Use the content suggested by the course and try to write all the assigned papers using MLA publication while being introduced to ideas that are all reduced to the act of self deception of consciousness of being-there in our movie within subdivisions. Then persecuted for it.
I surprisingly have the exact opposite reaction when I enter a bookstore. My main goal is to buy a book or two that I have been meaning to purchase for some time. I go in, I browse, get overwhelmed by the all the options, and eventually get discouraged, and leave the store empty handed. So not only do I get discouraged from buying the book that I wanted to, I actually end up making up a justification or reason as to why I should maybe hold off on purchasing books for a while...AGAIN!! Not sure if I am the only one that goes through this!! 🙃
I have a similar reaction. Though that is mostly because often the bookstores would carry the popular books. Quality literature is not necessarily popular literature. I don't want a book that is just well made or famous or being converted into a series. I want to buy a book that I can read again and again. At the end of day though, I guess, it is about why we read and why we purchase books. Everyone has their own lookout. Some people simply love the idea of having read many things. And some like to be "well read". And some, like me, just want to read.
@@elliafabia Poetry is an interesting case. Historically, poetry is the first type of literature and this gives way to prose over time. It's similar to music as it plays on the sounds and patterns of language as much as on the meaning. If you're used to prose, it can be difficult to appreciate poetry. You could start with more prose like poetry - Whitman say, or Ginsberg, or with poetic like prose, Kerouac comes to mind, particularly - On the Road. Audio books of these are useful since it brings out the phonic qualities of the work. For something really different, try Simon Armitage's reading of Sir Gwain and the Green Knight - his own translation and again, him reading in the original Middle English. (This poem illustrates alliterative verse, an older poetic style of the Germanic traditions, displaced by Latin, rhyming verse in the early modern period.) John Lithgow's readings of poetry anthologies on Audible are also nice to start with. As with anything, it takes time to build up an appreciation of something new over time, and confidence that it is worth your time.
I agree. I like reading classics for the ideas I find in them, even if I don't necessarily like the writing style. But I definitely can't read any and all classics, no matter how popular or recommended they are. I have no desire at all to read any of Shakespeare's works in their original form (I can only go as far as reading the No Fear Shakespeare versions, tbh). Reading plays in general does not interest me because I love beautifully written passages of description. Epic poetry is difficult for me to enjoy too. The only one I truly enjoyed was Dante's Inferno (not including Purgatorio and Paradiso even). I was lucky to have had a decent English translation that roughly mimicked terza rima (making it more fun to read). I also read the Iliad and the Odyssey but I really just plodded through it for my high school English class.
For tips for people with adhd, or those who find routine hard - the best thing i’ve found is to only buy one book and read it straight away (while its new). I find it way easier to pick up and start reading when its a new object. So buy read buy read sort of routine. That’s what works for me, however when u have a huge pile to books to read its hard to get to that point :’D
What I found useful for me at least is to have at least 3 books to read, that way when you start to feel "bored" with own book, you have something else to read while you "recharge" and be ready to continue reading that first book or even just read the third one! Again tho that's how I work and not everyone can relate with how my brain works to theirs
SIR, I did not need to be called out like this so early in the morning. 😂 But excellent points and tips! I will say doing most of my reading on e-reading devices has somewhat helped curb my tsundoku urges. In a bookstore, there is something about holding the book in hand that creates an attachment and a compelling feeling to take it home with me. “It’s here, right now, and what if (irrationally, improbably) it’s not here next time I come back?” Whereas e-books tend to feel more like “Meh, it’ll be there when I’m ready for it.” But that’s just my experience!
I do my reading on a kindle as well and I feel like it's had two effects on me : it got me to read more consistently throughout the year and it helped me refocus on the content of the texts I read. In this regard it has helped me not stack mounds of books that would never be read. On the other hand I miss the analog satisfaction of handling a book and the sight of a shelf filling up with familiar stories.
the amazing ambience( setup) at the bookstore sometimes gets my wallet. the nice low tune music, the coffee hazelnut smells in the air, the variety of books you didnt know existed.. these are tempting, all together act like a kick
I just watched an amazing documentary here on RUclips about this and I really wanted to share it here, it’s called “Bookstores: how to read more books in the golden age of content”. Really a masterpiece, it features some of the worlds most beautiful bookstores and a lot of experts on the field. The final message I got was to “read widely” instead of following a list of “books that you must read” and also, surprisingly, to read s l o w l y… let the book get you to a state of reflection “because is hard to read without reflecting”. So in a sense reading is like meditating, and also of course like time traveling ;) Thank you very much for taking the time to do this video and good luck with your studies!
*"So in a sense reading is like meditating, and also of course like time traveling.."* 🤗 The best kind of reading imho 💖 Can't wait to watch that documentary thanks for the heads up!!👍😊
Came across your comment scrolling through. Just wanted to add my recommendation for this video. No joke, that's my favorite video on RUclips. Every book lover should watch it!
For me personally, Goodreads actually helps me with reading! I love the idea of tracking my reading activities, not for the sake of being extra productive and reading as much as possible, but for me it‘s just fun :D
On tracking your reading: you don’t have to have a reading goal and then read to reach that, rather than get pleasure from reading. But I think, at least for me and especially in second hand bookstores or getting ebooks, the impulse to buy comes from the anxiety that I’m going to forget this book and never have a chance to read it. It is a consumerist anxiety of an acquisitive way of thinking, and the best way I have used to alleviate it without spending money, is adding the books I find on to the to-read pile of StoryGraph. It’s really helped, but I didn’t see reading as something I ought to do anyway, I always do it for the fun of it
YES! My To-Read-Pile on StoryGraph is huge, but I have no intention on reading all of it. That's why I'm not afraid to add to it either. It's just nice to browse this self-made bookstore, pick what I'm in the mood for and just buy/borrow this one book, read or dnf it and get back to the TBR for the next one :D
Robin seems to have omitted the Public Library as an alternative to the bookstore for these acquisitory adventures. The Library is an excellent place to spend the day, piling up books and lugging them home (and back). Here, you can really discover the books you want to own, and then own them with a high degree of confidence and deliberation, that you own them because you will read them again and again, and write in the margins, and doodle on them, and argue in them, and make them truly yours.
I’m a big proponent of tracking books, I write down all the books I’ve read in a dedicated journal. My goal for the journal is not to relish in how fast I can fill it up with titles but as a document that I can pass down to my grandkids. I got my love of reading from my late grandma and I’ve read some of her own journals, sometimes she mentions books she’s read and it makes me wish I had a whole list of all the books she read in her lifetime so that I can enjoy those too now that she’s gone. So I’m making that in the hope I’ll have my own grandkids and that they’ll appreciate it and take some bookish inspiration from it
Hi Robin! From age 15 on, I have been an unrepentant bibliophile. I love everything about books and own MANY. When I was a younger man, I found it much easier to read and my completion pace was rather impressive if I say so myself. Later, I started to struggle because I was often drawn away by digital content. The way I am battling this, with reasonable success, is setting aside time, each day, for digital free periods for reading, meditation, and walking. I find when I make a DELIBERATE effort I am able to enjoy my reading and progress to completion. I appreciate your insightful content very much. Thanks!
I'm going through the same experience. At age 16, I became a voracious reader to the point of devising an extremely ambitious reading program. However, in recent years I have not been able to read a single book to the end.
@@lucasrinaldi9909 I am sure you will not be suprised when I tell you I have heard this same beef from more people than I want to acknowledge. It is axiomatic that with every technological advancement comes both positive and negative consequences. Our challenge is to find ways to overcome those negative ones. I am having some luck, but it takes consistent discipline on my part. I truly wish you well, Lucas.
Usually tracking what I've read doesn't take me more than 2 minutes a day. Opposed to the couple of hours I spend reading said day. I think the pressure we put on ourselves is what pushes us away from the actual reading experience. In my mind, it's fine not getting to read everything I set out to read that year. No pressure.
I was in a bookstore and tempted by a 2 for 1 offer... and then I just checked every interesting book on my local library website, and added them to my list to order later. Library is a great money saver 🎉
To curb my desire for book buying I always look on my local Public Library website to see if I can just borrow the book for free. Sometimes it will remain on my table untouched, but at least I haven't payed any money for it. Another way the library has been helping me is being part of a monthly book club. Having a regularly scheduled social obligation is often enough of a kick on the butt I need to actually read at least one book a month.
Yesss I love my local library too! Most of the time I’ll be curious about a book but unsure if I’ll like it, and I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a book I won’t like. I’ll either download some GenLib epub of it or go to the local library, and I’ve read so much that way :) the staff at my local library are lovely too, and they’re always up for giving recommendations
Yes I love when I can get my hands on the books I want through the library. Typically if I don’t know if I’ll like it I borrow it, then if it’s a fav I will buy a copy
This is amazing life advice in general. "you need to resist the thrill of chasing highs because reading itself, it takes time" like any good things in life. Thanks for this video.
