I've simultaneously come to two realizations: 1- I will never be able to read enough books in this lifetime & 2- My time on this earth is extremely finite.
I feel like I'm very haphazardly choosing books to read. I grew up reading nothing but fantasy and horror, but recently pivoted to non-fiction and classics.
When I want to read a new book, I stumble around Goodreads and just randomly add whatever to my list.
Do you personally have an "essential" list of books you're determined to read before you die, or do you just grab whatever looks interesting in that moment?
by TenPhoar13
13 Comments
Well chose your books wisely. Set an elitist criteria. Fiction for me is either noble prize winners or classics.
Non fiction depends on what I am interested in
Whatever I want to read the most I have an on going list that Im reading in order currently.
Currently reading Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Doyle
Then my TBR list of to read next as follows:
The Shinning by Stephen King
The Redemption of Time by Bashou
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
The Book That Wouldnt Burn by Mark Lawerence
The Institute by Stephen King
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
Liseys Story by Stephen King (not super excited about this one, but im going to give it a shot because its a stand alone and Stephen Kings books so far have been worth the read every time)
Dune by Frank Herbert
I have more physical books, which is how I prefer to read, but Ive ordered The Dark Tower Series so thatll be on my list soon and want to read a couple more classics that once Ive bought and recieved them ill add them to my list.
First- It’s not a competition and you’re not missing anything. No one but you cares if you read XXXX or not.
I have bought a bunch of books that I think I want to read basedoffmy interest, both fiction and nonfiction. When I finish a book, I look at them and see which one “speaks” to me. Sometimes I start a book and realize I Don’t feel like reading it just yet and it goes back on the shelf. I have SHELVES of books and Sometimes I go to the library and get one.
Sorry I don’t have a better answer for you. Sometimes I read philosophy, sometimes I read Lemony Snicket, sometimes it’s a classic and sometimes it’s pulp horror. Just read what you feel like reading and don’t put pressure on yourself or it becomes a chore and you won’t want to do it.
If you need ideas, look at all the lists online of “100 books to read if you’re a man” and “100 books to read before you die” etc.
Life is short. Eat a cookie, have a cup of tea and read something you enjoy.
A book shelf is like a good wine rack.
Something for every occasion, never to be consumed all at once.
Choose your fighter.
Books are something for you to enjoy. If you’re getting stressed out trying to pick the next one then perhaps you need to find an alternative way of choosing books. The problem with infinite choices means that it’s much more difficult to make a choice and you’re left feeling with regret, choice overload I believe it’s called. From that perspective maybe write a list of 10 you really want to read and don’t think about other choices until the 10 are read?
Vibes. Literally, whatever feels right. Life’s too short to spend my spare time on things that don’t make me happy.
Enjoy the one you’re reading now and concern yourself with whats next when you are finished.
There’s no point in reading any if you are too concerned with what’s coming next to enjoy it
I read the first couple of pages of different books I’m interested in if I don’t know what to read. Which ever draws my interest is what I pick up.
I don’t care about time being finite. My only rule is life’s too short to read bad books or books I don’t like. I don’t NEED to FINISH a book. Not since university.
It’s very surprising that most people seem to choose whimsically.
I have my TBR on the top of my book shelves, categorized coarsely. So right now my 3 fiction stacks are literary fiction, easy fiction, historical fiction. When I choose the next fiction read (after *Lincoln in the Bardo*), the work should answer a question I have. If it doesn’t contain an answer, I put it off.
I don’t know when I’ll die so choosing books with an arbitrary death date in mind is pretty pointless.
At one point in my life I thought I “had” to read more of certain books and less of others to be a “serious” reader and an adult and all that … then I realized that I was just making a beloved hobby feel like yet another assignment for university. In other words, I turned a hobby into work. So I stopped and returned to my old way. Much more fun.
I have a big virtual TBR, which I edit semi-regularly, and the books I end up buying or checking out are usually books that have been on that TBR for a while and I’m still interested in them. What I read / listen to in digital depends on what’s available when I want to start a new book and my physical TBR is sorted mostly by season. Some books are summer books, some books are winter books, some books are spooky season books …
By reading whatever I feel like reading. There are also movies to watch, music to listen to, games to play, places to go, food to eat, things to learn, people to meet, and on and on and on.
You don’t have time for everything, or even a fraction of it, so why waste time in your hobbies doing what you think you *should* do rather than what you actually want to?