@@IdeasInHat I think I will stop when I completely run out of space. Also there is a possibility that in the next few decades publishers might switch completely to digital and audio books as the younger generation is more inclined towards digital media.
Brilliant topic - I too have way more than I will ever read - two issues you maybe didn’t discuss - how do you store 2,000 plus books and also it’s great to use books for reference and having a huge library allows you to find a chapter/quote/page you read in another book - gives me great satisfaction
@@ebrahimlaher3705 I have a 17ft shelf. The one behind me is much larger than it appears. It holds about 1.5k books right now. I have a few other "themed" stacks around my the house: i.e., I have a bunch of 'history of psychology" books stacked beside my couch, as well as a bunch of books on "freedom". I use the books for reference as well. Although I would love an AI that could just grab the reference from the book for me. Currently, the AI's just hallucinate an approximate quote.
You have put my mind at rest. I thought it was just me - I keep buying books and can't possibly get round to reading them all. Well, if I stopped buying now, it will take 3-4 years to catch up - but that is never going to happen. First time I have come across your channel so will subscribe.
I have over 1000 books (mainly fiction and many on e-readers) and I think of my collection like my own personal library. When I’ve finish a book, I can browse my collection and pick a new one out.
My short answer to this question is no. There are some specific type of books that I do not read but I look at. These are mainly art books covering the art of a specific artist eg. Michelangelo Buonarroti (also I should note, I draw). In this case I will not read the text inside, unless it's a biography, but that's different, instead, I simply look at some of the art inside the pages. So my perspective differs a little. I also have a collecting hobby. My intention is to read books I acquire. I haven't had the situation of not wanting to read what I own, at least not yet. I always imagined people who share the book collecting hobby would have this scenario eventually, but I never met any. Thanks
Often people buy dozen books, like series or by topic, or maybe on book sales, sometimes there deals like buy 3 get 4, so people get random books. Or maybe got books as gift. Over time interests challenges so there is no need to read it all. And, people usually don't live alone, partners, children or even friends can be interested to unread book, they can borrow it or gift them. And personal library should not be static, it's like growing trees, over time it grows but there is fall where tree get off the leaf. Readed or unreaded book can be removed from personal library. It's just question is person book collector or book reader. And space is important, limited space requires to "grade" books that deserve space in shelf. E-books help with space. In digital era physical books library is more "style" of life, esthetic of personal space.
"Just as the largest library, badly arranged, is not so useful as a very moderate one that is well arranged, so the greatest amount of knowledge, if not elaborated by our own thoughts, is worth much less than a far smaller volume that has been abundantly and repeatedly thought over. For only by universally combining what we know, by comparing every truth with every other, do we fully assimilate our own knowledge and get it into our power. We can think over only what we know, and so we should learn something; but we know only what we have thought out" By Arthur Schopenhauer, In his essay On Thinking for Oneself.
Yes, I think readers should definitely write. The two seem necessary to get the fullest out of each. Good writers read, and good readers write. And if you don't write, then at least think in silence for a few hours. But I find writing is the best way to think. That said, that last sentence of his is extremely contentious.
Instead of having a goal to read all my books, my goal is to have 500 read books in my home collection. Now I don't feel guilty about unread books sitting in my collection and I don't feel guilty about unhauling unread books either if I feel like making space for new books.
If nothing else, owning hundreds or even thousands of books gives you a reason to keep going. You don't want your deathbed regret to be: "I wish I had read more."
I use to feel that way as well, but I eventually got soo overwhelmed by unread books that I could only cope by giving up my care and changing my outlook, haha.
I used to buy every book I wanted to read, but now I just borrow them from the library. I have a few exceptions and will buy books I consider essentials for a well curated personal library, but generally I prefer borrowing books now. It not only saves me space and money, but it's more practical, as most books I only read once; and with nonfiction I tend to take notes so I can always reference my notes in the future if need be.
Haha looking at the background i was thinking of Umberto Eco the whole time. Funny that you mntioned him. I think he said he values an unread book higher than a read one because it still has something to give to you or something like that.
You only have 100 unread books out of 1800? That's pretty good. I read probably about 1/3 of the books I buy, but go through cycles of selling books I read or don't want to read and buying books that I either read or don't read. I used to own a ton, but that used to give me anxiety about all the books I wasn't reading, so I try not to keep more than 50 or 60 books at a time (I don't know how many books I have rn, but I know it's less than 100 physical ones. I probably have over 200 ebooks I got off of Humble Bundles that also give me anxiety when I think about them). This has led to me regretting selling or donating books I later ended up wanting to read though, so unless you have deep seated unread book anxiety, or are constantly trying to act like you're about to move somewhere like me, I definitely would not suggest doing this. Main reasons for not reading my books: 1. I will often overbuy books on subjects I'm interested in. I bought eight books on Buddhism, but found my curiosity satisfied after 3. 2. Especially as I've been doing this for a few years, I've started being too educated to get anything out of some books that interest me. I will buy a compendium book on, say, phenomenology, but after reading 10 books on the subject, I feel like I'm wasting my time most of the time that I try to read a book on the subject. 3. Time. I can't spend all day reading, and video games can be pretty fun. Gotta weigh those opportunity costs.
