The Psychology Behind Buying Books We Don't Read
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- In this video, I explore why we buy more books than we'll ever read. I talk about concepts like the anti-library, tsundoku, bibliomania, and more.
If you're a bookworm, book collector or just have some interesting book buying habits, then this one is for you!
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Hey, I’m Gina 👋 If you like video commentary on books, you're in the right place!
I post videos on the world of books and reading. Including deep dives into reading psychology, and fun facts you probably didn't know.
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//UA-camRS IN THIS VIDEO
@ReadByAndy
@PaigingThrough
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Do you buy more books than you’ll ever read? If so, are you happy with that, or do you think it needs to change?
I did a couple of years ago, but my reading taste really changed. I also got overwhelmed with all the books and I noticed I actually read books from the library sooner and with more pleasure. So I got rid of almost all my unread books. I recently bought a couple, but I already don't like them sitting there unread, so won't do that anymore (if I can avoid the temptation). I now only buy books I know I love so much that I will read them over and over again.
@@arobinreads That's a very good idea! I bet if you have a favourite author, buying the physical book is an easy choice. But if you don't know if you'll like it, it might just end up as clutter.
@@GinaLuciaReads Yeah for sure! And I don't have a lot of money or room, so it gets cluttered soon
The majority of my library is made out of books I haven't read and I love it! I'm excited at the books waiting for me :)
That's excellent news!! Which book are you most excited about right now? I can't wait to see it one day.
The day I realized I might have a problem was when I bought a copy of Ulysses and about a week later I was looking through my collection and found out I already had an unread copy of the book.
Noooooo 😅. I've done that a few times but with pre-ordered books. Bought from multiple places and they arrive at the same time 😭
I just like having books. A filled bookcase is pleasing to me on a deep-down level. Always having at least one book on hand that i havent read yet is very useful as well
I have two reasons:
1. I feel it like a food that is never going to rot. So I will taste few pages and if I don't like it, I will leave it for the future, when i maybe in the mood.
2. Earlier I was not able to buy books because i could not afford. Now I am buying as I have my own money. Which I can invest or waste. I can take risk of buying unknown books too. This makes me happy, like yes I have made it in my life.
I feel this❤
I have been on the biggest book-buying spree of my life for the past couple of months. Part of the reason is i didnt have the income to buy many of them some years ago. i feel like i'm catching up with things i had been curious about for a long time. And knowing i have something exciting and new to read every day for months ahead is quite comforting. It's also been an oportunity to sell other books i wasnt attached to anymore, reorganise my space... quite the transformative experience. Gotta take a break from buying and just keep reading for some months now!
Well that's fantastic, I'm so glad you had an opportunity to indulge!
I feel so called out 😅. But actually, I've realized that my piles of books, are something that bring me joy and that's okay.
Yes absolutely! If they work for you, then they work and that's amazing 🙌
I didn't realise that so many people have books they haven't yet read. how interesting. thanks for sharing your perspective on it!
Haha I take it you're not into one to keep or buy books you're not going to read?
@@GinaLuciaReads you could say that XD
1.) They serve a double function as knick knacks
2.) It takes 1 second to put a book on a shelf, while it could take days to actually read it
3.) Buying a new book satisfies our natural consumerism urges and desire to collect/hoard
4.) Not all books are actually worth reading
5.) They can instill a sense nostalgia and comfort in an age where many things have become digital
"They will sit there and judge me" .... I feeeeel this 😳
Haha I get enough judgement from my cats. Don't need it from my books too!
@@GinaLuciaReads Same here 😂 My cats can have those moments where they just have whole human facial expressions. Always makes me laugh but also very much feel judged hahaha
@@RosannaTxt haha yes absolutely! The other day one of them stared at me for a good 5 minutes. I was like "What?!"
I buy more books than I can read because many of the books I'm interested in might only show up once in many years on the used market here. And I do intend on reading them. I read every minute I have the chance to. But those minutes are sometimes just too difficult to come by
Oh that's so interesting and I totally get it. Especially with second hand books, you'll likely not get that opportunity again
@@GinaLuciaReads yeah and when there are too many books that'll only show up once... Hahah that's when you end up becoming an accidental collector or rare books like me
@@ahmadtajy7178 Sounds like a great collection to me!
Thank you so much for this Gina! Sometimes I buy some books that I think are interesting and never really read or just some pages, having books that you never read before will definitely make you excited when you see them! You are eager to learn about it and what's on those pages! A tsundoku for sure! ❤️
Yes. I loved creating this video because it made me realize (personally) why people do it as a positive thing. It has benefit. Which makes me happy.
