The mantra I learnt from a friend is 'I need it, I use it, I love it' and getting rid of everything else. That takes care of bank statements and fire extinguishers, toilet rolls and drain cleaner, as well as *whatever* you love, and only you get to define this.

And I am *so* with you on the books thing - there are books one needs to be in the mood for, one needs to have spoons for, that need a chunk of uninterrupted time. And there are books for when I want to be entertained, when I want to be deeply moved, when I want to read a rousing adventure or a comforting feel-good story... and I want to have those books on my shelves. Also, quite often, if one sees a book and walks away from it it's hard to find later.

I've mostly given up reading decluttering books/websites - what I'm doing works for me, I just need to do more of it.