I definitely have more than 100 unread. Point 1 hits home with me, lol. I bought a bunch of case law books on contract law, only to find I was satisfied after 2, lmfao. The books look nice though! Point 2 is a given for certain subjects, and phenomenology is a stale field. Everyone still talks about Husserl, Ponty, and etc. And the new stuff that is added often overlaps heavily with cognitive science research on attention, or gestalt psychology. a bit too repetitive, I agree. And for point 3, yes. Hobbies outside of reading take up free time as well. Always a balancing act.
They were custom built. I am also mixed about them, the ladder that was built for them was terrible, but I imagine there are better ladder systems out there.
I TRY to read every book I buy just because I’ve spent money on the books and don’t want to waste money. However, I am with you that book buying and collecting is fun. It is a therapeutic experience for me. I do have more peace with the reality that I won’t get to every single book due to life. It is what it is 🤷🏾♂️.
Yeah, I LOVE going to a bookstore, having my own space, and just seeing all the cool authors in the world. There is nothing like it. It is the only kind of consumerism that improves my understanding of the world, so I don't feel guilty about it.
Since I hate buying crappy books I borrow them at the library to 'test drive' them before committing to purchasing them. But Libraries can be annoying because sometimes they don't have all the books. for example the other day i found out my local library doesn't have "the evolution of desire' by d. buss..pff are you serious? that book is like the O.G of Evo psych. So yes maybe just buying books on amazon is way to go..life is too short to wait around for a book to be returned at the library.
Yes, some of the libraries I went to did not have Kant, and evo psych was scarce even in my university libraries. Libraries do have a lot of journals though, which is pretty cool.
Any Math/Science Biographies you'd recommend? I currently have Zero Biography of a Dangerous Idea, Fermat's Last Theorem, and Descartes Secret Notebook which are all pretty fascinating so far and not too complicated to comprehend. Men of Mathematics looks good as well although many reviews state that it's not completely accurate so I'm not quite sure. My main interests though are The Bible and Stoic Philosophy. Always appreciate the uploads my friend.
I own some biographies of Isaac Newton, but I don't know how math oriented they are. I want to write a book about intellectual life in a few years from now, so I am slowly collecting biographies of thinkers, but I haven't read them yet, haha. I can recommend two math books that are easy to read, they do not presume background info. 1. Numbers and Geometry 2. Why Math The first one is basically an exploration of the relationships between geometry and arithmetic, aimed at undergraduate level. The second is math used in everyday life to solve problems and create meaningful descriptions.
Everyone has different priorities. My meaning in life comes from reading and writing, I view myself as a writer more than anything else, even if it is not how I make most of my money. I cannot give an accurate answer, though. I only started counting 5 years ago. I can say with confidence, at least 300. But the number is likely higher, since I have been a serious reader since I was 15.
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Do you read every book you own?
I haven't read even 25% of the books that I own.
@@kv4665 hahah. I think I am at 32% read. I will maybe consider stopping the purchases once I hit 4k volumes owned. MAAAYYYBEE though. No promises.
@@IdeasInHat I think I will stop when I completely run out of space. Also there is a possibility that in the next few decades publishers might switch completely to digital and audio books as the younger generation is more inclined towards digital media.
Brilliant topic - I too have way more than I will ever read - two issues you maybe didn’t discuss - how do you store 2,000 plus books and also it’s great to use books for reference and having a huge library allows you to find a chapter/quote/page you read in another book - gives me great satisfaction
@@ebrahimlaher3705 I have a 17ft shelf. The one behind me is much larger than it appears. It holds about 1.5k books right now. I have a few other "themed" stacks around my the house: i.e., I have a bunch of 'history of psychology" books stacked beside my couch, as well as a bunch of books on "freedom".
I use the books for reference as well. Although I would love an AI that could just grab the reference from the book for me. Currently, the AI's just hallucinate an approximate quote.
You have put my mind at rest. I thought it was just me - I keep buying books and can't possibly get round to reading them all. Well, if I stopped buying now, it will take 3-4 years to catch up - but that is never going to happen. First time I have come across your channel so will subscribe.
@@jamesknight3238 thanks!
Yeah, I need like 5 years+ to catch my unread list. A lot of my unread books are 1k pages, lol.
