Interesting perspective. But it arises from viewing books as investment. I think the most prevalent view is that books are consumables and they are mainly collected for pleasure.
For my part, I collect books (I have about 4,000 books) which, at a certain point in time, meant something to me, either deep and personal or simply utilitarian.
Maybe it's a problem choosing my words. I don't think it should be seen as an investment in purely economic terms. But yes on an emotional level and intellectual growth. My intention is to speak from my opinion, obviously, about how the unbridled or foolish consumption of books is a problem and nonsense.
I like your take on this. Reading has become more popular these days, which is a good thing, but it also comes with its drawbacks. Millions of books are published today, and not all of them are worthy of being a classic.
Social media fads like BookTok (not that I have TikTok but I've heard of this trend) and bookstagram have popularised reading but they emphasise certain authors and genres. And whilst I am glad that more people are reading, I wonder- is what they read worth it? Just because something is popular doesn't mean it is of high literary quality.
exactly this. Most of the time is just the same books in every social media, bookstagram and booktok (I do not have it either) and lots of youtube boohaul videos with the same things over and over again. And another thing, some girls out there doing bad critics of really good and significant books, because they did not understand them… I´m just feeling really grumpy and old all the time seriously jaja
No, no, you’re not grumpy and old! I have the same opinion. Social media regurgitates the same ‘hype’ or ‘famous author’ over and over again. I just bought a Murakami book, because he’s so popular and considered a literary talent. But unfortunately I feel quite bored with it…unpopular opinion, I know. I feel that it’s all tell, not show. He seems to explain everything to the reader. So I succumbed to the Murakami trend and….well, I don’t see why it’s the hype. Unpopular opinion of mine, I know.
I feel the same about him indeed. Most of the time I avoid hyped books because I know I will not like them… is almost a miracle when is not that way. And when I like them, it turns out they are books from early 20th or from authors 50+
Glad to hear you have the same feeling about Murakami. I felt as if I was the black sheep by stating I felt underwhelmed by his book! But I'm going to start avoiding hyped books like you. Saves me time, money, and bookshelf space.
This was lovely, and I especially like what you say about the books we invest our time and money in. I find it easier to ditch an ebook than the physical version and I wonder how ebooks fit into this narrative anyway. Secondhand books are definitely the way to go, and I'm disappointed I live in a place where English secondhand bookshops are rare.
Flights is an interesting example. I didn't mind it, but I can see how it might not hit its mark with some. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, however, I loved and is worth giving a chance to if you come across a cheap copy.
I think it applies the same way, sometimes I would even say that consumption with ebooks is worse because they are cheaper (I know people with this thought) so they worry even less about what they are getting.
In my case, whenever I can, with authors that I am not sure about, I prefer to read the ebook from the Internet Archive or sites like that, if it turns out that I like them a lot, I can think about buying the physical book
I fell in love with Drive your plow! It is a great book, that is why I thought about giving Flights a chance... serious mistake, but that's how it happens! jaja
This last point in particular seems so beautiful and fundamental to me "what shaped my thoughts and heart" Leaving our personal libraries as a profound reminder of our life and ways of thinking.
Eso es ya una biblioteca alejandrina! que fabuloso! Y creo que me sorprende aún más que tengas un registro análogo de una cantidad tan grande de libros, simplemente genial!
Interesting perspective. But it arises from viewing books as investment. I think the most prevalent view is that books are consumables and they are mainly collected for pleasure.
For my part, I collect books (I have about 4,000 books) which, at a certain point in time, meant something to me, either deep and personal or simply utilitarian.
Also, 4000 books! Paradise✨🤎
Maybe it's a problem choosing my words. I don't think it should be seen as an investment in purely economic terms. But yes on an emotional level and intellectual growth. My intention is to speak from my opinion, obviously, about how the unbridled or foolish consumption of books is a problem and nonsense.
I like your take on this. Reading has become more popular these days, which is a good thing, but it also comes with its drawbacks. Millions of books are published today, and not all of them are worthy of being a classic.
Social media fads like BookTok (not that I have TikTok but I've heard of this trend) and bookstagram have popularised reading but they emphasise certain authors and genres. And whilst I am glad that more people are reading, I wonder- is what they read worth it? Just because something is popular doesn't mean it is of high literary quality.
exactly this. Most of the time is just the same books in every social media, bookstagram and booktok (I do not have it either) and lots of youtube boohaul videos with the same things over and over again. And another thing, some girls out there doing bad critics of really good and significant books, because they did not understand them… I´m just feeling really grumpy and old all the time seriously jaja
No, no, you’re not grumpy and old! I have the same opinion. Social media regurgitates the same ‘hype’ or ‘famous author’ over and over again. I just bought a Murakami book, because he’s so popular and considered a literary talent. But unfortunately I feel quite bored with it…unpopular opinion, I know. I feel that it’s all tell, not show. He seems to explain everything to the reader. So I succumbed to the Murakami trend and….well, I don’t see why it’s the hype. Unpopular opinion of mine, I know.
I feel the same about him indeed. Most of the time I avoid hyped books because I know I will not like them… is almost a miracle when is not that way. And when I like them, it turns out they are books from early 20th or from authors 50+
Glad to hear you have the same feeling about Murakami. I felt as if I was the black sheep by stating I felt underwhelmed by his book! But I'm going to start avoiding hyped books like you. Saves me time, money, and bookshelf space.
This was lovely, and I especially like what you say about the books we invest our time and money in. I find it easier to ditch an ebook than the physical version and I wonder how ebooks fit into this narrative anyway. Secondhand books are definitely the way to go, and I'm disappointed I live in a place where English secondhand bookshops are rare.
Flights is an interesting example. I didn't mind it, but I can see how it might not hit its mark with some. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, however, I loved and is worth giving a chance to if you come across a cheap copy.
I think it applies the same way, sometimes I would even say that consumption with ebooks is worse because they are cheaper (I know people with this thought) so they worry even less about what they are getting.
In my case, whenever I can, with authors that I am not sure about, I prefer to read the ebook from the Internet Archive or sites like that, if it turns out that I like them a lot, I can think about buying the physical book
I fell in love with Drive your plow! It is a great book, that is why I thought about giving Flights a chance... serious mistake, but that's how it happens! jaja
This last point in particular seems so beautiful and fundamental to me "what shaped my thoughts and heart" Leaving our personal libraries as a profound reminder of our life and ways of thinking.
Eso es ya una biblioteca alejandrina! que fabuloso! Y creo que me sorprende aún más que tengas un registro análogo de una cantidad tan grande de libros, simplemente genial!