow into a closet which I arranged easily. I enjoy mostly fiction, historicals which are my ultimate favorites and contemporaries and memoirs as well. Wishing you an easy move. These books would be treated like gold. I live in the U.S.

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  22. PJ -

    I totally understand your situation. Even though we have two huge bookcases in our familyroom as well as other smaller bookcases in the livingroom (and even in the kitchen and that's not including all my cookbooks on three shelves of my pantry) there still isn't room for them all.

    Periodically throughout the year my husband (also a reader) will put his foot down and insist that I "thin out" my books. Of course he has a problem "culling his books" so it's a joint problem.

    I've found that there are so many wonderful places in my town that not only welcome my books but actually are waiting for my phone call. I pass on some of my books to my mother-in-law who isn't a big reader herself but lives in a Senior Citizen apartment complex yand they are always appreciated by her neighbors. Our town also has a Senior Center which also appreciates donations. I also give books to our local women's shelter wheret I also include children books in my donation as my grandchildren "grow out of them".

    To me it's much easier giving my books away if I'm giving them to someone who might not have the chance otherwise to read them.

    My problem is that one of my bookcases is filled with TBR books or books I never want to part with but at least buying a Kindle has helped me keep them more manageable!

    PS: Does my husband really think I'll ever get rid of my two shelf collection of Great Books of the Western World that I bought in 1970 and we've moved 4 times?

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  23. Anytime we have to move it is a real job and hard to pick and choose especially when books are involved since I cannot let them go. I can understand your concern and trepidation since they have been in your collection and will be sorely missed. For me books represent friends. I have areas in rooms with shelving that houses my small but select book selection. I enjoy women's fiction that has depth, hsitorical fiction and contemporary as well. Ones that I would always hold onto are my Anne of green gables from when I was very young and Dickens. Many best wishes on your move and happiness. I live in the US.

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  24. I love my books. Even though i have a kindle there is just something about the books they comfort me, sooth me...what can i say? I have several areas dedicated to books. I love romance, but paranormal is def. my favorite. Books I could never get rid of including - Patricia Briggs, Alexandra Ivy, and Kennyon. Enter me please! bookedandloaded(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. This is just the reason why I don't move.. and keep my hubby, who doesn't seem to notice the full bookcases and then there are the piles of books, plus the cardboard box lids that slide under the beds.. So I have plenty of more room for more books.. But I do donate the ones that aren't keepers to the local Red Cross - which holds a WONDERFUL annual sale at the 4-H fairgrounds in a couple of buildings.. which then I go to & buy more books...

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  26. PJ, I have many books that I can't part with. Granted, not all are romance, but they all have special meaning. The one book I shall never let out of my grasp - in fact, I bought another copy of it when the first fell apart, is "Star Man's Son" by Andre Norton. Most people have never heard of it. I was a reluctant reader as a child because books on my level bored me to tears. A thoughtful librarian told me to search the young adult section - unheard of back in those days as I was in 3rd grade. I found the novel and read it 3 times before taking it back. I checked it out regularly and bought my first personal copy as a teenager. It stays in a special box to protect it. I last read it about 10 years ago when my son was home schooled. He and I read it together.

    I have several books by Jude Devereux that will always be with me. "Princess" and "Heiress" are the main ones. I also have all the "Hitchhiker's Guide" books and won't part with them. They sit on the shelf in my bedroom & I read them at least once a year.

    My final never part with books are those given to me by author friends. I keep them out where I can always find them and read them. They sit on a shelf in my living room.

    As for sub-genres in romance, I like them all -- thriller, crime, historical, futuristic, paranormal.... I'll read anything that has a compelling plot.

    Why should your books come to me? Because I will love them and cherish them. If I decide to part with them, I will find them a good home. I don't like yardsales where they are tossed on a blanket or in a box, consigned to their fate. My small writing group has a book sale every year to raise money for Meals On Wheels. We sell our own books as well as resell others. They are carefully displayed and packed away if they don't sell that year, ready for the next sale.

    Those books I fall in love with will stay with me in one of the treasured spots in either my bedroom or the living room to be read whenever they call to me.

