Tsundoku: The Art of Accumulating Unread Books
Tsundoku, a Japanese term that translates to “acquiring reading materials but letting them accumulate unread in one’s home,” perfectly describes my book-collecting habits. For as long as I can remember, I have been guilty of engaging in this hobby turned problem turned mania without even knowing it had a name.
It all began during my University days, a good 20 years ago, when I stumbled upon a treasure trove of captivating PDF books accessible through the Campus Ethernet (WiFi was still a futuristic concept then). I dedicated my afternoons to downloading every book that caught my interest onto my trusty iBook.
At the time, it made perfect sense to me. Books, regardless of their immediate use, held the potential to become valuable resources in the future. Plus, my student budget didn’t accommodate the luxury of buying books on a whim. Little did I know that this seemingly innocent habit would shape my book-collecting tendencies for years to come.
Today, while I still appreciate the convenience of ebooks and their ability to be instantly downloaded onto my Kindle or Apple Books, I find immense joy in physically collecting books. There’s something special about holding a book in your hands, feeling the texture of its pages, and seeing it displayed proudly on a bookshelf. My library may not boast an overwhelming number of books, but it is filled with personal productivity and nonfiction titles that hold a special place in my heart.
Over time, I learned that technical books tend to become outdated quickly, often brimming with information that bears no relevance to future endeavors. For such books, the digital format remains the best option. However, when it comes to timeless pieces or those likely to stand the test of time, they earn a spot on my bookshelf.
Admittedly, I am not the type of reader who finishes books from start to finish. In fact, I estimate that I only manage to complete about 20% of the books I am currently gazing at. Nevertheless, I cannot resist the allure of new books. They hold the promise of knowledge and wisdom waiting to be unearthed. If I don’t purchase them from the library or Amazon, there’s a chance I may forget about them entirely. Some books linger on my wish list for months or even years before I ultimately decide to make them mine. Others are impulsive purchases, enticing me the moment I lay eyes on them.
In the words of Arthur Schopenhauer, “Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to read them.” These words ring true for any book lover burdened by a never-ending reading list. In those moments of uncertainty, when I am unsure of what to do, I find solace in picking up a book and immersing myself in a couple of pages. Fortunately, as a reader of nonfiction, I can dive into any section of a book and still extract valuable insights.
There is a certain peace in accepting that I may never read some of the books in my possession. It serves as a reminder of the vast knowledge waiting to be explored. There’s even one book that receives glowing recommendations from everyone, yet I haven’t managed to reach page 10. But someday, I will get to it too.
Tags: Tsundoku, Book collecting, Reading habits, Nonfiction books, Library