In the reading community there is a constant influx of information. The use of social media to link readers to one another and create a virtual book club of sorts has changed the way we consume books.
In the past we heard about amazing books from friends, family members, book sellers, librarians, and the news. It was a word of mouth game that was not very fast paced. A book took notice in the traditional media and became the fad of that age. That is no longer the case. With the development of social media platforms such as Goodreads, Instagram, Twitter, and WordPress the way we consume information has changed.
Now there is a constant stream of recommendations. There are 3 or 4 new releases that garner the attention of the reader community at any given time. The ebb and flow that was a natural part of book recommendations in the past has been lost. There is always a new book that is highly acclaimed by the community. There is always a new book that sounds amazing and I’m dying to read. There’s always something else to add to my list. It feels like an endless quest to “read them all,” a true Pokemon style affair. I want to read all of the new books and see what all of the fuss is about.
Because of the constant stream of book recommendations some of my reading habits have been forced to change. In the past I would find a book or series that I loved and I’d latch onto it. I would reread it over and over until I got my fill. That is no longer the case. With each new release my TBR continues to grow. I am inundated with books that I have heard amazing things about and I believe I’m going to love. That’s not to say I’m unhappy about this. It’s really a great problem to have.
However, now when I want to revisit a book or series I have a feeling of guilt wash over me. It seems as though my TBR shelves are glaring at me. If I reread a book that means I’m neglecting the ever-growing pile of unread books on my shelves. Because, of this intrinsic guilt I have refrained from rereading books that I love. I have continued to have an urge to read these amazing books that I love, yet I have not allowed myself to indulge that urge.
Well, now that is going to change. I’m not going to put pressure on my reading. I’m going to read what I want when I want to. That’s right I’m taking back control of my reading life and I could not be happier.
Thrice Read 
Ahh this is very exciting, I hope you’ll have a lot of fun re-reading your favorites! I so get what you mean, since I started book blogging and discovered this community, I found out about so many books every single day, and still do, and it feels like I’m racing to read them all, forgetting the books I adored and would love to re-read someday. I am hoping to re read some of my favorites just as well, or at least plan to and try to pressure myself less, too 🙂 best of luck and happy reading!! 🙂
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This describes me so much. TBR guilt!
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It’s such a struggle. I want to appreciate my faves but also I’ve got all of these unread books staring at me! 😩
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I get a lot of ARC’s too, so they come first, but then with 100’s of books unread, none of them are what I feel like reading either. 😂
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That struggle is always real for me. Hence I buy something new and just perpetuate the issue.
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Yes!! Sometimes I feel as though rereading is the most relaxing kind because I know what’s going to happen and I can read without worry and enjoy the smaller moments. I also find that I pick up on things I didn’t notice whilst reading for the first time which is really fun.
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Yes, it’s so nice to reread and be able to pick up on all of the hints and seeds the author left throughout the book. It makes me appreciate their craft even more.
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So true. This has been happening to me as well–feelings of guilt when picking up something I’ve enjoyed in the past, the flood of information, plus easier availability of books (both e and physical online) has made me shop a lot more than I ever did for books and then the guilt creeps in. But you’re right, one should go ahead and read what one wants to without feeling this. And each reread does reveal something new about the book, the characters, the author even!
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Interesting to see your post here. I was talking to a friend yesterday about re-reading books. We both keep favourites but rarely re-read. When I actually do it’s either wonderful – like slipping on a comfy sweater and feeling hugged – or not so wonderful and I realise I need not have kept that title after all. Luckily more the former than the latter. As for reading recommended books – I belong to a small bookclub and I enjoy those months when others choose books I might not have been tempted with – we all read them and it definitely stretches our minds and encourages lively discussion!
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I always end up getting so anxious about reading new books or old books and then I just end up rereading my old favorites for like the 100th time instead of picking up a new book because I know that I’ll at least like my old favorite! There are just too many books out there now and I want to read them all!
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I think you made the right decision (: If you start telling yourself that you can’t read something because of the books that you’ve got to read it can end up making it feel like a chore. Doing the same thing put me off reading for a while in the past /:
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This sounds so familiar! I wish I’d reread more often, too, but then I feel guilty about all those unread books on my shelf. I’m trying to have a lower TBR, but still…
That said, I think you’ve made a good decision!
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Yeah, I’m in the same place. I’ve only read 23 books this year and I usually read over 90 and now I am contemplating dropping my reading goal…I miss the days when there wasnt any pressure to read and I could indulge in rereading Merry Gentry for the 47th time
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Also I actually really hate when people I know recommend me books because they’re usually not my taste and I feel obligated to read them anyway then have to lie and say I dont hate it when I do lol
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TBR guilt is so very real! Bad enough when it’s pages on your Kindle menu, but when it’s enough physical books to make an end table… And yet you still don’t know what you feel like reading when it’s time to pick a new book! Glad to know I’m not alone
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Excellent! Reading is meant to be recreational! Read what makes you happy. 🙂
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I don’t reread very much. Does it count as rereading if I’m reading Harry Potter in Spanish?
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