literary gluttony

I need to start this post with a confession: I buy books faster than I can read them. Sometimes it’s a slow trickle—just one or two new releases that everyone is talking about. Other times it’s a full-on, no-shelf-space-left, “how did I walk out of that indie bookstore with eight paperbacks?” kind of situation.

I tell myself I’m building a personal library. That I want options. That I’m a mood reader, and I need to have the right book on hand when the mood strikes.

But lately, I’ve been wondering…
Am I actually reading these books? Or am I just collecting stories like dragon hoards treasure—glimmering on the shelves, untouched but beloved in theory?

And more importantly: is that actually a bad thing?

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The Joy of the Unread

There’s something delicious about the potential of an unread book. It’s like holding a promise in your hands—adventures not yet taken, characters not yet known, endings still hidden. My TBR pile isn’t a burden; it’s a buffet. And if I never get to every single dish? Well, the spread still brings me joy.

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But… Are We Buying the Time or Just the Title?

The bookish world loves a good haul. There’s dopamine in delivery notifications, in glossy covers, in the feeling of acquisition. But I think sometimes I buy books in the hopes of becoming the kind of person who has read them, not because I’m actually ready to read them. Which is… a little humbling to admit out loud.

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Let’s Be Honest, Readers

So I’m curious—how do you feel about your TBR? Is it a challenge you chip away at? A comfort you curate? A chaos you’ve surrendered to?

Let’s normalize not reading everything we own. Let’s also celebrate finishing what we do. And maybe, just maybe, let’s all take one book off the shelf this week that we’ve been meaning to get to—and crack it open.

Even dragons need to enjoy their hoard once in a while.

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What’s the longest a book has sat unread on your shelf? And what book are you finally picking up this week? Let me know in the comments below or tag me on social @LiteraryGluttony!