Another helpful point to overcoming Tsundoku is to utilize your libraries. Libraries now also provide audiobooks and ebooks, as well as good ol' fashioned physical books. If you truly loved the book after reading it from your library it's a nice treat to wander to the bookstore and purchase the book for your personal collection. And as a person who likes to track what I read (and look back on my reading journey) a less aggressive approach could be to set a low reading goal (on Goodreads), and then as the year progresses you can set it higher. It's still giving you the option of having reading goals, but takes the pressure away.
As a bookseller I can say we definitely try to sell you books you’ll never touch because they look pretty. Pro tip: always go for the cheap mass-markets (at least if you’re into classics). With books, content is better than image. Louis L’Amour said it best when he said (I’m paraphrasing): “for the cost of a cheap shirt, or a pack of beer, you can read the greatest human thoughts ever written down. The only barrier between yourself and the worlds knowledge is a couple dollars and a trip to a bookstore.”
Thank you! I’m just breaking out of this struggle. I’ve committed to not buy any new books, in an effort to minimize & reduce spending. I have done quite well with that! However, I’ve returned to being a library worm, & often borrow books & return them unread. I’ve considered it a slump, but honestly, it’s the magnetic pull of social media.
Best reading advice, I just deleted my tracking app and realized that much of my reading was for the goal. Doing this small task has allowed me to not worry about reading for the sake of reading but reading to understand the text. Also, it helps get rid of the stigma of not finishing a book. With hundreds of books in my library, this is helpful.
Another great tip for reading the books gathering dust on your shelf is actually taking them OFF your shelf and placing them near you. Keep them close so you can reach them and start reading. Thanks for your video. Agree with you.
Sometimes the answer to "Am I enjoying reading this book" is not as simple as yes or no. I have wanted to give up reading books in the past that I am grateful to have finished because they got better as I progressed through the story. I also find that, for me, abandoning a book because I wasn't enjoying it was a slippery slope and led me to do it very often at the first obstacle. My solution was to speed read through the book but finish it anyway. I am going to try reading a book before buying it because I have noticed the adrenaline/rush/thrill of buying a book goes away as soon as i bring it home and see all the other books I haven't read yet. It's as if by purchasing the book, my brain confused this action with actually reading/finishing the book.
I do think some "artificial" goals can be helpful. I find setting a goal of x number of books I want to read in a year is helpful in that if I get out of the habit of reading consistently, it gives me a little extra motivation to start again. At that point I usually remember that I love reading and am able to get back into the habit. I think any kind of goal can be useful depending on how it's used.
Tsundoku😱: in addition to merely buying the cover art, we are are also almost always susceptible victims to the more subtle: buying the blurbs and fan rants of the book. Which is at best are only hints but are not yet the actual read. Thanx Robin Waldun. This is 💯👌🏾 valuetainment Barakha 🙌🏾 Shalom 🌾🙏🏾
100% agree with the take on GoodReads, personally love the concept but it just takes too much time to log everything and even then it just in turn makes me more focused on finishing more books rather than actually reading said books and taking my time with them
I think I read about 10% of books on my shelf. One think that works for me is borrowing books from the library - having a deadline by which i have to finish a book motivates me to read it.
oh literally perfect timing for this video in my life, thank you haha 😅 literally have gotten over 30 books this summer (in my defense, I was abroad and getting a lot of books I couldn't get at home) but now I'm home and still buying new books so thank you from the bottom of my heart XD
tips are unique. and I think this is pretty darn smart "the worst thing Is suffering through books you really don't want to read" - (artificial goal) vs. consider reading an experience to enjoy! "Life is too d... short" -love it!
As a minimalist in most other ways, I recognise I have a problem with books. At my age, I really don't need to buy any more books to keep me going for the rest of my life! I recognise I need to go cold turkey, and not buy any more books for at least one year, that might get me out of the habit of over-buying. I do read, all the time, that's not the issue, but you're right, there's a hell of a buzz in buying a nice new shiny book. I don't think I'd ever thought about it the way you've so simply explained, that buying a book has nothing to do with reading. I once decluttered 200 unread books, which was painful, but it kicked me into actually reading the rest.
This is really interesting because I don’t think I’ve ever had this issue-and for a long time I thought I wasn’t much of a reader because I didn’t buy books all the time. Books are pricey and when I want one, I usually either get them secondhand or borrow from a friend who already has a copy (the benefits of having friends who read haha!) When I do go into a bookstore, I have a set list of authors in my head that I want to pick up, fully intending to only get a book or two. If I want to browse though, I think I’d prefer the library xD A lot of people have this misconception that reading is about the quantity, rather than the question of whether or not you’ve actually digested the material. I may not buy many books, but I realized I do in fact read quite often because I’m also a writer. The latter necessitates the former (I suppose also vice versa). I don’t want to be too conscious of my “page count” or my “number of books read” because that can take away so much from the excitement of readership in the long-term. I’ve had so much more fun making the most out of one book in one month than I ever had when trying to finish several books in one week.
I collect books. I decided to inventory my library so I know what I have and what I have read. Now, I have done this over several decades so.... I own over 2770 books. In my home. At my disposal. I have read most of them. Thank you for your delightful and interesting podcast.
Added this video to my favourites because you reminded me of the reason I've pulled myself completely away from commercial bookstores and buying for the sake of buying! All the books that are currently on my bookshelf are those that I love, will want to return to, and am honoured to have in my "personal library". Now, this doesn't mean I will never ever buy another book or never step into a bookstore, but I've stopped making regular "excursions" to them. It has helped a lot! I'm also really appreciative of the fact that you didn't rant or artificially extend the length of this video by just...blabbering? Each to their own but I really appreciate your speaking style and succint delivery! Thank you so much ^^
When I go to a bookstore I always know exactly which book(s) I mean to purchase. Whenever I am drawn to a book I add it to my TBR, actually buying it at the bookstore never crossed my mind.
You make some very good points. I'm resistant to the idea of not tracking my reading though. Partly because I might be addicted to those articial/meaningless achievements, but also partly because that gives me a little dopamine/incentive boost outside of the act of reading that helps me keep up the habit. I try to only select books that I think I will really enjoy. Books with fascinating information, or riveting stories, or perspectives that help me grow. But sometimes the things that I pick out are misses. A book that I thought I would love might end up not giving me the experience that I wanted. I'll try your read in the bookstore tip to see if that helps, but sometimes the beginning of a book is promising and then it takes a turn. When I find myself not enjoying a read, I'm happy to let it go, but my emotional self gets a little discouraged. Knowing that I've been maintaining a reading streak every day since the start of the year is highly motivating in picking up the next book rather than letting the excitement and joy of reading fizzle. You've still given me a lot to think about though. Thanks for the tips!
When I go into a bookstore, I will take notes of books or take pictures of the ones that look interesting and that I would like to buy in the future. I just have an ongoing list. That way, when I want an interesting read later, I can go and look at the list. Also, the trip into the bookstore was never "wasted." I didn't buy anything, but I took notes.
I like this video since I can relate to it. I recently thought of making a reading list, but decided against it for these reasons. I didn’t want the feeling of artificial accomplishment when I would check off a book as complete just to read another book on the list. And decided I could read one book at home. Another for when I return to university, and possibly start another book if I wanted to. Reading is meant to be valued and read thoroughly, not in a rush nor halfheartedly.
I’ve had this problem too, and I recently came up with a solution that works for me. Now. I don’t allow myself to purchase a new book until I’ve read 10 previously purchased books. So far I’ve completed three cycles, reading 30 books that have piled up over the years. As I whittle down my backlog, I’ll cut down the number of books in each cycle from 10 to maybe five, then less and less. I am also selling books that I no longer have any interest in reading. This has all been a wonderful way to revisit topics that have fascinated me in the past and that I’ve still retained an interest in.
Hi! I watched this video last week and today in London I took the book I wanted to buy (because I see it everywhere) and actually sat down and read 15 pages as you suggested. I still want to buy this book but because of its content now, not because it’s everywhere on social media. What I’m trying to say is : thank you for your useful advices. ☺️
Thank you this reading lists tracking and boasting about number of books read is not my thing! Another social media construction of ego, I used to love reading as a child and young teenager I read so much and it made me who I am, it is not necessary to boast about your number or tracking it, this is such a modern thing which I totally do not relate to or even approve of morally as someone who just doesn’t enjoy social media’s behaviours anyway, reading to me is not displaying it is the opposite it is disappearing into another world entirely, not about point scoring in this one! Thank you I love your video and will watch more 📚 ❤
prequel tip: support your local library! all the other tips still apply, but check to see what your library has first. if there’s a new book you want, peruse their new book section or put it on hold. find a book you like? read the first few pages between the stacks. if you like a book, check it out and read it! then, if you want other books by the author or a copy of one for yourself, go to the bookstore!
