Never in a million years did I imagine one of my New Year’s resolutions would be to read more books. But here we are. It’s not that I’m not reading. Last year, I must’ve read about 5,000 essays and articles (most of them political, probably). But when it came to books, other than my steady stream of before-bed Anne Perry and Rhys Bowen mysteries and Rosamunde Pilcher novels, I bought books only to let them pile up.
Turns out there’s a Japanese word for this phenomenon: tsundoku. The word literally means “reading pile” and describes the art of buying books with the intent of reading them later.
A nice thing about my old book club in Minnesota was that it forced me to read books outside my comfort zone. I wanted to participate in our monthly discussions, so I had to do the reading. What’s happening now is I still buy the kinds of books we used to read…but then I don’t actually read them. It probably doesn’t help that Netflix and Amazon keep coming out with amazing series like “The Queen’s Gambit” that feel like books you can’t put down. I’d never beat myself up for watching TV shows or movies because I’m a story junkie and I’ll get my fixes where I can. But books are books.
The pile isn’t too terrible yet. Maybe twenty or so? I’m committing here and now IN PUBLIC to reading a book I already own before purchasing a new one. Which shouldn’t be a hardship because look at that stack of beauties waiting for me. Orcas and rowing and spies, among other interesting things.
How about you? Do you ever engage in tsundoku or find yourself struggling to commit to reading new books?
Betty McAllister says
I sure do!
Shannon says
It’s just so fun to buy new books! But I’m going to start being more strict with myself…
Diane ODonnell says
Not to much. I’ve always tried to read for about 15 minutes with my morning cup of coffee. And at least 15 to 30 minutes before I go to sleep. Don’t often read something I can’t put down. Don’t know if that’s a good or bad news. I don’t think I can get through a day without my “bookend” fix. I remember reading the back of cereal boxes or encyclopedias when I didn’t have a book! Think I’m addicted to reading, but don’t want the cure.
Shannon says
Every now and then I come across a book I can’t put down, but it doesn’t happen often. Now you’ve got me trying to remember the last book that kept me up too late…