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  27. I could never part with my copy of "Gone With The Wind" or My Black Dagger Brotherhood" series Or my "Outlander" series I have a special shelf I put them on.I like all sub-genres. I love to read because I am a "shut-in" you see,I have cerebral palsy from the waist down and I do alot of reading because reading makes me forget the pain and I don't have to take pain meds because I get lost in the story.If your books come to me I promised they will have a cherished place in my house but more than that they will have a cherished place in my heart.

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  28. I forgot my e-mail address nicholsgail(at)rocketmail(dot)com

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  29. Oh PJ, bless your heart, you know my second marriage my husband gave away all of my books from my childhood that I was saving for when I had a child. (My daughter wasn't even a twinkle in my eye at the time.) Then later I came home from work one day he had burned everything else I had collected, all of Mary Balogh, (some being collectors items now, I am still trying to replace those.), Kathleen Woodiwiss, Victoria Alexander, Garwood, Lindsey and Quinn, etc. He really wasn't a nice man. Anyway, my point is your books will be going by your choice to good homes, that is the thought to hold on to. I answered your questions but it is scattered, you boggled my mind with the offer, kind of like saying you have a chance to win the lottery with better odds!

    What are the keeper books you could never part with? Oh, well, see above AND below, there really are too many to name, it really is seldom a book doesn't go on my keeper shelves. I have speadsheets on my computer to help me keep track and to make sure I don't miss a book release.

    Since then, I now have books that I can't even find, I know they are here, I just don't remember what book case.....LOL I am working on organizing them again (yes, I had them in alpha order but my daughter came in and tore up my nasty old carpet to find the hardwood floor underneath and took all my books out of the shelves to move them, unfortunately she didn't help me put them back.

    Give me your best pitch for why my books should find a new home with you!
    If I would win, now would be the perfect time so I could get them in with my current supply. Oh, and I love historicals but definitely have been branching out. Some of my fav contemps authors are Rachel Gibson, Lisa Kleypas, Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich, okay, I see now that maybe I am more into contemps than even I thought because that is just a fraction of my contemporary authors.. Hmmmmm Paranormal, Teri Garey, J.R. Ward, wait, that one is too long too......uhhhhh, okay, let us just say I love books and they will have a good home with me, I will let them have their own bookshelves and will even tag it saying it came from P.J. Right now my dining room is my library, we aren't counting the books in my bedroom, living room and some even in my and my son's closet.

    Do they have their own shelf, closet or, like me, do they occupy their own room in your house?
    They have rooms, closets, bookshelves, at the moment I have 4 floor to ceiling cases and the rest are in my bedroom closet, my son's closet and stacked on tables, under the bed, you get the drift I am sure. But I am working on it!

    Do you read one particular sub-genre of romance or do you cross over to different ones? Though I still lean toward historicals, I have branched out into comtemporaries, para-normal, steam punk, and some I don't even know what to call them.

    Which are your favorites? Still have more historicals than anything else and I am including my beloved Scotsmen in the historicals. My medievals are included in the historicals too.

    P.S.- I don't think I could part with the autographed books, though they would be great I think you might have giver's remorse on those.

    Oh and I do live in the U.S. and of course I want to be included in the drawing, I will even help pay postage!

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  30. The books I can never get rid of are none of my books by Eloisa James or Julia Quinn or Cynthia Eden will leave also Lisa Kleypas even though I'm still working through all her books they are sitting on my to be read bookshelf but her books are amazing the ones I did get the chance to read so far, hmm oh Jillian Hunter's Boscastle series if you never read them I highly recommended them, my Barnes and nobles leather bound classics these are awesome I have The Jane Austen one, The complete work Of Edgar Allan Poe, The brothers Grimm and I think the odyssey and the Iliad there might be one more I need to check. I have 4 huge bookshelf's, 2 are in my spare bedroom they are books I've read but can't get rid of. Then I have an armoire which I turned into a bookshelf these are my books that I don't have the complete set to yet, once I start a series I like to have the complete set. And finally my pride and joy my bookshelf with the books I'm currently working on, these books lined up in order in how I intend to read them. Now beware my ereader does sometimes mess with the flow but I love my e-books just as much as my regular books.
    I read all romance right now most of my bookshelf is historical and paranormal. And my best pitch is, your books would find a loving home with me sometimes my own hubby even gets jealous of my love for books ;) to be fair I really don't hear him when I'm reading!!!

