How To Stop Buying Books And Start Reading - Overcoming Tsundoku 

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Finally someone on RU-vid who focuses on the pleasure of the reading experience, rather than how many books they can get through. 📚😊

I surprisingly have the exact opposite reaction when I enter a bookstore. My main goal is to buy a book or two that I have been meaning to purchase for some time. I go in, I browse, get overwhelmed by the all the options, and eventually get discouraged, and leave the store empty handed. So not only do I get discouraged from buying the book that I wanted to, I actually end up making up a justification or reason as to why I should maybe hold off on purchasing books for a while...AGAIN!! Not sure if I am the only one that goes through this!! 🙃

To the “artificial reading goals” point. I had to understand I didn’t have to “read the classics” to feel better about the book im reading

For tips for people with adhd, or those who find routine hard - the best thing i’ve found is to only buy one book and read it straight away (while its new). I find it way easier to pick up and start reading when its a new object. So buy read buy read sort of routine. That’s what works for me, however when u have a huge pile to books to read its hard to get to that point :’D

I just watched an amazing documentary here on RU-vid about this and I really wanted to share it here, it’s called “Bookstores: how to read more books in the golden age of content”. Really a masterpiece, it features some of the worlds most beautiful bookstores and a lot of experts on the field. The final message I got was to “read widely” instead of following a list of “books that you must read” and also, surprisingly, to read s l o w l y… let the book get you to a state of reflection “because is hard to read without reflecting”. So in a sense reading is like meditating, and also of course like time traveling ;) Thank you very much for taking the time to do this video and good luck with your studies!

For me personally, Goodreads actually helps me with reading! I love the idea of tracking my reading activities, not for the sake of being extra productive and reading as much as possible, but for me it‘s just fun :D

On tracking your reading: you don’t have to have a reading goal and then read to reach that, rather than get pleasure from reading. But I think, at least for me and especially in second hand bookstores or getting ebooks, the impulse to buy comes from the anxiety that I’m going to forget this book and never have a chance to read it. It is a consumerist anxiety of an acquisitive way of thinking, and the best way I have used to alleviate it without spending money, is adding the books I find on to the to-read pile of StoryGraph. It’s really helped, but I didn’t see reading as something I ought to do anyway, I always do it for the fun of it

SIR, I did not need to be called out like this so early in the morning. 😂 But excellent points and tips! I will say doing most of my reading on e-reading devices has somewhat helped curb my tsundoku urges. In a bookstore, there is something about holding the book in hand that creates an attachment and a compelling feeling to take it home with me. “It’s here, right now, and what if (irrationally, improbably) it’s not here next time I come back?” Whereas e-books tend to feel more like “Meh, it’ll be there when I’m ready for it.” But that’s just my experience!

I’m a big proponent of tracking books, I write down all the books I’ve read in a dedicated journal. My goal for the journal is not to relish in how fast I can fill it up with titles but as a document that I can pass down to my grandkids. I got my love of reading from my late grandma and I’ve read some of her own journals, sometimes she mentions books she’s read and it makes me wish I had a whole list of all the books she read in her lifetime so that I can enjoy those too now that she’s gone. So I’m making that in the hope I’ll have my own grandkids and that they’ll appreciate it and take some bookish inspiration from it

This is amazing life advice in general. "you need to resist the thrill of chasing highs because reading itself, it takes time" like any good things in life. Thanks for this video.

Hi Robin! From age 15 on, I have been an unrepentant bibliophile. I love everything about books and own MANY. When I was a younger man, I found it much easier to read and my completion pace was rather impressive if I say so myself. Later, I started to struggle because I was often drawn away by digital content. The way I am battling this, with reasonable success, is setting aside time, each day, for digital free periods for reading, meditation, and walking. I find when I make a DELIBERATE effort I am able to enjoy my reading and progress to completion. I appreciate your insightful content very much. Thanks!

Usually tracking what I've read doesn't take me more than 2 minutes a day. Opposed to the couple of hours I spend reading said day. I think the pressure we put on ourselves is what pushes us away from the actual reading experience. In my mind, it's fine not getting to read everything I set out to read that year. No pressure.

To curb my desire for book buying I always look on my local Public Library website to see if I can just borrow the book for free. Sometimes it will remain on my table untouched, but at least I haven't payed any money for it. Another way the library has been helping me is being part of a monthly book club. Having a regularly scheduled social obligation is often enough of a kick on the butt I need to actually read at least one book a month.

