I Can't Keep EVERY Book

I've mentioned before how I've made a conscious decision to read more. I've picked up a few thrift-store books (Three for a dollar? Can't beat that!) and visited the library once or twice. But I have to be honest with myself. I have dozens of perfectly good choices already on my bookshelves. I recently read Game of Thrones (George R.R. Martin), The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley), a couple by Agatha Christie, and, of course, The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). Earlier this year, I proudly completed Dracula (Bram Stoker) for the second time in my life. As soon as I finish the so-so 25-cent book I've got open now, I plan to take another look at Frankenstein (Mary Shelley) and/or The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson) as seasonal selections.

As I perused my shelves, trying to find the best method of storing them, I came across a few that will not be going on my "to-read" list. I found five that could be considered textbooks! Why do I still have these? I've been out of college for a number of years (that shall remain unspecified). I distinctly remember two, and I expect the others I picked up at garage sales just because I thought I should have more. 

I have nothing in particular against textbooks. I realize that I still have my introductory texts to both psychology and sociology. No, I haven't opened them in longer than I can remember, but I liked those classes and you never know when I might need to look something up! There are a few thick collections of poems, short stories, or plays. Naturally I have more than a few dictionaries, style guides, and other similar reference books. And I will never give up either volume of The Norton Anthology of English Literature (though I'm not sure I will ever open it to read Beowulf again). 

There was a time and a place in my life for these books. But no longer. Now I am glad to say that I read for enjoyment...for me. I discover new authors (recently finished my first by Neil Gaiman) and revisit old favorites (Douglas Adams, I'll be coming back to you). I don't need guides to criticism and theory. Oh, I might subconsciously analyze, compare and contrast, or critique. But I'll do that however it comes naturally. It's time to kick these paperbacks out of the nest.

Oh...that means I have room for a few new books on my shelves. What should I choose next?