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    1. opps forgot to say I do live in the U.s. and my email is brandon_savannah@yahoo.com

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  31. Yes, I have to admit that my favorite books do have their own shelves in my bookcase(s)! How do I decide if they're keepers? If I put off other activities to keep reading them, can't stop thinking about them in between reading sessions and long after I finish them, and if I read them in less than a weekend for any of the reasons above!

    I live in the US.

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  32. My "keepers" is the hardest list to ever make and I add to it constantly....It is my one true reason to love ebooks...I get to keep them! But, I have about 4 totes of books ranging from fairy tale collections to Harry Potter, to (2 1/2 totes) historical romances, so on and so forth. There are a select few that stay in the lower shelves of my bedside table and another small side table hutch in my room. These are signed copies of romance novels that I have won over time, and then antique store finds, and then my handful of can't have them more than 5 feet from my bed: Julia Qinn's Mr. Cavendish, I Presume and it's partner The Lost Duke of Whyndham; Miranda Neville's The Wild Marquis; newest to join the ranks (last 4 days--okay nights) are the Twilight saga....I know....; Sarah Maclean, Vicky Drieling, Eloisa James, Stephanie Laurens--they are all here in multiples!

    I've had to use totes since starting our family because we are in a two bedroom house right now....I miss my books being easily browsed and am practically dying for a bigger house to have a room to put up shelves upon shelves! Granted it will be the "office" so I have to share it but I get almost all the shelves anyways!

    I read mostly historical romances but I jump around when I'm given the opportunity and pointed in the direction of something intriguing. I've read a handful of paranormal romance, fewer contemporaries, historicals ranging all over time and place, and then completely out of the romance genre as well though still a small amount in comparison. I love reading, I adore my books.

    As far as a pitch goes...I'm not very good at pitching (physical or verbal act). I've had to sort through my books as recently as this last year when I started mailing some of my titles to friends who were on bedrest across the country (pregnancy related). I've been collecting boxes of books from family and friends and extended reaches of both for ladies to choose from more variety of titles. My husband is planning on helping me set up an inventory system almost like a library and either I will get a storage room within our next house or a controlled storage unit to set up in so that I can expand this into something a little more far reaching than just the ladies I know. Of course I read a lot of the books that come into my hands but I have only kept one of them myself and the rest have been put back in their boxes waiting for a chance to be mailed out to someone who needs something to do to keep them sane on enforced bedrest. As such, I have not thrown out/donated any books for over a year other than to the boxes for this purpose which remain in my control still. Most likely, your box of books were it to come to me, would be read through, enjoyed, and then end up in this collection for others to enjoy as well. I won't mislead you, this is hardly far off the ground. I have most of them inventoried physically but not electronically and I've only had two ladies utilize my lists in the last year. I want to spread it but I need that system that my techy hubby can provide but it will take some time. I'm starting to get a couple duplicates here and there and I love it because it just means that I can spread books that are popular/excellent/or simply have a spare if one gives out on me. I can't wait to get an inventory system that WORKS though...I should've gone to school for a librarian position...would've made this easier....lol

    Either way, I'd love to add to my collection even for simply self-indulgent reasons such as needing more books for myself to read if nothing else.

    ktlee11.07@ live dot com

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  33. I have so many (really, too many) keeper books. I won't part with any of Julie Garwood's historicals, Julia Quinn's Bridgertons, quite a few of Lisa Kleypas' historicals and contemporaries, SEP's It Had to Be You, Linda Lael Miller's Springwater series, all of Julie James' and Kristan Higgins' books, and many others. I have 2 bookshelves filled! Don't even get me started on how many TBR books I have! LOL!!!

