Once upon a time, I was sagely informed in that I “read too much”. I’ve been told this from humans I know and also from internet creatures. Cue outrage and horror on my part. HOW COULD I EVER READ TOO MUCH?! How dare that phrase even exist! Rise my dragons! Destroy this concept!
But since it’s a phrase that bothers me…I thought about it. I mean, once upon a time, I read less than 100 books a year. I recall giving mostly 4 and 5 star ratings. Is that because I was awesome at picking books back then? Or because I didn’t have a very high standard since I hadn’t read so much? Did reading less books make me nicer to books? And is that a good or a bad thing?!?
CUE EXISTENTIAL CRISIS.
I like to love books. It’s an amazing feeling to kersplat your face into a novel and just absorb the story like it’s the most delicious cheesecake the world has ever known. Books are friends. Books inspire. Books instigate thinking. Books are artistic. Books cause you to view the world from different angles. Books tell you secrets. Books…
I mean, need I go on?!
I am made of 70% books. (I think the rest is 20% cake and 10% paper cuts.) BOOKS. That is how much they mean to me! I EAT BOOKS AND I LOVE IT.
But I rate about 65% of what I read 3 stars or lower. (This is a rough statistic. Actually most of the statistics on my blog are pulled out of thin air. Trust them though. Because if I say it, it must be true.) So doesn’t that mean reading so much isn’t working for me?
All that’s left, obviously, is a PROs and CONs list! I know! I know! A LIST. I love lists.
P R O S
- You get to live basically a thousand lives. And why would you knock that back, seriously?! WHY?!?
- You can experience so. much. stuff. Like skydiving or being chased by Romanian crocodiles or eating cheesecake by a waterfall. The options are ENDLESS.
- It helps you understand other people better. If you’re an unfeeling Vulcan like me…sometimes it’s nice to have humans laid out in black and white, with all their complexities explained.
- Also, it gives you friends. REAL FRIENDS TOO. The fictional friends are awesome…but what about the bookworm community?!? Bookworms UNITE. When you’re a bookworm, it’s like being abducted by other dead-tree-reading-fiends. You can eat books and howl together. What is not to love?!
- But I’m not going to underestimate the fictional friends too, because, daaaaang, what would I do without my fictional buddies?! Even if they pretty much ignore my existence even though I’m infatuated with theirs. Rude.
- If it’s your passion, than that’s downright epic…because what could be better than simultaneously collecting ART and WORDS and STORIES?!? They are like the most important thing in existence! After cheesecake…oh gosh. Wait. Maybe even BEFORE CHEESECAKE. This is getting serious.
- Your brain becomes like a library because you’ve read so. so. much.
- Ergo you can recommend books very easily because you’ve read them all. This is helpful to slower reading bookworm friends. You can tell them where those Romanian crocodiles are lurking and whether they should skip or not.
- Reading makes you smarter. It just does, okay? Ask me how to take care of a bee hive or how to do archery or how long it takes to travel the Oregon trail…AND I CAN TELL YOU THANKS TO BOOKS.
- If you read a lot you’re equipped for any conversation. If a human says, “So this one time I was lost in Siberia –” and then you can jump in with “OH I READ THAT IN A BOOK ONCE” and — boom — you can have a great conversation! Because I’m positive this is how conversations work.
C O N S
- Your brain gets so stuffed with books you forget other things. Like to how to bake bread or what your middle name is.
- And also you can forget books because you’ve read so many. Guilty of that…no denying. Sometimes books blur together too so you aren’t really sure which character fits where or how that series ended.
- Your standards get set MONSTROUSLY HIGH. And while it isn’t a bad thing to be in love with quality…it means you get more picky. Time is wasted on less-than-stellar books because you’ve seen it done better.
- It can take up a lot of your time. Unless you like to swallow books hole and absorb the story through your stomach, then reading will take up most of your night. Or your day. I’m not picky. It’s just maybe you’ll miss out on other things if you read all the time. (Is this a con though? Wouldn’t you want to read versus going outside and risking being burnt to death by the savage sun? I mean — NATURE AIN’T SAFE, PEOPLES.)
- Books can take over your house and you might have to live in a cardboard box outside. I’m on the verge of this happening to me. Of course this wouldn’t happen if you only libraried or kindled your books. But. Copious readers often lead to copious libraries. Which often leads to copious of despair over bookshelves.
- Fictional life is better than real life?! Okay, I’m partially joking here! But sometimes you can get lost in fictional worlds and they are just so much more interesting than your world. Sometimes you can get jealous because fictional characters do so much more than you.
- You become unsure if you’re YOU or if you’re actually Katniss. Or, you know, insert any fictional character there. I mean, is that habit or thought MINE or do I do it because I read it in a book somewhere?! (Again though…is this really a con? Surely it’s not a con that when someone says “frosting” I say “IT’S THE FINAL DEFENCE OF THE DYING, PEETA” rather dramatically.)
Why are all my pros and cons lists so evenly split? IT DOESN’T HELP ANYONE, CAIT.
I think the fact of the day, though is: read however much you possibly want. Because if it makes you happy, you should jolly well DO IT. (Unless serial killing makes you happy, or stealing avocados, or anything else morally wrong…then I don’t condone it, okay?) You can compensate for the negatives. For instance: I have a bad memory already, so I forget what I read fairly quickly…ergo I write reviews to remind myself of the book.
But ultimately, I’m in favour of happiness, okay?
I’m also guilty of wanting to know things. All the things? YES. ALL THE THINGS. And this is why I read, and I think that’s okay.
So can you read “too much”? The positives outweigh the negatives for me. But I won’t deny that reading copiously DOES have mildly bothersome drawbacks.
This is such an interesting discussion Cait! I have also been told that I read too much or that I should socialise instead. And sometimes I do. The thing is, while I love to read… I also like to do other things, and I don’t feel obligated to read any amount at all. i periodically, like once a month, declare a reading free day and don’t read. I think reading is very important to my understanding of myself as a person, but it’s not everything that I am, you know. And when you read a lot, particularly when you read heaps of reveiws, you alwasy have expectations. that can make you better at choosing b ooks but it can also make you read bad books. It’s a tough question and your discussion is aweomse. As usual 🙂
Eeep, thankyou, Shanti!! IT IS A HARD QUESTION. And I honestly think another person can’t really tell someone they read too much? Like that’s a thing WE need to work out for ourselves. *nods*
I think it’s possible to read too much of the same thing, especially if you’re a writer. I used to only read fantasy, so I only wrote fantasy. But since I’ve started reading a lot more genres and age groups, I think my writing’s improved and I write in a lot more genres. Reading different styles of writing, different age groups and genres helped to see ways to make my own writing better. Plus, there’s a lot more out there than just YA/MG fantasy. I probably wouldn’t have written half a dozen of the stories I have if I hadn’t picked up a crime book or a Stephen King book.
But can you read too much–nah, man. No way.
I did that too, actually! I started reading EVERYTHING in the YA range and then started writing everything too. 😂 It makes us more varied and flexible as writers, right?! Which is always a plus. And I think the WHAT you read really just depends on what you want to achieve *nods* I’m perfectly okay with reading 98% YA because that’s what I want a career in. 😛
ONE CAN NEVER READ TOO MUCH CAIT. I admire your reading ability! Fictional life IS better than real life though…
I do admit my standards for men are now exceptionally high. And cheesecake? Please. ICE CREAM FTW.
I’M ONLY GOING TO AGREE WITH YOU HERE, JAZ. Unless reading takes away from eating, and then we might have a small problem. But that can be solved by multi tasking.
Absolutely can never read too much – but I have suffered quite a lot of those negatives, like my fiancee threatening to repossess my book shelf space if I don’t clean it out and forgetting books so much! I have a terrible memory so I can’t even remember my thoughts on a book I read last week, much less last year. I mean that’s why we review right? It takes a lot of time, but it’s so enjoyable!
Pffft, someone have NO appreciation for collections. *heavy sigh* But the memory part is. the. worst. I forget things between putting a book down and 2 seconds later going to write the review. 😂
I think the worst thing is forgetting literally everything from a book I read about three days ago. Like, even the main character (it’s a real problem). BUT I’ve got my reviews to jog my memory, right? And I mean, there are worse things to be obsessed with 🙂
Forgetting is paaaaaain. I literally finish a book, sit down to write the review and go “And what were their names?” *facepalm* I NEED A SECOND bACK-uP BRAIN. A hardrive??? Someone?? Halp???
For me, my mental health is massively better when I’m reading. So to me, there’s no contest!
MINE TOO. I feel calmer and that is a serious win for an anxious person.😂
I don’t think there is such a thing as reading too much, unless you are not showering, changing your clothes, or eating. Or if you are neglecting responsibilities like cleaning the catbox and walking the dog. Hehe. Someone once asked me how I had the time to read so many books, and that was the year I only read 75! I told them while they were watching The Housewives of New York and the Kardashians on television, I was reading. I basically don’t watch television at all anymore. If anyone ever asks me that again, I will ask them if they think they watch too much tv, or play too many video games. Ha!
And could you seriously get to that stage?! THAT’S WHAT I WANNA KNOW. 😂 Like my eyeballs would fall out with tiredness before that happened. heeh. The only thing I sacrifice for reading that I maaaybe shouldn’t is cleaning my room. #mybad AHEM. BUT IT’s SO TRUE!! People wonder how we get time to read so much and…it’s just about priorities. I don’t watch movies! I listen to audiobooks while I walk/work. THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS.
I know, audio books help so much. ☺
I wish I had the time to read too much but with other life things getting in the way (how self obsessed life is) I only really have the time for 10 mins on the school bus and 10 mins before bed each day. Honestly, school is extremely time consuming *sigh*. BUT I LOVE READING! I think if you balance it with other things you can’t possibly read too much. There are worse things to do too much of, like drugs. That took a bit of a dark turn. Okay. Going now.
Eliza xo | http://www.lipglossandpaperbacks.blogspot.co.uk
Life is truly self-obsessed, and demanding??! It’s like a very demanding toddler somedays, omg. LIFE. JUST CHILL FOR A MINUTE. Ahem. I do remember the feels of school swallowing everything. IT GETS BETTER I PROMISE. And seriously…we’re not doing drugs or breaking laws or raising ants, so I think reading makes you a better person. *nods*
Pfft! Ha-ha!!
-Dani
I feel that as long as it doesn’t interfere with things that you need to accomplish (e.g. work, school, paying attention to your significant other from time to time) I say: YES TO ALL THE READING! 🙂 It also helps if your SO likes for you to sit next to him on the couch reading while he plays Fallout… hahah. Together time and reading time all in one! BOOM! (He’s a total keeper… haha)
Omg, that would be a nice match…socialising in companionable silence?! SO MUCH WIN. 😂
I totally agree about the High Standards thing! Like, I am not a very picky reader generally but when I see a book trope that is taking over YA… I am just a little annoyed! Now, if I have seen a similar concept or plot in another amazingly awesome fantastic book… That book is already down to three stars for me… And that just makes me feel sad.
Also, is it weird that I have been a reader since like FOEVER but I have never, not once, got a paper cut! I hear people complaining about it all the time… But then I just can’t relate because I have NEVER recieved one! Is that normal?!
SAME!! I do that too. GAh. like on one hand, it makes the GOOD books even more special and amazing, right?! But it does make one read a lot of less-than-stellar things that just end up with me in a frustrated heap. *heavy sigh*
OMG NO PAPER CUTS? WHAT WIZARDRY.
Oh no no no there’s is nothing like reading too much!! I wholeheartedly disagree. C’mon you have to agree that the pros outweight the cons. Yeah, people kinda say the same about me and they give this kinda expression where I want to push them towards the raging fire of the inferno but umm yeah, there’s only one con for me, it’s that I forget everything else and ignore my studies. I seriously need to uuh…repair this habit but nonetheless I’m going to read, read and read all I’ve devoured all the books in this world!
