It Started With A Book...

Liz taught me the phrase cascade of chores when one task leads to another, and another...and eventually,  maybe, some of them get completed.  A few weeks back, I said I would lend a book to someone. I put it on the table - then left the house without it. I have apologised to her now, because neither Bob nor I have seen it since July. "I must sort the bedroom bookcase" I declared "It is really overloaded" But it was too hot for housework

It has been baking in our bedroom "The fan is not very efficient" said Bob. I pointed out it was rather old, dusty, and tired [like me] We have had it 20+ years. He looked at it, and declared the the back of the grill looked rusty. But when dismantled, the brown rust proved to be a thick layer of dust. Bob cleaned it all up, it works much better. Back to the book sort. 

Technically the top 2 shelves are all Terry Pratchett, the bottom 3 are craft and cookbooks, and in between, "current reading" with ½ a shelf designated "borrowed" [from library or friends]

I cleared 5 shelves onto the top of the drawers for sorting. And soon realised it was a dusty task. I grabbed an old washing up brush and brushed down each book in turn [just like the NT conservators in Blickling Hall library]

Oh so very dusty! And there were far more books which were not craft or cookery than I'd realised. Some have come from the lounge "fiction" selection and need to go back there. Some need to leave the house forever. And that missing book is still missing [sorry, Heather!]

This is still a WIP, as I have realised there are cookbooks in the study and kitchen. But only 5 in the borrowed pile.  I am embarrassed to have found three CS books bought in Essex in March which I'd forgotten about. I'm giving books a good shake, dislodging all sort of random cards and clippings. Some to be recycled, others will be kept as bookmarks because they bring back happy memories. Like these from 1992!

How often do you sort or dust your bookshelves?

I know some of you are former librarians,  so I'm sure you are more diligent than I am!