Buying Books and Not Reading Them
By arbie bee
@brokenbee (11090)
Philippines
April 10, 2016 1:57am CST
While scouting for notebooks at the supermarket last Friday, I got interested with a notebook that had writings on the cover. I had seen there some words that don't have English equivalent. As I scanned the words, there was one that struck me.
Tsundoku.
If I remember it right, it said, it is the act of buying books and not reading them.
I can relate. Haha!
I opened my cabinet a few days ago and I found an unopened plastic bag, still having the receipt stapled on it, but I could no longer read what was printed. There are two pocketbooks inside and I never had the time to read them. That's aside from the other pocketbooks that I have, some are also unread.
When did I buy them? When I was still in college. I think I was already a graduating student when I started buying and reading, and when I graduated, I didn't have enough time to read these. I had to go to Manila for my review and I left these at home.
Have you encountered that word before? Do you buy books and just leave them unread?
By the way, tsundoku is a Japanese word.
16 people like this
17 responses
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
I haven't heard of that word before but I knew that it's japanese. i don't buy books that I don't read, but i have downloaded books on my iPad that i haven't read yet.
3 people like this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
Do you prefer hard copies or the one downloaded to your phone? I prefer hard copies for they are easier to read than the ones in phones. The only disadvantage of hard copies is that they are heavy to carry.
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
Hihi I wonder if that is counted hihihi!
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
I love books very much and I do not feel bored whenever I have books to read. I have my book shelves in my room already because of my love of reading.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
10 Apr 16
@brokenbee May be, but the books need a lot of space, I know because I am an avid reader, my husband too and we have plenty of books.
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
Maybe they keep it as one of their collections.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
I have books that up to now are in their original plastic/paper bags from the day I bought them.
I'll read these books but not just now. That time will come, I'm sure of it.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@annierose one is never too busy for the things and person one loves!
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@allen0187 Well, you have a point there. It just too difficult that I have very demanding jobs. Now, I satisfied myself reading and participating in Mylot.
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
Maybe you are very busy to have time to read them soon? I think busy people are like that. Sometimes I want to do same thing so when I feel the urge to read comes up, I will just pick one book from my shelves. However, due to financial constraints, I could not do it.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
10 Apr 16
One day, you will read them.
I have bought many books and keep them for years before reading.
Sometimes when you know that you have a long wait for the doctor, or the flight to depart in the airport or on a vacation, you will come with a book or two, and you will read.
2 people like this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
Yes, I think I have to start reading them now when I have no tasks to do.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
I never have done that and waited for years to read. When I have an appointment to a doctor, I just prefer to read the magazines on their display. I could not concentrate reading stories when I am waiting for someone.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
11 Apr 16
@annierose I do not read those magazines.
Too bad people have touched these, and nearly all of them are full of virus when they touch the magazines.
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
@Lucky15 hahaha I said, I will just start reading them. I didn't say I will finish the book. Hihihi! Most probably, The fist page... or the first paragraph... or the first sentence only. Ahaha
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
Hihihi! I will start reading my other books. I promise! Lol
1 person likes this
@rina110383 (24492)
•
10 Apr 16
No, every time I buy book, I won't waste a minute and immediately read it. I won't sleep unless I'm done reading it. Call it excitement.
2 people like this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
I do that too. Even inside a vehicle, I could not stop myself browsing the pages. I love to digest every word and every ideas. I think I have been addicted with books for a very very long time that it makes me sad that I could not buy a new one to read because of busy schedule.
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
That's nice hmmmmm! Me, I even had review books that still looks new. Awwww I'm so bad!
1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
20 Apr 16
We share the same interest with the kind of books we read 
How are you arbee? It did happen to me a couple of times when I bought 3 books then totally forgot about it. It took several months before I remembered about them.
How are you arbee? It did happen to me a couple of times when I bought 3 books then totally forgot about it. It took several months before I remembered about them.
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
Perhaps the story is boring? I bought two novels from book sales. When I started to read each, I felt sleepy. It did fail to get my interest so I just left it.
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
12 Apr 16
yes! ..I have done that in my younger years.. I have now a kindle and have more than 500 ebooks but still don't have time to read them..
@jobelbojel (35574)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
My brother is collecting books and he is reading them. I am collecting Alex Delaware novels but I am not reading them. I want to collect all first before I resume reading. I already read the first book which was published in 1980s.
@Letranknight2015 (51957)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
I'd rather not buy books that i won't read. Unless they are important though.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
It is a perfect idea. Many students cannot read well because they do not have an exposure to books. Their family is too poor to buy books for them to read. I hope that there will be some groups who are willing to donate books to these poor kids.
@jrlcentral (2605)
• Roxas, Philippines
11 Apr 16
I love to read books. I buy only those that i would read. I guess im not a tsonduko.
Thanks now i have learned a new Japanese word.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
I got this new word "Tsundoku" and I am getting fond of it. Maybe I can use it in other things but not in reading because I do not my books to wait for me to read them.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
11 Apr 16
This is the first time I have encountered the word "Tsundoku." There were only 2 novels I bought that I did read but did not finish because I find it boring. I do not know where they are now. Maybe I just donated them because when I was looking for them, there were nowhere to be found.
I feel very excited whenever I buy a new book. To be honest, I could not wait opening and reading them once they are already on my hands. And once I get immersed with the events and characters, I do all I can just to finish it fully.
@JESSY3236 (19949)
• United States
11 Apr 16
That describes me well too. I have a ton of books I haven't read yet. I will get to them sometime.
