So much to read, but so little time?

[Madison]

I've found myself a few times in this predicament where I see so many books I want to read, so many that I am just chomping at the bit to get my hands on, but find myself crazy-overwhelmed with just how many are out there.

Like I'm swimming in a sea of paper and glue, inhaling the fresh print aromas, but deep down I'm so unsettled by the vast amount around me. I find myself currently reading books (more than one at a time in most circumstances), but pausing to question starting another, because I'm just so excited. Not to discredit the ones I am reading, and how they've wrapped me up so well, but because I feel like I want to absorb more, read more, and become a sponge in the literary pool I'm swimming in. To soak up everything. All at once.

But, of course, that's not realistic, and I'm not a fast reader by any means, either. I stay up to obscene hours, eyes glued to pages while my toes curl into the cozy, warm fur of my dog. But I still get this feeling of wanting more and more and more.

So I wonder if anyone else ever gets this feeling? How do you stay afloat?

[readinginstars]

I sort of do, yeah. I've just got back into reading after years and I feel like I missed so much and I have too much to "make up for", so many books that were released and are getting released and I just want to experience them all - and my mind is racing forward excited about everything while physically I can barely follow up.
For me what really helps is to keep a list of everything I want to read so I don't lose/forget about books that I found interesting, and also I do my best to be mindful and focus on the book I'm reading at the time (I only read one book at a time), making sure I experience every moment with the characters.
when I find myself overwhelmed I sometimes take a break to remind myself that I have time to read all I want and I try to see it positively in a way that I have so much to read it's unlikely I will run out of books to read.

Not sure if this helps, but this is how I deal with it. Keep lists of everything I want to read, remind myself I have time and all those books will wait (they won't grow legs and run away from my shelves), and do my best to soak up all I can from my current read.

[Madison]

I've definitely leaned into the GR lists for keeping track of books I'm excited about! I have the Penguin Random House weekly update email that tells me about new books that puts me into this spiral pretty often on top of that which is both great for discovering new reads, but awful for wanting to feel caught up!

I think sometimes I get the nostalgic feeling of wanting to remember how excited I got when I had to wait for the next book in a series to release. I've found as of late, I'm the person trying to read all the previous books just to catch up to the most recent one! But I guess the silver lining is I don't have to wait to get answers to cliffhangers haha!

[readinginstars]

I honestly relate to that, I have whole complete series to read on my list (e.g. acotar) which I did not read while they were being released and now I no longer have that excitement of waiting for the new release which I also miss. And I want to feel caught up too, and it is overwhelming at times. I think these feelings are valid and not always easy to deal with. Really for me keeping track of these helps (it makes me feel in control/on top of things which is calming for me) and also remembering that at least I'm not running out of books to read anytime soon :D
I'm really not sure if I was helpful but I wanted to share my thoughts at least to prove that you're not alone with feelings/thoughts like this

[Chosen]

yep

[faye]

just have to say you write so poetically

[The Book Villain]

I totally get what you mean! I listen to audiobooks to help with this - I listen to them while driving, doing stuff at home, grocery shopping, walks, etc. so that way I still get the stories while I'm unable to sit and read 🖤

I mostly use audible because I've found it to be the most affordable.

Also I agree with the above comment - the way you write is so poetic, I love it!

[Mo :)]

I am always getting into reading slumps, but this year I am making an active effort to read at least 10 pages a day. So far I have been exceeding that limit, but it is hard to look around on social media and see others finishing multiple books a month. I try to focus on being happy with just making sure I read, because knowing if I force myself too much I won't be able to find the joy in it as much.

This is all coming from a full-time student who loves to read but cannot always find the time to do so. And that is okay :)

[luna ♡]

yess, therres loads of books on my list and more out there to add on and my physical tbr rn is a lot anyway, but ik ill gett to it all at some point and when and ho isn't super in my control.