Buying Books But Not Reading

Buying books is easy. Reading them requires intention, time, and discipline

By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden

The Growing Pile of Promise

In the corner of my friend’s study sits a towering stack of books—some with creased spines, others still wrapped in plastic, their pages untouched. “One day,” he says, gesturing at the pile with a mix of pride and guilt, “I’ll read them all.” He is not alone. Across cities and continents, shelves groan under the weight of unread books, purchased with excitement but left to gather dust.

This curious habit—buying books but not reading them—has a name: tsundoku, a Japanese term that dates back to the Meiji era. It describes the act of acquiring reading materials and letting them pile up, unread. But in the digital age, tsundoku is no longer a quirky personal trait—it has become a widespread cultural phenomenon.

Is it a harmless indulgence? A symptom of modern distraction? Or perhaps a window into our deeper psychological needs and social aspirations? This article explores the motivations, implications, and hidden emotional landscapes behind this modern reading paradox.

The Allure of Owning Books

Buying a book feels like a step toward self-improvement. Whether it’s a classic novel, a self-help manual, or a book on artificial intelligence, the purchase often symbolizes who we want to become, rather than who we are.

Dr. Erica Bailey, a cognitive psychologist at Columbia University, explains:

“When people buy books, they’re often buying into an imagined future version of themselves—more informed, more cultured, more capable. The book becomes a token of aspiration.”

This insight is echoed by many. Saira, a 29-year-old teacher from Lahore, admits:

“I buy books because I want to be the kind of person who reads serious literature. But by the time I get home, I’m too tired to open them. Still, they comfort me. They make me feel like I’m trying.”

Case Study 1: The Decorative Library

In Karachi’s upscale Clifton neighborhood, Faraz runs a boutique interior design firm. One of the most frequent requests from clients? Custom-designed bookshelves filled with ‘smart-looking’ books.

“People want to appear intellectual,” Faraz says. “They’ll order books by Dostoevsky, Harari, Arundhati Roy—even if they’ve never read them.”

Books, in such homes, are not tools for learning—they are status symbols. Much like art or fine furniture, they speak of taste, class, and worldliness.

This performative aspect of book ownership has been accelerated by social media. The “#shelfie” culture (a selfie of your bookshelf) on Instagram is not just about literature—it’s about lifestyle.

Digital Distractions and the Decline of Deep Reading

Once bought, a book demands something we rarely have today: attention. In an age of infinite scrolls, fast reels, and dopamine-driven algorithms, the quiet discipline of reading feels unnatural.

According to a Pew Research study (2023), over 40% of people in urban settings bought at least five books in the year, but more than half read less than three.

Hamza, a software engineer in Islamabad, admits:

“I’ll buy a book on ethics or philosophy, but end up watching YouTube explainers instead. Reading requires effort. Videos are just easier.”

This isn’t mere laziness—it reflects a cognitive shift. Research from Stanford University suggests that constant digital stimulation rewires our brains to prefer novelty and speed, making it harder to sit with long-form text.

Case Study 2: The Academic Collector

Dr. Uzma, a retired professor in Hyderabad, has hundreds of books in her personal library. She estimates she’s read only half.

“During my career, I bought books compulsively—on history, gender, linguistics. Some were for research, others because I feared they’d go out of print. Now in retirement, I finally have time, but my eyesight is failing.”

Her story speaks of another facet of tsundoku: the collector’s fear of scarcity. Books become archives of potential knowledge—an insurance policy against future ignorance.

Why We Do It: A Psychological Dive

1. Aspirational Buying

We buy books the way some buy exercise equipment—with the hope of a better self. The book, like the treadmill, often ends up unused.

2. Productive Procrastination

Book buying gives the illusion of progress. It tricks the brain into believing we’re taking action, when we’re really avoiding the hard part: reading.

3. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

A new book gets rave reviews. Everyone’s talking about it. We buy it out of fear of being left behind—even if we never get past page 10.

4. Capitalism and Consumer Culture

In a market-driven society, knowledge itself becomes a product. We’re conditioned to consume, not necessarily engage. A book bought = a box ticked.

Are Unread Books Useless?

Surprisingly, no. Nassim Nicholas Taleb, in his book The Black Swan, argues that unread books are valuable. He coined the term “antilibrary”—the idea that books you haven’t read are more important than those you have. They remind you of what you don’t know, keeping you intellectually humble.

Similarly, a shelf full of unread books can be a reservoir of potential, waiting for the right time, the right mood, or the right life event.

But the key difference lies in awareness: are we consciously curating our unread pile, or mindlessly adding to it?

Case Study 3: The Mindful Reader

Maria, a mother of two in Quetta, once had over 200 unread books.

“I realized I was hoarding books as a form of escapism. They made me feel accomplished without doing the work.”

Two years ago, she made a shift. She created a rule: no new book until she reads three old ones. She joined a local reading circle and blocked 30 minutes every night for reading.

“I’ve read more in the last year than in the last ten. And I enjoy it now—it’s no longer a burden.”

From Ownership to Engagement: What Can Be Done?

1. Track Your Reading Habits

Use reading apps like Goodreads or a simple notebook. Record what you buy and what you finish.

2. Set Realistic Reading Goals

Don’t aim to read 50 books a year if you’ve barely read five. Start small. Build discipline.

3. Apply the “One-In-Three-Out” Rule

Buy one book only after reading three that you already own. This reduces impulse buying.

4. Create a Reading Ritual

Dedicate a fixed time daily or weekly. Even 15 minutes counts. Turn off devices, brew tea, and let the words unfold.

5. Read What Truly Interests You

Not what’s trending. Not what looks good on a shelf! If you love mysteries, read them. Don’t force Tolstoy if it feels like a chore.

6. Join a Reading Community

Book clubs, reading challenges, or even online forums keep you motivated and accountable.

7. Reflect on Why You Buy

Next time you pick up a book at a store, ask yourself: Do I want to own this or actually read this?

Beyond the Pages

In a world saturated with noise, owning books remains one of the noblest aspirations. It signifies curiosity, growth, and reverence for ideas. But the journey from ownership to understanding is where the real magic lies.

Buying books is easy. Reading them requires intention, time, and discipline. It’s not about finishing a hundred titles—it’s about deeply engaging with even a few that change you.

Unread books may whisper of the people we hope to become. But it is in reading, not just possessing, that we honor those hopes. So perhaps it’s time to look at our dusty shelves, not with guilt, but with renewed resolve.

Pick one. Open it. Let the unread become the unforgettable.

Read: Dear Friends or Deal Friends?

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to