    Now that I think about it, DON'T enter my name in this drawing. I really must learn to say NO when it comes to books because it seems that I have a serious addiction! ;-)

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  34. What are the keeper books you could never part with?
    All of my Kathleen Woodiwiss books and Susan Wiggs Books, plus my copies of all of Jane Austen's books!

    Do they have their own shelf, closet or, like me, do they occupy their own room in your house?
    My computer room has a huge set of shelves full of books, plus I have several in my bedroom!

    Do you read one particular sub-genre of romance or do you cross over to different ones? Which are your favorites?
    I will read all sub-genres but my absolute favorites are the Regency England and any that include pirates! Arrr!

    Give me your best pitch for why my books should find a new home with you!
    I would enjoy and read every book you send me and then I will pass them on to someone else. I have several older ladies that I share books with when I am done with them...and they do the same with me. So, many people will get to enjoy reading them.

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  35. Oops and I was supposed to add...Yes I want to be entered and yes I live in the USA!

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  36. I would love to be entered and I do live in the US, I hate the idea of parting with any of my books but I’d have to say I would never part with my historical romance (like Heather Graham and Lisa Kleypas), paranormal romance series (like Gerry Barlett’s Real Vampires Have Curves and Jeanie Frost’s Night Huntress), contemporary romance series (like Jill Shalvis, Lori Foster, and Christina Skye), and YA series (like Harry Potter and Bloody Jack series). Most of them have their own shelves and I don’t really have one room that there all in because i have too many different sized book cases all over, but I have always dreamed of having a little library just for them. I absolutely love books so much so that I’ve been working at my town library for the past 5 years, I love reading books and talking about them with patrons and maybe even suggesting new ones they might enjoy.

    Amy2read@yahoo.com

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  37. I Volunteer!! I always can find room for more books - tho I do lend them out to trusted recipients to share the joy. I'm on the search for a new bookcase so I'll have just the place to keep them cozy - I bet they'll even find some relatives to visit with.
    I just pulled down a box of Barbara Cartland books from the attic that I've had since I was a teenager. They will join books by Diana Palmer, Linda Howard, Johanna Lindsey, Lisa Kleypas and many other lovely ladies.
    I'm in the US, so they won't have to travel with a passport.
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  38. I have all Julie Garfield's early books and I reread them often. MY books are in room in our house,When my grandson moved out I turned his room in a room just for my beloved books. some of my books date to the 1960's. I do get rid of some to my friends but they are like me and keep them. I read all kind of books except violence. I read Helter Skelter years ago and it stayed with me forever, I am a softie. If you send me any books be assured they will be loved. Thanks

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  39. I have so many that I couldn't name them all, here are a few Julia London, Lisa Kleypas, Sherry Thomas, Beverley Kendall and Jennifer Ashley. I have two book shelves in my bedroom and my Nook holds 1500 books and I am trying to fill it up. lol. I read all romance books, but my favorite is historical. I am from the USA and would love to be in the drawing. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  40. I have all of Constance O'Banyon books stored in my closet. I had to run them all down at Amazon. Then I have severaly books on my keeper shelf of different authors. I think your books belong on my keeper shelf because I really take good care of my books and you can't even tell they have been read.

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  41. OMG you are another me...LOL I mostly read comptempary romance or romantic suspense but try to be open to other genres..its hard for me to part with any book but I love Judith McNaught, Danielle Steel and Debbie Macomber. My books for now are in my closet in boxes until one of my kids moves out then that room will be my library...

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  42. Don't enter me for this (even though I'd love to have more books!!) I have a bedroom devoted to books also (it's full) and more in my bedroom! Please consider donating them to your local library (the ones you are parting with and not giving away here!) for their annual book sale. I'm sure they are like my library and could use the money! Budget cuts are killing us here in Mississippi. Good luck with the move and parting with "old friends"

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  44. Aw... Don't think of it as losing beloved books. Think of it as sharing them with deserving folks, spreading the word about favorite authors, and making room for the great reads yet to come. Good luck with your move. (And thanks for putting me on the keeper shelf).

