General Discussion

MineralMan

(146,254 posts)

80. Books are always a problem, especially for old farts who have

Fri Nov 16, 2012, 09:21 PM

Nov 2012

kept all their books. When my wife and I moved from California to Minnesota, I had roughly 5000 books in my library. I sold almost all of them to a second hand bookstore before we moved. Now, I have maybe 400 books and a Kindle. I can't remember the last time I pulled any of the books off the shelves in the basement, but I add new books to the Kindle all the time, mostly from Gutenberg.org. I'm a big fan of 18th and 19th century non-fiction, and it's all free now. I never cared about the physical books. All of mine were reading copies, not collector books.

The second hand bookstore paid pretty well for all those old books. I'm glad to be free of them, to tell the truth. Now, my set of Pepy's Diaries takes up a megabyte or so of Kindle space, and is always there for me if I want to read in them. And so on, and so on.

Today, the kids don't have all those physical books. They don't need that space. It's a changing world.

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Could you live (happily) in a micro apartment? [View all] Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 OP

That's bigger than the apartment I rented in graduate school. I could do it. neeksgeek Nov 2012 #1

Looks like the perfect place for trysts and nothing more. SleeplessinSoCal Nov 2012 #2

Alone? Sure if walls are nicely soundproofed. With anyone else? Hell no. nt dmallind Nov 2012 #3

I lived in a dorm room smaller than that for three years... so yeah scheming daemons Nov 2012 #4

As a say, 50-year-old? With a spouse? WinkyDink Nov 2012 #58

Not as a 50 year old w/a spouse. Not happily. Michigan Alum Nov 2012 #77

Seriously. My dorm room was tiny. Jennicut Nov 2012 #183

"Dining Table converts to bed." madaboutharry Nov 2012 #5

It's a Murphy bed. Barack_America Nov 2012 #21

Looking at the floorplan pokerfan Nov 2012 #132

sure oldtime dfl_er Nov 2012 #6

Yes, that's all the apartment I want. Chan790 Nov 2012 #7

I'd need windows on at least two sides. I love light and like to grow plants. Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #24

Make communal kitchens & dining areas WolverineDG Nov 2012 #53

communal toilets and showers too. then you could make the apartments even smaller HiPointDem Nov 2012 #90

I'm not sure I want to go that far... Chan790 Nov 2012 #109

i'm sure someone does, though. my tongue was in cheek & i was harkening back to HiPointDem Nov 2012 #110

I could never live somewhere with communal toilets and showers. Odin2005 Nov 2012 #176

I agree. Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #118

I live in a house that is 17'w X 22' long... DonViejo Nov 2012 #8

I did for a couple of years in NYC. Squinch Nov 2012 #9

That's how I was in my last place. silverweb Nov 2012 #169

Yes. On intermediate term business trips, such places would be ideal. bluestate10 Nov 2012 #10

This is just about the size of my living space. cbayer Nov 2012 #11

In your case, every inch of space probably has Gormy Cuss Nov 2012 #15

Lol! Porpoises are always welcome! As an aside, when people ask us how many cbayer Nov 2012 #23

LOL! Thanks! peacebird Nov 2012 #154

Same here, but not on the water. I love it. freshwest Nov 2012 #127

I do, too. Mine is laid out much differently than this, with two separate cbayer Nov 2012 #160

No, I couldn't. Cobalt Violet Nov 2012 #12

It would be hard to live anywhere without an oven. The sufrommich Nov 2012 #13

In my younger years I did. Barack_America Nov 2012 #14

for one person, sure quinnox Nov 2012 #16

In a big city where there's lots to do within walking distance out of your apartment gollygee Nov 2012 #17

I could. That is all the less to clean 'cause I am a lousy housekeeper. n/t RebelOne Nov 2012 #18

No thanks... ohheckyeah Nov 2012 #19

Me too! I'd get claustrophobia in that place. I like SPACE...inside and out! Auntie Bush Nov 2012 #100

Me, too. ohheckyeah Nov 2012 #164

Elbow room, I call it. Jamastiene Nov 2012 #133

I seldom even see my neighbors. n/t ohheckyeah Nov 2012 #165

Could I? Yes FreeJoe Nov 2012 #20

Only if there was a Zombie apocalypse and Baitball Blogger Nov 2012 #22

If it's this well designed, I'd be happy in the 300 SF model. The 150 SF one, not so much Gormy Cuss Nov 2012 #25

Easy peasy. cliffordu Nov 2012 #26

No. I'd be claustrophobic. PDJane Nov 2012 #27

Here's another concept for a micro-room sakabatou Nov 2012 #28

That is so cool! Thank you for posting that. yardwork Nov 2012 #86

That's wonderful! Hekate Nov 2012 #123

thanks, I remembered this (or something similar) when I saw the OP nilram Nov 2012 #131

Excellent. Thank you. ...nt TeeYiYi Nov 2012 #163

Wow jackbenimble Nov 2012 #178

I could and I did. Nye Bevan Nov 2012 #29

I already do. It's called a trailer. Many others live on their boats. Cleita Nov 2012 #30