I definitely suffer from this condition- I love buying and owning books! I justify it by buying most of them at Goodwill for $.75-$2, so I don’t feel too guilty about my book-hoarding. I really need to set an hour aside each day to read; I do faithfully read my Bible daily
The best way to achieve this goal is to be broke. Problem solved! On a more serious note, before I discovered Booktube, it never occurred to me that people would buy books and not read them. How can you stand the suspense of a book being there and not finding out its treasures and secrets? To me that's like ordering a delicious meal and not eating it. (Obviously, the comparison is not perfect, since you can keep books forever, while a meal will soon spoil. But the idea is still the same.) That said, I've lately fallen behind on reading. Now I do have a bunch I haven't gotten to yet. I won't lie, it's a source of stress. My rule for a long time was, no new books until I read the ones I have. But now I've fallen behind. It drives me nuts that I can only read one book at any given chunk of time. The box checking thing is a bit of a double edged sword. It can be helpful to keep you disciplined. But, yes, it can become a thing unto itself. I'm a Christian, so reading the Bible on a regular basis is important to me. For a while, a reading plan was helpful. But I did become aware that I was feeling more motivation (or guilt) to see chapters checked off than I was about what I was reading. Now I am just reading through, and I think that's for the best. God's not going to ask me for my reading plan to see if all the little squares were filled out!
Uh yes i think booktube had (still has) a big impact on how we see books and experience reading. I am actually trying to „recover“ from some unhealthy behaviours which were definetly influenced by booktube
Your advice on stopping to read in bookstores is great. I think it could definitely apply to ebook stores like Amazon Kindle which, thankfully, offer samples most of the time. However, there are times when I just shop online for physical books and end up ordering 5 at a time. Gotta find a way to control myself!
I recently moved for the first time (still in process actually but the packing is done) and I donated at LEAST 70% of my books. I think I could count the number donated books that I actually read on one hand. I was raised by hoarders so I was basically prepped for this habit of “collecting” what never gets used (notebooks, sketchbooks, pens, and art supplies are also targets of mine). In the last couple of years that’s been changing- I’ve been using up notebooks to journal and teach myself the math that I never fully got in school and I started figure drawing -but there were still so many books! Sometimes, the only thing that helps is realizing that I’ll never get to it all and letting go of what is wasting away. I’m glad I was able to donate most of it to the library that started my book obsession as a kid if nothing else. I still have a lot of books left that need some attention, so reading definitely a habit I want to work on once I’m moved next month. Otherwise, I’ll just end up in the same situation again! Anyways~ love the vibe, you’ve earned a new sub 💕
I once saw someone compare buying a new book to buying a puppy. Like, asking yourself "am I willing and able to put in the time and attention into this, if I take it home with me?" and most of the time that answer is "no" / "not right now", so no new puppy today.
Thank you for the advice! I heard someone say in another video that they like reading because sometimes the author will describe a feeling they've felt in the most perfect way. That's how I felt when you made the comment about books as trophies. I have a LOT of books on my dresser and I think I just need to get better at building a habit bc i do want to read most of them haha. Reading in this day and age is SUCH a skill, bc it really is like you said taking the time to calm down and stare at words on paper. Really good, practical advice - thanks again!
This is what I needed. I loved how you handles the topic in details. Definitely going to separate buying experience from the reading experience from now on.
Nowadays I mainly read e-books. But this video kicked me in the butt because recently I have a tendency to either not read any book (e-book or physical copy) for some time (sometimes it can be dang long) or to over-collect those e-books that only end up "sitting" on my laptop (for example, I just did this exact thing 2 days ago!). I'll consider your tips to streamline my reading experience and hopefully make it more fun :)
This was a main problem of mine. Buy books and let them collect dust. I decided to tackle the underlying problem. English not being my first tongue and also being brought as a teen from a different country didn't let me further my grammar and speaking skills in my native tongue either. I bought a kindle. That change made magic in my brain. Not only it highlights in both languages the meaning of the word but it also has Wikipedia. Also having multiple books in one that track the percentage of how much I have read, is a life changer. Happy kindle owner. Now I only buy books that I really DID read and made an impact in my life.
Umberto Eco was the owner of a large personal library (containing 30.000 books) and he separated his visitors into two categories: those who react with "Wow what a library you have ! How many of these books have you read?" and the others - a very small minority - who get the point that a private library is not an ego-boosting appendage but a research tool. The library should contain as much of what you don't know as your financial means allows you to put there. You will accumulate more knowledge and more books as you grow older and the more you know, the larger the rows of unread books
Ok but this is really a great suggestion, I have WAY TOO MANY BOOKS TO READ, and I'll definitely try the read-before-buy method. And yes, getting a real routine will be the next goal!
I really appreciate this. I have about a dozen books that I have not read yet. I have been feeling like a failure, but these suggestions seem very attainable.
My problem is not reading enough but that I read showered than I buy. I also like re-reading books which also slows down me getting to the unread books. I haven’t counted for a long time but I have about 2000 books, digital and physical, waiting to be read. I don’t mind though. I love reading and get fully immersed in the stories. I will say good advise that took me a long time to finally take is don’t keep reading a book you clearly don’t like/aren’t interested in. Life is too short to keep reading crappy books. Move on! Happy reading y’all!
Awesome video as always! I agree about not bothering to track reading progress. I used to do this a few years ago and found I no longer enjoyed the books I was reading as I spent too long trying to get through each book as quickly as I could. I decided instead to just take my time and read, it took however long it took, be it a few days, a couple weeks or even a couple months. I've noticed I enjoy reading so much more than I used too. As for the book buying, I barely buy them now unless I really need to, bookstores are just too overwhelming. Instead, I am nearly through my TBR pile (which just consisted of the books on my shelves I haven't had time to read yet), which I view as motivation to keep doing what I am doing.
My solution is reading non-spoiler reviews in goodreads or reddit (Usually I read 3 stars rating since they usually mention a balance of the book's pros and cons). Or reading exerpts or sneak-peaks of the book to gauge if I'll like it. Then I get the ebook, and if I finish and it becomes a favorite, I buy the physical copy. If not and I disliked it after all, then I had spent less and it's not physically cluttering my room.
Great video! Tsundoku is high over here! I usually spend my breaks from work in used book stores (here in Brasil we call it "sebos") where the books are much more affordable. In one month I've bought 10 books heehehehhehe I just can't resist, and I love old editions! But it's time to actually start reading them! xD
Love the message here Waldun 🤗💕WIsh this was the norm here on yt.. considered deleting my GReads but realized i loved having access to reviews from those im following when i finished a book (some amazing reviewers/ great insights). As a super slooooow reader & a lover of physical books this definitely resonated.. in fact im really looking fwd to a lonnnnngggg 'no buy'.. just kicking back & enjoying my ahem... hundreds of books 😅 😊
I could've used this advice back in the early 90s. Already have shit tons of books that I haven't read now. I've found the Kindle Free Samples really help on whether I'll like the book, at this point.
your content is quality and i can tell you really do speak from experience because i also hate tracking lol i like it for data collection purposes (because i want to see what kind of stuff i enjoy) but it really does ruin the experience too
Some good thoughts in this video. I do keep a list of the books I read. I don't have an "official" TBR, just a list of books I pick from that I can freely add to. I just pick a book on a whim unless someone gives a tempting reference. Obviously "book hauls" would tend to accumulate books, and a lot of book videos are given over to them. When I buy books I buy them one at a time. I'm currently reading Pynchon's *Mason & Dixon.* I was puzzling how to read more Pynchon after enjoying *Inherent Vice,* but failing on *Gravity's Rainbow.* Then I read several reviews that suggested later Pynchon, after *Rainbow,* was more approachable. I struggled a little in the early chapters of *Mason & Dixon,* but I'm rolling now. Anyway...sometimes a little patience is needed to get started in a hard read.
I find Goodreads is super useful for me to remember what books I have read as I tend to forget when I read them and what books I have read in the past years.
Such great tips! I have always thought Goodreads helps motivate me to read more, but I can see it definitely turning into something more important than the actual reading experience. Plus it turns itself into a social media platform where I am using it to show off to others that I have read a bunch of books.
Great video! I had a reading goal this year and last year on goodreads, and it's really taken the joy out of reading for me. I was obsessed with reaching a set number, but I only ended up enjoying half of my reads. I'm deleting my reading goals for the rest of the year, and not setting one up for the new year. I want to go back to reading for pleasure. I'm glad I came upon this video.