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  45. PJ, I can relate to the sobbing after finishing A Knight In Shining Armor. *sniff* I have two copies of that one---a tattered paperback and a hardback.

    Oh, boy, do I need to cull out some books, but I'm finding it difficult. My keepers occupy an entire case....and then some. *sigh*

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  46. I couldn't part with any of my Julia Quinn books. Definite keepers. However, there are so many on my keeper shelf that I couldn't remove, including really old Betty Neels and Essie Summers books. My keeper shelf literally a shelf---in my clothes closet.

    A home is not a home with many things, but one without books is a sad home, indeed. Books here, books there, books everywhere! On the closet shelf, on the coffee table, yes, even under the bed! (Those are still out at my parents' house in my old bedroom!_ :)

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  47. I love my books, so sympathize with you for having to let some of yours go. I keep havong to buy new bookcases and then try and find a room where I can fit it in. Mt fav are historical, comtemporary and suspense romances. Not too big on paranormal stuff. And I love finding new authors. Would love to give a home to some of your books that need adopting.

    Sue P.
    suepete12@yahoo.com

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  48. Hi PJ, I'm very happy to hear about the positive changes you are making in your life. Nevertheless, I know how difficult some of those changes can be. Getting rid of so many years worth of books is like saying good-bye to very good friends. The time for our personal downsizing is still several years off, but I am already dreading it.

    I have many Keeper shelves in my home. It started with the books we inherited from George's side of the family: Rare prayer books written in German and Hebrew and dating back to the mid 1800's. Most of them are signed by the family members to whom they belonged. They are treasured also because so many millions of Jewish people and their belongings and prayer books were destroyed during the Holocaust.

    My next keepers are collections from classic and historical literature. These were a legacy from my father, who I never saw without a book at hand. I always say I got the reading gene from him. Next would be all of the fine books our son bought for classes at Berkeley. These are not textbooks, but fine examples of literature from all over the world that he could not bring himself to resell for a pittance. I think that he got the reading gene as well!

    Next: there is my collection: books in Spanish and French from my own university days. Books on Judaism and learning to read hebrew from the years of study I did to have my adult Bat Mitzvah the year I turned 50 and wanted to mark that milestone with a real rite of passage.

    Finally, the many shelves of books from my favorite contemporary writers. The ones I have been lucky enough to meet in person and who were so gracious and kind about autographing my books! My list these authors greatly overlaps with your, PJ, so I won't list them all. I will say that this group also includes books I have been thrilled to win on the Romance Dish (and other lesser blogs) as well as from some of my favorite author's!

    All I can add in closing, is that any books I might win from your collection will be treasured and well taken care of. Although my current obsession is Historical Romance; I do love most other genres as well! And If I win, I'll even be happy to pay the postage!

    All the best to you P.J!

    Love,

    Flora

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  49. You'd think that in Six Paragraphs (!) I could manage to say I live in the good old USA!

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  50. I do hope your books find a good home and from the sounds of all these booklovers like me I'm sure they will. I feel for you as I know some stories can really touch you in such a way that the characters and their world resonates with you. I find such comfort in finding new favorites and keeping "keepers" close by for when I need them. I remember A Knight in Shining Armor and oh how bittersweet - yet I would glady read it again. I have keepers from every genre and they include: Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Dream A Little Dream by Susan Elizebth Philips (a recent favorite!), Night Road and Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah, and Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas...and the list goes on :) I'm from Canada so no need to include me but thank you for sharing your love of reading with us. It gives us all a chance to discover a new keeper.

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  51. My mom throws everything away and thus I throw nothing away lol. Books are the hardest of all so I feel your pain. I have a collection of books that I've owned for 43 years - so many favorites. Most important books get the shelves in my living room where I can share them with everyone but I have them in every room of my house :) I read every genre but ever since the gothics and then Woodiwiss and Garwood I have read more romance than others. Clan of the Cave Bear, Earth's Children, is one of my favorites. One of my first collection of books when I got my first job were leatherbound classics which I cherish and all my signed copies too. No bind cracking or page bending is allowed in any of my books!! When I do give anything away (duplicates or when I am desperate for room, I have given some to our American Legion so others can share along.) I also share with my mom, sister, daughter and best friend because we all feel the same way about books. So I wish everyone luck but if I were to win, I would give your books a very good home.

    catslady5(at)aol.com

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  52. I couldn't part with any Kresley Cole, Johanna Lindsey, or Lisa Kleypas. My books are all over house in different bookcases.