@@GinaLuciaReads Absolutely true Gina! Definitely love every videos you put out! Keep sharing with us!❤️
I am so happy to learn that I am not alone!!! That this is so common that there’s actually a word for it! I don’t even know how many books I have. I have even taken pristine condition books off the shelf and donated them, just to make room for the pile of newer books I’ve acquired. Thankfully I am fast approaching retirement, and looking forward to tackling my library. The key is to reduce distractions and retrain my mind to focus. Multitasking trains your brain to constantly switch up, so that even when there’s no reason to, your brain just wants to. IMHO, it causes adult onset ADD.
To me my book collection is like a wine cellar. That way I get to choose the right book for the right time. 😊
Atomic Habits, Essentialism, Deep Work, Company of One... amazing books! I became a Kindle guy as travelling became more regular for me, but I still like the smell of a physical book when I have the chance :) Oh, yes I bought so many books that I never read... these days I add them on my "wish list" instead and buy when I think I'll actually read them :)
Yes I do exactly the same Ale. I think it helps when you can have a digital wishlist rather than a physical shelf. But that's probably because it suits us both - especially if we read more digital books.
A few years ago I digitalized most of my books. That still leaves me with a large library of unread books, but at least they don't physically overwhelm me. - Which is what those books started doing to me at some point.
These days, I try to have a reading list in Trello instead of a bookshelf. That has the same effect on me: The feeling that there are potential and new discoveries in those books without the financial and physical stress.
At times I buy books from authors I want to support, though, mostly in digital form.
Ahhhh that's a good idea. Yes I have a digital shelf of sorts in Goodreads. It also allows me to remove a book if I decide I'm not as interested as I thought I was. You want to be inspired by books, not overwhelmed that's for sure!
@@GinaLuciaReads Oh I hadn't thought of Goodreads before.
In my system, it makes more sense to keep it on a Kanban Board. Because when I actually buy the book, it becomes a project/taks on my learning board. 🤓
@@heystenner Ohhhh that's a very interesting system! I'm thinking about doing a video on different ways to track your reading so I'll have to make a note of that one - thanks!
@@GinaLuciaReads Can't take all the credit, though. The initial inspiration came from
ua-cam.com/channels/cJ4g_JbwGU5TKsDtRUqOtw.htmlfeatured
@@heystenner oooo very nice! I'll check her out.
I enjoyed the duel perspective of this video. It turns out I am someone who gets overwhelmed by unread books and while looking for advice online I would get so confused by the advice from people who love lots of unread books around. I'm defo a tsundoku person as opposed to suffering from bibliomania. I guess I'll have to focus more on intentionally reading what I have instead of accidentally letting them pile up. Great video!
I'm absolutely the same. I can fall into the habit of buying new books and having unread books around the house (and on Kindle!). But when I get to a certain number, I start to get overwhelmed by it all. It's definitely a balance 😆
I am one of those who has a large owned physical and digital TBR and at times it is overwhelming but most of the time, it's thrilling to know that I have a large variety to choose from and having my own personal Library. Most of the books that I've bought have been ones that I'm excited to get to at some point and others I was excited for an hope to be in the future. My physical Library is a bit of a mess and most of it's still in boxes but am enjoying the process of slowly getting organized and once I have a few more shelves, should be able to have them all displayed. I am happy that I haven't been buying as many physical books but will see how that goes!
Mine is growing by the day if I'm honest. I bet it will be really satisfying for you to display them all and even more satisfying to start reading your way though. I always feel so good about myself when I read a book I've had on my shelf for a long time 😆
@@GinaLuciaReads Sorry for the super delayed response, somehow I forgot to reply even though I meant to so here I am! Mine seems to grow daily as well especially digitally. Yes I think it will be satisfying to eventually display them and try to balance out my owned read books to buying books ratio. I also feel good when I've read a book that I've had on my shelves for a while!
Ahahah wow that's such a cool video! So true! Love all of the words, facts and things you share! It's fascinating! I personally get a LOT of unread books but ONLY on Kindle, I cannot own a paperback and not have read it (if I am the one who bought it)! LOVE the "innocent" japanese term for getting a bok we don't read! heheh EXCELLENT VIDEO!
Oooo yes, do you organize your books on Kindle? I don't own one but I've always wondered how you can section all your books and organize them neatly. Because I could see myself getting overwhelmed.
