I admit it, I’m a hoarder. . .

I like to watch Animal Planet. I like those animal cop shows about people who work for the ASPCA and the Humane Society. I also LOVE Whale Wars, but that's a topic for another day. Sometimes on those animal cop shows they find people who they call "hoarders" people who end up with 20 or 30 (or MORE) cats or dogs in their house and in their yard. I can't imagine what 37 cats smell like but that's just me. I love my one cat, but he's enough for me. However, I have found some similarities between those people and myself. I am a hoarder . . . of books and other "stuff." I'm probably worse about books than anything else, but I'm not sure. I have been trying to get my house cleaned up all summer, since graduate school is all done. Last summer, while I was in London, my friend and her husband (who we affectionately call Hazel the Housekeeper) came and cleaned my house. They got rid of lots of stuff that I just hold onto for whatever reason. They did promise not to throw away any books, but she made my sisters promise not to buy me anymore "stuff" for Christmas or birthdays or anything. I've decided I have (and it pains me to say this) TOO MANY BOOKS!I don't know why I keep them. I know why I keep some, but honestly, as much as I love Frindle, do I really need 4 copies? Don't think so. . . I guess being a crazy book lady is not as bad as being known as the crazy cat lady, but still, I've got to do something about this. So here is my latest plan. I think I have enough books that I can weed my own stacks (see what I learned- I'm using Library-ese) and give a book to every student who comes to Orientation at my school next week. Doesn't that sound like a great plan?? I just have to decide where to start. . .