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So I’m moving…and trying to figure out how I wanna pack my book collection

So I’m moving…and trying to figure out how I wanna pack my book collection ? all 360+ books. It’s daunting.

Kiana #questionnaire

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70 Answers

Caroline

Labeled boxes. With dividers in them telling you which section is which

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Ashley

Wine boxes only fit a few but its easier not to over do it. But i also just use suitcases to move a lot all at once.

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Jessica

It might help if you sent a box or two to me ?

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KianaQuestion author

@Jessica i couldn’t possibly. my roommate suggested I sell some and it hurt me deep within my soul lol

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Melissa

I’m facing the same dilemma. My plan is to pack a couple books in each box I pack.

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KianaQuestion author

Melissa Weidel I wish I could do that but the rest of my belongings are few. So I could pack a little in each box and still have a ton of books to pack

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Arwen

Milk crates are the best for hardbacks.

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KianaQuestion author

@Arwen that’s a good idea. I’ve been meaning to get some milk crates to repurpose anyway

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Cláudia

I’ll have to leave mine behind. Managed to save 44. I’m so sad hahaha

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KianaQuestion author

@Cláudia my best friend recently moved and could only bring 20 of her books ?

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Olivia

Rolling suitcases

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Amanda

@Olivia yes! It’s easier than almost killing your partner or parents making them pick up boxes of your books ?

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Cassandra

That’s what I do!

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Lauren

Boxes from liquor stores were awesome for my book collection when I moved. The boxes are super strong so I never worried about a box breaking open.

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Alyssa

I work at a candle store so I had so many boxes from our shipments that I packed my books in.

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Jessica

I did this a couple months ago… I used those free boxes Costco has that used to hold produce. They have handles and were really sturdy. I wasn’t moving very far so I just stuck them all in my truck.

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Simone

I have small plastic crates with handles, and then i pack boxes with clothes and books combined. That keeps the books protected, but also helps that one box isn’t too heavy to move around.

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Katie

I’ve moved 4 times with my huge book collection. I’ve found some totes with a black body and yellow lid from Home Depot. The kid snaps on and they have a comfortable grip and they stack and lock into each other. Don’t get huge ones. I did and they were almost impossible to move. Good luck!!

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Katharina

I got banana boxes from the supermarket. One layer of books, then other stuff so it doesnt get too heavy

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Mellyn

Small boxes! They get heavy fast!!

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Chloe

Small boxes, quicker to move and less back strain.

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Fernanda

don’t make the same mistake as me trying to pack as much as I could in one big box. Get small boxes, even if you need 100’s of them.

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Kelsey

Rolling suitcase! Best thing I ever did!

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Shelby

I made the dumb mistake of packing mine into plastic totes and it was the worst thing I ever did. I second the rolling suitcase!

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KianaQuestion author

@Shelby lol I was gonna get totes but now I know not to do that. Suitcases seems to be the most popular method

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Minerva

Wine boxes / other boxes for the liquor store. They’re free, they have handles, and the box won’t be too heavy to lift.

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Kerri

I’m moving now and just keep moving them slowly. Thankfully I’m not moving to far and already have access to the house, but it’s so much smaller idk where I am going to put all my books.

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KianaQuestion author

@Kerri we’re moving to a bigger place but we’re trying to get everything moved in one trip like next weekend I think. Because overall, we dont have a ton of stuff. It’s just my large amount of books that’ll potentially break some backs haha

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Kerri

@Kiana oh yeah the boxes are terrrrible! I had about ten boxes and my legs are still trembling ?

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KianaQuestion author

@Kerri I feel your pain! Lol

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Joseph

Store them at my place!

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KianaQuestion author

@Joseph lol only if you treat them like gold like I do

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Bethany

Apple boxes from the produce section of grocery stores! They have built in handles. 😉

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KianaQuestion author

@Bethany that’s a good idea! I’d have never thought of that

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Bethany

I usually do that before I move anywhere–if not for books than for the rest of my stuff.

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Elizabeth

Make sure to use small boxes or get a dolly!! I made a mistake of packing them in really big boxes and it’s like trying to move a solid block of wood ??

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KianaQuestion author

@Elizabeth lol I’d need a lot of small boxes but I figure it’s better than trying to carry a few large boxes upstairs. Too much disaster potential in that scenario

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Elaura

Suitcase with wheels!

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Megan

I packed my encyclopedia sets (i’ve got like four lol) with hard shell suitcases. Moved in the same town, though, so we could make multiple trips. Packing a box half full with books and filling the rest with clothes would work, too.

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Jacklyn

Suitcases! Sturdy and easy to roll heavy items. Even got some from goodwill for a move.

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Mariela

Good luck with that haha

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KianaQuestion author

@Mariela haha thanks I need it

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Jennifer

Suitcases!!!

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Rachel

I used printer paper boxes

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Angela

This! I used to work at copy and print places so always had access to tons

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Abby

I mixed books in with lighter items so the box wouldn’t be extremely heavy.

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Anna

@Abby with quinoa

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Anna

@Abby plus you also gave away a lot to me ?

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KianaQuestion author

Suitcases and mixing books with lighter items seems to be the consensus!

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Maggie

In boxes that you label! I have my library on my shelves with careful genre distinction and alphabetical my author. When I moved, I packed them up in order and labeled all the boxes, starting with A. There were 24 total boxes, ending with Y! It seems crazy, but if you care about how your books are organized and don’t want to start from scratch, it’s worth it!

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KianaQuestion author

@Maggie I really wanna organize them alphabetically but my shelf is small (idk if I’ll be getting a bigger one when I move) so they’re currently organized by wherever it fits, there it sits lol

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Maddie

Banana boxes from your local grocers

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Alysha

I did mine in totes with a layer of books on the bottom and then soft light stuff on top – like bedding and pillows.

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Melissa

Plastic storage boxes. I just moved within the same area but I just stacked them in the the tubs and emptied them and went back for more

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KianaQuestion author

@Melissa that’ll probably be what I end up doing

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Jenna

This is the one thing I’m not looking forward to when I move next time.

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Stephanie

I bought these huge boxes from either Walmart or target. They fit my 200+ books AND they have wheels!

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KianaQuestion author

@Stephanie lol I’m gonna need the wheels

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Lauren

When I moved for uni I’d bubble wrap each book individually and then just pack them in normal cardboard boxes. Twice a year, for three years :’)

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India

@Lauren what! I just moved houses and found it hard enough packing 1 full bookcase worth into cardboard boxes. never mind individually bubble wrapping. madness!

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Lauren

I like to keep books pretty haha :’)

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Marja

Hehe, one of the reasons why I stopped buying books! I only collect now, and buy the ones that I want (Special editions or series). The rest I buy as ebook. Saves a loooooot of heavy boxing and space.
Good luck with the move!

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KianaQuestion author

@Marja I can’t stop buying haha it’s an addiction. I have everything packed but my books so I need all the luck I can get

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Jennifer

Moving constantly is what keeps me in downsizing mode

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Erica

Last time I moved I took the box our printer paper came in home because it was sturdy enough to hold several reams of paper, so it could hold books too!

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KianaQuestion author

@Erica luckily I get lots of print paper boxes from my job

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Katie

Pack in your luggage! The wheels are a big help!

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Meghann

Banana boxes! They are free, sturdy, and are perfect for books and moving. I try to reach out a few weeks to some grocery stores in my area before I move and grab as many as I can. They generally will save them for you too if you ask. I moved cross country using them.

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Åsa

Several paper bags. Easy to carry and not too heavy.

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Amanda

Suitcases on wheels.

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