Also, did you spot your books on my self?
@@GinaLuciaReads OMG YESSSS!!!!! I see Manifesting on your shelf hehehehe! awwwww! awesome!!!! And yesss I organise books on Kindle into categories, Fantasy, Thrillers, Self-development etc, but also have a big TO READ category lol full of 178 books that I need to read! hehehe Usually I get them because they're on special Kindle "deals" (a lot of the time, book number 1 of a series will be free, which is great to check if we enjoy the series or not!) and they look very interesting! (however as soon as I get one I always go right to the end, to ensure Kindle "thinks" I've read them so that the authors get royalties on all pages read - otherwise they don't get paud as long as we haven't read their books and that can take months - and then I read them whenever I want! I usually read more than one book at once, about 3 each one being a different genre (so I have a different book for different moods ahah). But with Kindle you really don't feel overwhelmed, it just takes a little while to get everything into the library you want, then you organise each book as you buy them which makes things super easy! However at home I have a library full of books I've read. Actually one might wonder, why do we keep books that we have read already, right? hehehe that's the power of books! even if we may never read them again, we keep those whose stories have touched us the most (I do anyway) just like we keep old photographs!
@@mahinaquantummanifestation2938 Yes! By the end of the video I did think - why am I keeping books I've already read? It would actually make more sense to keep books I've not read yet.
Oh and you'll be pleased to know, my next video is all about reading more than one book at once!
@@GinaLuciaReads ahahah yes!!! right? but then again, can't get rid of books we have read but love!!! OOOOOOHHHH then Yesss I sure can't wait for your next video!!!!! wohooo! I love your channel so much!
@@mahinaquantummanifestation2938 Awwww you're so sweet!!
Can't say I have this problem these days with digital books, but definitely had the question in the past.
Ahhh yes that's true. Although I do find my digital books getting a little messy as time goes on. Mostly because I still read them on my phone.
I’m not so much like to read a book. My books collection I have just a little bit. Thank you for sharing your content. I like it
Aw thank you so much!
“Have you read all those books? And I say no… who wants a library of books they’ve already read?” - The Twilight Zone
I always have intention to read a book and then read maybe a couple of pages before I neglect it. Now I can call it tsundoku and that is okay :D
Hahaha yes I guess you can 😆
You are out book browsing and you see a book on a topic you really wants to know about, so you buy it. Because book browsing is such an entertaining and enjoyable thing to do you continue adding books. How many you can read depends on what's going on in your life.
I buy books I haven’t read yet because the way the world is looking, they may ban them in the future
Tami, a configuração do min 15 está fenomenal, o cenário ficou lindo!! Nao sei se é q plantinha ao fundo ou o ângulo das estantes ou o conjunto todo, mas amei o ângulo da câmera naquele canário. Kvote é tão fofoooo! Foi tão bizarro ver o início de tudo o q acc, acontecendo, agora que já sabemos como ficaria toda a dimensão da tragédia. É arrasador ver as imagens, e mais ainda a resposta de quem teria o poder e a responsabilidade de ajudar agindo como agiu, enquanto isso, os verdadeiros heróis são pessoas comuns, doando e mostrando o extrato do valor sendo aplicado diretamente para as pessoas afetadas, caminhões de ajuda sendo destinados, gente comum entrando na água para salvar gente. Eu nunca tive tanto orgulho da população e ao mesmo tempo vergonha da nossa gerência. A frase que me pega é a que a Lara falou qnd o rolê cm o ex marido dela acc. Não lembro exatamente as palavras mas era mais ou menos assim: “As pessoas dizem que isso nos deixa mais fortes. Mas se essa era a dor, então eu não queria ser mais forte. Eu estava muito bem, obrigada, sem ficar mais forte. Preferia não ter passado e continuado como estava.” É claro que a dor não é comparável, muito menos as consequências, mas sinto que a sensação é a msm. Espero que você fique bem, Tami. Te acompanhando a anos e espero que as coisas voltem a ficar ok em breve, para que você possa se reestruturar.
I used to buy loads of books, but when I had a big pile of unread books, it kind of paralyzed me. So, I started over. If I find an interesting book, it goes on my wishlist. Periodically I order 4 or 5 books, and when I have 1 left in je pile, I order a new stack. Done this for the last 4 months, and from the 16 books I ordered, I have just 1 that's not yet finished (which is weird, I like the topic, but just don't seem to get any further)
Ahhh now that sounds like a very orderly strategy - I love it! I think I have my 'pile of books' on my digital wishlist. Much easier that way that's for sure.
