What is it Called when you Buy Books but Don’t Read Them?
As book lovers, we’ve all been there – standing in the checkout line at the bookstore or browsing the online shelves, excited to discover new titles and authors, only to arrive home and leave the books collect dust on our shelves. But do we ever stop to think about why we’re buying so many books without finishing them? And is it even important? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of bibliophiles and explore the concept of Tsundoku, the Japanese practice of accumulating books without reading them.
Defining Tsundoku
The word "Tsundoku" has its roots in the Japanese language and translates to "to pile up un-read books". In Japan, there’s a strong culture of book-loving, and Tsundoku has become a common phenomenon, especially among academics and intellectuals. In fact, Japan is home to some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious bookstores, libraries, and publishing houses.
- Tsundoku vs Bibliophilia: While both are forms of book-love, they have distinct differences. Bibliophilia refers to a love and admiration for books as objects or as a reflection of one’s literary taste. Tsundoku, on the other hand, specifically focuses on collecting and accumulating books without necessarily reading or consuming them.
Reasons why we buy books but don’t read them
So, why do people buy books but don’t read them? Some reasons might include:
• Overwhelmed by choice: With the vast array of titles and genres out there, it can be daunting to pick a book that we’ll really enjoy. We might end up collecting books that catch our attention for various reasons, without actually knowing if we’ll ever get to reading them.
• Fear of rejection: We might be hesitant to share our reading experiences with others due to fear of criticism or rejection of a particular book. In this case, buying books becomes a way to show we’re interested in literature, without fully committing to the experience.
• For prestige or appearance: Purchasing books as a status symbol or to impress others is not an uncommon practice. We might accumulate books simply to brag about our literary collection or to show that we’re cultured.
• Savings for a rainy day: Buying books during sales, using coupons, or taking advantage of deals can become an excuse for collecting books, even when we know we won’t have time to read them immediately.
Impact of Tsundoku
While owning books is not inherently bad, accumulated unread books can lead to:
- Lost opportunities: Unfinished books and unread materials can lead to lost opportunities for learning, personal growth, and exploring new perspectives.
- Reduced reading habit: The temptation to read can decrease when one is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of unread material, leading to a decline in their reading habit.
- Cognitive biases: Accumulating books might create cognitive biases, like confirmation bias or confirmation of past tastes, leading us to stick with familiar genres and authors rather than branching out to new ones.
- Environmental and economic impact: Large book collections, no matter how well-loved or rare, can have a significant impact on our environment and economy, from increased packaging waste to the carbon footprint of shipping and storage.
Conclusion
The culture of Tsundoku, though fascinating and common, holds importance in considering our relationship with reading and our book collections. By examining the reasons behind our actions, recognizing the potential consequences, and making changes to our habits, we can cultivate a deeper and more meaningful connection with our books and learning experiences.
So, What Can You Do?
• Start small: Purge unwanted or unread books from your shelves, making space for the ones that resonate with you.
• Prioritize: Set goals for your reading schedule, allowing you to prioritize and read more intentionally.
• Explore digitization: Consider switching to audiobooks, e-books, or access libraries to declutter and ease access to materials.
• Adopt the 1:1 policy: Acquire only one book and commit to finishing it before bringing another home.
Embracing responsible book ownership and cultivating a thoughtful approach to learning will not only make us happier, more focused readers, but also promote a more sustainable relationship with the physical and digital resources we covet.