P.S. Missed me? Uh… you have to remember your faithful minion before that….do you? O.o
YES YES I MISSED YOU. OMG I WAS JUST WONDERING WHERE YOU’D BEEN JUST THE OTHER DAY!! Okay. And now that sounds weird. But I seriously did notice. *gives you welcome back cake*
And seriously I think there’s a lot of stigma that reading is “wasting time”..which is ludicrous. I mean, it’s SO GOOD FOR YOU and everything!! And okay, but I admit, sometimes I read instead of edit and that’s slightly evil of me. 😉
LOL, that was definitely a bit weird!:-P Cake!! Yaaayieee, I live for cakes (and also books!) but make sure it’s chocolate! Oh yes, we all know that about you!
I’d never go as far as to tell people how much they should read, but for me personally – I can definitely read too much. The standards thing is very true. I can hardly read anything these days and truly enjoy it without going instantly into editor mode. It’s probably because I work in publishing, everything I read for pleasure gets edited in my head as I go 😀
You are a very wise, nice person then. 😉 I agree! It should be a personal conclusion about how much you should/shouldn’t read. *nods* OMG BUT EDITOR MODE!! I RELATE!! I really struggle to read on my computer because my brain sees that as editing. 😂
ONE CAN NEVER READ TOO MUCH!
My only problem with reading a lot of books, is that I tend to forget parts of a book, or my brain mixes together the plots and the characters of a book.
SAME I GET THAT TOO. Or forgetting names?! I literally finish a book, go to write the review and then I’m like “and who’s-her-face does this and that”… -_- NAMES ARE HARD.
“Your brain gets so stuffed with books you forget other things. Like to how to bake bread or what your middle name is.” I think I need this printed on a poster and stuck to my wall. Life summed up perfectly.
I have to say I find that I I just about never rate lower than a 3 stars unless it was worse than eating blueberries (I really do hate them). Or if I DNFed them, if I couldn’t be convinced by the writing to finish the book then it’s getting a one star because *blows raspberry*. Sometimes it’s a bit like: FIVE STARS, FIVE STARS, FIVE STARS …. five stars? Maybe this one should be four so I don’t look like I’m enjoying life so much. Then I just get confused as to whether that book was actually that amazing or whether I’m a confused fangirl (probably the latter). But as long as you enjoy reading as an experience or hobby then I don’t think you can do too much of it. It’s a bit like when someone says you can have too much chocolate, because no, no you can’t.
YES. I NEEDS BE ON A TEE SHIRT. “Hello, I have no idea what my name is because I’ve read so many books AND I FORGOT.” Ahem. 😂
Omg, go you for being an avid DNF’er (I’m sure that’s a term?! hehe) I never DNF. D: I just…can’t?! In case the ending is redeeming?! I’m like a train wreck who needs to see the crash. Ahem. Being a confused fangirl is totally relatable though. That’s like my state of life, 90% of the time.
(You absolutely cannot have too much chocolate. Chocolate is like the meaning of life and anyone who says differently is living a very very sad existence.)
I’ve been told I read too much by a lot of people. “Go socialize! Experience life! Go walk in the freezing cold, you’ll feel refreshed although you might get frostbite,,,do something other than read!” (The last one was a slight exaggeration). Ahem.
I think you’re reading too much if you’re neglecting your duties in life. Like (because I’m home-schooled) if I’m not getting enough work done I know I need to stop reading so much, or if I’m not doing my chores/not seeing my friends/doing other hobbies then I know I need to do other things a bit. I don’t think I read too much though, in fact, I’d like to read more. I love doing other things though too such as ballet/painting/writing/music which can take up a lot of time too but I’d like to read more because I don’t feel like I read enough. I’m rambling now, aren’t I? GREAT POST, CAIT!
Omg, yes, for sure. I mean, there is balance. I think my little sister got banned from reading before she finished her homeschool work for the day once…because BOOKS ARE DISTRACTING. 😂 (I was the adorable nerd who’d like started school at 6am and the rest of my siblings hated me but whatever *flips hair*) And I DO find myself needing to reorganise my priorities if reading is taking over my writing. >_> BUT OTHERWISE. IF READING MAKES ONE HAPPY GO FOR IT. And I mean, what even is the push to go outside??? We humans built nice houses??? We need to appreciate them and stay in them???
Yeah, nah – no such things as reading too much reading IMO. You read what you want, when you want. But I can see the cons of this too. I don’t read a lot a lot, but usually a little over 200 books a year and I do think that the more you read, the tougher it is to find something you like. My average rating on GR is something ridiculous like 2.99 which is so low! I hate that the majority of books I read are less than three star reads… but at the same time, reading makes me happy and when I read a good book I know that it is a really good book. And what else am I going to do about it anyway? Limit myself to set reading hours a day or books a week or something? I think that’s beyond ridiculous.
Great discussion, Cait!
YESSSS. READ WHAT YOU WANT! HOW EVER YOU WANT! BE HAPPY! HUZZAH! Omg, but 2.9?! That is low, you poor dear, you need some epic book recommendations. XD Mine is 3.6 and probably going to drop lower this year, because my reading-intro into 2016 was pretty woeful. 😂 Ahem. But yes I totally know what you mean! When you find that REALLY REALLY GOOD BOOK I think it’s even more special and wonderful.
A few years ago I discovered that yes, you can in fact read too much. That year (2012?) I read 317 books in one year. My kids lived off of box mac n cheese. My husband wore socks to work that could walk themselves. I didn’t shave my legs. For.a.year. Obviously, I had found my limit and afterwards had an epic crash, where I didn’t pick up a single book for months. Now I balance things a bit better and average around 100 books a year. I read during the day when I have the down time, but when my family is home I put the book down. I love reading and it’s my only hobby. But, family stuff has to come first. Otherwise my entire household disintegrates into chaos because mom is off in Narnia lol 🙂
Balance is good, definitely good, although kids raised on mac and cheese tend to turn out interestingly and write GREAT memoirs so don’t feel too bad about yourself. *pats shoulder* I read 300 books last year and I think I forgot my own middle name? If I remember I’ll let you know.
Rise my dragons! Destroy this concept! – this has got to be the most epic line you’ve ever blogged.
Also, you’re only 20% cake?! Time to eat more cake.
…I was definitely not this fussy this time last year…
Books have taken over my uni room. If I bought any more, I wouldn’t have space for library books (and there are, like, five/six books I have budgeted to buy this year so…).
Also, fictional life is only be better than real life if you have protagonist power. Otherwise, you’d probably die. (I’m such a beaming ray of sunshine.)
It is always time to eat more cake, but OMG THANK YOU. I AGREE I AM GOOD AT EPIC LINES. #humble Ahem. But what was I even saying? Ohhh, yes. I found a library sale today for books for like 50 cents. I MEAN COME ON. I couldn’t leave them there. And when I bought home a (modest, I swear) stack my mum is like “And where are you going to PUT those?” Hmmph. Anyhow.
It’s true about the fictional life. I would die if I was Katniss, sadly. I would survive a lot better being Peeta though, because I bake nice cakes.
I definitely feel as though I used to read too much, or I at least read too much of the wrong things. I read too many books I knew weren’t completely my thing, but more hyped in the community, and didn’t love them, but the books I chose, the books I bought, the books no-one really knows about are the ones I’ve loved. I’ve found series I love, like Lunar Chronicles, like Throne of Glass, but I’ve found other books myself that I’ve loved more, the more I read too much of the books I don’t enjoy, the less I read the books I probably will. There’s a difference between reading too much of what you don’t love, and reading too much in general, and I believe the latter doesn’t exist. Great topic Cait, as always, fabulous and funny!<3
Reading the wrong things is definitely a problem…like reading because you feel you have to? AGH. That’s like such a recipe for burn out. *heavy sigh* I do end up accidentally reading a lot of books I don’t love so much, but it still just fires me up to read MORE because I want to find the golden gems?!??! (Omg “golden gems” doesn’t even make sense BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.)😂
Can you read too much?
Yes. And no.
If reading takes over your life- stops you from doing other things you love- stops you from fulfilling your responsibilities- then yes. It’s too much. It’s time to cut back.
But if reading is balanced with the other elements of your life? Storms and stars and satellites! No, there’s no such thing as reading too much!
(That being said, the cons list is real. Especially the first one. And the problem is doubled when you write your own books too. I mean, it’s like “I’m sorry I forgot that conversation we had last week, but my mind’s been split between Roshar and my storyworld for the last four days and it’s a miracle I actually came back to Earth enough to do school, y’know?”)
Also, if you want to read and you want to go outside . . . do both! I am convinced that one of life’s great joys is reading a book outside with the sun warming your back and maybe a bit of a breeze blowing past if you’re lucky. You do have to pick the book carefully- don’t want to scare the neighbors with fangirling, y’know- but in general? It’s awesome. (Though, you live in Australia. And stories I’ve heard about Australia suggest that everything in nature is trying to kill you. So . . . I don’t entirely blame you for not going outside.)
OMG I HEAR YA FOR THE WRITING TOO. And also when you can’t even remember your own novel…and rereading it is liek “Omg I was really smart this day, I had no idea that plot twist was happening”. *facepalm* Problems of writing too much too. HEH. *ahem*
OMG THE AUSTRALIA-IS-OUT-TO-KILL-YOU IS ALL A LIE.😂 A hilarious lie. But seriously, everything you hear about how deathly Australia is? Hilarious. 😂😂
Heh. Yes. I have that . . . mostly when I’ve dropped one novel to work on a different one (probably for NaNoWriMo) and then I pick the first one up again and I have to reread the whole thing just to have an idea where I was going with this.
Really? Where does that even come from, then? Or is it all actually true, just really super exaggerated?
(Also: is it weird that I’m a teensy bit disapponted? I mean, I’m happy that you and my other Aussie friends (friend? there might only be one; I don’t know where all my internet friends live) don’t have to face death on a daily basis and stuff. But at the same time, it was kind of exciting to read about Australia and give myself a good scare and stuff.)
Oh Australians LOOOOOVE to exaggerate. TRUST ME.😂 We basically have a nation-wide pledge to tell lies to anyone who doesn’t live here. *ahem*
Great post! I’d definitely put having higher standards as a pro rather than a con, personally. You forgot the most important thing though: reading a lot helps you get better at writing and storytelling! :p
Yeah, I’ve definitely gone through periods of reading too much. Often, it’s during the holidays, when I focus JUST on reading/writing/reviewing, and soon I get sick of reading books all day! If I try to read too much it also takes the fun out of reading for me. And I do think excessive escapism is unhealthy if one’s actively avoiding real life issues, rather than reading as cathartism/to help deal with real life.
OMG I TOTALLY FORGOT THAT!! *facepalm* And the higher standards isn’t really that bad, you’re right. I mean, it’s frustrating to read a lot of mediocre books? Buuuut it makes the GOOD books so much more special.
I’ve read so much I’ve gotten sick of books. But omg, even when I take a break from them I JUST WANNA BE READING. 😂
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS POST. I’m probably going to print out the list of pros and show them to anyone (my brothers, my mom) anytime they start to worry that I read to much. Which, I probably do because being homeschooled means you can sneak reading it better than anyone :o) If I’m not reading in a book, I’m reading on my kindle (which can easily hide between the pages of science) and if I’m not reading on my kindle I’m reading on my computer.
BAHAH, YOU DO THAT. 😂 I should do that. omg, my family is always like “why are you still reading” to which I can only say “why are you still breathing”…because it is the same answer. *nods sagely* OMG SNEAKY HOMESCHOOL READING IS THE BEST. <3
I don’t have the best memory either and some books if read too close together tend to blur. HOWEVER, I do feel like I remember the good books and main points and I’m not opposed to re-reading, or you know, going back and reading my review. Whatever. I think the pros DEFINITELY outweigh the cons though. I mean, I will never read all the books I want to in life and omg, isn’t that a sad thought? So I might as well do something I love and eat up all the books while I can, like you say. 😉
Sometimes it’s even fun to re-read the books when you’ve forgotten them, because you KNOW you’ll like the story, but it’s completely new. 😂 hehe. At least that’s what my brain does SO SO MUCH BECAUSE I FORGET EVERYTHING OMG.
