I just wanted to share something I’ve learned (if you already knew then great!

tsundoku a Japanese practice of collecting books pile up not from neglect but from the joy of knowing they are there, full of untold tales.

tsumu is to pile up doku is reading There is meant to remain the intention of reading the stories.

Bibliomania (19th century English word) is the act of being unable to stop collecting literature initially with negative connotations is no considered an endearing term for passionate enthusiasm for literature collecting. The intention is more collecting than reading but not completely exclusive.

As someone trying to be more conscientious about my book habit (how much I’m buying, where I’m buying and what other facets of the book world I’m engaging with) I think the Japanese saying fits my feeling better out of the two.

I don’t buy books without the intention to read but I for sure don’t let my current “bought and unread books” pile stop me as much as I should! No hate to anyone who does the collectors route but for me I just don’t understand buying the same thing just in different formats just for the sake of it. I do still really enjoy special editions with nice covers and bonus content but I’m trying to approach it through initially accessing the book through my library, BookBeat and then if I’ve enjoyed it I’ll buy a physical copy. However, if I’m in an independent book store or charity shop I will also pick up copies of books I know are on my TBR! And if nothing else there’s only so much physical space I have before I run out!

Either way, buying a new book always has me excited, and there is something that whenever I do look at my shelves or pile of unread book, see the covers or the titles, there does just feel a connection, a love for the possibilities because we don’t know what is actually inside - the plot twists, the unknown journey, or even non-fictional characters element of just learning something new about the world we are in.

Stuff like this just makes me so curious as to similar words or phrases in different languages that capture the reading experience (assuming there must be) and how people manage all the untold stories they want to read whilst still remaining at least semi-conscientious!