It's never too early for a good book, but where do you go from there?

Keeping track of your collection

Bookworms and book lovers know this scenario: piles and piles of books forming double rows and stacks on the bookshelf. After a while, you start to lose sight: what have I already read? What did I like? Where's my favorite fantasy novel? You need a solution – and fast. Depending on what kind of “book person” you are, there are several different options for sorting and organizing your books.

Five tips for keeping better track of your books

1. The most popular method is organizing your books alphabetically, be it by author, publisher or title. To determine which one is best, ask yourself: are you more likely to remember a book by its title or author?
2. Another way to arrange your books is by genre. This is especially useful when you're looking for a book on a specific topic. If you have an extensive collection of one particular genre (such as fantasy) you can then order that genre alphabetically by author or title.
3. And how about color sorting? To make your bookshelf extra eye-catching, try arranging your books in rainbow color order!
4. Ever given thought to sorting by size? It'll give your books double the value: as literature and works of art.
5. Reading books in their original language or in translation is fun. Order them by language and you'll feel like you're in another country.

Making space for new additions

Running out of space on your shelves? It might be time to clear out some books. That doesn't mean tossing your most beloved tomes in the recycling bin. There are lots of bookstores that take book donations as well as nonprofit organizations like Goodwill, who will gladly accept part of your collection and make it available to other bookworms. Selling books at the flea market can be fun as well, not to mention a great way to earn money for a new book!

And for those of you who simply can't part ways with your old books, no matter how tight it gets on the shelf: stacks of books can double as table legs! Don't forget to secure the books with a belt or rope so you can enjoy your artistic creation for years to come.

On online portals like BookMooch, you can give books away or trade them for other titles.

Friends invited you over for dinner? Bring along the last novel you read as a gift – it'll make for great conversation on your next visit.

Book exchanges

Have you heard of the worldwide initiative BookCrossing? It's a great way to share your books with others and meet fellow book lovers. The program also allows businesses to become Official BookCrossing Zones, where BookCrossers can look for released books. Released books are those left behind by BookCrossers for others to find or given directly to another reader.