That is a sad thought…I need to live forever in order to read everything. THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY.
The final defense of the dying . . . ha!!! I might have to start using that.
As you know, I’m the opposite of you and I’ve gone from reading 200-150 to reading only 30-40. And that’s mostly school’s fault, because I don’t especially enjoy reading in small time increments . . . I like to swallow my books whole! Honeslty, I think it’s fine to read however many books seem appropriate for your current life circumstances. Reading shouldn’t feel like a chore, but no one should feel guilty about reading a lot either.
Swallowing books whole truly is a delicious pleasure. :’) BUT I UNDERSTAND. Like not all times of life are good for reading huge amounts right? And I think people who make other people feel guilty about reading are very sad beans and probably envious of the time you get to spend with books. *nods*
Love this! The answer: NO! What you do is: Start your own book review blog!!! 😉 http://www.ms-birdlady.com. 😊
Hahah, of course. Starting a blog is THE BEST. 😂
For me, reading is always guilt free. I consider reading an active pleasure, so while it’s fun it’s also constructive and makes me a better person! As long as my other responsibilities like taking care of the pups don’t get neglected, I’m all pro reading as much as you can and want. I think it’s the same as with other active pleasures be it painting or playing piano or building robots, except so many people stop reading when they’re young they struggle to relate to it the way they can while enjoying a painting someone finished or listening to a song on the piano or admiring a tiny robot crawling around on the floor without anybody telling it what to do.
YESSS. I LOVE THIS AND I AGREE SO MUCH!! The only time I feel guilty about reading in my free-time is when I really should be editing or something instead. 😉
It makes me sad when people quit on reading. Especially if they say “it’s boring”. NOOOO. They just haven’t found the right book yet!!
I think you can do anything in excess; when it takes away from the other things that are important in your life on a regular basis it’s a problem. But if you’re taking care of business and see the light of day at least occasionally then read away!
*nods* This is very sensible of you. hehe. Although I do wonder if one even COULD read so much they neglected other things? Like wouldn’t your eyes get tired??? Mine so would if I read that much.😂
I think the only way you can read too much is if you’re forcing yourself to read. If all you want to do is read, reading 3 books in a day is a perfectly acceptable amount. If you don’t want to read at all, maybe reading a book in a week is too much. I think my main problem with reading lots of books is that people always seem to want to start a conversation with me about how much I read, which is great…EXCEPT they always do it while I’m reading. I love talking about books, but I HATE being interrupted in the middle of a book.
OMG I RELATE TO THAT SO SO MUCH!! Although nobody much is interested in what I’m reading, but being interrupted?!? It. is. the. worst. Especially during a heart-pounding finale. ERMAGERD SPARE ME LET ME READ.😂
You can never read too much! That idea is preposterous, and people should read as much as they want. However, when you read a lot, not too much, you may forget things like characters’ names easily and it is quite annoying.
It IS annoying, gah. I literally forget characters’ names once I finish a book. Like I’ll remember the plot?? But not their names?? TRAGEDY. 😂
Read too much? What language are you speaking, Cait? Person simply can not read too much. (it is all good until you forget about your family or forget to eat and drink). Because in my vocabulary, reading has only positive effects 🙂
However, I have to admit that I agree with one of your negatives. I did become more picky. The more I read, the higher standards I have and the more difficult is to find spectacular novels. But it is no reason to start reading less 🙂
CLEARLY NOT AN INTELLIGENT LANGUAGE. *collapses* It really is a silly question. 😂 But seriously COULD anyone read so much they forget how to function?!? Because my eyeballs would get too tired before that happened!!
And sometimes I wonder if having a really high standard is even that bad? Because when we DO find books we 1000% love, then it’s more exciting and special, right?!
I read too much once. I forgot the purpose of my existence and spent my days readings, and the days NOT spent reading were spent talking (read: screaming) about the unfair cliffhangers. But then life happened, my mom actually GROUNDED me from reading, tried to make me go out more. It sortaaa succeeded. Idek though. This was such a good discussion though <3
Omg seriously?!?!? 😂 Grounded from READING. Okay that’s intense. Actually I think my little sister got banned from reading before she finished her school work (we were homeschooled)…but I was always the angelic kid doing all my schoolwork at 6am anyway. Ahem. BUT YEAH. I guess moderation can be needed?!? 😛
Hmmphh, there is no such thing as reading too much. *stalks off* I mean, I definitely think there’s something to be said for how sometimes reading can take over a person’s life and they can abandon responsibilities and maybe lose a little touch with reality, which might mean they need more balance? Balance is important. I don’t think I would want to be reading every hour of the day because I don’t even think my brain would be able to process all that input quickly enough without the same amount of output (like writing and blogging) to even the playing field.
But I definitely condone copious reading. I read SO MUCH as a child. I read far more then than I do now because I read slower now (on purpose so I can absorb things better.) An average sized book now takes me three to four hours when it took my younger self one to two hours. *nods* But I was desperate to read back then. I had an extremely traumatic childhood, and about 95% of the good memories I have from my childhood were from reading a good book. (I promise you I’m not exaggerating.) I don’t think I would have made it through childhood without books as my companion and my pain killer. So in that case especially, I don’t believe it would have been possible for me to read too much. And now, the only issue with reading too much would be that I would end up neglecting blogging and writing, which are both important to me. So, I think reading too much is /possible/ when you’re thinking of responsibilities and stuff, but otherwise I would say no. *nods* 😛
But seriously CAN someone lose touch with reality due to books?!?! I guess it can make you unhappy with reality, but seriously I can’t imagine losing touch. ALTHOUGH IT CAN TOTALLY MAKE YOU NEGLECT THINGS. Like feeding the pet python or whatnot. *sigh* AGh, why is the bookworm life so hard, seriously? Anyhow. I think my eyeballs would explode before I read so much I never did anything else at all. 😂
omg, that is really sad about your childhood D: I had a really lonely childhood (but not traumatic, so I ain’t even complaining here) so books were basically my only friends (plus my sister, but sisters are like built in slaves at times, so one needs book-friends too). But *hugs you* because sad childhood feels. D:
And *whispers* Sometimes I do neglect writing in order to read. BUT YEAH. I’ll pretend I don’t. I am an angel. *dances around angelically*
The Pro’s far outweigh the cons for this one to me. I will never forget what reading gave me outside of many hours of getting lost in another world. If it weren’t for books, I wouldn’t have had so many friends right now.
SAME. All my little bookworm buddies and my fictional buddies and omg…it’s just opened such an incredible world(s) to me. I CANNOT EVEN WITHOUT BOOKS.
I used to read so much; I kept a list of the books and how many words I read a year. But, beyond bragging rights, I used the list as a reference to which books I’d read and which I hadn’t.
For me, books are one of life’s greatest treasures. One can never read enough.
I’m glad you feel that way too. MEEEE AS WELL. I honestly don’t think I can get enough of the gloriousness that are books and stories. :’)
I know what you mean. I love it when a book is so good, I am transported into the pages and into their world. What a ride.
Nope, I disagree with your cons. There are no cons to ‘reading too much’. Apart from perhaps developing feelings – yuck.
BAHHAHA I’M LAUGHING SO SO HARD RIGHT NOW, ROSIE. I even have to admit the con list isn’t that bad. I mean, I wanna be Katniss…so how is that a bad thing…
I think maybe the only time it’s too much in regards to reading is if it gets in the way of real life. It doesn’t for me, ergo… I need to read more 🙂
This seems like very logical and calm reason. *nods sagely* AND YES. I guess it’d be bad to read instead of, like, eat dinner with your family??? But otherwise, if it’s downtime, I think it’s fair to read a lot if it makes you happy!
Logical.. calm.. not words I’ve heard used about me in the same sentence lol
But yes, if you’ve got nothing else to do, by all means. I’m not against people doing what makes them happy 🙂
Answer: NOOOOOOOOOOOO! It’s absolutely NOT possible to read too many books!!!!!! *flails around* Need we even ask this? Whew. *collapses among couch made of books*
Although that IS sad that you are pickier about books! D: I’m one of those “give all the five stars because life is short!” sorts of people…
MY drawback is that I don’t read as much as I want, because I have ten gajillion books I WANT to read but I actually read very slowly and it just disintegrates my poor little book-deprived soul because I CAN’T READ FAST ENOUGH! *dies*
But nope, not possible to read too much. I just wish Life would not be so pushy and keep demanding I actually DO OTHER THINGS instead of read all the time. >.> (Sheesh, Life. Get a life or something…)
NO BASICALLY IT’S A SILLY QUESTION AND IDEK KNOW WHY I WROTE THIS POST BECAUSE THE ONLY WORD I NEEDED TO WRITE IN ANSWER WAS: NOPE. 😂 hehe. But sometimes I think it’s sad I like less books? But sometimes I don’t mind, because it makes the GOOD BOOKS even better. If that makes sense??
I need more time to read too and omg you know how many books I read. GAHHHHH. And still it’s never enough to keep on top of all the glorious ones coming out soon!!
I don’t think you can read too much- although some IRL might disagree. 🙂 My dad used to tell me when I was kid reading in the car to “look out the windows and see stuff.” I was like, “yeah Dad thanks for all those trees, SO interesting.” LOL. Seriously though I think it can be hard for non- readers to get it. Why are we spending so much time in books? To a certain extent I think readers are hardwired TO read- what else explains it? I can’t go in a bookstore and not be interested- or see a used bookstore without my pulse racing LOL. So… yeah. When other kids were talking about boring stuff I was reading about dragons. I’ll take the dragons. 🙂
Oh yes “let me look at all the interesting trees” -_- XD THAT WAS ME TOO. And I think you’re spot on: non-readers just don’t et it. GAH. And it’s a perfectly delightful feeling, to me, knowing that just LOOKING at a book gets me all happy and excited. XD Dragons over anything basically. Except maybe cake? omg I don’t know. I won’t choose between those two. bUT STILL.
*shrieks* YOU CAN’T READ TO MUCH!!!!! Though I am now convinced that I live in the year 2149 by the name of Parvin Blackwater…. Oh, whatever!!
HELLO, PARVIN BLACKWATER. HOW ARE YOU. HOW IS THE WIFI IN 2149??? GOOD I HOPE.
I’m one of those people who constantly struggles to get past about 90 books a year. I put too much pressure on myself. BUT MY POINT – I am almost always reading. Or blogging. And – this isn’t about quantity – sometimes I feel I read too much, because I’m not out doing things and experiencing LIFE, I’m inside curled up on the sofa with my latest book. Sure, it’s great to “experience” things through fictional characters, but it’s probably better to actually experience them for myself. BUT I LOVE READING! So, I guess I’ll just have to try for more balance. Lol. Another great post, Cait!
Quality over quantity basically is the rule for everything!! Except, maybe, chips. Because I can eat a heck of a lot of chips whether they’re a good brand or a crappy one. AHEM. WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT FOOD? I BEG MY PARDON. *coughs* So. Yes. Ahh, I’m not always sure how I feel about the stigma that reading = not experiencing life. I think it is, in a way? Maybe you’re not getting dirty outside or whatnot, but I think it still is experiencing! And if it makes us happy…WE SHOULD GO FOR IT. Happiness is very important. *nods*
I don´t think I could ever read “too much”. I just love books too much. 😀 But I admit that there are some negative side effects: A friend of mine who hasn´t read as much books as I did (yet) has an average rating of 4.42 on GR whilst mine is 3.46. I think it´s kind of sad that the more books you read the pickier you get. And I do forget what exactly a certain book was about or why I liked it etc.. Fortunately, I still have enough space and shelfs left for more books (Thank you, IKEA!).^^ And reading is ten thousand times saver than going outside -especially since everything is coated in ice/snow right now. 🙂
My goodreads average is 3.6 so far!! SO I UNDERSTAND THAT FEEL. Gah. Like I feel bad about it?? But at the same time when I do find an amazing book, I appreciate it so so soooo much more.