I have over 1000 books (mainly fiction and many on e-readers) and I think of my collection like my own personal library. When I’ve finish a book, I can browse my collection and pick a new one out.
I think I read 75% of the books I own. I try to read everything I have, but not forcefully, and I don't rush it.
I am definitely nowhere close to 75% lol.
@@IdeasInHat and that's also ok 🥂
The difference between a good library and a great library is the good library has good books but a great library has all books.
My short answer to this question is no.
There are some specific type of books that I do not read but I look at. These are mainly art books covering the art of a specific artist eg. Michelangelo Buonarroti (also I should note, I draw). In this case I will not read the text inside, unless it's a biography, but that's different, instead, I simply look at some of the art inside the pages. So my perspective differs a little. I also have a collecting hobby. My intention is to read books I acquire. I haven't had the situation of not wanting to read what I own, at least not yet. I always imagined people who share the book collecting hobby would have this scenario eventually, but I never met any.
Thanks
Often people buy dozen books, like series or by topic, or maybe on book sales, sometimes there deals like buy 3 get 4, so people get random books. Or maybe got books as gift. Over time interests challenges so there is no need to read it all. And, people usually don't live alone, partners, children or even friends can be interested to unread book, they can borrow it or gift them.
And personal library should not be static, it's like growing trees, over time it grows but there is fall where tree get off the leaf. Readed or unreaded book can be removed from personal library. It's just question is person book collector or book reader. And space is important, limited space requires to "grade" books that deserve space in shelf. E-books help with space. In digital era physical books library is more "style" of life, esthetic of personal space.
Great comment
"Just as the largest library, badly arranged, is not so useful as a very moderate one
that is well arranged, so the greatest amount of knowledge, if not elaborated by
our own thoughts, is worth much less than a far smaller volume that has been
abundantly and repeatedly thought over. For only by universally combining what
we know, by comparing every truth with every other, do we fully assimilate our
own knowledge and get it into our power. We can think over only what we know,
and so we should learn something; but we know only what we have thought out"
By Arthur Schopenhauer,
In his essay On Thinking for Oneself.
Yes, I think readers should definitely write. The two seem necessary to get the fullest out of each. Good writers read, and good readers write.
And if you don't write, then at least think in silence for a few hours. But I find writing is the best way to think.
That said, that last sentence of his is extremely contentious.
Instead of having a goal to read all my books, my goal is to have 500 read books in my home collection. Now I don't feel guilty about unread books sitting in my collection and I don't feel guilty about unhauling unread books either if I feel like making space for new books.
If nothing else, owning hundreds or even thousands of books gives you a reason to keep going. You don't want your deathbed regret to be: "I wish I had read more."
I definitely love stumbling across a book I bought a year ago that seems super interesting. It motivates me to read, most definitely.
I like going to the bookstore as well. I only let myself have one unread book (the one I am reading). Otherwise I feel distracted and overwhelmed.
I use to feel that way as well, but I eventually got soo overwhelmed by unread books that I could only cope by giving up my care and changing my outlook, haha.
I used to buy every book I wanted to read, but now I just borrow them from the library. I have a few exceptions and will buy books I consider essentials for a well curated personal library, but generally I prefer borrowing books now. It not only saves me space and money, but it's more practical, as most books I only read once; and with nonfiction I tend to take notes so I can always reference my notes in the future if need be.
I was waiting for Umberto Eco to be mentioned, and you did in the end! You have such a wonderful collection there!
@@jerard89 Umberto's house is goallllsss. 50k books is insane. I cannot even fathom the costs since he bought academic books, lol.
@@IdeasInHat crazy personal library goalllssssss! Not only the cost is hard to fathom, the amount of books and bookshelves as well 🤯
Haha looking at the background i was thinking of Umberto Eco the whole time. Funny that you mntioned him. I think he said he values an unread book higher than a read one because it still has something to give to you or something like that.
I just think of Tai Lopez's wall of books in his garage that he hasn't read and I don't want to be like him. lol
@@perfectdarkmode lol. But the meme is that he actually doesn't read, he just brags that he does. You can be like umberto eco instead.
@@IdeasInHat Googling him now. Learned a new word today.
You only have 100 unread books out of 1800? That's pretty good. I read probably about 1/3 of the books I buy, but go through cycles of selling books I read or don't want to read and buying books that I either read or don't read. I used to own a ton, but that used to give me anxiety about all the books I wasn't reading, so I try not to keep more than 50 or 60 books at a time (I don't know how many books I have rn, but I know it's less than 100 physical ones. I probably have over 200 ebooks I got off of Humble Bundles that also give me anxiety when I think about them). This has led to me regretting selling or donating books I later ended up wanting to read though, so unless you have deep seated unread book anxiety, or are constantly trying to act like you're about to move somewhere like me, I definitely would not suggest doing this.
