eh, i know for me personally, i am a packrat because i need objects to recall memories for me. LJ helps some, because i can search for things, but for the most part, my younger life is small trinkets and crappy jewelry and a few prized books.
this doesn't mean all books, cause i've cut up books before and torn them up for props. in the end its paper. donating them somewhere doesn't ensure their "safety" either.
i think they might be trying to appear intellectual and to have respect for books. Like people will have discussions on nabokov every now and then (a handful of girls have read it, at best) but EVERYONE jumps in. idgi either.