Omg I need to attack IKEA. I just do. I have no shelf space left and I AM IN DIRE NEED.
I’m sure the scientific answer is: yes, you can read too much if it starts interfering with your everyday life in a negative way. While I don’t know anyone who has a reading addiction that severe, I could definitely see it happening. Just like TV addicts.
I probably am one of those people who “read too much”. But reading is a huge stress reliever for me and so I make time to read in order to balance out my hectic life. I have a crap memory anyway but I’m sure the way I eat books on a daily basis sure doesn’t help me remember every single detail.
Like you said, whatever floats your boat!
HEH. OKAY FINE. BE SCIENTIFIC ON ME. 😂 But true. I mean, I guess reading could turn you into a malnourished zombie?? I don’t know how anyone could get that far without their eyes falling out though. XD Ahem. But oh oh I hear you with reading being a stress reliever. I read a lot to just centre myself? Particularly after a busy/rowdy day. *nods*
I think that, yes, you can read too much. For me (especially in the past), reading lots of books became a way of procrastinating about writing. Instead of just sitting down and getting to it, I’d pick up another book. Reading takes time away from writing, so I would say that reading too much could be detrimental to certain folks (i.e., writers).
In general, though, I’d say that most people don’t read enough. I’m baffled by the fact that there are people out there who don’t even read one book in a year. I mean, I guess I can understand it if you’ve got dyslexia or some sort of learning disability that makes reading difficult for you. But because you can easily get audio books today, that’s really no excuse. (Well, unless you’re like me and you can’t wrap your brain around the narration. I’ve stalled on the audio book of Blue Lily, Lily Blue because I’m confused all the time. The author seemed to be doing accents for the characters, but then he started lapsing into those accents at random times, so I can’t tell who’s talking or even if someone is talking! Perhaps an audio book with a mediocre narrator and a whole bunch of characters wasn’t the best choice!)
I sometimes read to procrastinate writing. 😂 SO YEAH I GET THAT. hehe. Although I guess it’s about priorities and what you want to achieve right?! So if one chooses to read instead of work on writing, then one can’t complain about lack of productivity. It’s a hard life. *sighs*
AND YES. Once I read a statistic that said most people read 1 book a year. MY MIND IS BOGGLED. I can’t even imagine only reading one book a year. Gah. And I mean, I think there are definitely valid reasons not to want to read…but it hurts my little soul when I see people turned off books because “they’re boring”. NO. NOT TRUE. They just aren’t reading the right books for them yet.
I think anyone can definitely become burned out on any passion, ergo reading slumps. But no one should CRITICIZE those who read. We’re probably smarter than you and have learned from multiple books how to kill you with pineapples and starfish. Although, I’m sure my friends are tired of me relating everything back to a book. Oh, well. Take me or leave me. I’m annoyingly lovable. And let’s be real, half the reason I read is because I secretly want to be a dragon-ninja-sorceress-demon hunter and they tell you that you can’t be that in real life, so… Lovely as always, Cait ❤
Yesss. I totally love that. Besides, it’s really weird to criticise someone’s choice of hobby, right?! 😛 And when people who don’t even KNOW me say it to me, gah, it just makes me kind of annoyed because who even does that?! LEAVE PEOPle ALONE TO BE HAPPY IF THEY WANT. *stamps foot*
Pfft, how could anyone be annoyed at your incredible loveableness? <-- That is a word by the way. I'm sure of it.
Pssssh what is this “reading too much” you speak of? I think it fills your brain with all kinds of awesome stuff and makes you smarter and there’s no way you could possibly read too much. Don’t let the haters get you down. 😛
EXACTLY. And by the time I’m 100, omg, I am going to be so smart after all these books I’ve consumed. #priorities
*tosses tomatoes at the haters
*dances away in the sunset to read more books*
I don’t think I’ve ever thought about this before, maybe because I’m always aiming to read more! But y’know, and sorry to say it, I do actually think it’s possible to read too much. From a sociological (psychological…?) perspective, if it drastically alters your perspective of reality or makes your life less satisfying, it’s definitely possible to do too much of it; similar to video games in a way.
But I’m sure, Cait, that you are taking care of yourself, sooo your monstrous love of books is nothing but a benefit to you. Don’t worry about it c: Here’s some virtual cake. *gives slice.*
Hmm, I can see what you mean. 😂 and I guess if you read 24/7 and were neglecting like…basic bodily needs, that’s also bad. 😛 But choosing reading over other hobbies is not something I consider “Reading too much”. *nods* And yes, I mean, can you imagine me neglecting food in favour of books? NOT REALLY. *eats cake*
LOLOL! Good point. XD
I think I’m in love….. your writing style is so hilarious and relatable! This discussion is SO true, but luckily what restrains me is the fact that I’m pretty much broke and any spare cash I have, uh, goes to other stuff. But really, I think if you love reading, keep doing it! All the conss are pretty much harmless (who needs to remember their middle name or Romanian duckies or have low standards, anyway?!), while the pros pretty much keep you a happy, relatively relatable person! (I agree with how books lay out people’s complexities in words, since I can be pretty unfeeling, too.) Your blog is fabulous!*
*fabulous is MY word. Super high praise btw. 🙂
AFJDLKASD OKAY THIS TOTALLY MADE MY DAY. THANK YOU, HELEN. *beams happily* And I totally agree with you here, on my cons list, I mean, half of those cons AREN’T EVEN CONS. Why is it a downside to accidentally thinking I’m Katniss?? It’s so not. And no one needs middle names, pffft.
OMG I LOVE THE WORD FABULOUS SO CLEARLY YOU ARE A FABULOUS HUMAN BEAN. 😀
People have told me I read too much, and honestly I find it stupid. 3 years ago, people were encouraging kids to read more? I just simply don’t understand. I think reading refreshes your mind, and the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I mean, I don’t tell you to not go outside more or to not be on the Internet more.
This is such an interesting topic though, my English teacher actually brought it up in class when a kid said to my friend “You read too much.” And I think you approached it wonderfully Cait. *appluads*
~Noor
a little bit of sunshine
GAH I AGREE. Like parents are all “get off the computer” and now they’re like “stop reading”. THERE’S NO PLEASING THEM. We might as well take over the universe maliciously and eat ice cream all the time and read books. *sighs deeply*
Besides going outside is dangerous. Nature might attack us.
MORE THAN CHEESECAKE!? Cait, this is heavy. I can’t.
Sometimes I do have high expectations. Especially if you read a lot of the same genre. For instance, I used to hear people rave about growing up on The Ranger’s Apprentice and such. So I thought I’d give it a try, and I don’t know. The POV didn’t agree with me, and I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the author’s writing style. Sometimes the characters seem predictable and stereotypical? But it is hugely funny. Also, the weapons and the way he actually describes how they use the weapons. As well as battle tactics. I’ve learned how to win a war from The Ranger’s Apprentice. XD Sure, I was disappointed in some of it, but there was still a good side, and I’m glad I’ve stuck with the series. I think that’s something you realize when you read a lot of books though. One writer’s weakness will be another’s strong point and vice versa. So if you’re in the mood for a funny laid-back read or a psychological thriller or all things dragons, you know what author to go to.
Don’t even speak to me about being burnt by the sun. I’m reading The Scorch Trials. And Brenda is making me uncomfortable. Like really.
I’ve done the whole “what would the character do in this situation, what would they think?” Usually with the Lunar Chronicle characters, Tris, and as of late Saba. (I love Saba!) I can’t say I’ve ever thought like Katniss though. . . not consciously at least.
I AM GETTING SERIOUS IN THIS POST. *nods sagely*
I loooooved Ranger’s Apprentice growing up. But I read the prequel to his new series last year and, agh? I hated it. IT WAS SO SAD. D: Because it’s like spoiling the series that raised me *wails* So I totally get what you mean. And honestly…it takes a lot for older books to impress me too, because they often break some of the more “modern” rules. If you know what I mean? So sometimes it’s annoying because I feel like I like less? BUT SOMETIMES IT’S GREAT because when you DO find a book to flail over unconditionally, oh how you can flail. :’)
Ooooh, do you like the Scorch Trials? I LOVE THAT SERIES LIKE 99.9%!!
SABA. <3
When you put me before food, heck yes, I think like Katniss.
I don’t think you can read too much but I have certainly noticed that since I’ve consistently read more than 200+ books a year, my standards are insane. It really takes a lot for a book to stand out to me now and my ratings have gotten much lower overall.
YESSS THAT IS SO HOW I FEEL. I mean, part of me is annoyed?! But then when you find a book that’s just AFJDSLAKFSD AMAZING it’s so much more special, right?!
I agree with every single word in this post. It is true. Your opinion is my opinion… 😛 I think reading a lot is perfectly fine! Yes there are some cons. But I don’t care! Books are my calling, the bane of my existence… without them, I would have to call on my dragons to take me away from this horrendous place that doesn’t even contain a single book. So yes, despite the fact that my family viciously attacks me and complains that I read too much, I will never stop. NEVERRR
And how dare humans tell us how to live our lives. HUMPH. WE ARE FREE BOOKWORM BEANS. WE WILL NOT BE CONFORMED INTO AVERAGE SOCIETY!! *runs a small bookish shaped rebellion squawking happily*
Ahem. What was I saying? OH YES. Books are life. *nods*
I don’t think you can personally, but then I have never read at your level. I am more of a book every two week sort of person.
I think we should read as much as makes us happy, personally. hehe but HEY. Two books a month is still pretty good!! I read a statistic that said most people read 1 book a year. *Gasps*
I don’t think you can ever read too much. (Unless your reading too much negatively affects others.) Everyone should read however much they want. It’s like telling people, you watch too much TV or you play too many video games. If it’s what makes you happy and that’s how you want to spend your down time, then go for it. As long as you’re prepared to suffer any consequences, like having high standards for books and rating nearly everything 3 stars or reading so much that it meshes together. (Happens to me all the time!) Fact of the matter is, I enjoy it. So I’m gonna do it. DON’T TELL ME HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE! Unless of course, you want me to interject on how you should live yours. 😛
Hehe, yes, the consequences ARE REAL. 😂 I never thought there’d be cons to read so much? But it truly isn’t all butterflies and picnics. And I agree, I mean, if it’s your downtime and your hobby and it makes you happy — why should that be a bad thing??! WE GOTTA DO WHAT MAKES US HAPPY.
I think there is no way that anyone can read ‘too much’. I love your pros and cons list – and yes, the cons list is very painful. Especially when the fictional world is so much more exciting than our current world. I mean, living in a Fantasy world sounds really cool. But also dangerous. Hmm 😛
I knoooow right?! It’s like why can’t I be epic at archery or world domination or something. THESE FICTIONAL 16 YEAR OLDS ARE COOLER THAN ME. *collapses in a heap of despair*
NO. No matter how many people tell me to go and discover the outside world for once, I SHALL NOT. Reading is one of my favorite things to do, and no one shall stop me from doing it. It’s not like I don’t go out every once in a while… I just really read 90% of the time. *looks away* Fun post, Cait!
Ugh, and let’s not even talk about nature. *shudders* It’s dangerous. I’m 98% sure of it. BOOKS ARE SO MUCH SAFER. (Let’s not talk about papercuts. Ahem.)
YES to this entire post, Cait! I definitely suffer from some of those cons – especially the one about forgetting about books because I’ve read so many haha. I definitely agree with you about reading as many books as you want (but really – I doubt that any of the commenters would disagree with you), but I do think that I need more balance in my life. Like, I think my parents think I need more of a social life? BUT, IT’S SO HARD! I can’t help that I, erm….sometimes would rather spend time with my books than with people. It’s rather concerning, honestly…..
