Books can be one of the hardest things to declutter.

Maybe it’s because we spent money on them. Maybe we intend to read them someday. Or maybe they represent a season of life, a goal, or even a version of ourselves we’re not quite ready to let go of.

If you’ve ever looked at your bookshelf and thought, “I should really go through this…” but then immediately moved on to something easier, you’re not alone.

That’s exactly why this week’s 5-a-Day Friday challenge is all about books.

And before you panic: you are not reorganizing your entire bookshelf today. We’re keeping this simple. Your challenge is to find just 5 books to let go of. That’s it. Set a timer for five minutes and see what you can find.

Why Books Feel So Hard to Declutter

Books often carry more emotional weight than we realize.

Sometimes we keep books because:

• We paid good money for them
• We feel guilty getting rid of something “educational”
• We think, “Maybe I’ll read this someday”
• They represent goals or hobbies we wish we had time for
• They remind us of a previous stage of life

But here’s your permission slip: You do not have to keep every book forever.

Just because a book was meaningful once doesn’t mean it still deserves valuable shelf space in your home. And if you haven’t touched it in years? It may be serving someone else better now.

Not sure where to start? Try looking for these:

1. Aspirational Books

The ones you bought with the best intentions but realistically aren’t going to read.

You know the ones.

The self-help books gathering dust. The business books you swore you’d get to. The novel that’s been sitting on your nightstand since 2020.

No guilt.

2. Hobby Books for Hobbies You’re Not Doing

Cookbooks for diets you no longer follow. Craft books for hobbies you’ve moved on from. Gardening books when you’ve discovered plants just aren’t your thing.

It’s okay to release things tied to interests that no longer fit your life. Even if it’s a hobby you hoped to pursue and it just never happened…. you don’t need that book sitting around, making you feel bad every time you see it. Let it go.

3. Books From a Past Season of Life

Maybe parenting books for a stage your kids have outgrown. Career books from an old job. Wedding planning books (definitely safe to let those go if you’ve already said “I do”!)

Some books simply belong to a different chapter. Let your bookshelf reflect your current season of life.

4. Kids’ Books Your Family Has Outgrown

If your kids are long past board books or certain story collections, consider passing them along to another family who could enjoy them.

If your kids are out of the house but their old books are still sitting around, it might be time to let those go… and giving books back to grown children (who don’t live in your home) counts toward decluttering yours!

5. Books You’ll Never Read Again

Be honest with yourself: if you’d never pick it up again, it may be time to release it.

Even a book you loved reading at one time doesn’t mean it belongs on your shelf forever. Ask yourself if you’d spend the money to buy that same book today. If the answer is not an immediate yes, then it’s a no.

Remember: You Can Borrow It Again

One of the biggest things that keeps people stuck when decluttering books is the “What if I might want to read it later?” question.

But here’s the good news: Libraries are amazing resources.

Between your local library, digital books, audiobooks, and those adorable little free libraries around town, there’s a good chance you can access that book again if you really want it someday.

And if not? Most books can easily be repurchased secondhand for just a few dollars… though I’d bet that won’t be very likely (when is the last time you missed something you decluttered?!)

You don’t have to store everything “just in case.”

Your 5-Minute Challenge

Today, I want you to pick one shelf, one basket, or one stack of books.

Set a timer for 5 minutes.

Find 5 books to donate, pass along, or place in a little free library.

Small wins matter.

And sometimes decluttering just five things is enough to build momentum for something bigger.