Another helpful point to overcoming Tsundoku is to utilize your libraries. Libraries now also provide audiobooks and ebooks, as well as good ol' fashioned physical books. If you truly loved the book after reading it from your library it's a nice treat to wander to the bookstore and purchase the book for your personal collection. And as a person who likes to track what I read (and look back on my reading journey) a less aggressive approach could be to set a low reading goal (on Goodreads), and then as the year progresses you can set it higher. It's still giving you the option of having reading goals, but takes the pressure away.

Thank you! I’m just breaking out of this struggle. I’ve committed to not buy any new books, in an effort to minimize & reduce spending. I have done quite well with that! However, I’ve returned to being a library worm, & often borrow books & return them unread. I’ve considered it a slump, but honestly, it’s the magnetic pull of social media.

Best reading advice, I just deleted my tracking app and realized that much of my reading was for the goal. Doing this small task has allowed me to not worry about reading for the sake of reading but reading to understand the text. Also, it helps get rid of the stigma of not finishing a book. With hundreds of books in my library, this is helpful.

I do think some "artificial" goals can be helpful. I find setting a goal of x number of books I want to read in a year is helpful in that if I get out of the habit of reading consistently, it gives me a little extra motivation to start again. At that point I usually remember that I love reading and am able to get back into the habit. I think any kind of goal can be useful depending on how it's used.

Another great tip for reading the books gathering dust on your shelf is actually taking them OFF your shelf and placing them near you. Keep them close so you can reach them and start reading. Thanks for your video. Agree with you.

I just got back from a book fair an hour ago, entered RU-vid, and saw one notification. Here I am. No more words

100% agree with the take on GoodReads, personally love the concept but it just takes too much time to log everything and even then it just in turn makes me more focused on finishing more books rather than actually reading said books and taking my time with them

Tsundoku😱: in addition to merely buying the cover art, we are are also almost always susceptible victims to the more subtle: buying the blurbs and fan rants of the book. Which is at best are only hints but are not yet the actual read. Thanx Robin Waldun. This is 💯👌🏾 valuetainment Barakha 🙌🏾 Shalom 🌾🙏🏾

I have had that problem ever since I discovered Goodreads. So much material, so little time

oh literally perfect timing for this video in my life, thank you haha 😅 literally have gotten over 30 books this summer (in my defense, I was abroad and getting a lot of books I couldn't get at home) but now I'm home and still buying new books so thank you from the bottom of my heart XD

Love the video Waldun, going great so far!

This is really interesting because I don’t think I’ve ever had this issue-and for a long time I thought I wasn’t much of a reader because I didn’t buy books all the time. Books are pricey and when I want one, I usually either get them secondhand or borrow from a friend who already has a copy (the benefits of having friends who read haha!) When I do go into a bookstore, I have a set list of authors in my head that I want to pick up, fully intending to only get a book or two. If I want to browse though, I think I’d prefer the library xD A lot of people have this misconception that reading is about the quantity, rather than the question of whether or not you’ve actually digested the material. I may not buy many books, but I realized I do in fact read quite often because I’m also a writer. The latter necessitates the former (I suppose also vice versa). I don’t want to be too conscious of my “page count” or my “number of books read” because that can take away so much from the excitement of readership in the long-term. I’ve had so much more fun making the most out of one book in one month than I ever had when trying to finish several books in one week.

I usually take a photo of the books im interested in and look them up when i get home

Thank you for this video. Was a nice reminder about my love of reading.

Robin, you're fantastic! Thank you so much for breaking down things like this. Such great content!

This is what I needed. I loved how you handles the topic in details. Definitely going to separate buying experience from the reading experience from now on.

I needed this. Thank you

Sometimes the answer to "Am I enjoying reading this book" is not as simple as yes or no. I have wanted to give up reading books in the past that I am grateful to have finished because they got better as I progressed through the story. I also find that, for me, abandoning a book because I wasn't enjoying it was a slippery slope and led me to do it very often at the first obstacle. My solution was to speed read through the book but finish it anyway. I am going to try reading a book before buying it because I have noticed the adrenaline/rush/thrill of buying a book goes away as soon as i bring it home and see all the other books I haven't read yet. It's as if by purchasing the book, my brain confused this action with actually reading/finishing the book.

enjoying these presentations very much. thank you!

Thank you for the advice! I heard someone say in another video that they like reading because sometimes the author will describe a feeling they've felt in the most perfect way. That's how I felt when you made the comment about books as trophies. I have a LOT of books on my dresser and I think I just need to get better at building a habit bc i do want to read most of them haha. Reading in this day and age is SUCH a skill, bc it really is like you said taking the time to calm down and stare at words on paper. Really good, practical advice - thanks again!

