What's your book number?
How many books do you consume in a year and what does that say about you?
Goodreads tells me that I have read 45 books this year to date. Yes, I track what I read on Goodreads and have been doing so for a few years now to keep clear on series and authors that I like. I read such a large volume that I often forget author names or titles over time so I like the ability to search a list of what I have read.
I also use it to make a list of books I want to read. Last year I made a concerted effort to start tackling this list as it was getting unwieldy. This past weekend I went through said list and deleted some stuff off of it. If I could not clearly see why I put the book on this list it came off. If the books are not readily available at the library to borrow they might come off as well.
As I have mentioned before, I can be a bit of a pedantic box-checking achiever. I am trying to cast off this behaviour or at least streamline things to be more reflective of who I am today. And the passing interest that possessed me to list Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks on my to be read list is going to have to be forgotten for summer 2024.
I do sign up for the Goodreads reading challenge each year which I guess makes me a competitive twat. I really do it to reflect on where I am at personally and to see if my habits change over time, not to rub it in people’s faces. In fact, I am hesitant to tell you that I read 128 books last year because of your reactions.
Any time this comes up in conversation I feel like a freak. It seems that most people around me do not read this volume of books. Some do not read any at all. I have always been a voracious reader and I guess my reading speed is high but I can’t tell you what it is. I can only tell you that for me, reading is essential.
It is a balm. It is a coping mechanism. When I am stressed, I reach for fiction. I will re-read favourite books or series by favourite authors. If you walk into my house and find me deep in a Dick Francis novel you might want to ask what’s wrong. Fiction takes me away from my troubles and lets me believe that like the protagonist I will find my happily ever after (or successfully bury the body depending on the genre).
So, is this weird? Does anyone else out there besides me and my former librarian read so much? I would love to know other people’s numbers. Why do you select the books you do? Does it take you a long time to read them because you savour them or is it just that you have better things to do?
Meanwhile, I’ll be devouring my way through book number 46.
Deb
I’m proud of myself with 9 reads so far this year…
I usually read what a particular friend recommends 😉