Tsundoku: Do You Love Buying Books But Never Read Them?
Do you enjoy buying books and letting them sit on your shelf, even though you hardly ever read the old ones? This is a common phenomenon known as 'Tsundoku,' and many people find it hard to understand why they do it. Let's explore the deeper reasons behind this behavior.
Every time the National Book Week rolls around, we often hear people complaining about going broke, lamenting to themselves, friends, or on social media about how they bought yet another stack of books while still not having read the old ones. If you find yourself in this situation, let's take a look at the explanation of this book hoarding behavior from Dr. Maew. Did you know that this phenomenon even has a name? I assure you that by the end of this, you'll understand yourself a bit better.
There is a term for this...
Tsundoku... is a Japanese term that refers to the act of acquiring books or documents and leaving them unread. (It comes from the words for reading + collecting for later use.) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsundoku
This term is the most straightforward description of this behavior, equivalent to the Thai phrase "dormant books."
In English, there isn't a specific term for this... the closest phrase is Book Buying Addiction, which emphasizes the act of purchasing... but those who relate to this issue often complain about buying books they never read.
Although English speakers lack a specific term for buying books to let them sit, this issue is very real. A quick search online reveals that many people struggle with this.
Why do some people love buying books but never read them or fail to finish them?
1. We fear we won't find this book again (by nature).
Often, we come across a book we are interested in and hesitate to buy it... only to find it unavailable when we go back. Humans are pack rats by nature, preparing for the future. The feeling of having found something and not keeping it, only to need it later, can be very distressing. This drives some to buy immediately upon seeing a book they like.
2. We fear we won't find this book again (because the publisher won't print more).
Among certain types of readers, it's well-known that some books, once printed, may never be reprinted... and they might never be found again, as they are niche enough that even major bookstores won't carry them. Thus, these readers stockpile such books.
3. We seek happiness from buying.
People feel joy when they choose and spend money because it gives them a sense of power and control over their lives. Some feel good seeing the books they have purchased (similar to those who enjoy collecting clothes or accessories).
4. We find joy in imagining what we will gain from reading the books.
Some people want to improve themselves, so they buy self-help books, thinking that reading them will lead to a better life. Others see their idols reading books and want to be like them, so they collect books to read when they have time, hoping to become skilled as well.
The difference lies in whether we "enjoy imagining the benefits of the book" more than "intending to gain benefits from the book." If we find joy in the former, our desire to read diminishes because we've already derived happiness from the purchase.
5. The desire to buy has passed.
The person we were when we bought the book is different from who we are now. Some topics were rare in the past, making us eager to read them... but as time passes, many others write about them, reducing our desire to read. For some novels, spoilers from friends can diminish our interest.
6. We lack time but hope to read.
Simply put, we prioritize other things over reading, hoping to find time later. However, as long as we see other things as more important, we won't allocate time for reading, leading to a lack of reading altogether.
7. We want others to see us as book lovers.
Buying books to take photos of their covers or using them as home decor (this point doesn't really count, as it indicates we never intended to read them in the first place).
The effects of "dormant books" on us, while not overly severe, can still be detrimental. For example:
1. It makes us feel bad about ourselves.
Buying books makes us feel like we've made a promise to ourselves to read them. When we don't, it feels like we're lying to ourselves, breaking that promise... some may feel inferior, embarrassed, dissatisfied, or lose respect for themselves.
2. It affects our relationships.
Having books piled up at home takes up space from others, and if someone criticizes us for "buying but not reading," it can reopen wounds from point 1.
So what can we do about it...?
Solutions
1. Before every purchase, identify the reason for buying... and set rules.
- If you buy for the value of reading, set a specific time and method for reading it.
- If you intend to buy for the joy of purchasing but realize you don't want to read it, hold off a bit before buying.
- If you plan to buy to post on social media... just go to the bookstore and take a picture of the cover.
2. Rent books.
Many people read a book once and never return to it. Renting or borrowing sets a time limit, costs less, and ultimately saves storage space.
3. Find time to force yourself to read each day, not exceeding the set time.
Set aside 15 minutes to do nothing but read. Most people who claim they have no time actually do, but they don't prioritize reading enough... or some may genuinely lack time because they prioritize scrolling through social media, reading news, gossiping about celebrities, watching sports, movies, dramas, or game shows over reading.
It's important to understand that this isn't about being unable to do these things, but rather about prioritizing what matters to you... recognizing what you see as more important (many people prioritize watching dramas and game shows over reading because, for them, watching dramas has a greater impact on their income than reading does).
For those who believe reading is important, set aside 15 minutes and read every day for a month without exceeding that time... don't skip reading just because you read the day before.
Make it a habit for a month, then decide for yourself whether to continue reading or not.
4. Read with purpose.
Highlight, take notes, and summarize. We can't remember everything... we need to jot things down and record them for easy reference later. Taking notes will make us feel like we've gained something from our reading, preventing it from feeling wasted, and allowing us to revisit it.
5. Buy eBooks, shop online, or buy second-hand.
Doing this will help reduce the impulse to buy out of fear of not being able to find the book again.
Browsing online will help us see that, in reality, books may not be as hard to find as we fear.
Is this abnormal or a mental disorder?
When discussing this, people often reference Bibliomania, a mental disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to acquire books. Those affected feel distressed if they can't obtain books, often buying or stealing them, even if it leads to financial problems or conflicts with family due to lack of space. If it reaches this level, treatment is necessary. Using the term Bibliomania to describe "dormant books" is misleading, leading readers to worry about being mentally ill or fearing that someone close to them might be without realizing it.
Bibliomania involves compulsive behavior that causes problems, unlike simply hoarding books, which is mostly just a love for books (Bibliophile) without the time or intention to read them.
If you're not stealing from anyone, not buying to the point of financial distress, and not hoarding to the extent of attracting pests, there's no need to worry. Just take your time finding moments to read.
Thanks for the information from Dr. Maew's Fun Knowledge Facebook mormaew.blogspot