I really appreciate this. I have about a dozen books that I have not read yet. I have been feeling like a failure, but these suggestions seem very attainable.

Awesome video as always! I agree about not bothering to track reading progress. I used to do this a few years ago and found I no longer enjoyed the books I was reading as I spent too long trying to get through each book as quickly as I could. I decided instead to just take my time and read, it took however long it took, be it a few days, a couple weeks or even a couple months. I've noticed I enjoy reading so much more than I used too. As for the book buying, I barely buy them now unless I really need to, bookstores are just too overwhelming. Instead, I am nearly through my TBR pile (which just consisted of the books on my shelves I haven't had time to read yet), which I view as motivation to keep doing what I am doing.

Love the message here Waldun 🤗💕WIsh this was the norm here on yt.. considered deleting my GReads but realized i loved having access to reviews from those im following when i finished a book (some amazing reviewers/ great insights). As a super slooooow reader & a lover of physical books this definitely resonated.. in fact im really looking fwd to a lonnnnngggg 'no buy'.. just kicking back & enjoying my ahem... hundreds of books 😅 😊

I greatly enjoy being a subscriber of your videos. I suffer from "Tsundoku" but it occurs when during my weekly library visit. I always take out a book that I "think" I should be reading. I constantly worry that I'm reading too many non contemporary authors. During the start of the pendemic, I abandoned my Good Reads page. However I am aware that my short story writing has increased and my dependence on a thesaurus has decreased. Thank you for this video. It has given food for thought for my next library visit. Keep you posted.

Added this video to my favourites because you reminded me of the reason I've pulled myself completely away from commercial bookstores and buying for the sake of buying! All the books that are currently on my bookshelf are those that I love, will want to return to, and am honoured to have in my "personal library". Now, this doesn't mean I will never ever buy another book or never step into a bookstore, but I've stopped making regular "excursions" to them. It has helped a lot! I'm also really appreciative of the fact that you didn't rant or artificially extend the length of this video by just...blabbering? Each to their own but I really appreciate your speaking style and succint delivery! Thank you so much ^^

Great advice, my friend. Thank you.

Great video! I had a reading goal this year and last year on goodreads, and it's really taken the joy out of reading for me. I was obsessed with reaching a set number, but I only ended up enjoying half of my reads. I'm deleting my reading goals for the rest of the year, and not setting one up for the new year. I want to go back to reading for pleasure. I'm glad I came upon this video.

Nice content. It was very helpful. Thanks!

Great video, so wise and so well structured. You will make a great professor.

I had that! Fabulous! Great points in your video!

Im suprised how this video calls me out so much 😭 your tips really help me and i want to finish my unread books asap. Thanks a lot!!

I like this video since I can relate to it. I recently thought of making a reading list, but decided against it for these reasons. I didn’t want the feeling of artificial accomplishment when I would check off a book as complete just to read another book on the list. And decided I could read one book at home. Another for when I return to university, and possibly start another book if I wanted to. Reading is meant to be valued and read thoroughly, not in a rush nor halfheartedly.

Such great tips! I have always thought Goodreads helps motivate me to read more, but I can see it definitely turning into something more important than the actual reading experience. Plus it turns itself into a social media platform where I am using it to show off to others that I have read a bunch of books.

Excellent honest video!

Some good thoughts in this video. I do keep a list of the books I read. I don't have an "official" TBR, just a list of books I pick from that I can freely add to. I just pick a book on a whim unless someone gives a tempting reference. Obviously "book hauls" would tend to accumulate books, and a lot of book videos are given over to them. When I buy books I buy them one at a time. I'm currently reading Pynchon's *Mason & Dixon.* I was puzzling how to read more Pynchon after enjoying *Inherent Vice,* but failing on *Gravity's Rainbow.* Then I read several reviews that suggested later Pynchon, after *Rainbow,* was more approachable. I struggled a little in the early chapters of *Mason & Dixon,* but I'm rolling now. Anyway...sometimes a little patience is needed to get started in a hard read.

I think I read about 10% of books on my shelf. One think that works for me is borrowing books from the library - having a deadline by which i have to finish a book motivates me to read it.

Loved this video especially the introduction part😌💛

Some great advice in here, good to see

I collect books. I decided to inventory my library so I know what I have and what I have read. Now, I have done this over several decades so.... I own over 2770 books. In my home. At my disposal. I have read most of them. Thank you for your delightful and interesting podcast.

