For the books...if you really want to get rid of them, try a used book store, library, university, local schools...all of these places are happy to receive books! Although local schools will tend to be a bit choosy. Libraries and universities may be especially interested in old books, if you have those.

Personally, I can't stand to get rid of books. I grew up surrounded by them, and was taught that books are an important part of life. I don't have room for two many books in my apartment, but I have boxes of books in my storage space and in one closet. Someday they will be on shelves in my house (when I have a house)! But if you are talking about paperback novels and such like that, then I can understand getting rid of them...I go through those about once a year and pass them on to a neighbor...who then goes through them and passes them on to someone else.