This is a very interesting video. I feel the same way in bookstores. I get excited and I always leave with like 10 books. Not a joke. Ask my wife. I want to push back on your Goodreads comment, because I wholeheartedly disagree. I don’t track them for a to-do list. I track them because I’m interested to see when I read a book, especially because it has the dates I read books, and I want to look back and reflect on what I’ve read. I shamelessly will get rid of a book if I don’t like it. I quit two this year that got deleted from my Goodreads and donated. I think the first 100 pages are usually setup for a great story in fiction or the background for deeper point in nonfiction. If after that I’m still not feeling it, I give it away. Unless, of course, it’s a famously slow burn book in which case I’ll stick it out much longer. But I don’t feel that Goodreads keeps people reading through books that they hate. I recognize the problem that you mention, but I don’t think that Goodreads is the culprit. I think that’s actually something school teaches. You hate a book, but you’re forced to read it. You can’t just say “yeah, not for me”. My only Goodreads-specific complaint is that there isn’t an option for “Couldn’t finish this one”. I would love to put a few books on that list just so I can remember what books I did not like very much. Great video as always. I appreciate your thoughtful perspective on these topics.
After binging on all these book list videos finally one that gives me least anxiety and makes sense. Also when did people stop going to the public library? I think that is a culture we need to bring back. Its perfectly ok to borrow books and read them!!
I would suggest thinking on this before buying new books: Books have gone up in price in recent years, paperback fiction is now $15 on average but is printed on acid paper, the kind that after a few years, yellows on the edges and the print fades. E.g., Penguin. Picture buying two books and they end up forgotten and when you do decide to read them, they look old with dry, dull pages! So only buy one of these books if you intend to read it that year. Alternatively, shopping at second hand books stores or thrift stores, you can find cheaper older books that are printed on acid-free paper and the pages are still crisp with dark ink. (You can find new fiction books on quality paper or with deckled edge, but you will pay starting at $20 for them.) Also, there's a popular rule, if you're going to buy two new books, donate two.
When I was returning to reading after a hiatus, I found having instrumental music on in the background helped me focus on the book I was reading and not get distracted by a multitude of other thoughts. It still took time at first, but it got easier. Also, I've been tracking my reading purely for myself - sometimes if it's years later I'll not remember what I thought of a book, so being able to see that I liked it, or didn't finish it because of X, is useful.
I've been a literature student and my studies made me hate reading. I had to "relearn" enjoying it after I graduated. This worked with building a reading routine as you suggested. I "forced" myself to read every night before bed, even if it's just a page and I only read fiction, so nothing that made me feel I had to memorize. This one page turned into 10 pages, than into one chapter and now I'm reading until I'm too tired and get bored :D Another thing that really helped me to get back into reading was --- and here I start to disagree with you --- tracking my reading :o I had no specific goals on how many books I wanted to read, but I set up a tracker in my bullet journal where I wrote down the title, author, when I finished it and a little rating system. I don't know, but I just like to look at that page at the end of the year and reflect. At this point I wouldn't be able to remember all I read even if a book really struck me. If friends ask for recommendations, I get out my journal, flip to that page and know what to recommend them without wasting brain space :D I understand the hustle tracking thing though. I have some friends who set themselves crazy reading goals who always asked for recommendations but never actually read. It's frustrating to witness. This may sound really weird now, since I'm only disagreeing, but I also can't relate to that bookstore phenomenon. I scrolled through some comments and I'm not alone, so I'm glad ^^ I go into a bookstore with purpose and usually only get what I went there for. But that might be, because I hate shopping and browsing through stores :D All in all, I think you have some valid advice to give! I just discovered your videos recently and I can't wait to go through them and learn about writing :D also nice to see a fellow Skillshare teacher here on RUclips (wasn't a topic in this vid, but in some other), I had the feeling that everyone and their mom is sponsored, but no one actually teaches on there but me :D
I also started "shopping" my husband's bookshelf lately ^^ great way for me to explore some genres I never would have bought myself. I reads adventure and science fiction stories, that I'm not particularly drawn to, but since we have the books at home anyways, I just might give them a read :D Currently on "number9dream" by David Mitchell and I love it :D
I greatly enjoy being a subscriber of your videos. I suffer from "Tsundoku" but it occurs when during my weekly library visit. I always take out a book that I "think" I should be reading. I constantly worry that I'm reading too many non contemporary authors. During the start of the pendemic, I abandoned my Good Reads page. However I am aware that my short story writing has increased and my dependence on a thesaurus has decreased. Thank you for this video. It has given food for thought for my next library visit. Keep you posted.
Guilty on all 3 counts. It'll truly be a process to break free from the third or probably all 3. But you're right, the beauty of reading is in the reading itself.
Tsundoku... I've never seen a word that describes me so well! XD I just can read fast enough! These are some great tips! I'm definitely going to try them all! So glad that your channel got recommended to me!
Omg, there’s finally a term for what I do ALL the time lol I have a bookshelf full of wonderful books I’ve been wanting to buy for the longest & finally did but before I get to reading any of’em, I end up finding or hearing about more wonderful books so I buy those too but never get around to reading any of’em & I’m stuck in this endless cycle 😞 I wish I could just quit my job, sell my house & go live in a remote island 🏝 for a while just to finish reading all of these books I bought 😂
I have a list of books I want to read. I first check my library to see if they have said book. If they don't, I check local used book stores and thriftbooks. If the book is not available there, I then look at new book stores (books a million/Barnes and noble). If I read a book and love it, then I might look at the commercial side. getting a nice version for my shelf.
One way I’ve fallen out of this trap is by only buying books that I’ve read and loved. I read a majority of my books through Libby and Z-Library, and I have a lists in those apps for the books I really want in my collection. So I can go into the bookstore with purpose instead of wandering aimlessly and falling into temptation. Also, if I do see a book that is getting really popular on social media or find a book that seems promising; I take a picture of it and download it later. This has really reduced how many unread books I own and now my shelves are full of books that make me happy!
When Amazon arrived in Brazil (in 2015 or 2016), books were VERY VERY cheap (I guess it was a strategy to welcome clients), so I bought lots of books and started my tsundoku life. Nowadays I stopped buying books in general (bookstores that sell used and cheap books are a temptation! I stopped entering this kind of websites)... in fact, I started selling books I concluded I'll never read/ finish or books I've already read and won't read again, or books I translated and would never have read if I didn't have to work with them. I think letting the books go is a process... I had a time to think about all the books I have (Marie Kondo's books helped me to think about it and about everything I have/had and didn't make sense anymore) and maybe life would be better with less and more meaninful books. And now we have e-books (that I also enjoy reading), too.
Sometimes I find that the best books I own have the most simplistic covers. I do occasionally find books that I judge by its cover; that is, sometimes I see a pretty book and impulse buy it. But I only really buy books at a small antique shop, which sells books at about one or two dollars Canadian. 😊
I like to think I'm collecting a library, but the truth is that I'm just piling books. Some of them have been waiting for me to catch up for a decade or more...🙃
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Finally someone on RUclips who focuses on the pleasure of the reading experience, rather than how many books they can get through. 📚😊
Use the content suggested by the course and try to write all the assigned papers using MLA publication while being introduced to ideas that are all reduced to the act of self deception of consciousness of being-there in our movie within subdivisions. Then persecuted for it.
@@adaptercrash ??
seriously!! those youtubers make it feel like reading is a competition, but it’s really not
@@adannayoutube4243 Couldn't have said it better!
Well said. Get through is different than reading for pleasure.
I surprisingly have the exact opposite reaction when I enter a bookstore. My main goal is to buy a book or two that I have been meaning to purchase for some time. I go in, I browse, get overwhelmed by the all the options, and eventually get discouraged, and leave the store empty handed. So not only do I get discouraged from buying the book that I wanted to, I actually end up making up a justification or reason as to why I should maybe hold off on purchasing books for a while...AGAIN!! Not sure if I am the only one that goes through this!! 🙃
Interesting. Maybe try ordering it in the mail instead. Good self-control though. I would probably just end up picking another book or more…😮💨
@@choco1199 Yeah, that is typically what I end up doing eventually, getting the book from amazon or book depository!
Not the only one, but that's why I've been hitting the library more often. If I miss reading them, all I have to do is renew or take them back.
I have a similar reaction. Though that is mostly because often the bookstores would carry the popular books. Quality literature is not necessarily popular literature. I don't want a book that is just well made or famous or being converted into a series. I want to buy a book that I can read again and again.
At the end of day though, I guess, it is about why we read and why we purchase books. Everyone has their own lookout. Some people simply love the idea of having read many things. And some like to be "well read". And some, like me, just want to read.
