Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme, hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books & Dani @ Literary Lion, where we discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each others’ posts.
The topic for this week introduced me to a term I had never heard of before, and that is abibliophobia, which is the fear of running out of reading material.
Do you have abibliophobia?
I would say that I don’t, and there is a level of privilege that comes with that. As you may have seen from previous posts, I have two TBR carts. I am also from Canada, so I have access to a library. There has never been a time where I worried that I couldn’t get my hands on a book, which is not the case for many people around the world. That is an entirely differently conversation, but I thought it was important to acknowledge.
Do you have multiple TBRs?
I do! My physical TBR is much different from the one I have on Goodreads. I put more thought into the books that I purchase, but I am constantly adding books to my Goodreads one. This is a great reminder that I have to continue my series where I remove books from my Goodreads “want to read” list. I also want to create a shelf on Goodreads of the books that are on my physical TBR, but that just seems extremely time-consuming!
Do you add books to your TBR to keep it big, or is it a place where you keep books that seem interesting?
I actually wish both of my TBRs were smaller! I am someone who can become overwhelmed when I have too many choices. Before I starting blogging, I never had more that 5-10 physical books on myTBR, but that has definitely changed. Most of the books that I own are ones I have researched before purchasing or I found them for a good price/for free.
My Goodreads TBR is a place where I add any book that piques my interest in the slightest. I come across so many new books in a day, so it is easy to just click that “Want to Read” button so I can refer to it later.
Do you have abibliophobia? How do you keep track of the books you want to read?
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My physical TBR is veryyy different from my goodreads one, too. On goodreads I add every book that seems interesting to me so it’s way too big 😂
Exactly!! I’m trying to go through my Goodreads TBR and realizing I don’t remember why I added so many of the books on there.
Right???? Some books I added AGES ago and I don’t even remember why 😂 I often try and remove books that don’t interest me anymore but there are so many 🙈
I add books to my Goodreads TBR almost daily, and it’s gotten massive! My physical TBR is fairly large as well…over 600 books, give or take. But I’m reading a lot of them, so I’m happy. More books for me to read!
I am the same way! I think I add a least one book to my Goodreads TBR every single day!
This genuinely is never something I have feared as I also have access to a library as well as constant 99p kindle deals, charity shops and an addiction to buying books whenever I see them on sale and so I do think I have access to more books than I could ever actually read in my lifetime. It makes me sad this is not to case for a lot of people.
I feel the same way. It’s not a fear that has ever crossed my mind and it’s disheartening that not everyone can say the same due to lack of access!
No way to run out in this house! LOL Good post!
Same!!
Wow Kristen, thanks for privilege check on the abibliophobia! I’m also from Canada, and it really is a true privilege to be able to have access to books almost anytime, anywhere. It’s great to step back for a moment and appreciate that, since not everyone has this kind of access. Thanks for the great post!
Feel free to check out my own response here:
https://downtherabbitholeblog.com/2021/02/19/lets-talk-bookish-are-big-tbrs-the-result-of-abibliophobia/
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I have learned a lot over the last year about how many people don’t have access to books. Maybe I’ll put together a post of some charities I found!
I feel like everyone who does this post learned a new word this week!
There are so many amazing sounding books out there, I don´t feel like I will every run out of something to read! And libraries, charity shops and apps like Scribd really help!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Exactly! Scribd has been a game changer for me b
This is great! I only add books to Goodreads if I own them. I add books to my Amazon wishlist if they are released and I have a countdown app for ones that aren’t yet released!!!!
That’s probably a smarter way to do it! I have a countdown for some books too!!!
I need to have a countdown so I don’t miss anything, my brain is like a seive!
I, too, have several Mt. TBR to climb. I have books on my shelves; I have books on my Kindle: and I have books on my Nook. I counted them prior to the start of the year and there were well over 1500 books.In the meantime, I have added a few through various means. I also live within a block of our local library, which is part of a library system that allows for getting books from the 40+ branches. I know that I probably won’t get all of them read in my lifetime, but I have decided to try to read only those books that I own this year except for the library book group reads that I don’t own. So far so good, but I have friends who are all too willing to share…so right now, for every one I receive from friends, two have to be read and given away. If I can only read 100 a year for the next 16 years, I may reach a point where I will can fill up my shelves again.
I figure those books that I have marked to-read at Goodreads were marked because of interest at some time. If I get some of them read along the way, so much the better.
And there are those authors whose books I will read no matter when they are published, and that will screw up the possibility of ever clearing the shelves. Alas… ~nan
Love this comment. Thanks for sharing! I don’t have a kindle, but I have a feeling I would acquire so many ebooks if I did!
I also have a few authors who I read from no matter what!
I think I only have the fear of not finding my next great read! (Usually due to a book hangover!) My goodreads TBR is just a shopping list of possibilities….I no longer have a physical tbr. I do keep a smaller more intentional TBR in the notes section on my iPad!
That’s probably closer to a fear I have! Another person said they feared not being able to get to all the books they want to read, which I also relate to!
My tbr is stored in multiple places, good books, calendar reminders, notes! I must have 40 odd books/ series to get around to reading! And I would still say I fear running out of books to read!
I love that you have it stored in so many places!
Wow, really interesting post. Abibliophobia is not something I had heard of before. I don’t think I do have it, but I think I have a fear of having too many books to read in my life and not enough time!
I think that is more of the fear I have too! I wonder if there is a word for it?
I couldn’t find anything online but I definitely feel like it would be a common fear with book lovers!
I looked too! I’m surprised it’s not a thing!
I’ve never heard of bibliophobia before. What a horrible thought to have nothing to read. But as you rightly said at the start of your post, not everyone is so fortunate.
Exactly!
wow I never knew fear of running out of reading material existed. you learn something new everyday!! did you know that fear of failure has a similar name? It’s called atychiphobia (if I recall correctly, which I might not be loool). I loved this post sm :))
Right?! Who knew! That’s a new one to me as well. I’m sure that’s a fear many of us have!
I really would like to get a digital device to read books on! My phone is just not big enough for me to read off of. I don’t have regular access to books. I try and buy them from thrift stores when I see them. I have only about 30 books in my collection
That’s smart. I have been eyeing a Kindle Paperwhite for ages!
I love the idea of using Goodreads as a to-be-read pile! I’ve gotten into the bad habit of immediately going to Thriftbooks every time I encounter a book (or research subject!) I’d like to read, and that’s not remotely sustainable. But instead of worrying that I’ll forget a book that looks good, Goodreads in a brilliant option. I’ll have to try it!
I love it for that reason! I feel as though I add books every day 😂