Unfortunately, I have accumulated a lot of stuff in my trailer. RebelOne Nov 2012 #38

Time to have a yard sale. Cleita Nov 2012 #48

Good idea. I end up giving a lot of stuff away for charity. RebelOne Nov 2012 #61

You will still end up giving some to charity. Cleita Nov 2012 #64

I get motivated to declutter by watching "Hoarders" Marrah_G Nov 2012 #74

me too! lol Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #114

I'm not the pack rat in my family. Jamastiene Nov 2012 #134

Tell your mother to rent a storage unit if she can't part with her possessions. Cleita Nov 2012 #159

No one tells my mother anything. Jamastiene Nov 2012 #166

I have lived happily in a motorhome for at least half the year almost every year Zorra Nov 2012 #31

Yes, I live in a mobile home. RebelOne Nov 2012 #37

I could do it, I suppose, but not happily. Arkansas Granny Nov 2012 #32

If it was that cool and new yes marlakay Nov 2012 #33

yep Shankapotomus Nov 2012 #34

I could literally fit eight of those in my bedroom. Granted, I live in a huge room. Gregorian Nov 2012 #35

I'd prefer a larger space, but would do fine there. MineralMan Nov 2012 #36

I think it's a great idea. n/t jackbenimble Nov 2012 #182

of course. I once lived in a tipi for several months--over the winter--at about 8000 ft elev. librechik Nov 2012 #39

Holy Cow! DonRedwood Nov 2012 #105

LOL, the seventies were a happy blur. lalalu Nov 2012 #153

My brother lived in a tipi he built for a year in early 70s. It was quite roomy actually. Hoyt Nov 2012 #158

Nope. Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #40

Sure, if I had another one just like it across the hall. Thegonagle Nov 2012 #41

If I lived in an over-populated city, sure. EC Nov 2012 #42

Yep. But I'd still need a studio/shop the size of a house. nt rrneck Nov 2012 #43

As long as I have a TV, internet access, and a working shower space doesn't matter. Initech Nov 2012 #44

Thousands of people do in NYC. 300 square foot studios are not unusual. nt geek tragedy Nov 2012 #45

This implies that "300 sq. ft." is relatively new, with Bloomberg: WinkyDink Nov 2012 #60

That is officially obamanut2012 Nov 2012 #170

slap some wheels on it and you've got an RV/camper eShirl Nov 2012 #46

I live in nyc Arcanetrance Nov 2012 #47

Nope, I could not. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #49

My whole house is 900 sf XemaSab Nov 2012 #102

Good for you! That's bigger than my study, LOL! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #104

What's so funny? RobertBlue Nov 2012 #107

Oh no you didn't! mentalsolstice Nov 2012 #167

I've done it, but I was single then. Wouldn't be much fun with a kid. n/t gkhouston Nov 2012 #50

NO way in hell. I have claustrophobia and would go nutz in a place like that. :-( nt Raine Nov 2012 #51

No. I have a modest life, but living in such an apartment obviously in a large city would be fatal HereSince1628 Nov 2012 #52

I couldnt even fit all my plants in there! bunnies Nov 2012 #54

Not at this stage of my life. I have hobbies and pets that take up a whole lot of space. slackmaster Nov 2012 #55

If I were alone I could be Blue_In_AK Nov 2012 #56

BT, DT. Called it a "dorm room." TPTB want to see us literally squeezed. WinkyDink Nov 2012 #57

Exactly. There have been WAY too many articles pushing the micro-housing thing. Matariki Nov 2012 #68

That looks like a prison cell. Matariki Nov 2012 #59

And the bed is essentially in the kitchen Matariki Nov 2012 #62

That apartment doesn't have enough space for books, dogs, and plants XemaSab Nov 2012 #63

Sure it does! Need to add shelving that goes vertical. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #71

I've got a LOT of books XemaSab Nov 2012 #79

Books are always a problem, especially for old farts who have MineralMan Nov 2012 #80

I vastly prefer physical books XemaSab Nov 2012 #85

I understand, and felt the same way, until I unloaded my library. MineralMan Nov 2012 #87

Me, too. Yeah, for that many, would have to get rid of some of 'em. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #88

Your definition of "galore" must not be mine, with my 13 major bookcases. WinkyDink Nov 2012 #143

Oh, no...there's a tv show about that. It's called "hoarders." :) nt Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #147

My books take up that much space. hobbit709 Nov 2012 #65

No. Claustrophobic. MadrasT Nov 2012 #66

Yes, I could, so I can reduce my carbon footprint Illinoischick Nov 2012 #67

No way!! Pisces Nov 2012 #69

"He won’t have to cook, we’ll condition him to eat at the factory" Matariki Nov 2012 #70

Yes, if I lived alone. Marrah_G Nov 2012 #72

No Incitatus Nov 2012 #73

Yes. I've had less living space in the past. Bad_Ronald Nov 2012 #75

I think to myself about the squallid living conditions currently enjoyed LanternWaste Nov 2012 #76

By myself, heck yeah... cmf Nov 2012 #78

My first apartment in Tucson was 380 sq feet and it was very livable so...maybe CreekDog Nov 2012 #81