PFFFT. WHAT IS SOCIAL LIFE. WHY DO WE NEED IT. *huddles in hermit cave with books* Parents have such odd expectations…
Ahem.😂
BUT OMG FORGETTING WHAT ONE READS IS THE WorST. I wish I had a photographic memory or something!! But at least it makes rereads worthwhile?! Because it’s literally like reading a new book! 😛
The answer to this question is always no. It is never possible to read too much. Obviously, we just need to, er, evolve larger brains. Or enlist many minions. Or maybe get a Pensieve, like Dumbledore. DUH.
Or a time turner??? I’m totally open to robbing Hermione’s time turner. A BOOKWORM’S GOTTA DO WHAT A BOOKWORM’S GOTTA DO.
I love this question. Reading is a core part of my job, so I’m probably biased, but I genuinely don’t believe people can read too much. I mean, sure if you’re reading and not eating/sleeping/bathing then maybe you need to pick up a quitter strip (read: bookmark) and put the book down for a while. Don’t disregard basic bodily functions! I think the bigger issue is people who don’t read *enough*. As you’ve so aptly put it in your pros list, a reader gets to live many lives. Reading teaches empathy, compassion, and kindness, and encourages an openness to other cultures and other people that can be hard to find anywhere else. Sure, reading can be an expensive habit and books can literally take over your personal space, but isn’t that kind of wonderful? Great post 🙂
BAhaha, quitter strip. 😂 I LOVE THAT. Ahem. But yes, if it’s going to be that drastic, there might be a problem? But I mean, who really ever gets to that point with books?! MY EYES WOULD FALL OUT FIRST OUT OF TIREDNESS.
Reading has seriously changed my life and I think it’s made me a better person. WHY WOULD I WANT TO QUIT THAT?! 😛
NEVER! Well, you CAN read too much if you find it taking over your life and you’re really not functioning. Or moving. Or just laying there and making someone fetch your meals and possibly peeing in a bucket. But NO ONE should be deciding that for you. If you want to read 300 books per year and still enjoy other things outside of reading as well, that’s a healthy balance. Except in winter. Then we can all stay housebound and read anything we can get our hands on. I used to read like a demon too smushy, but I sometimes forget that I still need to adult sometimes and that takes over. I eventually plan on purchasing a second adult to do my adulting for me. My husband probably won’t even notice Unless Kelly number 2 burns his dinner. Something Kelly number one would never do. Because hullo, peeeerfect *TA – DA*
You eat as many books as you like sweetheart *pats smushy and glares at everyone*
That is true. And tbh that’ll never happen to me because MY DOG IS LAZY AND WON’T BRING ME SANDWICHES. (I can’t actually imagine reading so much that it’d ruin your life, tho, because, omg don’t people’s eyes get tired??! MINE LIKE RESTS.)
And I also agree! IT’S A “YOU” DECISION. If people are telling you how to live your life…hmm. Problems.
I will eat all the books I want forever, because I have your permission. I’ll print it out on a little business card and whenever someone says I read too much, I’ll smack the card in their face and say “hA! KELLY SAYS I DON’T, SO THERE.”
Soooo, how worrisome is it that I find the NEGATIVES to be… well, POSITIVE? Like, fictional life being awesomer than real life is AWESOME. Especially during the time when the real life isn’t. Being Katniss is also 92% awesome (the other 8% going to that minor hindrance of constant-mortal-peril) And, hey, forgetting other things because of books is a-okay! It’s their own fault for NOT BEING AS LOVELY AND WORTHY OF REMEMBRANCE AS THE BOOKS ARE! #positivity (They actually call this brand of delusion I’m displaying Unrealistic Optimism in psychology, BUT I LOVE MY UNREALISTIC BOOKISH OPTIMISM AND I SHALL DEFEND IT STRAIGHT INTO A STRAITJACKET!)
I also vote pro-happiness, whatever it may be! (But happiness is, of course, a castle of books and chocolate cake with an occasional draconic visit. The dragons are kindly and benign and DON’T breathe fire to burn our bookish castle to the ground. They’re better-behaved than that. And they love books, too.)
I feel like my negatives ARE rather positive coming to think about it. I mean, why wouldn’t I want to be Katniss?? Really now. And plus if I was Katniss I would have amazing hair. I’m onboard for that.
I shall bring you cake when you’re in a straitjacket. Because I am kind.
I ALSO SO YAY AND GO FOR HAPPINESS. Because it can be quite hard to find sometimes??? And we should own it when we got it. I, of course, have dragons and cake as well as books, but I think books are still the bestest thing of ever.
People have been telling me that I read too much and as much as I want to deny it, I know I’ve been reading too much. I rarely hang out with my friends because I rather stay at home reading. I’m a terrible friend. I also keep reading even though I have test tomorrow and sometimes my grades slipped. And I also have book burn out because I just don’t even know what I want to read even though there are thousands of books out there. But one thing makes me sure I’ve been reading too much: when I go to the bookstore and go to the ya section, I’ve read most of them. And it’s just hard to pick another book because it seems like you’ve read everything!
Agh, grades slipping is not good I suppose. Socialising…meh. 😂 OKAY I’M KIDDING. I guess it is healthy to do a bit of everything and do it well, right??!? and omg going to the bookstore and having read everything feels like CONQUERING to me. I love that feeling. 😛 Although I do sometimes feel like I’ve “read it all before” when I pick up a book and it sounds so much like another one. *sigh*
If someone tells you that you read too much, you need to drop that person from your life because you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life. Ha.
I do read SO MUCH MORE than I did a couple of years ago, but I also have more time. I have always, always been a big reader though and I don’t think you can read too much. Then again, I have read some books (according to my Goodreads shelf) that I just don’t remember at ALL. I accidentally requested (and was approved for) an ARC from NetGalley of a book that I already owned and had already read. And it was a book that I had really enjoyed. Crazy, right? In all fairness, the cover was completely different. But still, the premise should have told me something. D’oh!
BAHAHAH. Good advice. 😂 (Unless it’s my family which I like in my life, I just have to ignore them and gift them books to make my point. Ahem.)
I’ve actually borrowed the same book TWICE from the library AT THE SAME TIME. It had a different title/cover and a slightly different blurb? But seriously. I’m so sad. XD
All I want to do is READ all the time. I wish I could be paid to just read. Perhaps drink tea and make pancakes in between. I love reading so much. YOu are absolutely right about time and space. My book shelf crashed last year. I got it repaired. And now it is full. My latest haul books are on the refrigerator and between my clothes. Help!!
I WISH I COULD BE PAID TO READ TOO!! EEEEP! With a sidedish of bakery, yes. Because I make a mean cake that is glorious to all the nations. #humble
I have officially run out of shelf space. 😂 NEXT STEP = GOODBYE FLOOR. YOU’RE BECOMING A BOOKSHELF.
I think everyone I know has told me at some point or the other that I “read too much” so at this point I’m basically in denial…But like you said, reading makes me soo happy (that and I barely have time to read these days so if I get time, I will damn well READ!!!). I really wish I knew more bookworms IRL but even tweeting with other book bloggers can be soo much fun (because I feel like we’re all soo similar..ya know?).
I shall live in denial with you. We shall eat books and read cake and LIFE WILL BE GOOD. And I think if reading makes us happy then it’s a thing we really should stick to. BECAUSE HAPPINESS IS GOOD AND HARD TO FIND.
“Reading too much” is bull. Seriously. For one thing, exactly how much is “too much”. It’s very subjective. And also, who would ever cut back on something they love? The only time I would say you were doing too much of something was if it was starting to cause harm to yourself or those around you.
Just a word on you’re average rating getting lower: I think that’s just a side effect of the number of books you read. The more books you read the more likely you are to encounter books of a variety of standards. Plus your tastes change over time and you may just have stricter criteria for a 4 or 5 star book (which means that if I ever see you give a book 5 stars, I know it’s REALLY GOOD). This does not ever mean that reading is not working for you. The only way to improve it would be to be more selective with your reading, but that would mean you read less books overall.
AGREED. It is subjective!! And I think there are waaaay less useful hobbies to get into. I mean, reading makes you smarter. Counting pinecones does not. *nods*
Also I toootally agree with the average-rating thoughts there. Because also I think the more you read, the more you KNOW what’ll make you happy?!? So I think I subconsciously hang out for those kinds of books to give my mega-high ratings too. 😛 And I’m actually trying to be a bit more selective but at the same time I JUST WANNA READ EVERYTHING. And you never know if you might miss a favourite if you don’t read all the things, right??
I worry about that too sometimes. Like, I came across a review the other day of a book, and I was like “OMG that book sounds amazing”. Guess what? I’d already read it. Reviewed it, even. I just forgot about it.
so yeah, maybe I read too much. And my standards are so high nowadays. But I wouldn’t dream of not reading anymore either. I can’t live without it!
BAHAHHA YOU ARE WONDERFUL.😂 Okay that hasn’t happened quite yet to me? But I found myself recommending a book I loved the other day, but I’d read it like 3 years ago? And I paused in my recommendation and was just like “Okay actually I have no idea if I’d even still like this book because I remember nothing.” -_-
Reading too much? That’s not a thing! People who say that are just jealous of how much we DO read… they just wish THEY read as much as US! (Of course, pffttsshh) Though one thing I would say is that I read too much during the week. Reading always takes priority over school work, and it’s not working out too well! That reminds me, I have revision to be doing… XD
Though it does bother me that I have ridiculously high standards. A lot of the books I’ve read recently that I didn’t love, might have been my favourite book a few years ago. It also means I’ve gone off my favourite books a bit! But at least when I find a book I love, I know I really love it.
Thanks for sharing, Cait! 🙂
Denise | The Bibliolater
HEHE I AGREE. 😂 I mean, honestly. Of all the things we COULD be doing…reading is actually building braincells and all sorts of wonderful things. How is that bad??! (Although I sometimes neglect writing, which I really should be doing, in favour of reading, so…oops. :P)
I am sad about the high standards sometimes??? But mostly it’s nice because when I find a book I REALLY REALLY LOVE then there’s no doubt in my mind how wonderful it is. :’)
Reading too much… well, if you ask me all those books were written for a reason. Obviously books do have other uses, like you could use them to build a throne, but in the end they really just want to be read. And with so many books out there… that means there are a lot to read so how can you read too much?! THE BOOKS ARE THERE. RIGHT THERE. What else are we gonna do with them? XD
And yesss fictional friends are the best. And bookworm friends too! Omg though are you ever in like a situation (it doesn’t even have to be an important one, it could be as simple as walking downstairs) and you think to yourself: hmmm how would *insert fictional character here* do this? And then if you decide Inej from Six of Crows would totally slide down the banister or tiptoe along it or generally sneak down the stairs, you decide you’re gonna attempt to do that as well. Although maybe don’t copy Inej, I’m not sure that would be safe…
As always, loved this so much Cait! 🙂
I do like the idea of building books into a throne. That is like #1 on my priority list of Things I Need To Do Immediately. ahem. BUT OTHERWISE…I really think there are more upsides to reading a lot than anything else.
