Our author has piles of unread books piled up at home that she doesn’t even come back to anymore. An isolated case? No – but a phenomenon: Tsundoku. What does it reveal about us?
If I see a book with a beautiful cover, exciting blurb or one that has been recommended to me, I have to have it. The result: a very high stack of unread books that now makes me despair rather than bring joy. Apparently I practice tsundoku to the fullest extent – I buy books and stack them at home without reading them. But why?
What Tsundoku says about you
The phenomenon of tsundoku has actually been around for a very long time: it goes back to the 19th century. Translated, the Japanese word combination stands for “Tsumu” – to accumulate, stack – and “Doku” – to read. Whoever runs Tsundoku is first and foremost curious. He or she becomes strong irritated again and feels it Desire to always be up to date, for example when bestsellers or new books by certain authors appear. Similarly, social media also acts as a recommendation platform for books. When I open TikTok, I see cute animal videos and people who rate and recommend books using the hashtag “Booktok”. For some, it may not just be curiosity or the appeal of something new that determines their tsundoku behavior, but also that they want to have a say.
Unfortunately, in practice it often looks like it does for me: the newly acquired books pile up and pile up and pile up. Unread. Even though I know that I would always have enough to read, it still makes me sad. And it stresses me out and creates pressure because I still want the new bestseller or the latest TikTok recommendation again and again. Shouldn’t reading actually be relaxing?
Obligation instead of a joyful leisure activity
In fact, it is the extreme form when reading books is perceived as just a chore and you work through the growing pile instead of functioning as a relaxing and nice break from everyday life. Added to this are thoughts of all the money that is spent on (unread) books – I don’t even want to know how much that has been with me over the years. In short: The characteristics of people who practice Tsundoku are inherently positive. Curiosity, the desire to be up to date, to always have a say. But the implementation of these attributes with regard to buying the books can be improved.
How about we instead in the future Visit a library and only borrow books? This has two advantages: it is cheaper and there is a time limit in which we have to read the book and return it. Or we ask around our friends, family or colleagues? Many people around me love reading – so the likelihood of finding the title you’re looking for is not that low. On the other hand, I can also easily sort out books that I have read. And finally, it would probably make sense and be helpful to make a firm commitment to: at least two, three or four weeks between two book purchases or rentals and we are not allowed to spend more than a certain amount on books per month or quarter. Or we only buy/borrow a new book when there are only three left in our unread pile. And to make sure that happens soon: get to the pile!
Sources used: businessinsider.com, mindfulartstherapy.com.au