Books are something most people have in their homes, and are easy to acquire one too many of. In fact, you might not even notice you have as many books as you do until you have to move all of them. 

Unfortunately, because they’re not on people’s radar as much, having to pack a ton of books right before moving might take some by surprise, and be left until the last minute. If you’ve discovered you have way more books than you thought, or are just not sure how best to move them all due to their weight or ungainliness, read below for some packing tips and tricks to make sure your books don’t mess up your packing process. 

Packing books are a lot easier than packing awkwardly-shaped or fragile items, like plates or glasses. They can also be pretty easily decluttered or narrowed down – keep only your favorite books or ones you haven’t read yet. If a book has been collecting dust on your bookcase and doesn’t spark your interest, donate it to a local library or used bookstore. Somebody will make use of it! 

Why is Packing Books so Hard?

Even though they’re sized conveniently and are relatively easy to organize, the problem with moving books usually comes down to weight. 

Stacking books and throwing them all in one box might sound like an easy solution until you go to lift it, upon which you’ll discover the box is way heavier than you expected. Especially if you’re using a moving service that prices your move based on weight, it might be in your best interest to narrow down your collection or split your books up in order to move them without injury. 

Sort and Organize Your Books

To effectively declutter your collection, organize your books into ‘bring’ and ‘leave’ piles. If you didn’t like the book, don’t have an interest in reading it, or just forgot you had it, leave it behind. If it’s a favorite or if you’d like to keep it to reread, take it along with you. Try not to get too sentimental – most books can be easily replaced after your move or if you want them again down the road. 

Once you’ve narrowed down your collection, bring them to a donation site, Goodwill, or to a secondhand bookstore to get rid of them. If they’re in good condition, it will be easy to get rid of them. If a book is in terrible condition, just recycle it. No use burdening yourself or someone else with a book that’s only barely readable or already falling apart. 

Pack your remaining books in a strong container, rolling suitcases, heavy duty boxes, or something that is fortified to keep them safe. Store them in a way that is best for organizing and keeping your books safe, and load them up! You’ve successfully avoided the hassle that often comes with moving a book collection. 

Once you’ve figured out your packing situation, make sure you’re using local movers that are in the know about all of the best packing and moving techniques. For the best moving company and full-service moving packages (including packing!) explore what Fuller Moving Services can do for you.