I do not know if I could ever do this regularly but I like this sentiment:

But what if, in this quest to declutter, we think about our physical books not as baubles with which to impress potential mates, but as a way to exist in, and relate to, the world. When you give a book away, you have given it the opportunity to befriend a stranger. You’ve given it the opportunity to dazzle, to dismay, to make an impression. And no, you’ll probably never cross paths with that book again. Even a loan will not find its way home to you. But if you’re lucky, some years from now, you may hear someone mention a scene, or allude to a plot, or even misquote a passage, and you will recognize the spirit of your old friend, even outside its corporeal form: “I read that once, a long time ago,” you’ll say. You’ll say, “I loved it, too.”

As someone who likes to read, it is often a private experience. A book can involve you in a story or a world of new ideas. A lot happens in your own head and body. Sometimes you get to talk about all of this – the experience, the content, the style, etc. – with others. Lots of classes are built on this idea where you come together around texts you have all read.

Actually giving away books, especially ones you enjoyed and want others to enjoy, can have benefits. Building social capital is good. Sharing experiences and ideas is good. Perhaps that next person is also able to pass along the book.

While I am not giving books away, I have taken to buying cheaper copies of ones I really like so I can share them. Perhaps this is a small step in a similar direction. I know certain books have influenced me and I hope they might also influence others.