I think I want to be Inej when I grow up though. WHY ARE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS SO MUCH MORE AWESOME THAN ME? *collapses wailing*
FICTIONAL LIFE IS BETTER THAN REAL LIFE. 😀 I actually have recently been thinking about this a lot – I realise I definitely have a book addiction but it doesn’t consume my life… I think that’s probably when it becomes an issue. I just spend my free time reading, but still have a good social life. PLUS, I think having a giant bookshelf is SO PURDY. Even if some of my friends tease me about the kinds of books I read – I DEFEND THEM TO THE END. xDxD But generally, books are just amazing and a book addiction is definitely the best kind of addiction you can have! 😀
WELL YOU ARE CLEARLY THE AWESOME READING MAJESTY THEN. Despite your blog being she reads TOO MUCH. BAHHA. (omg I am teasing. I love your blog name!!) But zomg good on your for balancing all the things — I think that’s the key, right?! Do a bit of everything and enjoy yourself. 😀
Love your post, Cait 😉 I remember a time when I was little and my sister didn’t read so much anymore. I ask my grandma, why doesn’t my sister read anymore? My sister used to read me books after books. She was then in her teens and I was five years younger. My grandma said there comes a time when you also have other interests. I could not believe it would come a time I would not be surrounded by books. The whole idea made me sad. I remember I almost cried when I went to bed that night. Time went by and I become in my teens my self, I read more than ever. Then I realize people are different. Specially my sister and I. For me it impossible to read too much. My life is 60% reading and 40 % writing stories my self. My entire personality is a big book. I wouldn’t be me without a crowded bookcase and a long reading list that goes all the way to the moon. I tend to give books 4 stars on Goodreads, if I think the book is bad. But I have lately tried to get better at giving it 3. There are those who like a book and those who don’t. Authors must get used to hearing the truth, that way they become better. I also think that if I one day will give out a book, I want people to be honest.
OMG I RELATE TO THIS SO SO MUCH. But with my little sister? Like we used to both read and read and read….and then she got those fabled “other interests”. So it totally depends on the person, because I never lost my love of reading. IT GREW. 😂 I would like my life to be 50% reading and 50% writing, but I definitely lean towards reading right now. XD It’s comforting?!
And zomg I so so love this comment. WE CAN BE BOOKS TOGETHER.
I think the only way you can read too much is if you actually start missing out on life BECAUSE you’re reading. So far, this has not yet happened to me (or you, I don’t think), despite the whole 300+ books a year thing. And now that I read that many books, I don’t think I’d be able to cut down and stop reading that much. That would feel very uncomfortable to me to go from 300+ books down to 1oo books. Like, I shudder at the thought.
I shudder too. *wails* Which is why I’m having SUCH A HARD TIME reading less this year. Gahhh. I mean, I have to do other stuff and can’t put as much time into books this year? But my brain is physically missing being inundated with glorious stories. *continues wailing*
I had always thought that you could never read too much, but then I thought harder about your comment that you rate most of what you read below 3.5/5., and that got me thinking.
Of course, I want to read all the time, but I think that maybe I CAN read too much – And reading too much is signaled by two things – first, by not enjoying reading. If you read so much that you’re no longer having fun reading (e.g. pushing to get quantity over quality), then it’s probably not good and you should cut back. Second, I think that if you think everything you are reading is crap, that’s a bad sign. You probably are consuming more books, but not putting as much thought into picking books. You should be able to pick things that you want to read, and will find enjoyable. Maybe you need to investigate different genres or styles of books to find something different and inspiring!
So it’s not so much that you can read too much, but that you can read blindly…
Oh oh I do get what you mean here, totally. Because quantity over quality rarely works out, does it? And if you’re not having fun doing A HOBBY then there’s a problem, I reckon. Although sometimes you don’t know you won’t like a book, right? so you might not like it, but the process of reading can still be enjoyable?? Kinda? If that makes sense? BUT YEAH.
And your last sentence = perfection. I COULDN’T AGREE MORE.
I’ve definitely found that the more I read, the more critical I get. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because I still find book gems that impress me – but I’m definitely harder to please. But I like to think of it as me becoming more ~cultured~ (not quite the right word, but I think you get what I mean) – the more you read, the more you know/experience.
But the books that DO impress us are infinitely more awesome, right?!?? And I do get what you mean!! I just feel…knowledgeable??! For having read so many books. :’)
My parents tell me that I read too much ALL THE TIME. When I failed a physics test in 11th grade — because I’m REALLY bad at physics — my dad took away my e-reader until after exams. Luckily, after getting an A on the physics exam, he not only gave me my right to read books back but also bought me a new e-reader as a late Christmas gift.
I’m so terrible at remembering details from books. A month after reading a book, I start to go “OH YEAH! I FORGOT I READ THAT BOOK!” when I see it on Instagram or someone’s blog. My average rating on Goodreads is 3.36, but Goodreads doesn’t count half stars. Most books get a 3-star rating, which means, “I enjoyed this book, but I’m probably not going to re-read it, nor will I remember it in a month.”
Omg, really?!? I would’ve been horrified, but I guess positives are he bought you a new one. *gives you comforting cake as well* But my parents say I read too much too. ARGH. But LIKE I’M NOT ON THE COMPUTER??? I’M FILLING MY BRAIN WITH GRAND WORDS??! Parents. *heavy sigh* Never satisfied. 😉
At least if we forget books so fast, rereading is more fun?!? 😂
My Goodreads average is 3.4. 😛
I totally get that jealousy part. Sometimes, a character is SO awesome and they get to do so many things, it kinda makes your life look a little boring at times. I do think reading many books give you a different standard and it is more easily to forget about books. At the same time, you get to read more and experience more (like you’ve mentioned). I don’t think there is such a thing as reading TOO much. It’s more like.. reading enough for you, and that is a personal target 🙂
YES IT DOES AND IT’S A PROBLEM SOMETIMES, RIGHT?!? Gah. I look at the 16 year olds who are basically ruling the world and I’m like “this morning I made toast and didn’t burn it. Go me.”😂 But all the life experiences are worth it right?! I feel so well travelled and I don’t even have to leave my room.
THIS PHOTO IS SO DISGUSTINGLY COLOR COORDINATED HANG ON WHILE I DRY MY TEARS. Okay. I’m okay now. Really. “CUE EXISTENTIAL CRISIS.” xD oh my word for real. Those are seriously good questions though! Some that I’ve never found my pineapple brain considering before… DAAAAAAH YOU LEAD ME INTO DANGEROUS AND POROUS GROUND MY QUEEN. But I trust that you shall answer these questions so I’m just going to shut up and keep reading now…(reading the post, not reading books. although that too. xD)
“I am made of 70% books. (I think the rest is 20% cake and 10% paper cuts.)” GIRL YOUR BIOGRAPHY TITLE THERE IT IS:
70% books
20% cake
10% paper cuts
i love it. i would buy it. even if i didn’t know what it was about. xD
“But I’m not going to underestimate the fictional friends too… um YAAAAAASSSS. Honestly most of the time I’m just like, “I DON’T HAVE ANY FRIENDS FOR A REASON. I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THEM.” I lay in bed at night when I can’t sleep and think about my fictional sweethearts and it is life. IT IS LIFE. the end. AHHA THAT WAS BRILLIANT BUT I’m still surprised by how short you managed to keep that list of “pros.” 😉 *cake for your effort* Aaaand all the cons are perfect too. ESPECIALLY THE PICKING UP HABITS FROM FICTIONAL CHARACTERS?? LIKE I DO THAT I THINK. And I also kind of pick up habits from my own characters which is like a whole other level of AWESOME because I love my characters more than I love myself sometimes. Lots of the time. AHEM. squeak! this was great.
love,
abbiee
IT IS A DISGUSTING PHOTO, OMG, AND I AM SO PROUD OF IT. *struts about majestically* And I think the bookworm life is like 50% reading and 50% existential crises about SOMETHING OR OTHER.
And that is definitely going to be my memoir title. *nods* There is no downside to a title like that. I’ll be an INSTANT BESTSELLER. QUICK. I MUST DO SOMETHING MEMORABLE SO I CAN WRITE A MEMOIR. *flaps about*
Ahem.
Although now that I think about it, is picking up habits from fictional characters EVEN A CON?!?!??? It just makes us 5000% more awesome I’m sure of it. I seriously started archery as a kid because of Ranger’s Apprentice. (And ditched it because I am a horrible archer. XD) Books are ridiculously inspiring things. *happy sigh*
I may say that it’s possible to read too fast (at least I find this true for myself, because I am bad at paying attention), but I would never, EVER say that it’s possible to read too much. I would say the opposite: it’s not possible to read ENOUGH.
I completely agree about reading leading to friends, both real (*waves*) and fictional. That’s definitely one of the best parts.
Except for forgetting things in books (which would happen no matter how many or few books I read), I actually think your cons are really pros. Forgetting other things? PRO. High standards? Not necessarily a bad thing. Taking up your time and your house? DEFINITE PRO. Fictional life being better than real life? That’s reality. Becoming unsure if you’re Katniss? That’s just a sign of a healthy imagination.
In summary….READ AS MUCH AS INHUMANLY POSSIBLE AND LIFE WILL BE WONDERFUL.
I LIKE THIS. THIS IS TRUE. Although sometimes I read too fast so I can more? Hehh. (But omg, Maraia, be proud of me. I’m trying to stick to 20 books a month and I’M DOING THIS. I am. I only have 1 more book to read and so I’m focusing on editing and other things atm.)
And it is!! I would be a sad lonely bookworm if I just read by myself without the internet to lead me to hordes of enthusiastic fangirls.
BAHAHHA YES. They are pros! If you forget a book, it makes rereading much more fun, right?!
I think I need to sell my family to make room for new books though…Just sayin’.
Gahh, I know, I do, too. YES, I am so proud of you! Except I can’t imagine not reading for a few days in a row. BUT CAIT, I DON’T EVEN KNOW IF I’M GOING TO MAKE IT TO TWENTY BOOKS THIS MONTH. And I KNOW we’re supposed to be reading less crazy this year, but after last year, it still hurts a little. Especially since I don’t know where that time has gone. (I mean, the 32-hour audiobook didn’t help, but still.) The bookworm life is hard.
I KNOW IT HURTS. IT HURTS A LOT. GAHHHH. I may or may not have had a mini brain meltdown the other day because reading only 20 books is very very intense suffering. *weeps* I feel like I’m failing?? When 20 books is like freaking awesome anyway. SO WE GOTTA KEEP TELLING OURSELVES THIS.
It is intense suffering! I’m trying not to think about all the books I’m NOT reading. *sobs forever* But yes, we need to remind ourselves that we’re actually winning, not failing! Over and over and over until we actually believe it, hah.
SAME. And I accidentally went to a book sale. *dies a little* But I mean, when one can buy 7 books for less than $2, how can you say no? They HAD to be adopted. But least to say my TBR is rapidly outgrowing my decreased reading rate. XD
Oooh, what did you get?!
Such an interesting discussion! I don’t think we can ever read “too much” either. I totally agree with each and every thing you said—even I’m on a verge of living in a cardboard box house hahaha, my bookshelf is overflowing xD. All the cons you listed are so relatable! *nervous laugh* I’m actually quite sure I don’t remember much about the books I read a few years ago, haha.
Great post, as always! <3
Shikha @ Fiction and Tea
Next step is selling the family to make room for more books. COMPLETELY good idea, amirite?!? *coughs nervously* *family glares* Ahem. I was glancing over a review I did in 2013 and omg, I barely remember the book AT ALL. But I guess that makes rereading more fun?!?
It definitely does! One of the reasons I re-read Fangirl every year. *evil smirk* Muahahaha xD
Btw Cait!! Have you started the Evolution of Mara Dyer yet?!? I just did—and even though it’s not as good as the first book—I love it! So addictive <3 I haven't stopped reading since it arrived in the mail this afternoon haha!
No you definitely cannot read too much! The pros of reading definitely outweigh the cons! Living in fictional words is awesome, getting a better vocabulary is awesome, knowing about more things than other people is awesome! I mean c’mon it could be worse; you could be addicted to watching trashy reality TV! The horror! 🙂
~Sara
YES THE PROS OUTWEIGH THE CONS! I AGREE. 😂 I mean, what is the downside to getting smarter through reading more?!? THERE IS NONE.
