When I first moved from Africa to the UK, I had to get rid of more than a 1000 books. I've never forgotten the hurt. I still have a handful of books I carry around with me - 4 in total. They are old and tattered, but they have sentimental value to me.

By the same token, I seldom buy books now. I read free ebooks or I exchange books at the local book exchange (something freely available where I live).