@@GinaLuciaReads you seem to have a bit of the same taste for books as I do.. Where do you get your inspiration?
@@wouterhijlkema7458 I usually just browse Goodreads and every now and then an excellent book pops up. But honestly, my non-fiction faves have mostly come from bloggers or UA-camrs mentioning them. How about you?
@@GinaLuciaReads haven't heard of good reads, I'll go check that out. I get my tips from several sources:recommendations from friends, you tubers, bloggers, sometimes an author refers to books in their books that grab my interest, sometimes I check the 'others were interested in' for books that I enjoyed, and sometimes I just go browsing for a particular subject. Whats the best book you read in the last 3 months?
@@wouterhijlkema7458 hmmmm I've been mostly into fiction books for the past few months. I really loved American Gods and The Song of Achilles. I'm a fan of mythology books, especially Greek ones. How about you?
And here I am wanting to have my own library. I think am more of a collector. The new worlds to explore excites me, the fact that I can get books now that couldn't before excites me even more, being able to share that with others in the future - courtesy of my future library - thrills me, so yeah, am off to a good start. There's so much out there in the world of books 😊
Thanks for your video! I went through a long reading slump during the pandemics (as a rule, I read during my commuting time on public transport means). At the end of the pandemics, I realised I had too many unread books on my shelves. So I did a list of all my books (more than 300). I selected the books I would never read, books I had bought on an impulse, or found at bookcrossing points, books read that I would never read again, etc. and gave them away (there were 50 of them or so).
Then I compiled an Excel file with all the titles and found out I had about 200 unread books.
I started reading during my holidays, I did a reading journal and reading tracker. I have cut the time scrolling my iPhone for no reason, the time spent on forums, and so on.
So far I have read more than 1.000 pages since August, I am very happy with my self.
I have reduced the number of books I buy to one per month.
Oh wow that's so impressive and organised. I'm so glad you've found a positive way forward. Sounds like you've developed some really good reading habits.
@@GinaLuciaReads Thanks! OT I’m Italian, I live in Milan but my parents are from Sicily. Your name sounds Italian, am I right?
@@mariateresacostanzo-byrne3816 it's an Italian name yes but I'm not Italian sadly. It's actually my middle name!
I don’t keep buying books I don’t read but I have a fairly large collection of classics and history books that I consider my library. I love it. I’ve read some and plan to read many more over my lifetime. I love that they are always available to reach for, read, look stuff up. My husband has read most of them. I don’t buy ahead on popular fiction or popular nonfiction, and generally don’t keep those after I’ve read them, unless I think I will reread them. But a library of classics is a joy in my home. I don’t really understand keeping books you’ve already read, unless you plan to reread them.
That sounds lovely! Personally, I keep books I've read that are 4 and 5 stars and pass on the rest. Mostly because I might re-read them (as you say), or give them to a friend.
The majority of my library is filled with rule books for table top role playing games, none of which I have read, but all of which I have used in some way. There is another shelf that is just for trade paper back comics in which the majority are unread despite not having added to that collection in near eight years now. Finally, we have the small but every growing selection of fantasy (low to high magic) novels that I have read about 10% of...
I might have a problem.
I don't have books that I need finish reading. But I audiobooks and podcast to finish listening. 😅
Haha oh wow, why do you think that is? I've always been really curious about audio books because I don't listen to them.
I can't get rid of my books because I feel like they will be useful one day, like if there is an apocalypse.. I have a lot of survival books, plus I believe I have skimmed every book in my library. I also bought a lot from charity store for a few bucks each.
Please get rid of the background noise. Very annoying
The music is to get you stop buying books or video downloads always choice poor use of music,it volume and need too!
Honestly I feel like it can be like collecting figurines or cards. People collect toys and cards and never open them or play with them and theirs no judgement with that. So I see the same for books in a way. And of course you can read the books whenever you feel ready.
Oh yes I totally agree with that. I've bought special editions I don't plan on reading at all.
The reason is to increase the source of knowledge that we still have to know... Knowing that there are wonderful books on that shelf waiting for their day... Just as there are monuments waiting for your visit one day... Venice was always there.... Waiting for me one day... Well, finally in 2022 I fulfilled my dream and went to see her..... In the same way, those books await their day...... Like Venice.........😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
Ohhhhh that's such a lovely way to put it!