Main reasons for not reading my books:
1. I will often overbuy books on subjects I'm interested in. I bought eight books on Buddhism, but found my curiosity satisfied after 3.
2. Especially as I've been doing this for a few years, I've started being too educated to get anything out of some books that interest me. I will buy a compendium book on, say, phenomenology, but after reading 10 books on the subject, I feel like I'm wasting my time most of the time that I try to read a book on the subject.
3. Time. I can't spend all day reading, and video games can be pretty fun. Gotta weigh those opportunity costs.
I definitely have more than 100 unread.
Point 1 hits home with me, lol. I bought a bunch of case law books on contract law, only to find I was satisfied after 2, lmfao. The books look nice though!
Point 2 is a given for certain subjects, and phenomenology is a stale field. Everyone still talks about Husserl, Ponty, and etc. And the new stuff that is added often overlaps heavily with cognitive science research on attention, or gestalt psychology. a bit too repetitive, I agree.
And for point 3, yes. Hobbies outside of reading take up free time as well. Always a balancing act.
I like those book shelves. Got a link?
They were custom built. I am also mixed about them, the ladder that was built for them was terrible, but I imagine there are better ladder systems out there.
Umberto Eco is always right
Have you ever considered reading some fiction from time to time? I'd be curious what stories would you like! I'm intrigue by what you do!
@@Shannaya17 I am a non fiction addict. I read 3 fiction books in total in the last 2 yeara. Demons, out, and three body problem part 1. Lol.
I TRY to read every book I buy just because I’ve spent money on the books and don’t want to waste money. However, I am with you that book buying and collecting is fun. It is a therapeutic experience for me. I do have more peace with the reality that I won’t get to every single book due to life. It is what it is 🤷🏾♂️.
Yeah, I LOVE going to a bookstore, having my own space, and just seeing all the cool authors in the world. There is nothing like it.
It is the only kind of consumerism that improves my understanding of the world, so I don't feel guilty about it.
@@IdeasInHat that’s a good point! Thanks for helping me not feel guilty about my overconsumption of books…lmao!
Since I hate buying crappy books I borrow them at the library to 'test drive' them before committing to purchasing them. But Libraries can be annoying because sometimes they don't have all the books. for example the other day i found out my local library doesn't have "the evolution of desire' by d. buss..pff are you serious? that book is like the O.G of Evo psych. So yes maybe just buying books on amazon is way to go..life is too short to wait around for a book to be returned at the library.
Yes, some of the libraries I went to did not have Kant, and evo psych was scarce even in my university libraries.
Libraries do have a lot of journals though, which is pretty cool.
Test drives are the way to go. I use the kindle samples for this, and then decide if it's worth getting the paperback.
@@jen_vg I try to use those samples as well. I love samples, it was a game changer.
Any Math/Science Biographies you'd recommend? I currently have Zero Biography of a Dangerous Idea, Fermat's Last Theorem, and Descartes Secret Notebook which are all pretty fascinating so far and not too complicated to comprehend. Men of Mathematics looks good as well although many reviews state that it's not completely accurate so I'm not quite sure. My main interests though are The Bible and Stoic Philosophy. Always appreciate the uploads my friend.
I own some biographies of Isaac Newton, but I don't know how math oriented they are. I want to write a book about intellectual life in a few years from now, so I am slowly collecting biographies of thinkers, but I haven't read them yet, haha.
I can recommend two math books that are easy to read, they do not presume background info.
1. Numbers and Geometry
2. Why Math
The first one is basically an exploration of the relationships between geometry and arithmetic, aimed at undergraduate level. The second is math used in everyday life to solve problems and create meaningful descriptions.
What app do you use to track your books?
I use two. One is called "library" and another is called "storygraph". I think goodreads may also have a bar code scanner.
what percentage of all books that u own have u read so far?
My guess is ~40%. But that could be way off, as I bought a lot of books this year. I will hopefully have read them all by the time I die.
@ when did you start buying books?
@@hitsujihonyaku 17 years ago! Been a whilleeeeeee
Read all books.
Can you recommend me book about human nature???
@@Prateck Pinker's book blank slate is good.
@IdeasInHat thanks
How many books have you read 😂? Because i am still at book 5 and my intention is to reach 100 by 2030
Everyone has different priorities. My meaning in life comes from reading and writing, I view myself as a writer more than anything else, even if it is not how I make most of my money.
I cannot give an accurate answer, though. I only started counting 5 years ago. I can say with confidence, at least 300. But the number is likely higher, since I have been a serious reader since I was 15.
Yes you should...and no you shouldn't. The only things that will mind that you don't read a book are trees, and, luckily, their spirits can't scream.
If I ever reach 50k books, like umberto eco, I will just make my house a public library, lmaoooo.