Gladly, especially if it was affordable. RedCappedBandit Nov 2012 #82

30x10? Sure. Ruby the Liberal Nov 2012 #83

At first I was horrified, but then realized this was for the servants CreekDog Nov 2012 #84

easily as a single. lived in such places all my life. several times with a partner. HiPointDem Nov 2012 #89

Actually, yes- I would love that apartment. And enough cupboards for the cat to adore it!! nt cecilfirefox Nov 2012 #91

Hmmmm... Needs an oven and place to cook. nt cecilfirefox Nov 2012 #92

K&R for later. silverweb Nov 2012 #93

That is too depressing to even contemplate Sen. Walter Sobchak Nov 2012 #94

I'd move there if I were to lose the apartment that I live in now. But what do I know... Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #116

ROFLMAO!!! Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #142

You ever see a FEMA trailer? nolabear Nov 2012 #95

I spent a lot of days in a trailer InsultComicDog Nov 2012 #121

Apartment, no. Cabin. Awww hell yeah! Earth_First Nov 2012 #96

I do like the cabin idea. Jamastiene Nov 2012 #138

Yes, yes, yes. Jack Sprat Nov 2012 #97

Definitely. theKed Nov 2012 #98

Yes, and I have in the past. bluedigger Nov 2012 #99

that's like living in a hotel room shanti Nov 2012 #101

I could easily obamanut2012 Nov 2012 #103

My books wouldn't fit. nt msanthrope Nov 2012 #106

One of the nice things about living in San Francisco, there is usually a library within a few Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #117

You clearly don't understand the heart of a book collector. Matariki Nov 2012 #119

Quite honestly, I don't understand the heart of any kind of collector. Luminous Animal Nov 2012 #122

I have the type of books libraries don't have, but wish they do. I've made several donations msanthrope Nov 2012 #150

Indeed. If I had an office twice this size next door, yeah sure! Coyotl Nov 2012 #155

Looks like a nice apartment, so yes, probably MNBrewer Nov 2012 #108

I lived in one about that size for 10 years REP Nov 2012 #111

Probably a bit tight even just for me but not far from tolerable solo with custom layouts TheKentuckian Nov 2012 #112

No. The photos alone make me feel claustrophobic. My bedroom's larger than that apartment, highplainsdem Nov 2012 #113

lots of people live in trailers InsultComicDog Nov 2012 #115

Hello, Claustrophobia Hekate Nov 2012 #120

I lived in a mobile home when I was a kid liberal_at_heart Nov 2012 #124

Best attitude in the entire thread. Jamastiene Nov 2012 #139

I live in a mobile home which is about the same width RebelOne Nov 2012 #161

Hey Cool, thanks, Liberal _in_LA.. That seems actually bigger Cha Nov 2012 #125

I've actually lived in quite a bit less Warpy Nov 2012 #126

I believe I can answer that yes... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2012 #128

I'm quite certain that view of the sink would wear me down BeyondGeography Nov 2012 #129

Easily. donheld Nov 2012 #130

I don't like sleeping in the kitchen BainsBane Nov 2012 #135

No, especially considering I could have tons more room for way less Jamastiene Nov 2012 #136

Decades ago, my then local 70MM screen movie theatre put a wall down the center and began showing Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #137

The Fifth Element's living standards are here today MrScorpio Nov 2012 #140

I have too much stuff. StarryNite Nov 2012 #141

For $1500 per month? I think not. cemaphonic Nov 2012 #144

as long as my dog doesn't mind Douglas Carpenter Nov 2012 #145

Now? No. Phentex Nov 2012 #146

That'd be fucking awesome. I LOVE enclosed spaces. nt Comrade_McKenzie Nov 2012 #148

Have you ever seen those teeny Tumbleweeds houses? You'd love them. Squinch Nov 2012 #172

Claustrophobia mode: on. Heywood J Nov 2012 #149

I have lived in smaller liberal N proud Nov 2012 #151

So have I. RebelOne Nov 2012 #162

Me too. Lived in a one room efficiency right out of college. $325 a month, I think Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #179

I think these would be great for an aging population. lalalu Nov 2012 #152

Could be the ultimate ripoff. Less for more $$$ same for more $$$ = more $$$. I've watched people RKP5637 Nov 2012 #156

Thank you. woo me with science Nov 2012 #174

And here's the look for future generations! RKP5637 Nov 2012 #157

+1000000000 woo me with science Nov 2012 #175

I already do. silverweb Nov 2012 #168

add a fireplace and some solar panels, put it in remote mountain forest and i'm there. BlueMan Votes Nov 2012 #171

I've lived in smaller places... and not alone. Rhythm Nov 2012 #173

Yes jackbenimble Nov 2012 #177

If it was in the middle of the wilderness, hell yeah. tabasco Nov 2012 #180

Yes, if I were single. Would need 1 more room if married. OneTenthofOnePercent Nov 2012 #181

I lived in a trailer, but to be honest I am happier now in a bigger house. Of course, there GreenPartyVoter Nov 2012 #184