I buy books every week. Like 5. I have 165 books and have read 36 of them. I love not know what I’m going to read next. I never buy a book I do not intend to read.
When I worked as nigthtime security guard I had time to read all nigth. Now I work daytime and the pile just grows.
I found that with me not commuting to work. You kinda have to find a new routine which isn't easy
I do buy lots of books. Its fun. I call it "booking". The days I go to used book stores and look. I buy by author or genre or time period. Usually Regency or Victorian. Or just historical romance. I have been on a jag reading the books I have. I still buy some by the author I want to read.
Anyone else coming from Sabrina's video on the same subject that released 2 years after this one?
She is great at making book related videos
omg I feel called out haha
Haha I thought that might happen 😆
To be honest, I understand both sides. Collecting books to add to your bookshelf is nice, because it's like having your own library. But if its likes most UA-camrs who do it mainly for views, I can understand why it can annoy some people. And there's the other side, who have shelves full of books they've already read.
But for me personally, I'm kind of in the middle. Although there are a lot of books I am reading, there are still a few I haven't read yet, or haven't finished.
Yep I think I'm the same. I do like collecting editions of books I love, and I do have unread books, but not too many. Right now it feels balanced!
@@GinaLuciaReads I got a lot of books for my birthday, (Mostly Alice Oseman.) But I'm trying my best to not make the pile any bigger.
I have a whole list of regrets now when it comes to books that i put off acquiring ....(eg- I will probably never be able to read "Bottom's Dream" by Arno Schmidt now).
You can never get enough.
Cal Newport is one of the most insightful Authors and Thinkers of the 21st century! Even if I had his collection alone, I'd be stoked :)
If you don’t buy a book when it comes out, it will be out of print eventually and be overpriced. You can wait years to read a book after you purchase it or never read it. At least you didn’t over pay for that book.
Im my case, i wouldn't buy books that i don't think i'd like.. But i like a lot of them.. :)) I buy for friends, colleagues, neighbours and even for strangers.. I'm a never ending source of books... 😬
Embrace the Tsundoku Otaku in yourself 😘❣
I consider myself more of a collector than a reader. I don't have to read the books I buy. Well, that goes for used books anyway. When I want to read a book I have lots to choose from. When I have too many books in boxes I buy a new bookcase. When I'm out of room to place bookcases I will unhaul some of them before or after buying new ones.
I love this. Books are way too beautiful to not have around anyway. I enjoy glancing at mine every now and then. They bring me comfort.
Excuse me, I don’t want to sound judgemental, you buy books you know you WON’T read? Do you buy them as a financial investment? Will you sell them later?
I have only 300 books but I already feel overwhelmed. I try to get rid of them as soon as possible, after I read them. I keep only classics.
@@mariateresacostanzo-byrne3816 I don't buy books as an investment. I just want to have a lot to choose from when I do want to read something specific. I heard someone say that when you have over 1000 books you can call it a library. Isn't it the point of a library that most of the books are the ones you haven't read yet? I love the idea that I have lots of unread books available at any moment to read from. I have probably more books than I can read in a lifetime and I like it that way. It's not that I have special collector editions or rare books. I'm doing nobody harm by my collecting books.
That's the way I look at it anyway. 🙂🙂
i gotta force myself to read
I personally think that reading ebook> collection of physical books
Well that's great. I love that everyone has preferences and still loves to read.
I have over 1000. My reason is as a resource for those who share my interests. Unfortunately i'm also hikkikomori so that never actually happens. :/
Hello interesting content s nice godbless new friend here
Thank you!
Super From Russia 👍👍🤗🤗
Thank you!
I feel safe around books. Or i did until i watched "You"...
I think everyone who clicked on this video has a ton of unread books at home. I know I do!
And then there’s me, who thought this book looked cool and never starts it because of ADHD and zero freetime
Your producing quality doesn't match your subs counter. Keep doing what you are doing and you will definitely grow a lot
Aw thank you so much! That's a very nice thing to say.
AdHD is a reason. I have so many interests and I buy resource books on my interests. Yes, the unread books judge me. I am overwhelmed by which to start reading. What is more important? What if I am reading about Chakra healing when I need to know about astrology first? What if I need to know more about my witchcraft practice but I'm in the middle of reading about manifestation? I don't know where to start at this point? There is so much knowledge I need. 40% of my library is unread. I'm trying to read 1 a week right now.
Its like anything... People buy tools and never use them. DVDs and never watch them, I could go on......