    I read all types of books.

    US
    Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks for the giveaway.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  53. I forgot to answer some of your questions, so here is another post with answers. Will try to delete other post.
    Keepers - Three Wishes - Barbara Delinsky, Sarah's Child - Linda Howard,
    Parting Gifts - Lorraine Heath to name a few

    And yes they are in a cabinet away from my bookshelf.

    I read 99% contemp - no paranormal, vamp etc.

    I do live in the U.S.

    I think you should pick me because I will be kind to your books and I will pass them along to my mom after I read them. Thanks for the contest.

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  54. What are the keeper books you could never part with?
    Hi PJ,

    Good Luck with your move. We helped my daughter move last summer. It's very hard to part with keepsakes and treasures.

    Thank you for sharing your book bounty. I too have a love of BOOKS!

    Do they have their own shelf, closet or, like me, do they occupy their own room in your house?

    I have book shelves in my reading room (the old children's nursery now my library). I keep my keepers on these bookshelves. These keepers are my first discoveries: Nora Roberts I have several of her earliest categories, Sandra Brown- Two Alone and Tempest In Eden, Heather Graham/Shannon Drake No Other Woman, Julie Garwood The Gift, Kat Martin Nothing But Innocence, Diana Palmer Lacy, Elizabeth Lowell A Woman Without Lies, Betty Neels, Joan Honl Nevada Silver, Copper and California Gold and Joanna Lindsay Captured Bride. OOPs almost forgot SEP's Nobody's Baby But Mine.

    I also keep all of my autographed books. I wish I had kept all of my favorites .

    Do you read one particular sub-genre of romance or do you cross over to different ones? Which are your favorites?

    I primarily read Historical Romance ( all ages and types: Medievil, Regency, Western, 14th Century, Scottish) closely followed by Contemporary Romance. I love the new sport's themed and cooking themed books. I will cross over into YA, and Romantic Suspense. I recently discovered Inspirationals. I rarely read paranormals.

    Give me your best pitch for why my books should find a new home with you!

    I lost all of my Florida keeper books in the hurricanes that devastated Florida in 2004 and 2005. I live in Stuart where the center of two hurricanes struck us twice in September of 2004. I do reread books that I love. I do have a high TBR pile but sometimes you just have to read an old favorite. I gave away some of my favorite books when I first started reading romances. They are now very hard to find or too expensive to purchase. I treat all books with reverence. I've been reading romances since the late 1980's. My love has continued to grow. I love blogs where I've been introduced to authors that I previously missed or forgot about. I would love to read your treasures as I feel that I missed several great reads. I enjoy your reviews and feel that our likes are quite similar.

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  55. PJ -

    I posted on the 12th but forgot to let you know I live in Rhode Island (USA)and my email address is jeannemiro(at)yahoo(dot)com.

    I noticed other posters listing those two things but hadn't listed on my post.

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  56. Oh my gosh how I feel your pain. Every so often I go through all my books and have to part with some to make room for more.
    I always keep Nora Roberts (especially her old ones) Bertrice Small books. Bertrice is the reason I got hooked on reading romance was back in 1981. I love Lisa Kleypas,Julie Garwood, Sandra Brown (again her older ones. I also keep lots of my category romance when I find a story that I just fall in love with.

    Please throw my name in the hat for the box of books I would love to give them a new home.

    Gigi
    gigihicks(at)windstream.net

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  57. Yes I have a keeper shelf. Not many, But I keep them in a bin in the closet. I have Nora Roberts Dream series, SEP's Nobody's Baby but Mine in my bin.

    I read contemp and historicals, and some romantic suspense.

    I would treat your books with the utmost respect (LOL) and only pass them along when I am finished reading them to people who would also take good care of them.

