The casual observer might not notice anything has changed, but I can see there is more breathing space in my book shelves. A flier arrived yesterday announcing a big annual book sale and today I set to work.

I have four bags of books – and a few CDs – to donate. I gave away most of another bag full of children’s books to children walking home from school with their parents outside my house. One little boy clutched the stories about dogs to his chest.

I have weeded out reference books, Shakespeare books, some poetry, novels, non-fiction, and a couple of cooking books.

I can imagine you thinking these photos were taken before I weeded the books. No. These are the after photos, and only some of the shelves. It’s by no means the end of the book in my house.