This isn’t me being sarcastic, but, I tell you, everything is different for book lovers.

For one, we have our books stacked everywhere, our reading items scattered around, and our cozy reading nooks that need special attention.

When you’re spring cleaning, you definitely want to make sure you’re also tidying up everything related to reading.

But doing it all at once can be overwhelming – I’ve been there, trust me.

So, I thought about the best way to handle it and decided to start a spring cleaning challenge specifically for book lovers.

Each challenge task should typically take about a week, but depending on your schedule, you could complete it in an hour.

The goal is to build up the progress gradually so you don’t have to do everything at once.

This way, you can space out the chores while still ensuring that everything is perfect by the end.

Basically, this challenge should be done week by week.

And as you reach the final week, remember not to undo all your previous progress!

If you’re planning to join this spring cleaning challenge for book lovers, let me know in the comments.

And if you have a fellow book lover who’d like to join, feel free to share this link with them as well!

Save This For Later

Week 1: Declutter Your Bookshelf

Before we think about organizing, the first challenge is to declutter your bookshelf.

If you’re like me, you probably have a ton of books you’ve never read or ones you’ve read but can’t seem to part with.

This is where we start.

I’ve done the Marie Kondo method before – holding each book and asking myself if it sparks joy. The problem is, almost every book sparks joy for me!

So, while I’ve gotten better at letting go of books I probably won’t read again, I still have some books that don’t quite fit into my current reading journey.

It’s a tough decision, but it’s necessary for creating space for new stories.

Here’s the challenge: Set a goal to let go of one book a week for the next month.

This gives you time to reflect on which books truly belong in your collection.

If you’re unsure about parting with a book, try donating, swapping, or selling it. If you can’t part with it, that’s okay – just organize it in a way that you’re proud of.

What I’ve learned from my past attempts is that I sometimes feel too guilty about parting with books, but I’ve started viewing them as tools rather than objects I must hold onto.

A book that has taught me something but no longer fits into my life can still live on with someone else.

Week 2: Organize Your Books by Theme or Genre

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize your collection. This is where the fun begins, and you can get creative.

In the past, I tried organizing my books by color (for the aesthetic vibes).

But, I realized it wasn’t practical for me.

I tend to read a variety of genres and sometimes spend a lot of time searching for a book I’m in the mood for.

So, I switched to organizing my books by genre and theme, and this has worked so much better for me.

Here’s what I’ve done:

Genres and Themes: Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thrillers, Romance, Non-fiction, and so on. Each genre has its own section on my bookshelf.

TBR (To Be Read) Pile: I created a dedicated space for books I want to read soon. This way, I always have a reminder of the books I’m excited to dive into.

By Author: For my favorite authors, I started grouping their books together, which makes finding their works so much quicker.

Here’s a challenge: Try organizing your books alphabetically by author for an even more streamlined approach.

While this can be effective, it might not work if you have books that don’t quite fit (e.g., anthologies or boxed sets).

But if you prefer order, this might be a little difficult for you.

Week 3: Clean Your Bookshelves and Reading Space

Now, let’s tackle an often-overlooked task: cleaning.

Cleaning your bookshelf and the surrounding area can make a big difference in the feel of your space, plus it’s essential for preserving your books.

Here’s the challenge: Deep clean your bookshelf by following these steps:

Dust the Shelves: Take every single book off the shelf and dust each shelf individually (this is harder than it sounds, but totally worth it).

Vacuum the Area: Don’t forget to vacuum the carpet or floor around your bookshelf.

Wipe the Books: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the spines of each book. You’ll be surprised at how much dust collects on them!

After cleaning, treat yourself to a new bookish item (like a cute book light, a bookmark, or even a new bookshelf).

Week 4: Reevaluate Your Bookshelf’s Layout

One of my favorite parts of spring cleaning has been rethinking my bookshelf layout.

A fresh layout can breathe new life into your space.

Here are a few ideas I’ve experimented with:

Vertical stacking: Instead of traditional horizontal rows, try stacking your books vertically. This can give a dynamic and modern look.

Create little bookish vignettes: I added bookish decor items like small plants, candles, and framed art around my books to make the space feel cozy and reflective of my personality.