I love the artificial reading goals point you made. I have been trying to slow down when reading to really absorb the words.

Thank you :):) :) this video was really useful for me !

Hi! I watched this video last week and today in London I took the book I wanted to buy (because I see it everywhere) and actually sat down and read 15 pages as you suggested. I still want to buy this book but because of its content now, not because it’s everywhere on social media. What I’m trying to say is : thank you for your useful advices. ☺️

Love your frames!

I track with story graph because it gives you statistics on what you've read and it's really interesting to look at

I NEEDED THIS THANKS

3# i did know deep inside i just needed somebody to tell me te truth straight to my face Thanks

can you believe that the major motive for me to view your videos is your video settings and colour tones are always pleasing to my eyes

Really needed this video

Where has this channel been! I enjoyed this video - thank you.

Great video! Tsundoku is high over here! I usually spend my breaks from work in used book stores (here in Brasil we call it "sebos") where the books are much more affordable. In one month I've bought 10 books heehehehhehe I just can't resist, and I love old editions! But it's time to actually start reading them! xD

good points with the part on "artificial reading goals"! makes me feel better on how i haven't read 100 books yet this year - and that's okay! :)

When I go into a bookstore, I will take notes of books or take pictures of the ones that look interesting and that I would like to buy in the future. I just have an ongoing list. That way, when I want an interesting read later, I can go and look at the list. Also, the trip into the bookstore was never "wasted." I didn't buy anything, but I took notes.

Nowadays I mainly read e-books. But this video kicked me in the butt because recently I have a tendency to either not read any book (e-book or physical copy) for some time (sometimes it can be dang long) or to over-collect those e-books that only end up "sitting" on my laptop (for example, I just did this exact thing 2 days ago!). I'll consider your tips to streamline my reading experience and hopefully make it more fun :)

Excellent video!! So glad this was recommended to me!!! ❤ Aloha 🤙🏾 from Hawai’i 🧘🏽‍♀️🪴✨

As a bookseller I can say we definitely try to sell you books you’ll never touch because they look pretty. Pro tip: always go for the cheap mass-markets (at least if you’re into classics). With books, content is better than image. Louis L’Amour said it best when he said (I’m paraphrasing): “for the cost of a cheap shirt, or a pack of beer, you can read the greatest human thoughts ever written down. The only barrier between yourself and the worlds knowledge is a couple dollars and a trip to a bookstore.”

Ok but this is really a great suggestion, I have WAY TOO MANY BOOKS TO READ, and I'll definitely try the read-before-buy method. And yes, getting a real routine will be the next goal!

Your advice on stopping to read in bookstores is great. I think it could definitely apply to ebook stores like Amazon Kindle which, thankfully, offer samples most of the time. However, there are times when I just shop online for physical books and end up ordering 5 at a time. Gotta find a way to control myself!

Easy: Go to a library and borrow a book, and start reading immediately.

You make some very good points. I'm resistant to the idea of not tracking my reading though. Partly because I might be addicted to those articial/meaningless achievements, but also partly because that gives me a little dopamine/incentive boost outside of the act of reading that helps me keep up the habit. I try to only select books that I think I will really enjoy. Books with fascinating information, or riveting stories, or perspectives that help me grow. But sometimes the things that I pick out are misses. A book that I thought I would love might end up not giving me the experience that I wanted. I'll try your read in the bookstore tip to see if that helps, but sometimes the beginning of a book is promising and then it takes a turn. When I find myself not enjoying a read, I'm happy to let it go, but my emotional self gets a little discouraged. Knowing that I've been maintaining a reading streak every day since the start of the year is highly motivating in picking up the next book rather than letting the excitement and joy of reading fizzle. You've still given me a lot to think about though. Thanks for the tips!

tips are unique. and I think this is pretty darn smart "the worst thing Is suffering through books you really don't want to read" - (artificial goal) vs. consider reading an experience to enjoy! "Life is too d... short" -love it!

Tsundoku... I've never seen a word that describes me so well! XD I just can read fast enough! These are some great tips! I'm definitely going to try them all! So glad that your channel got recommended to me!