I have also been told that i read too much. I don’t think this is really possible, because reading is good for you. (You know you have good parents when they’re trying to encourage you NOT to read, rather than TO read). However, I think it could be possible that by spending all your time reading, you’re missing out on real life interactions and having your own adventures. Blogging is great, because you have a real life experience BECAUSE of reading, rather than because you weren’t reading. So real friends can pop up this way. (This sounds convoluted. I’m confused) ‘They are like the most important thing in existence! After cheesecake…oh gosh. Wait. Maybe even BEFORE CHEESECAKE. This is getting serious.’ OMG you’re hilarious! Can I have cheesecake, please?
YES IT IS GOOD FOR YOU!! And isn’t it ironic how parents can be like “you read too much, go socialise” when everyone else in the world has parents who WANT them to read. 😂 PARENTS ARE JUST NOT SATISFIED OMG.
I do think it depends though…like is spending your time in books “missing out”?? I do wonder why we have this stigma of reading being unequal to living? But I mean, not that I disagree with you! JUST THINKIN’.
YOU MAY HAVE CHEESECAKE. WE SHALL CHEESECAKE TOGETHER.
I don’t know, because I can honestly see both sides to the argument. There comes a point where you read so many books that nothing is really new or exciting and everything kind of just feels same old, same old (kind of like the whole dystopia fad).
But, on the other hand, I also feel like there are so many things you learn and acquire from reading books that you wouldn’t know otherwise. And books can open your eyes to seeing the world in so many new and different ways too. *shrugs* It really is a toss up. Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous discussion! ♥
Agh, yes, that dystopia fad really killed dystopians for me. I literally NEVER pick them up anymore because I’m sure I’m going to get the same old, same old. *wails* Which makes me sad because it used to be my FAVOURITE genre!!
HeHE. It IS a toss up. I always pick the difficult topics. 😂
I think the point when you (proverbial, of course) have read “too much” is the reading slump. After which, the “too much” is over and you can go back to reading until you have no eyes… or fall asleep… or have to do things. Haha. Thanks for the great post, Cait! 🙂
Oh oh I know what you mean!! And it’s okay to take reading breaks too if it gets to be too much on one’s brain. 😂
Interesting thoughts! I never really though about it before. I think everyone has to read as much as feels right for them. I personally tend to go through phases. Sometimes I’m buried in books and reading all the time, but other times I’m reading a bit less and writing a bit more. It’s all about balancing what’s important to you.
I also try not to judge people for not reading that much (but usually I fail, haha).
AGREED. It should be about “what you want” as opposed to “what people think you should be doing”. Which is probably true for most things.😂 Unless, of course, it’s stealing those avocados and think we can all agree that’s just not okay.
Agreed! This is actually a very good discussion. I think people don’t value reading enough; they don’t understand how important and beneficial it can be. Especially living a thousand lives and eating cheesecake by a waterfall. *nods* (Because cheesecake is awesome, obviously.) My only issue is that I have barely any time for reading — I haven’t read a new book since since 2016 started (horrendous, I know!). Hopefully I’ll have more time to read once summer starts. You seem to have SOOOO much time to read so many books — I’m jealous of you! XD
It’s so so odd, though, because most other things are understood, but when it comes to books?!?!? THERE’S SO MUCH STIGMA THAT IT’S “WASTING TIME”. GAHHHH. It’s not fair! People don’t think sport is wasting time! Merp. (Cheesecake is probably the 2nd meaning of life, after books, definitely.)
Not having time for reading truly is torture. D: I do have to squish it in amongst many other things?!? It’s kind of a circus act somedays. 😂
I suffer from- much books taking over my life, books taking up my time, books consuming ME. And i LOVE it. Like, books are my lifeline. What would I do without books? Nothing! (or steal avocados idk it’s possible) Literally my sister asked me if I had enough books yet and i wAS LIKE “DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH OXYGEN OR HAVE YOU HAD YOUR FILL???”
Great post, Cait! ^_^ Love the lists, as always xD
OMG DON’T YOU DARE FALL TO THE DEPRAVITY OF STEALING AVOCADOS, SJ. HOW DARE YOU CONSIDER IT. The life of crime needs be ignored, clearly. I’m constantly asked by my family “haven’t you read enough books” to which I say “AM I DEAD? NO? THEN I NEED MORE BOOKS”. I think you have the best answer though. You are a star amongst bookish fangirl worms.
The problem I have? Too many books, too little time. This post is really interesting! And I forget the books I read too! 😝
Books take up a lot of my time. There are so many times where I should be studying but instead reading a book, promising myself to start once I finish the chapter I am currently reading. It’s so hard to stop! Bookworm crisis!
P.S. I think you might know this but your blog was selected by Urbanepics as one of the best young adult blog: http://urbanepics.com/best-ya-blogs-bookreviewers/
Congratulations! 😊
Forgetting books is THE WORST right?!? 😛 Gah, I love books so much, and I wish I had a photographic memory or something, hehe. (I have like a SWISS CHEESE MEMORY, omg, because everything falls out of my head. Hmph.) Anyway. I often procrastinate writing by reading. Hehe, my bad. 😉
Aw thank you for the link to that!! I’ll go check it out!!
Short answer: YES.
Long answer: I read a LOT of books last year (not as many as you–about 245– and so far this year, I’ve been feeling kinda burnt out, you know? So basically I’m going to take a step back this year and only aim for 100. 🙂
OMG THAT IS A GOOD IDEA, KARA, I ADMIRE YOU. I’m really struggling to cut back? Like I told myself “aim for 200” but my brain wants 300 and OMG I JUST CAN’T. I’m really trying hard to just…not worry about reading everyday so I can focus on writing and things. *sighs* IT’S TOUGH BEING AN OVER ACHIEVER. GAH. I took a 10 day reading break after Christmas and just watched TV shows and…it was really nice. :’)
I am reminded of a wonderfully bookish quote here: It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. I think that as bookish people, sometimes we need to be reminded to spend a little bit more time in the real world. That being said, I adore books and will read so long as it makes me happy. I’ve been bookish since I was 5 so I doubt very much I’ll stop anytime soon XD
I have found that since I began reading/blogging, my standards have gotten higher than they would have. I have honed my palette and now I know what I like, what I don’t, what’s overused in terms of tropes and what is really unique and works for me. I don’t think that’s a bad thing though because it makes it all the more sweet (like cake!) when a book DOES deliver on all fronts! Fantastic post Cait^^
Hmm, good point! Although I often wonder why reading is sometimes considered “not living”. Like I just wonder where that originated from? HEHE. But I think it could be true for any dedicated interest right?! BALANCE IN ALL THINGS. *nods*
I think I will read eternally. :’)
I think sometimes I read too much too fast, which leaves me feeling burnt out and I have to take a severe break from reading. I think reading a lot is good, always good. I can find different genres I like which also means discovering a new aspect of reading I enjoy… this is such an insteresting discussion. I’ve never seen it out that way and now I’m the one having the existential crisis!
I totally get that too!! MEEEEEE. I am like a wildly fast reader and sometimes I miss details in finales because I read them so much (BECAUSE I’M PANICKING OVER MY DARLING FICTIONAL BABIES AND MUST KNOW WHAT’S GOING DOWN) ahem. I love reading a lot though. I feel like I know so many things thanks to books!!
Too much reading? It’s blasphemy!! BUT I will say that every once in awhile my family starts to look at me askance when they’re all ready for a family game and I’m all like, “I just have twenty more pages of this book!” Or when my husband wants to talk to me about something but he doesn’t bother trying to break through the fictional shell around my head at that moment. Reading all the time becomes much more complicated when you have a husband and kids … and like a job and stuff. Darn!!!
Omg, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE. I find it tricky enough when my puppy is getting between me and my book (like, literally. He sits on my face so I can’t read) so I can only imagine balancing a family as well. Alas, SO MANY THINGS DEMAND OUR ATTENTION. WHATEVER CAN WE DO.
You know, yesterday I didn’t read at all and it felt sooo good! But of course that couldn’t last too long because my mountain of books demand attention, so I was to reading at 7 AM 😀
I’ve been reading a lot of mediocre books lately which has been breaking my heart, but like you said, we live a thousand lives as well! We can’t let a few bad apples spoil the bunch, because reading that five-star book is like winning the lottery!
Reading is a hobby I do’t think I’ll ever give up! <3
HEHE. I actually didn’t read yesterday either!😂 I mean a REAL book. I was editing all day so I just felt like mush and sleep when I finally quit for the night. BUT AH THAT MOUNTAIN OF BOOKS DEMANDS CONSTANT SUPERVISION. *nods* I understand the feel.
Agh, I’ve read a TON of dodgy books this year already too. It makes me sad!! Most of them were 2015 releases though, so hopefully when I’m officially on the 2016 releases they’ll be good?!?
I’ve forgotten books because I read so many, yep.
It is a TRAGEDY, right?! *collapses dramatically*
Back in school, someone once said to me (wow that introduction makes me feel old) “let me guess… you read this somewhere?” in reply to something I said, because apparently I often followed up facts with “I read this somewhere.” This was when I was an insecure tiny human being, so I tried to stop saying where I got my information BUT CLEARLY THIS WAS AWESOME PROOF THAT READING MAKES YOU SMART. I’m also pretty sure books are responsible for my moral conscience and being a semi-good person. Basically what I’m trying to say is I was raised by books.
Agh, don’t get me started with “back in school” phrases *sobs* or it turns into “BACK IN MY DAY, 6 YEARS AGO” and I’m not quite ready for that. Ahem. But omg that IS proof that you’re smart! I tend to spurt out odd facts from books, usually at bad times. Like going swimming in the sea and I’ll be hollering “I READ THIS BOOK ABOUT A SHARK –” and I ask myself why my family keeps trying to smother me. Hmm. Odd.
“If you read a lot you’re equipped for any conversation.” Definitely true for me! And it’s why I love to read a wide variety of genres.
I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have “high” standards for the books you read. Ratings kind of cease to have any meaning if you rate everything you read at 4 and 5 stars.
Saaaaame! And that’s a big reason why I read so many books, too, because I can almost always find a book in common to discuss with another bookworm. 😀 And TOO TRUE…having high standards doesn’t have to be bad. It means we have epic taste, right!?!?
Hi Cait! This is Mariam from the Book Blog Awards. Your blog won an award this year, you can see the winners list here: http://BookBlogAwards.wordpress.com. Please send me your email at MariamMisty@gmail.com so I can send you your winners badge. Thanks and congrats!! – Mariam
Oh! Thank you! 🙂
I definitely do not think there is such a thing as reading too much. We are the ones doing the reading, after all. It’s up to no one but ourselves to decide how much to read. So nope, definitely no such thing as reading too much.
I do feel most of the cons you listed, though, haha XD I often forget what specific books were about, especially if they sit somewhere on the “meh” range of enjoyment. I mean, I can always remember books I loved, or books I hated, but when something was just “meh”, my brain ejects it from memory after too long. Which is kind of especially bad when it comes to series, and I pick up a new book in said series and I have literally NO IDEA what is going on *gulp*
And it’s also harder to find books I love, but I also think that’s a pro because it means the books I’m loving and giving high ratings to are FLIPPING FANTASTIC and deserve all the love I’m giving them.
I say read as much as you want because reading is fantastic, and …. the limit does not exist. (Seriously, that quote fits so many occasions.)
I definitely understand this post. YUP YUP I DO. Though, I have no idea if I read too much or not. But here’s the thing: when it comes to reading (or, like you said, doing the things that you love), there isn’t really any “too much”. ENOUGH IS NEVER ENOUGH. But I do get the part about forgetting books. I mean, there were times when my brain feels so fullllll of stories that I forget what I read. I’ll stumble and stammer when people ask me for a summary of a certain book. BUT this isn’t really a problem for me, because the moment I read the blurb/summary again, all my feels and thoughts about the book comes rushing back. Its like the cabinet in my brain about that book is UNLOCKED MUAHAHA. But yes, in my opinion, there’s no such thing as reading too much xD
Cait, creepiest coincidence EVER, I just used a Katniss line to someone TODAY. Well, a Wiress/Katniss combo, but you understand. Though, not going to lie, I am adding that solidly to the Pro column, because when you show up with a great Hunger Games quote, the day gets better.