Feature a book of the week: I’ve started featuring a new book on my bookshelf that I plan to read or have recently loved, kind of like an “honorary mention” for the week.

Here’s a challenge: Mix your books with other décor items like candles or framed art.

It can be tricky to keep it from looking too cluttered, but if done intentionally, it can create a curated space that feels uniquely yours.

As I said, one layout challenge I’ve taken on in the past is mixing my book collection with other décor items like candles or even framed art.

It’s something I’d like to do more in the future, but I’m still figuring out how to keep it from looking too cluttered.

The goal is to make it feel like an intentional, well-curated space, not a mess.

Week 5: Set New Reading Goals

Your space is cleaned and organized, so now it’s time to set some new reading goals.

If you’ve been in a reading slump, this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your books.

Challenge: Create a seasonal reading list! Curate a list of 5–7 books that reflect the season’s vibe.

For spring, I decided to create a list of books that match the season’s vibe – lighter, more uplifting reads that feel perfect for the warmer days ahead.

These include nature memoirs, cozy mysteries, or feel-good fiction. I plan to make this a regular spring tradition and you can check out my reading list here for inspo.

Save This For Later

Week 6: Reevaluate Your Reading Habits

As you’re cleaning and organizing, it’s a perfect time to think about your reading habits.

Sometimes, our reading systems could use a bit of a reset, especially if you feel like you’re in a reading slump or can’t keep track of your current reads.

Here’s the challenge: Keep a reading journal for a month.

Track what you’ve read, what you liked or disliked, and whether you met your reading goals.

You might be surprised at how much this helps you stay focused and purposeful with your reading.

Week 7: Refresh Your Bookmarks and Reading Accessories

We often forget about the little things that make reading enjoyable, like bookmarks, book lights, or cozy blankets.

These items can help make your space feel even more inviting.

Another challenge I’ve taken on in the past is to organize and refresh my reading accessories.

I used to throw bookmarks and book lights in random drawers or toss them on top of my bookshelves.

But over the years, I’ve realized how much better it feels when everything has its own spot.

Here’s the challenge: Organize your reading accessories.

Gather your bookmarks, book sleeves, reading lights, and any other accessories you use and make sure everything has a designated spot.

Consider getting a container to store them in so they’re easy to access when you need them.

Week 8: Share the Love

Why not spread some joy this spring by donating books you no longer need?

This is a great opportunity to declutter while making a positive impact.

Here’s what you should do: Set up a donation station in your home and place books you want to give away.

You can donate them to local libraries, friends, or charities.

This will help ensure your books find new homes, and it’ll feel good knowing you’re giving them a second life.

Week 9: Organize Your Digital Library

If you’re like me, your e-books and audiobooks can easily get lost in digital chaos.

It’s time to spring clean your digital library, too!

The challenge: Organize your e-books and audiobooks.

Go through your Kindle, Audible, or any other digital platform you use, and start categorizing your books.

You can sort them by genre, reading priority, or even by series if that works best for you.

If you’ve accumulated books you’re no longer interested in, consider deleting them or archiving them.

Week 10: Create a “TBR Jar” for Spontaneous Picks

Sometimes, we can get stuck in the habit of planning every book we want to read, and it can start feeling a bit too structured.

If you’re looking for a fun and spontaneous way to choose your next read, why not create a TBR (To Be Read) jar?

The Spring cleaning challenge: Create a TBR (To Be Read) jar. Write down book titles on slips of paper and place them in a jar.

When you’re ready to pick your next read, pull a random slip of paper.

This fun, random approach can help you tackle books that have been gathering dust on your shelf.

Week 11: Refresh Your Reading Space’s Aesthetic

Finally, it’s time to refresh the look of your reading space.

Whether it’s your reading nook or your bookshelf, a small visual makeover can create a welcoming environment for your reading sessions.

Here’s the challenge: You can rearrange furniture, add new decorations, or even just switch out the items on your bookshelf.

If you’ve accumulated a lot of little book-related knick-knacks, it might be time to tidy them up or display them in a more visually pleasing way.

This is a great time to add a pop of color, incorporate cozy throws, or bring in some new lighting.

I’ve done this before, and it made such a difference!

Sometimes all it takes is moving things around and adding a few small touches, like a scented candle or a fresh plant, to make my reading space feel like a brand-new retreat.