I recently moved for the first time (still in process actually but the packing is done) and I donated at LEAST 70% of my books. I think I could count the number donated books that I actually read on one hand. I was raised by hoarders so I was basically prepped for this habit of “collecting” what never gets used (notebooks, sketchbooks, pens, and art supplies are also targets of mine). In the last couple of years that’s been changing- I’ve been using up notebooks to journal and teach myself the math that I never fully got in school and I started figure drawing -but there were still so many books! Sometimes, the only thing that helps is realizing that I’ll never get to it all and letting go of what is wasting away. I’m glad I was able to donate most of it to the library that started my book obsession as a kid if nothing else. I still have a lot of books left that need some attention, so reading definitely a habit I want to work on once I’m moved next month. Otherwise, I’ll just end up in the same situation again! Anyways~ love the vibe, you’ve earned a new sub 💕

I’ve had this problem too, and I recently came up with a solution that works for me. Now. I don’t allow myself to purchase a new book until I’ve read 10 previously purchased books. So far I’ve completed three cycles, reading 30 books that have piled up over the years. As I whittle down my backlog, I’ll cut down the number of books in each cycle from 10 to maybe five, then less and less. I am also selling books that I no longer have any interest in reading. This has all been a wonderful way to revisit topics that have fascinated me in the past and that I’ve still retained an interest in.

that last tip was really good and deep no need to set competitive/made-up reading goals just focus on learning the content of the book

dude you are so professional . . andwitty, all yhe best to you and your future endeavors , , as a superstar 1

5 second in, I have subscribed. Best intro ever

your content is quality and i can tell you really do speak from experience because i also hate tracking lol i like it for data collection purposes (because i want to see what kind of stuff i enjoy) but it really does ruin the experience too

I love being surrounded by books. It reminds me that life is full of possibilities. I pity anyone who only owns books they've already read.

lovely meeting you yesterday dude!

That was a 'real' video in the sense that you told us the truth regarding tip 3. Even though it may not be a popular choice, read what you enjoy! Don't go chasing waterfalls... (Who doesn't like a TLC quote) Or you might plummet into a reading trough. Don't judge/compare yourself to goodreads Read list. Or number of books read. Thanks Robin.

OMG. This is exactly what I need to see today.

When I was returning to reading after a hiatus, I found having instrumental music on in the background helped me focus on the book I was reading and not get distracted by a multitude of other thoughts. It still took time at first, but it got easier. Also, I've been tracking my reading purely for myself - sometimes if it's years later I'll not remember what I thought of a book, so being able to see that I liked it, or didn't finish it because of X, is useful.

As a Japanese student I love how this language has so many terms to describe concepts like this :)

I've got the apri Faburous as you reccomend and It does work very well, from Japan

love your topics so sooo me

Thank god...I'm just like you..I buy books but I never finish it till the end

RU-vid popped this up on my phone as a notification… was not expecting technology to call me out like that

Everyone in here is watching a RU-vid video on how to read more instead of just reading more

I definitely suffer from this condition- I love buying and owning books! I justify it by buying most of them at Goodwill for $.75-$2, so I don’t feel too guilty about my book-hoarding. I really need to set an hour aside each day to read; I do faithfully read my Bible daily

This actually resonates a lot with me, I try to force myself to read something because it’s popular or it’s a classic or whatever and completely lost track of the simple pleasure of reading. With so many booktubers tracking seemed like a necessary thing when it’s not, I still like to track, but it’s more about writing down unfiltered thoughts I may or may not look back on, even if it’s just to say this book sucks.

I could've used this advice back in the early 90s. Already have shit tons of books that I haven't read now. I've found the Kindle Free Samples really help on whether I'll like the book, at this point.

I did not search for this video. This video found me. And obviously for a reason.

I like your insights, especially on the commodification/capitalistic nature of the book market currently. I don't think tracking books and setting reading goals is always a bad idea, but it does NOT a) work for everyone (all our brains are so different so you need to think about if it helps or hurts you personally) and b) the reason for tracking and goals cannot be artificial/superficial reasons for it to be effective. Setting SMART reading goals can help people with attention and working memory issues (such as ppl with ADHD) integrate reading into their lives if it leans into the realms of planning and gamification. But it needs to be for personal, authentic reasons rather than to 'seem smart' or 'seem well read.' I also think the question of 'am I enjoying this' isn't necessarily a binary in all cases. It can be complex, because the experience of reading is again so personal and dependent on how different people experience reading (different brains, different histories, etc.) Sometimes it's the wrong book, sometimes it's the wrong format (e-book vs physical book vs audiobook) or sometimes it's the wrong moment (where someone is mentally and emotionally does have an effect.) It's good to always be questioning, and you brought up some great things to ask ourselves and consider to avoid the dreaded doom book piles. We also have to remember this is all guidelines not rules-what works for one doesn't work for all.

Thanks.

Good stuff here

I honestly like tracking what I read because it's fun to see how my year was in tearms of reading. I wait for it like I wait for spotfy's wrap up.