I mean, YES I suffer from all these problems you’ve mentioned, and in addition, I now suffer from “Cait mentioned cheesecake and I now must have it”. So I think that makes me even worse off. Unless I get the cheesecake, then we can go ahead and add that to the Pro column too.
Actually, thinking about it, I think I can turn every single con into a pro by using The Hunger Games and cheesecake… booknerds win.
I know ALL ABOUT becoming Katniss! …Kinda. When I started reading Firsts, I connected so well with the main character that when I heard some coworkers talking about sex, in my head I was thinking “I would know all about that, because of all the sexual partners I’ve had.” BUT THAT’S COMPLETELY UNTRUE! In fact, I’ve had ONE: my fiance. And I plan to keep it that way. And I’m really glad he’s not a mind reader.
So, needless to say, I was a little freaked out.
That kind of thing has never happened to me before? Weird.
BAHAHHAAH. OMG, DANNI. That’s hilarious. 😂 That is definitely the deepest of identifying with a character. hehe. It’s probably never happened to me to that extent? But once I literally chose a meal because “it was my favourite” and then realised it wasn’t. It was a fictional character’s. *digs a hole*
*hides in it forever*
OMG I love it! Do you remember what the book was?
I don’t believe you can ever read too much. I wish I had more time so that I could read more. I love reading, it’s a huge part of my life and I don’t ever see myself thinking I read too much. I LOVE IT!!!! <3 I do think it raises my standards, but I don't think that is a bad thing. It takes so much now for a book to get a 5/5 from me, but then I know it is a favourite and something I super love. There is a small part of me that wants to go and reread all the 5 star reads I haven't read in years and see if I still feel the same.
I AM SO WITH YOU. READING IS EVERYTHING. And I’m sure it only makes us into nice, intelligent beans. <3 And it's kind of okay to have the high standards, too,, right? Because when you find THE BOOK OF AWESOME you promote it so much more and recommend it everywhere and it's more special. :’) That is me anyway.😂
I don’t think you can read too much. Reading is a great activity for all of the reasons you stated. The cons aren’t so bad. 😉 Though I too have grown really picky about books now. XD
So true! And plus sometimes the cons aren’t bad because even if we have high standards…that just makes good books stick out ALL THE MORE, right?!?
Very true!
I do know that before I started reading quite so much, I remembered the details better in the books I read. And I reread favorites.
But I love discovering lots of books and authors I had never met. I love the book blog community….and I think I’ll keep reading a lot…okay, settled.
But I did have to purge a few hundred books from my shelves this year. The shelves look better, but I find myself missing the books that are gone. Sigh.
Aw, that’s sad to be missing books though. *weeps with you* That’s why I’m too nervous to cut down on my overflowing shelves!! WHAT I IF I NEED SOMETHING LATER?! MILD PANIC. For now I’m content to horde, hehe.
YES KEEP READING A LOT. EXCELLENT PLAN.
THIS IS 100% TRUTH, ALL OF IT. Of course I love reading. I breathe reading. I LIVE reading. Which I guess is sometimes a bit of a problem because real life also exists and I sort of just sit in my room (reading) and ignore that fact. Whoops. Sometimes I get kind of sad that I miss doing fun things in life. Then I’m like LOL NO. I GOT ME BOOKS.
Just kidding. Sort of.
I’M SO PICKY NOW. A year ago I was just a blogging newbie with lowly little tastes but then I became a reading hyena. I was so easy to impress a year ago! But now I have such snotty tastes because I know what is good and bad and so many things disappoint and sometimes I just want to be ignorant again. Easier to be happy!
So do I think you can read too much?
HA, NO. I SHALL READ FOREVER.
(Okaaaay. Maybe you can read a LITTLE too much sometimes. We do have reality and all)
AGH. LIFE GETS IN THE WAY ALL THE TIME. DARN IT LIFE. GO AMUSE YOURSELF. *nods fiercely*
I kind of think there’s a bit of stigma around this whole idea of “if you’re reading you’re not living”. … I mean, why?!? Like reading IS living. Plus it’s living like a THOUSAND lives instead of just one?! Hehe. Anyway. I mean of course we should go out and do things too, but I’m a firm believer of reading = living fully. 😂
OMG I’M PICKY TOO. I’m most likely to rate a book 3-stars or lower. *wails*
Most of the time I live and breathe books, so I feel I can never be sick of reading. But there are those other times when I’m not necessarily “sick of reading”, but I just need a little breather I guess? I do sometimes think I’m missing out on some fun stuff, but then again, think of the thousand of things I get to experience than cannot be done outside the pages of a book!! I’m perfectly content with being locked up in my room with my pretties! But my wallet may not agree. OOps!
I’ve also noticed I’ve grown to be picky with what I read, but I don’t necessarily see it as a flaw? I’ve started to shut out everything in my life that doesn’t make me happy, especially books. If I don’t enjoy it, I’ll put it down. NO LONGER WILL I FEAR THE DNF! I find this mantra also applies to other parts of life, and I’ve definitely noticed an improvement with my mood! I don’t want reading to feel like ‘work’, and this way it stays fun! LOOOOVE THIS POST, BTW. I was planning to write a very similar one, but I feel like you’ve got everything covered!!
YES! Taking a break is good! After I read like 300 books last year, I took the 2 weeks off after Christmas and read exactly NOTHING. It was kind of relaxing?! ;D And definitely made me come back into reading refreshed. hehe.
Omg, wallets are cantankerous little beasts aren’t they? SO DISAGREEABLE TO OUR HABITS.
But good for you for DNF’ing! I still need to learn that skill. GAHHH. I just feel so…unfinished?! if I don’t. But it does make me waste a lot of time on books that aren’t doing anything for me.
(Omg, don’t let me stop you, though!! I’d love to hear your take on this. ;D)
Before blogging, I didn’t have most of these problems. I mean, I’d occasionally forget the plot of a book, but I wasn’t reading 3-6 books a week back then, so it was easy to refresh my memory if I needed to! But now? Unless the book was REALLY good (or really bad!) the plots/characters tend to blur in my mind.
Which also leads to… Me reading a book I haven’t read before, and going “I know this scene/character! I’ve read this exact thing before! But I can’t remember where!!” And then worrying about if there’s actually plagiarism in the book, or if I’ve just read SO MANY books by that point, that it’s not actually a stolen scene/character, but a bunch of tiny similarities from a bunch of books that all came together to give me the deja vu when reading the new one. (So far, it’s all been the latter. But I stressed about it with 2 different ARCs last year until I figured out WHY I was being triggered!)
So that’s a pretty big con for me. That and not having the time to read all the things I want to read! *laughs* But other than that, I don’t think it’s really possible to read too much. Unless it’s making you start hating a genre you used to love. Then you need to switch to something else for a bit.
SAME! And like I barely ever re-read…although the good part is, when I do reread it’s like starting a new book because I’ve completely forgotten everything. 😂 I AM SO BAD. HEHE> Ahem. And omg, the “I’ve read this before” thing is a real tragedy. It feel like so many books repeat each other? And they probably aren’t actually copying each other…there’s just only so many ideas under the sun?
This is the question I asked myself December when I looked up and realized I had read 169 books that year. Coming from a place where 70-80 was a big year, 169 was humungous for me. Looking back, I can remember what I read, but not a lot about what happened. Except for the novels that really grabbed me, got me to think long after I finished, or left me anticipating the next in the series. All the others, I have no clue what I read unless I read my review. This is such a great discussion topic! I don’t know the answer. I guess we’ll see if I make 200 this year, or if I find myself scaling back.
Ooh, good luck with 200!! I’m aiming for that too. XD I think it’s good to read as much as we want?!? But the forgetting is a REAL problem. After a few years I honestly don’t remember books very well at all. *facepalm*
Oh my gosh!!! You can never read to much!! EVER!!!! If you think that is possible, I will unfollow your blog. And if I never DID follow your blog, I will follow it, and THEN unfollow it. Mwa-ha-ha! Mwa-ha-haha-ha! I a crazy person! Tee-hee-hee!
-Dani
True list ….What’s a Romanian crocodile ?
WHO CAN EVEN KNOW WHAT A ROMANIAN CROCODILE IS.😂 (It’s not anything, hehe, it’s just my strange sense of humour.😂)
I think it’s possible to read too much. I’ve done it. Sometimes I read for three or four days straigh, and when I say that, I mean I don’t leave my bed except to use the toilet and to go get some food from the kitchen, that I eat in my bed while reading some more. Usually I spend like fiften hours reading, maybe twenty, then I sleep untill I wake up, and repeat the proccess. At the end of those few days, I feel like my brain is overloaded.
When that happens, I can’t think clearly, and can hear “voices” in my head, like the very words I read, they are ringing in my brain over and over. I’d say it’s like been high, because when that happens the real world doesn’t matter. I’m a half vulcal senophychologist traveling in the Enterprise, I’m a french revolutionary student from 1832, I’m Captain America’s best friend, I’m Darth Vader’ daugther. And it feels real in a way that real life doesn’t. It’s fullfiling, and exciting but also sedating. Because I dont’ want to stop, and I feel like I can’t stop. Real life holds no appeling to me, and yet this compulsing reading consumes me.
I can’t think properly, I can’t connect with other people, I don’t care about anything but my books. And at the end it comes to a point when my brain can’t stand it anymore. It fries. Words lose their meaning; I can see them but I can’t proccess them. And suddenly I feel sick, and I have a pulsing headache, my eyes are too dry, and I need to stop reading and get out, out, to experiment the real world again.
At this point I usually take a shower and then I go for a long, long walk, somehere where I can feel the wind in my face, or even the rain. After several hours walking, when I’m exausted, I go to sleep, and I sleep for very long. When I wake up I full of energy, ready fo face life again, and I won’t feel the need of reading another book at least for three or four days, maybe a week.
Now, I know this is not healthy, and I’m indeed reading too much. But it only happens to me like twice a year.
Nevertheless I usually spend from six to eight hours reading every day. And though it means that I know a lot about a lot of things, I also thing that my brain works slower sometimes, like it lacks a focus it used to have. I think I might be overloading it with too much information, and the areas of my brain that are not related to language are growing old. I wonder if reading too much has a negative effect in my brain cells, or how it does affect it. Because it has to affect it in some way.
My dad says that I read to much than is acceptable. He says that I need to “join the real world”. He just doesn’t understand that reading is my life(including cheesecake of course). It upsets me how much he rants about me needing to level the amount I read. He also said that I won’t be able to understand reality because I am stuck in a world of fantasy. Come on! It is what helps me understand reality. It is what I enjoy! It’s sad he doesn’t understand.
Ugh, that is really frustrating when people don’t understand how important reading is. PLUS you are so spot-on! Fantasy is a way of understand reality. And srsly, what’s the big deal about reality anyway??? Gah. Books are ART and we are appreciating ART and there is nothing wrong with that!!
I would say that you can read too much. I used to do it. If you start to notice that you’re stopped hanging out with friends, started letting your grades drop, and barely eat unless you bring a book to the table all for the sake of reading just ‘one more chapter’ that’s when you can be sure that it’s gone too far.
Ahhhahahha! This made me LOL! I read alot! When I say alot I mean I almost always need to have a book I am reading as well as a backup just incase i don’t like this book. I absolutely love reading and wholeheartedly agree with both your pros and cons!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!!😂
But why do all the book blogs talk and discuss about fiction only . Don’t they read anything non-fiction ? If they do then why don’t they discuss it and if they don’t then it’s terrible. As a kid I used to read fiction a lot . But gradually, I also added non-fiction books to my reading. IMNSHO reading only fiction might point towards an escapist attitude and it might be OK. I am Justsaying . 😀
Because every blogger is entitled to talk about what interests them?!?? Obviously.