HOW TO PACK YOUR BOOKS : A GUIDE FOR ALL NEWBIES

Planning on moving? Here’s how to survive the unsolicited pile!

Since we stepped foot into the new decade, many things have not turned out the way we dreamt during last year's final countdown. 

Everything that could go wrong happened - from the bushfire disasters in the Australian land and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down from their duties to the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, and the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Honestly, the list could go on and on forever. 

But missreader is a happy place of the internet, so let's view things from a positive perspective. If there was one aspect of life that was heavily tested during quarantine time, then that would be relationships. Maybe you had to move in with your significant other earlier than you thought. But did you do it correctly? Or did you end up sleeping on a mattress on the floor? 

Keep scrolling down to find my top tips for any book nerd out there planning or already moving! Let's kill those nerves together!

Your Essentials:

•       Marker (preferably black, permanent)

•       Sturdy cardboard boxes

•       Packing paper

•       Bubble wrap (this is slightly better for things you don’t want to break)

•       Packing tape

•       Post-It notes 

First thing’s first: do you really need all these books?

It can be tempting to hold onto every book in your collection, but curating a good library means knowing when to let some stories go. 

 

I can understand you will need to take your time but you have to keep in mind that books take a long time to pack since it needs careful placement and the occasional reading break for you sweet, little heart. 

Tip Number One:

Next, it’s time to decide which books are going to be travelling together to your new home.

 

It will be best to TAKE only your most favourite books, precious gifts from dear friends, etc. – that is, the books that mean something to you and you’d love to keep and maybe plan to re-read in the future or while you are waiting for the bus ( am I the only one ? ).

 

In the meantime, and since I know it can be a painful experience, my fellow readers, make sure to keep yourself hydrated with coffee! 

It’s time to get into the actual packing.

Step One: 

Split your books into two distinctive piles: BOOKS TO TAKE and BOOKS TO LEAVE BEHIND. 

 

This is where the post-it notes will be very helpful by ‘forcing’ you to sort the books you will leave behind into another two categories, depending on their current condition. Now is a great time to separate the "must-haves" from the "done-forever" titles. 

 

A great start will be to divide the two piles into one for donation and one for recycling. That way you will find this packing-task a lot more stressful if you have everything in order. It is best to recycle any books that are too damaged, too worn out, too outdated or too valueless to be read and enjoyed anymore.

 

And if you are wondering where to donate your precious books, second-hand stores, church and school libraries, neighbourhood lending libraries, and used-book retailers are all places that may take your old books and sometimes you may gain and a bit of pocket money. How does that sound?

Step Two:

Choosing the right type of boxes.

 

My advice is to make sure that the boxes you get should be made of thick cardboard, and very strong on the sides and corners. While we love to reuse boxes where we can, you don’t want to use a book box that looks like it’s seen better days.

 

It also helps to add extra packing tape to the bottom where the seam is formed as to not break under the heavyweight of the books packed together. Some extra sealing power protects your books from any liquid or dirt.

 

Additionally, line all your book boxes with a couple layers of packing paper or newsprint. This adds a bit of extra cushioning and it’s just one more way to protect your books by creating an initial layer of insulation 

 

If you are searching for boxes, I suggest that you ask your local stores that have things shipped to them or even maybe your local bookstore may have exactly what you need.

 

Tip Number Two: 

No matter how many books you have, they’re going to be heavy to move. As a result, the ideal solution will be to use small boxes that will keep the weight down and are also strong, well-sealed.

Step Three:

How to pack your boxes the correct way. Because there is that way! 

 

For me the easiest and safest way to pack your little gems is to choose from these three well-tested and successful ways:

•       Flat, on their backs: this is ideal for stacking, particularly if all the books are the same size and fit nicely in the box.

•       Standing up: this refers to the position books are in on shelves. Spines should be facing the walls of the boxes if you pack this way.

•       Spines down: packing your books with the spine against the bottom ensures that your pages are less likely to be damaged.

 

Moreover, you may be finding it easier to pack your heavier books first, mostly hardcovers, by standing upright, spine against the box's side, in a way that their open parts face the sides of the box. If needed, protect highly valued books by wrapping each one in bubble wrap before placing it in the box. Alternatively, less valuable, lighter books can be packed flat and stacked.

 

You should always choose the book packing method that works best for you –quick, efficient – and use it until you’ve packed all your books for the upcoming move.

Tip Number Three:

Fill any spaces inside the book boxes with pieces of crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap. You don’t want your books to be shifting inside the container during transit. If they do, they may get damaged.

 

By securing the boxes with a double layer of tape, there will be no risk of your books falling out in the moving track and any left-over space in the box will be avoided. 

 

Now, it will also be a suitable time to use the black marker in order to add labels to your boxes. These labels will alert anyone picking up and moving your boxes, and they’ll be handled accordingly. Write down their destination room, for example – an office room or bedroom.

You may also consider adding arrows and weight warnings on the sides of the box as well.

 

If they’re very old or valuable books, you could add the word ‘fragile’.

And there you have it, the correct way to pack your books according to yours truly, the ultimate book-a-cholic!

 

Don’t forget to leave your comments below and suggest anything you’ll like to see only on missreader.

 

See you soon,

Missreader aka Leni

 

xoxo xoxo 

P.S Make sure to unpack your books the minute you step into your new space!