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I used to keep a list like this (more modest though) but I stopped once I realized it's demeaning both to me and the books. The problem was that the list had n
by supersrdjan 4y ago
I used to keep a list like this (more modest though) but I stopped once I realized it's demeaning both to me and the books.
The problem was that the list had no other purpose except as a kind of trophy case. I felt proud about my list, as if finishing a book is an achievement, as if reading is a sport, as if reading a lot makes you better than those who read less. I was disgusted by my own vanity, and moreover, considered it as proof that I haven't really improved my character from all that reading.
Now I stopped maintaining a list and I stopped keeping a mental account of how many pages or books I read.
The result is that, though I rarely finish any book I pick up, I probably spend more time in total reading, and I learn way more because I don't hesitate spending a lot of time appreciating or grappling with, say, a single paragraph of text.
#itsnotarace
(BTW I don't want to imply that this is true for everybody. And I mean if your list has notes that's totally different)
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- acjacobson 4y agoI keep a private list because sometimes people ask me for book recommendations and then I have something to refer to. I have found it's easy to forget on the spot all the things I have read.
- shishy 4y ago+1. When I was writing down my list I was surprised at the books (and movies / shows / etc.) I had that I couldn't recall but was super happy to remember when I saw them.
- lelandfe 4y agoDoes keeping a record of things necessarily imply vanity? It seems to me that your problem was with your own feeling toward the list - “I felt proud about my list” - and not the list itself. Where does that feeling come from? It might be worth exploring.
- supersrdjan 4y agoI agree. I think it comes from school and parents instilling the notion that reading books is virtuous. The idea of being "well-read"
- hamburglar 4y agoI actually think being well-read is virtuous. Feeling superior about it is what isn't. I think in your position I might have continued keeping the list but under no circumstances let anyone else know I'm keeping it.
- Wistar 4y agoPerhaps a public list of what one has not read is the more humble choice?
- jrochkind1 4y agoNot necessarily. It depends on the purpose(s) of the list. What are the purpose(s) of keeping a lifetime list of books read?
- lelandfe 4y agoErm, keeping track of how far you are through an author’s works (I know a guy who did this to work through Michener’s entire catalogue over many years), seeing your reading taste evolve (I’ve been trying to read more non-fiction), graphing your reading over time (are you meeting your goals for yourself?) and thousands and thousands of other great reasons. It’s not masturbatory to create goals for yourself, and lists are a great way to track those goals. Having that data even allows future insight into things you haven’t even thought of yet.
- denton-scratch 4y agoPublishing your list on your website does imply vanity. I have long thought that Art held himself in high regard (he was certainly a fantastic harmonist though).
- _hcuq 4y agoYes. The tell for these kinds of lists is if all the books are “impressive”.
- tirwander 4y agoI can understand that. I have a habit of doing that with things I could just be enjoying more. BUT I do love seeing other people's book lists to add more books to me "Need to read" list!
- jonny_eh 4y agoEver pick up a book and wonder if you've already read it?
- driggs 4y agoIf you can't remember whether you've read it or not, then you've forgotten it, and having it on a list serves no purpose other than to "keep score". You may as well read it again and hope it sticks this time!
- jonny_eh 4y agoIf you read it, and forgot it, maybe it's not worth reading again and knowing that you can save some time!
- ccn0p 4y agomany moons ago i used my bookshelf to impress girls. is that vanity?
- prepend 4y agoI think there are the risks you described. But I keep a list to remember what I’ve read. I’m getting old and have found I don’t remember everything I’ve read decades ago. I think it’s valuable to not use it for bragging or measuring purposes. But this is the same risk and value of any diary, I think.
- mzs 4y agoI should have kept a list. Now I'm older and I can't recall 'where I read that' or worse start reading a book and realize in chapter three 'oh I read this one already.' It's even worse with video.