Go through your collection first — a move or storage is the perfect moment to declutter. Books you probably won't read again (the beginner's Italian, that 2015 thriller) can go to the library, a charity shop, a street library or a second-hand bookshop. The less you pack, the less you haul and unpack. Damaged or mouldy copies belong with the paper recycling. What's left is the collection worth moving.

Avoid big boxes — they get so heavy they tear open or nobody can lift them. Use sturdy small or medium boxes (moving boxes or special book boxes) and fill them about two-thirds. Fill the remaining space with packing paper, a folded towel or clothing so the books don't shift. Tape the bottom extra well in an H-shape — that's where most of the weight lands.

Lay books flat or upright with the spine down — never spine up, or the pages sag and the binding bends. Wrap valuable, old or signed copies separately in acid-free paper or bubble wrap. Line the bottom of the box with a layer of paper for cushioning. Heaviest and largest books at the bottom, paperbacks on top. Don't pack precious books with anything that can leak or transfer ink.

A box full of books can easily weigh 20 kilos, so distribute smartly: books at the bottom, lighter items like clothing or bedding on top. Lift with your legs, not your back, and carry heavy boxes with two people. Label each box with its contents and the room, and mark it 'heavy' or 'books' so everyone handles it with care. Pack your favourite books in a separate, clearly marked box — that's the one you'll want back first.