Good for you
To the “artificial reading goals” point. I had to understand I didn’t have to “read the classics” to feel better about the book im reading
For me, it is poetry :D I just don't get poetry and that is ok ^^
@@bubblegum999 for me it's exactly the same
@@elliafabia Poetry is an interesting case. Historically, poetry is the first type of literature and this gives way to prose over time. It's similar to music as it plays on the sounds and patterns of language as much as on the meaning. If you're used to prose, it can be difficult to appreciate poetry. You could start with more prose like poetry - Whitman say, or Ginsberg, or with poetic like prose, Kerouac comes to mind, particularly - On the Road. Audio books of these are useful since it brings out the phonic qualities of the work. For something really different, try Simon Armitage's reading of Sir Gwain and the Green Knight - his own translation and again, him reading in the original Middle English. (This poem illustrates alliterative verse, an older poetic style of the Germanic traditions, displaced by Latin, rhyming verse in the early modern period.) John Lithgow's readings of poetry anthologies on Audible are also nice to start with. As with anything, it takes time to build up an appreciation of something new over time, and confidence that it is worth your time.
I agree. I like reading classics for the ideas I find in them, even if I don't necessarily like the writing style. But I definitely can't read any and all classics, no matter how popular or recommended they are.
I have no desire at all to read any of Shakespeare's works in their original form (I can only go as far as reading the No Fear Shakespeare versions, tbh). Reading plays in general does not interest me because I love beautifully written passages of description.
Epic poetry is difficult for me to enjoy too. The only one I truly enjoyed was Dante's Inferno (not including Purgatorio and Paradiso even). I was lucky to have had a decent English translation that roughly mimicked terza rima (making it more fun to read). I also read the Iliad and the Odyssey but I really just plodded through it for my high school English class.
Homer
For tips for people with adhd, or those who find routine hard - the best thing i’ve found is to only buy one book and read it straight away (while its new). I find it way easier to pick up and start reading when its a new object. So buy read buy read sort of routine. That’s what works for me, however when u have a huge pile to books to read its hard to get to that point :’D
What I found useful for me at least is to have at least 3 books to read, that way when you start to feel "bored" with own book, you have something else to read while you "recharge" and be ready to continue reading that first book or even just read the third one!
Again tho that's how I work and not everyone can relate with how my brain works to theirs
SIR, I did not need to be called out like this so early in the morning. 😂 But excellent points and tips!
I will say doing most of my reading on e-reading devices has somewhat helped curb my tsundoku urges. In a bookstore, there is something about holding the book in hand that creates an attachment and a compelling feeling to take it home with me. “It’s here, right now, and what if (irrationally, improbably) it’s not here next time I come back?” Whereas e-books tend to feel more like “Meh, it’ll be there when I’m ready for it.” But that’s just my experience!
I do my reading on a kindle as well and I feel like it's had two effects on me : it got me to read more consistently throughout the year and it helped me refocus on the content of the texts I read. In this regard it has helped me not stack mounds of books that would never be read.
On the other hand I miss the analog satisfaction of handling a book and the sight of a shelf filling up with familiar stories.
the amazing ambience( setup) at the bookstore sometimes gets my wallet. the nice low tune music, the coffee hazelnut smells in the air, the variety of books you didnt know existed.. these are tempting, all together act like a kick
@@erdelegy Oh yes, absolutely! If it's a book that's particularly meaningful or interesting to me, I'll definitely buy a hardcopy.
I just watched an amazing documentary here on RUclips about this and I really wanted to share it here, it’s called “Bookstores: how to read more books in the golden age of content”. Really a masterpiece, it features some of the worlds most beautiful bookstores and a lot of experts on the field. The final message I got was to “read widely” instead of following a list of “books that you must read” and also, surprisingly, to read s l o w l y… let the book get you to a state of reflection “because is hard to read without reflecting”. So in a sense reading is like meditating, and also of course like time traveling ;)
Thank you very much for taking the time to do this video and good luck with your studies!
I LOVE that documentary. I rewatched it just last week. A second on the recommendation from me :))
*"So in a sense reading is like meditating, and also of course like time traveling.."* 🤗 The best kind of reading imho 💖 Can't wait to watch that documentary thanks for the heads up!!👍😊
Thank you for sharing. I will absolutly watch that ^^
That's a great documentary.
Came across your comment scrolling through. Just wanted to add my recommendation for this video. No joke, that's my favorite video on RUclips. Every book lover should watch it!
For me personally, Goodreads actually helps me with reading! I love the idea of tracking my reading activities, not for the sake of being extra productive and reading as much as possible, but for me it‘s just fun :D
On tracking your reading: you don’t have to have a reading goal and then read to reach that, rather than get pleasure from reading. But I think, at least for me and especially in second hand bookstores or getting ebooks, the impulse to buy comes from the anxiety that I’m going to forget this book and never have a chance to read it. It is a consumerist anxiety of an acquisitive way of thinking, and the best way I have used to alleviate it without spending money, is adding the books I find on to the to-read pile of StoryGraph. It’s really helped, but I didn’t see reading as something I ought to do anyway, I always do it for the fun of it
YES! My To-Read-Pile on StoryGraph is huge, but I have no intention on reading all of it. That's why I'm not afraid to add to it either. It's just nice to browse this self-made bookstore, pick what I'm in the mood for and just buy/borrow this one book, read or dnf it and get back to the TBR for the next one :D
Robin seems to have omitted the Public Library as an alternative to the bookstore for these acquisitory adventures. The Library is an excellent place to spend the day, piling up books and lugging them home (and back). Here, you can really discover the books you want to own, and then own them with a high degree of confidence and deliberation, that you own them because you will read them again and again, and write in the margins, and doodle on them, and argue in them, and make them truly yours.
I’m a big proponent of tracking books, I write down all the books I’ve read in a dedicated journal. My goal for the journal is not to relish in how fast I can fill it up with titles but as a document that I can pass down to my grandkids. I got my love of reading from my late grandma and I’ve read some of her own journals, sometimes she mentions books she’s read and it makes me wish I had a whole list of all the books she read in her lifetime so that I can enjoy those too now that she’s gone. So I’m making that in the hope I’ll have my own grandkids and that they’ll appreciate it and take some bookish inspiration from it
Thats a great idea!
This is a brilliant idea!
Hi Robin! From age 15 on, I have been an unrepentant bibliophile. I love everything about books and own MANY. When I was a younger man, I found it much easier to read and my completion pace was rather impressive if I say so myself. Later, I started to struggle because I was often drawn away by digital content. The way I am battling this, with reasonable success, is setting aside time, each day, for digital free periods for reading, meditation, and walking. I find when I make a DELIBERATE effort I am able to enjoy my reading and progress to completion. I appreciate your insightful content very much. Thanks!
I'm going through the same experience. At age 16, I became a voracious reader to the point of devising an extremely ambitious reading program. However, in recent years I have not been able to read a single book to the end.
@@lucasrinaldi9909 I am sure you will not be suprised when I tell you I have heard this same beef from more people than I want to acknowledge. It is axiomatic that with every technological advancement comes both positive and negative consequences. Our challenge is to find ways to overcome those negative ones. I am having some luck, but it takes consistent discipline on my part. I truly wish you well, Lucas.
Usually tracking what I've read doesn't take me more than 2 minutes a day. Opposed to the couple of hours I spend reading said day. I think the pressure we put on ourselves is what pushes us away from the actual reading experience. In my mind, it's fine not getting to read everything I set out to read that year. No pressure.
I was in a bookstore and tempted by a 2 for 1 offer... and then I just checked every interesting book on my local library website, and added them to my list to order later. Library is a great money saver 🎉
To curb my desire for book buying I always look on my local Public Library website to see if I can just borrow the book for free. Sometimes it will remain on my table untouched, but at least I haven't payed any money for it.
Another way the library has been helping me is being part of a monthly book club. Having a regularly scheduled social obligation is often enough of a kick on the butt I need to actually read at least one book a month.
Yesss I love my local library too! Most of the time I’ll be curious about a book but unsure if I’ll like it, and I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a book I won’t like. I’ll either download some GenLib epub of it or go to the local library, and I’ve read so much that way :) the staff at my local library are lovely too, and they’re always up for giving recommendations
Yes I love when I can get my hands on the books I want through the library. Typically if I don’t know if I’ll like it I borrow it, then if it’s a fav I will buy a copy
This is amazing life advice in general. "you need to resist the thrill of chasing highs because reading itself, it takes time" like any good things in life. Thanks for this video.
