Is There Such A Thing As "Too Much" Reading? (5/21/23)

[Marc]

For you personally, is there a point where you ever feel you've done too much reading? What does this feel like? Does it have to do with contiguous time spent reading? Does it vary by type of reading (fictional genre, nonfiction, poetry, etc.)? Does it tend to happen at certain times (of the day/week/month, seasonally, etc.)? Does format (hard copy/ebook/audio) matter when it comes to this? Is there actually such a thing as "too much reading?"

[LindaJ^]

Probably not too much reading but rather reading when other things would be better to do. When a kid I would often read instead of going outside.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Yeah, there have definitely been times where I have found myself treating reading like a chore, forcing myself to get through a certain number of pages. I think it's about balance, finding that right amount of time to read and also making time for other things. And definitely not letting reading start to feel like work.

[Bretnie]

Maybe not reading too much but reading too fast to really appreciate a book. Especially with audiobooks I can get through a book in a couple of days and then a week later not remember much from it. Sometimes I'm already thinking about the next book I want to read instead of savoring the one I'm currently reading.

I'm really trying to be more intentional, not necessarily slowing down (although that's important too!), but making sure when I do read I'm focused and not multitasking too much, starting over or re-reading sections if I find I'm not fully engaging.

[Ellen]

I can read to the point of neglecting other important responsibilities. I can use books to hide out from difficult relationships or other challenges.

So, yes, for me sometimes, I need to check in and make sure I have some balance.

[Nadine in California]

Funny you should ask. I'm in a book hangover after reading 4 long books in 25 days. They were all so good, and had long library holds, so I couldn't space them out and I couldn't keep myself from reading into the wee hours. Now no book makes me happy - rejected 6 books in 30 minutes. I haven't watched any TV in weeks, so my solution will be checking out some shows I'm real curious about - Jury Duty, The Other Two, and season 2 of Sweet Tooth. So maybe a reading ban for two days.

The book culprits are Age of Vice (544 pgs), Birnam Wood (432), The Spear Cuts Through Water (525), and Chain-Gang All-Stars (359 - not so long, but still right on the heels of the others.)

[Erika]

I don’t think so. Not “too much” in the sense of too much volume read or too much time spent reading. I don’t honestly think there’s much else that I do that I value more. I mean, I earn our family’s money, and I spend time with my family members (but that includes time reading together), and I exercise. Reading is pretty much next in the priority list, and if I managed to read for pleasure six hours a day (if only!!!) I would happily do so. But Bretnie’s comment rings true for me. I must read too fast, because although I enjoy it in the moment I tend to quickly forget what I read. I need to be more intentional as well, staying focused on what I am read, and reflecting on it as I go. Writing reviews helps a bit.

[Emmeline]

I think I read too much my final year of university. I had a lot of books to read for school, and decided to match each one with a book of choice. I can't remember anything from any of them.

On here, tracking book numbers has been interesting. I feel like 50-60 books per year is about optimum for me (and slotting in short stories and articles around them). Much more, and it all starts to blur together. Obviously, some of you read many more than that, but that's about what my brain can handle.

[Franky]

Interesting question. I'm not into book challenges for the most part because they invest too much energy in already outlining everything a person is going to read for an entire year (in terms of like genres, authors, etc), sometimes planned out to a tee, like a roadmap or schedule. I don't like that at all. I mention this because sometimes "having" to read a book instead of just naturally reading just makes it more of a requirement than pleasure. But as far as literally reading too much in day to day life. I am always struggling to find time to read so I would say "no" because there are too many books and too little time. I like the quote I heard somewhere, not sure where: "I hate when life gets in the way of reading."

[Lesley]

It depends on what is meant by ‘too much’ - to me that would be if it was causing issues in any area of my life. People have mentioned neglecting other duties. Maybe using reading as a form of procrastination or avoidance.
Reading is sometimes a chore, if you have to read for work/study & have little interest in the subject matter or find it a particularly dull text.
I don’t think the format matters. I do think reading is a mechanical act though - for me that’s part of the comfort of it. I wouldn’t include audiobooks in reading as, to me, it’s listening - which is a different cognitive process.