    Thanks for such a wonderful giveaway.

    pattyb43coral@gmail.com
    Patty B.

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  58. PJ,

    You ROCK! I get you; I feel you! Here are my answers:

    Do they have their own shelf, closet or, like me, do they occupy their own room in your house?

    They have their own room (with a sleigh daybed which is occupied with my cat and I).

    They have their own shelf, and books are ALPHABETIZED from bottom to up, BUT the top shelf however is reserved for the NEW releases :)

    They also have three DEEP and WIDE dresser drawers. Those are very, very special books. Series from such greats as Johanna Lindsey; Catherine Coulter; Candice Hern; Gayle Wilson; Laura Kinsale; Katherine Kingsley; Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood, just to name a few :)

    Oh, and I must not forget EVERY hard cover copy of Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER series, which has the honour of being on top of that dresser drawer :)

    Do you read one particular sub-genre of romance or do you cross over to different ones? Which are your favorites?

    Historical genre is my favorite, and even though Regency is at the top, lately I find Victorian and Edwardian to my taste as well. I do tend to check out once in a blue moon, but not that often, Contemporary, and since Jillian Stones THE AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY and her PHAETON BLACK to hit the bookshelves soon, Steampunk genre is something I didn't expect to like.

    Give me your best pitch for why my books should find a new home with you!

    My best pitch is my passion for romance; my love for copy books and my incurable enthusiasm for everything romantic.

    With fingers crossed that I will be one of the lucky ones you pick to gift with your treasures which I will treasure, I wish you best.

    (I live in the Windy City and that as LUCK would have it is in the good old US of A, thank God!)

    You can reach me through my email at: melanieDOTfriedmanATsbcglobalDOTnet or at my blog at: www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com)

    Mel

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  59. OMG! I forgot to answer the most important question of them all, but I think you being PJ will see through my previous answers and know EXACTLY which I just could NEVER EVER part with:)

    What are the keeper books you could never part with?

    Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER tops the list; Julie Garwood's Saving Grace HARD COVER; Jude Deveraux's A Knight in Shining Armor; Johanna Lindsey's Gentle Rogue; EVERYTHING Jo Beverley and Joanna Bourne; What I Did For a Duke by Julie Ann Long and now thanks to KINDLE, I won't be forced to part with Heather Snow's SWEET ENEMY and Rose Lerner's books and Maureen Driscoll's and...you get my meaning :)


    Mel

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  60. My husband would have a fit if he knew I was even looking at this post. I actually need to fill boxes to get rid of books. Julie Garwood was the very first romance author I read and is still a favorite. THE PRIZE was the first romance I read and still among the favorites with all of Garwood's historicals. THE PRIZE, SAVING GRACE, THE WEDDING, THE BRIDE, THE SECRET, RANSOM, and HONOR'S SPLENDOR have been my comfort reads and among the few books I have reread several times. THE WOLF AND THE DOVE by Kathleen Woodiwiss is another of my early reads that made it to my keeper shelf. My keepers tend to be series and there are too many to mention.
    My husband has built over 40 bookcases for me, but they are full and there are as many books left looking for a home. I do part with most after reading them, but I collect several types of books and those stay. Actually I could open a library. When I was working as a children's librarian in a small county library, I often had books people were looking for that the library did not have. I loaned mine out several times to patrons I knew. My books are shelved by collection in different rooms. The only room in the house that doesn't have books is our bedroom. Yellow victorian bedroom - YA and children's books, southwest room - all native american and western books both fiction and non-fiction, sewing room - craft, sewing, scouting and women's issues, breakfast nook - cookbooks, upstairs hallway - keeper books and books won, parlor - music, history, biography, and old book collection, hallway - poetry, sunroom - TBR paperbacks, and the family room - religion, history, science, travel, hardbacks and more TBR books.

    We are at an age when we will have to think of downsizing in the not too distant future and I can't even begin to think how I am going to do it. I am reading as fast as I can, but can't keep up with all the new books coming out. I am going to try to do a purge this summer and get rid of those i will probably never read.

    Take care and good luck with your sorting and move.

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