Another helpful point to overcoming Tsundoku is to utilize your libraries. Libraries now also provide audiobooks and ebooks, as well as good ol' fashioned physical books. If you truly loved the book after reading it from your library it's a nice treat to wander to the bookstore and purchase the book for your personal collection.
And as a person who likes to track what I read (and look back on my reading journey) a less aggressive approach could be to set a low reading goal (on Goodreads), and then as the year progresses you can set it higher. It's still giving you the option of having reading goals, but takes the pressure away.
As a bookseller I can say we definitely try to sell you books you’ll never touch because they look pretty. Pro tip: always go for the cheap mass-markets (at least if you’re into classics). With books, content is better than image.
Louis L’Amour said it best when he said (I’m paraphrasing): “for the cost of a cheap shirt, or a pack of beer, you can read the greatest human thoughts ever written down. The only barrier between yourself and the worlds knowledge is a couple dollars and a trip to a bookstore.”
Thank you! I’m just breaking out of this struggle. I’ve committed to not buy any new books, in an effort to minimize & reduce spending. I have done quite well with that! However, I’ve returned to being a library worm, & often borrow books & return them unread. I’ve considered it a slump, but honestly, it’s the magnetic pull of social media.
Best reading advice, I just deleted my tracking app and realized that much of my reading was for the goal. Doing this small task has allowed me to not worry about reading for the sake of reading but reading to understand the text. Also, it helps get rid of the stigma of not finishing a book. With hundreds of books in my library, this is helpful.
I have had that problem ever since I discovered Goodreads. So much material, so little time
I just got back from a book fair an hour ago, entered RUclips, and saw one notification. Here I am. No more words
Another great tip for reading the books gathering dust on your shelf is actually taking them OFF your shelf and placing them near you. Keep them close so you can reach them and start reading. Thanks for your video. Agree with you.
Sometimes the answer to "Am I enjoying reading this book" is not as simple as yes or no. I have wanted to give up reading books in the past that I am grateful to have finished because they got better as I progressed through the story. I also find that, for me, abandoning a book because I wasn't enjoying it was a slippery slope and led me to do it very often at the first obstacle. My solution was to speed read through the book but finish it anyway.
I am going to try reading a book before buying it because I have noticed the adrenaline/rush/thrill of buying a book goes away as soon as i bring it home and see all the other books I haven't read yet. It's as if by purchasing the book, my brain confused this action with actually reading/finishing the book.
Read Schopenhauer's short essay On Reading.
good point!
Dopamine lol
I do think some "artificial" goals can be helpful. I find setting a goal of x number of books I want to read in a year is helpful in that if I get out of the habit of reading consistently, it gives me a little extra motivation to start again. At that point I usually remember that I love reading and am able to get back into the habit. I think any kind of goal can be useful depending on how it's used.
Tsundoku😱: in addition to merely buying the cover art, we are are also almost always susceptible victims to the more subtle: buying the blurbs and fan rants of the book. Which is at best are only hints but are not yet the actual read. Thanx Robin Waldun. This is 💯👌🏾 valuetainment Barakha 🙌🏾 Shalom 🌾🙏🏾
100% agree with the take on GoodReads, personally love the concept but it just takes too much time to log everything and even then it just in turn makes me more focused on finishing more books rather than actually reading said books and taking my time with them
I think I read about 10% of books on my shelf. One think that works for me is borrowing books from the library - having a deadline by which i have to finish a book motivates me to read it.
oh literally perfect timing for this video in my life, thank you haha 😅 literally have gotten over 30 books this summer (in my defense, I was abroad and getting a lot of books I couldn't get at home) but now I'm home and still buying new books so thank you from the bottom of my heart XD
tips are unique.
and I think this is pretty darn smart
"the worst thing Is suffering through books you really don't want to read" - (artificial goal) vs. consider reading an experience to enjoy! "Life is too d... short" -love it!
As a minimalist in most other ways, I recognise I have a problem with books. At my age, I really don't need to buy any more books to keep me going for the rest of my life! I recognise I need to go cold turkey, and not buy any more books for at least one year, that might get me out of the habit of over-buying. I do read, all the time, that's not the issue, but you're right, there's a hell of a buzz in buying a nice new shiny book. I don't think I'd ever thought about it the way you've so simply explained, that buying a book has nothing to do with reading. I once decluttered 200 unread books, which was painful, but it kicked me into actually reading the rest.
This is really interesting because I don’t think I’ve ever had this issue-and for a long time I thought I wasn’t much of a reader because I didn’t buy books all the time. Books are pricey and when I want one, I usually either get them secondhand or borrow from a friend who already has a copy (the benefits of having friends who read haha!)
When I do go into a bookstore, I have a set list of authors in my head that I want to pick up, fully intending to only get a book or two. If I want to browse though, I think I’d prefer the library xD
A lot of people have this misconception that reading is about the quantity, rather than the question of whether or not you’ve actually digested the material. I may not buy many books, but I realized I do in fact read quite often because I’m also a writer. The latter necessitates the former (I suppose also vice versa). I don’t want to be too conscious of my “page count” or my “number of books read” because that can take away so much from the excitement of readership in the long-term. I’ve had so much more fun making the most out of one book in one month than I ever had when trying to finish several books in one week.
I collect books. I decided to inventory my library so I know what I have and what I have read. Now, I have done this over several decades so.... I own over 2770 books. In my home. At my disposal. I have read most of them. Thank you for your delightful and interesting podcast.
I usually take a photo of the books im interested in and look them up when i get home
Hey I do that. Thank you now I don’t feel weird anymore! 😁
Added this video to my favourites because you reminded me of the reason I've pulled myself completely away from commercial bookstores and buying for the sake of buying! All the books that are currently on my bookshelf are those that I love, will want to return to, and am honoured to have in my "personal library". Now, this doesn't mean I will never ever buy another book or never step into a bookstore, but I've stopped making regular "excursions" to them. It has helped a lot!
I'm also really appreciative of the fact that you didn't rant or artificially extend the length of this video by just...blabbering? Each to their own but I really appreciate your speaking style and succint delivery! Thank you so much ^^
When I go to a bookstore I always know exactly which book(s) I mean to purchase. Whenever I am drawn to a book I add it to my TBR, actually buying it at the bookstore never crossed my mind.
You make some very good points. I'm resistant to the idea of not tracking my reading though. Partly because I might be addicted to those articial/meaningless achievements, but also partly because that gives me a little dopamine/incentive boost outside of the act of reading that helps me keep up the habit. I try to only select books that I think I will really enjoy. Books with fascinating information, or riveting stories, or perspectives that help me grow. But sometimes the things that I pick out are misses. A book that I thought I would love might end up not giving me the experience that I wanted. I'll try your read in the bookstore tip to see if that helps, but sometimes the beginning of a book is promising and then it takes a turn. When I find myself not enjoying a read, I'm happy to let it go, but my emotional self gets a little discouraged. Knowing that I've been maintaining a reading streak every day since the start of the year is highly motivating in picking up the next book rather than letting the excitement and joy of reading fizzle.
You've still given me a lot to think about though. Thanks for the tips!
I love being surrounded by books. It reminds me that life is full of possibilities. I pity anyone who only owns books they've already read.
When I go into a bookstore, I will take notes of books or take pictures of the ones that look interesting and that I would like to buy in the future. I just have an ongoing list. That way, when I want an interesting read later, I can go and look at the list. Also, the trip into the bookstore was never "wasted." I didn't buy anything, but I took notes.
I like this video since I can relate to it. I recently thought of making a reading list, but decided against it for these reasons. I didn’t want the feeling of artificial accomplishment when I would check off a book as complete just to read another book on the list. And decided I could read one book at home. Another for when I return to university, and possibly start another book if I wanted to. Reading is meant to be valued and read thoroughly, not in a rush nor halfheartedly.
I’ve had this problem too, and I recently came up with a solution that works for me. Now. I don’t allow myself to purchase a new book until I’ve read 10 previously purchased books. So far I’ve completed three cycles, reading 30 books that have piled up over the years. As I whittle down my backlog, I’ll cut down the number of books in each cycle from 10 to maybe five, then less and less. I am also selling books that I no longer have any interest in reading. This has all been a wonderful way to revisit topics that have fascinated me in the past and that I’ve still retained an interest in.
