[frahse]

I know I am going to go through a lot of books in each year and I am also a naturally frugal guy, so I have a system to help achieve both goals. Actually several systems because I am always changing.

I like to mark up books. Marker, highlighter and sticky labels. I do this when I see something I might use in my own endeavors.

If the book is marked up a lot, I know I will probably keep it at least for a while (year or two). If a little marking, then I may "copy" a page or two with my neat Mouse Copier gadget. Others, I may not finish. Besides the first group I donate if old and sell if fairly new.

I sell them where i buy used books -at Amazon. I usually donate to Goodwill or a local Church Thrift store.
I buy a lot of used books at Amazon and dollar type book stores plus of course the periodic book sale.

All this allows me to find good ideas and to refresh my mind as to what is happening out there.

I have found absolutely horrible books that had ideas that were gems. Probably the author got them from someone else, but good ideas are like a good piece of wood or steel and can be reused over and over. Just a slight tweak is needed usually.

Lately, I have one book case with books I am going through and a second with marked books I am going to keep a while. Also in the basement are bins of my old loves. Books, mostly paperback, I read in grade school, college and before eReaders. I have culled those bins a dozen times, and am gradually reducing them, but my first Jack Vance, Edgar Rice B, R Kipling, Tolkien, Robert Jordan, et al, I just can't let go.

Yeah some of those bins are a little musty, and when I go through them I put on a dust mask and might have to take a decongestant, but as I tell my wife, it makes me feel good to commune with the giants.

And I have a good BIG dehumidifier.