3# i did know deep inside i just needed somebody to tell me te truth straight to my face Thanks
Hi! I watched this video last week and today in London I took the book I wanted to buy (because I see it everywhere) and actually sat down and read 15 pages as you suggested. I still want to buy this book but because of its content now, not because it’s everywhere on social media. What I’m trying to say is : thank you for your useful advices. ☺️
Thank you this reading lists tracking and boasting about number of books read is not my thing! Another social media construction of ego, I used to love reading as a child and young teenager I read so much and it made me who I am, it is not necessary to boast about your number or tracking it, this is such a modern thing which I totally do not relate to or even approve of morally as someone who just doesn’t enjoy social media’s behaviours anyway, reading to me is not displaying it is the opposite it is disappearing into another world entirely, not about point scoring in this one! Thank you I love your video and will watch more 📚 ❤
Easy: Go to a library and borrow a book, and start reading immediately.
prequel tip: support your local library!
all the other tips still apply, but check to see what your library has first.
if there’s a new book you want, peruse their new book section or put it on hold.
find a book you like? read the first few pages between the stacks.
if you like a book, check it out and read it! then, if you want other books by the author or a copy of one for yourself, go to the bookstore!
I definitely suffer from this condition- I love buying and owning books! I justify it by buying most of them at Goodwill for $.75-$2, so I don’t feel too guilty about my book-hoarding. I really need to set an hour aside each day to read; I do faithfully read my Bible daily
As a Japanese student I love how this language has so many terms to describe concepts like this :)
I track with story graph because it gives you statistics on what you've read and it's really interesting to look at
I love the artificial reading goals point you made. I have been trying to slow down when reading to really absorb the words.
The best way to achieve this goal is to be broke. Problem solved!
On a more serious note, before I discovered Booktube, it never occurred to me that people would buy books and not read them. How can you stand the suspense of a book being there and not finding out its treasures and secrets? To me that's like ordering a delicious meal and not eating it. (Obviously, the comparison is not perfect, since you can keep books forever, while a meal will soon spoil. But the idea is still the same.)
That said, I've lately fallen behind on reading. Now I do have a bunch I haven't gotten to yet. I won't lie, it's a source of stress. My rule for a long time was, no new books until I read the ones I have. But now I've fallen behind. It drives me nuts that I can only read one book at any given chunk of time.
The box checking thing is a bit of a double edged sword. It can be helpful to keep you disciplined. But, yes, it can become a thing unto itself. I'm a Christian, so reading the Bible on a regular basis is important to me. For a while, a reading plan was helpful. But I did become aware that I was feeling more motivation (or guilt) to see chapters checked off than I was about what I was reading. Now I am just reading through, and I think that's for the best. God's not going to ask me for my reading plan to see if all the little squares were filled out!
Uh yes i think booktube had (still has) a big impact on how we see books and experience reading. I am actually trying to „recover“ from some unhealthy behaviours which were definetly influenced by booktube
Your advice on stopping to read in bookstores is great. I think it could definitely apply to ebook stores like Amazon Kindle which, thankfully, offer samples most of the time. However, there are times when I just shop online for physical books and end up ordering 5 at a time. Gotta find a way to control myself!
I recently moved for the first time (still in process actually but the packing is done) and I donated at LEAST 70% of my books. I think I could count the number donated books that I actually read on one hand.
I was raised by hoarders so I was basically prepped for this habit of “collecting” what never gets used (notebooks, sketchbooks, pens, and art supplies are also targets of mine). In the last couple of years that’s been changing- I’ve been using up notebooks to journal and teach myself the math that I never fully got in school and I started figure drawing -but there were still so many books!
Sometimes, the only thing that helps is realizing that I’ll never get to it all and letting go of what is wasting away. I’m glad I was able to donate most of it to the library that started my book obsession as a kid if nothing else.
I still have a lot of books left that need some attention, so reading definitely a habit I want to work on once I’m moved next month. Otherwise, I’ll just end up in the same situation again!
Anyways~ love the vibe, you’ve earned a new sub 💕
Thank god...I'm just like you..I buy books but I never finish it till the end
I did not search for this video. This video found me. And obviously for a reason.
I once saw someone compare buying a new book to buying a puppy. Like, asking yourself "am I willing and able to put in the time and attention into this, if I take it home with me?" and most of the time that answer is "no" / "not right now", so no new puppy today.
Thank you for the advice! I heard someone say in another video that they like reading because sometimes the author will describe a feeling they've felt in the most perfect way. That's how I felt when you made the comment about books as trophies. I have a LOT of books on my dresser and I think I just need to get better at building a habit bc i do want to read most of them haha. Reading in this day and age is SUCH a skill, bc it really is like you said taking the time to calm down and stare at words on paper. Really good, practical advice - thanks again!
Robin, you're fantastic! Thank you so much for breaking down things like this. Such great content!
Goodreads is what helped me build my reading habit. Reading goals are good.
This is what I needed. I loved how you handles the topic in details. Definitely going to separate buying experience from the reading experience from now on.
Nowadays I mainly read e-books. But this video kicked me in the butt because recently I have a tendency to either not read any book (e-book or physical copy) for some time (sometimes it can be dang long) or to over-collect those e-books that only end up "sitting" on my laptop (for example, I just did this exact thing 2 days ago!). I'll consider your tips to streamline my reading experience and hopefully make it more fun :)
This was a main problem of mine. Buy books and let them collect dust. I decided to tackle the underlying problem. English not being my first tongue and also being brought as a teen from a different country didn't let me further my grammar and speaking skills in my native tongue either.
I bought a kindle. That change made magic in my brain. Not only it highlights in both languages the meaning of the word but it also has Wikipedia. Also having multiple books in one that track the percentage of how much I have read, is a life changer. Happy kindle owner. Now I only buy books that I really DID read and made an impact in my life.
True. Tracking sucks the enjoyment out of what we do.
Umberto Eco was the owner of a large personal library (containing 30.000 books) and he separated his visitors into two categories: those who react with "Wow what a library you have ! How many of these books have you read?" and the others - a very small minority - who get the point that a private library is not an ego-boosting appendage but a research tool. The library should contain as much of what you don't know as your financial means allows you to put there.
You will accumulate more knowledge and more books as you grow older and the more you know, the larger the rows of unread books
Ok but this is really a great suggestion, I have WAY TOO MANY BOOKS TO READ, and I'll definitely try the read-before-buy method. And yes, getting a real routine will be the next goal!
I really appreciate this. I have about a dozen books that I have not read yet. I have been feeling like a failure, but these suggestions seem very attainable.
RUclips popped this up on my phone as a notification… was not expecting technology to call me out like that
that last tip was really good and deep no need to set competitive/made-up reading goals just focus on learning the content of the book
can you believe that the major motive for me to view your videos is your video settings and colour tones are always pleasing to my eyes
My problem is not reading enough but that I read showered than I buy. I also like re-reading books which also slows down me getting to the unread books. I haven’t counted for a long time but I have about 2000 books, digital and physical, waiting to be read. I don’t mind though. I love reading and get fully immersed in the stories. I will say good advise that took me a long time to finally take is don’t keep reading a book you clearly don’t like/aren’t interested in. Life is too short to keep reading crappy books. Move on! Happy reading y’all!
Awesome video as always!
I agree about not bothering to track reading progress. I used to do this a few years ago and found I no longer enjoyed the books I was reading as I spent too long trying to get through each book as quickly as I could. I decided instead to just take my time and read, it took however long it took, be it a few days, a couple weeks or even a couple months. I've noticed I enjoy reading so much more than I used too.
As for the book buying, I barely buy them now unless I really need to, bookstores are just too overwhelming. Instead, I am nearly through my TBR pile (which just consisted of the books on my shelves I haven't had time to read yet), which I view as motivation to keep doing what I am doing.
My solution is reading non-spoiler reviews in goodreads or reddit
(Usually I read 3 stars rating since they usually mention a balance of the book's pros and cons).
Or reading exerpts or sneak-peaks of the book to gauge if I'll like it.
Then I get the ebook, and if I finish and it becomes a favorite, I buy the physical copy.
If not and I disliked it after all, then I had spent less and it's not physically cluttering my room.
Great video! Tsundoku is high over here! I usually spend my breaks from work in used book stores (here in Brasil we call it "sebos") where the books are much more affordable. In one month I've bought 10 books heehehehhehe I just can't resist, and I love old editions! But it's time to actually start reading them! xD
Love the message here Waldun 🤗💕WIsh this was the norm here on yt.. considered deleting my GReads but realized i loved having access to reviews from those im following when i finished a book (some amazing reviewers/ great insights). As a super slooooow reader & a lover of physical books this definitely resonated.. in fact im really looking fwd to a lonnnnngggg 'no buy'.. just kicking back & enjoying my ahem... hundreds of books 😅 😊
I could've used this advice back in the early 90s. Already have shit tons of books that I haven't read now. I've found the Kindle Free Samples really help on whether I'll like the book, at this point.
5 second in, I have subscribed. Best intro ever
your content is quality and i can tell you really do speak from experience because i also hate tracking lol
i like it for data collection purposes (because i want to see what kind of stuff i enjoy) but it really does ruin the experience too
Some good thoughts in this video. I do keep a list of the books I read. I don't have an "official" TBR, just a list of books I pick from that I can freely add to. I just pick a book on a whim unless someone gives a tempting reference. Obviously "book hauls" would tend to accumulate books, and a lot of book videos are given over to them. When I buy books I buy them one at a time. I'm currently reading Pynchon's *Mason & Dixon.* I was puzzling how to read more Pynchon after enjoying *Inherent Vice,* but failing on *Gravity's Rainbow.* Then I read several reviews that suggested later Pynchon, after *Rainbow,* was more approachable. I struggled a little in the early chapters of *Mason & Dixon,* but I'm rolling now. Anyway...sometimes a little patience is needed to get started in a hard read.
good points with the part on "artificial reading goals"! makes me feel better on how i haven't read 100 books yet this year - and that's okay! :)
I find Goodreads is super useful for me to remember what books I have read as I tend to forget when I read them and what books I have read in the past years.
積読
積 comes from 積む meaning to accumulate/to pile up
読 means reading (読む)
Such great tips! I have always thought Goodreads helps motivate me to read more, but I can see it definitely turning into something more important than the actual reading experience. Plus it turns itself into a social media platform where I am using it to show off to others that I have read a bunch of books.
Great video! I had a reading goal this year and last year on goodreads, and it's really taken the joy out of reading for me. I was obsessed with reaching a set number, but I only ended up enjoying half of my reads. I'm deleting my reading goals for the rest of the year, and not setting one up for the new year. I want to go back to reading for pleasure. I'm glad I came upon this video.
This is a very interesting video. I feel the same way in bookstores. I get excited and I always leave with like 10 books. Not a joke. Ask my wife.
I want to push back on your Goodreads comment, because I wholeheartedly disagree. I don’t track them for a to-do list. I track them because I’m interested to see when I read a book, especially because it has the dates I read books, and I want to look back and reflect on what I’ve read. I shamelessly will get rid of a book if I don’t like it. I quit two this year that got deleted from my Goodreads and donated. I think the first 100 pages are usually setup for a great story in fiction or the background for deeper point in nonfiction. If after that I’m still not feeling it, I give it away. Unless, of course, it’s a famously slow burn book in which case I’ll stick it out much longer. But I don’t feel that Goodreads keeps people reading through books that they hate. I recognize the problem that you mention, but I don’t think that Goodreads is the culprit. I think that’s actually something school teaches. You hate a book, but you’re forced to read it. You can’t just say “yeah, not for me”. My only Goodreads-specific complaint is that there isn’t an option for “Couldn’t finish this one”. I would love to put a few books on that list just so I can remember what books I did not like very much.
Great video as always. I appreciate your thoughtful perspective on these topics.
After binging on all these book list videos finally one that gives me least anxiety and makes sense. Also when did people stop going to the public library? I think that is a culture we need to bring back. Its perfectly ok to borrow books and read them!!
I would suggest thinking on this before buying new books: Books have gone up in price in recent years, paperback fiction is now $15 on average but is printed on acid paper, the kind that after a few years, yellows on the edges and the print fades. E.g., Penguin. Picture buying two books and they end up forgotten and when you do decide to read them, they look old with dry, dull pages! So only buy one of these books if you intend to read it that year. Alternatively, shopping at second hand books stores or thrift stores, you can find cheaper older books that are printed on acid-free paper and the pages are still crisp with dark ink. (You can find new fiction books on quality paper or with deckled edge, but you will pay starting at $20 for them.) Also, there's a popular rule, if you're going to buy two new books, donate two.
When I was returning to reading after a hiatus, I found having instrumental music on in the background helped me focus on the book I was reading and not get distracted by a multitude of other thoughts. It still took time at first, but it got easier.
Also, I've been tracking my reading purely for myself - sometimes if it's years later I'll not remember what I thought of a book, so being able to see that I liked it, or didn't finish it because of X, is useful.
I've been a literature student and my studies made me hate reading. I had to "relearn" enjoying it after I graduated. This worked with building a reading routine as you suggested. I "forced" myself to read every night before bed, even if it's just a page and I only read fiction, so nothing that made me feel I had to memorize. This one page turned into 10 pages, than into one chapter and now I'm reading until I'm too tired and get bored :D
Another thing that really helped me to get back into reading was --- and here I start to disagree with you --- tracking my reading :o I had no specific goals on how many books I wanted to read, but I set up a tracker in my bullet journal where I wrote down the title, author, when I finished it and a little rating system. I don't know, but I just like to look at that page at the end of the year and reflect. At this point I wouldn't be able to remember all I read even if a book really struck me. If friends ask for recommendations, I get out my journal, flip to that page and know what to recommend them without wasting brain space :D I understand the hustle tracking thing though. I have some friends who set themselves crazy reading goals who always asked for recommendations but never actually read. It's frustrating to witness.
This may sound really weird now, since I'm only disagreeing, but I also can't relate to that bookstore phenomenon. I scrolled through some comments and I'm not alone, so I'm glad ^^ I go into a bookstore with purpose and usually only get what I went there for. But that might be, because I hate shopping and browsing through stores :D
All in all, I think you have some valid advice to give! I just discovered your videos recently and I can't wait to go through them and learn about writing :D also nice to see a fellow Skillshare teacher here on RUclips (wasn't a topic in this vid, but in some other), I had the feeling that everyone and their mom is sponsored, but no one actually teaches on there but me :D
I also started "shopping" my husband's bookshelf lately ^^ great way for me to explore some genres I never would have bought myself. I reads adventure and science fiction stories, that I'm not particularly drawn to, but since we have the books at home anyways, I just might give them a read :D Currently on "number9dream" by David Mitchell and I love it :D
I greatly enjoy being a subscriber of your videos. I suffer from "Tsundoku" but it occurs when during my weekly library visit. I always take out a book that I "think" I should be reading. I constantly worry that I'm reading too many non contemporary authors. During the start of the pendemic, I abandoned my Good Reads page. However I am aware that my short story writing has increased and my dependence on a thesaurus has decreased. Thank you for this video. It has given food for thought for my next library visit. Keep you posted.
Guilty on all 3 counts. It'll truly be a process to break free from the third or probably all 3. But you're right, the beauty of reading is in the reading itself.
OMG. This is exactly what I need to see today.
dude you are so professional . . andwitty, all yhe best to you and your future endeavors , , as a superstar 1
Tsundoku... I've never seen a word that describes me so well! XD I just can read fast enough! These are some great tips! I'm definitely going to try them all! So glad that your channel got recommended to me!
Omg, there’s finally a term for what I do ALL the time lol I have a bookshelf full of wonderful books I’ve been wanting to buy for the longest & finally did but before I get to reading any of’em, I end up finding or hearing about more wonderful books so I buy those too but never get around to reading any of’em & I’m stuck in this endless cycle 😞 I wish I could just quit my job, sell my house & go live in a remote island 🏝 for a while just to finish reading all of these books I bought 😂
Excellent honest video!
I have a list of books I want to read. I first check my library to see if they have said book. If they don't, I check local used book stores and thriftbooks. If the book is not available there, I then look at new book stores (books a million/Barnes and noble). If I read a book and love it, then I might look at the commercial side. getting a nice version for my shelf.
One way I’ve fallen out of this trap is by only buying books that I’ve read and loved. I read a majority of my books through Libby and Z-Library, and I have a lists in those apps for the books I really want in my collection. So I can go into the bookstore with purpose instead of wandering aimlessly and falling into temptation.
Also, if I do see a book that is getting really popular on social media or find a book that seems promising; I take a picture of it and download it later. This has really reduced how many unread books I own and now my shelves are full of books that make me happy!
When Amazon arrived in Brazil (in 2015 or 2016), books were VERY VERY cheap (I guess it was a strategy to welcome clients), so I bought lots of books and started my tsundoku life. Nowadays I stopped buying books in general (bookstores that sell used and cheap books are a temptation! I stopped entering this kind of websites)... in fact, I started selling books I concluded I'll never read/ finish or books I've already read and won't read again, or books I translated and would never have read if I didn't have to work with them.
I think letting the books go is a process... I had a time to think about all the books I have (Marie Kondo's books helped me to think about it and about everything I have/had and didn't make sense anymore) and maybe life would be better with less and more meaninful books. And now we have e-books (that I also enjoy reading), too.
Sometimes I find that the best books I own have the most simplistic covers. I do occasionally find books that I judge by its cover; that is, sometimes I see a pretty book and impulse buy it. But I only really buy books at a small antique shop, which sells books at about one or two dollars Canadian. 😊
I like to think I'm collecting a library, but the truth is that I'm just piling books. Some of them have been waiting for me to catch up for a decade or more...🙃
Love your frames!