Confession time: I have more unread books on my shelves than I’d like to admit. But if you’re reading this, chances are you do too. Don’t worry—you’re in good company! Welcome to the world of book hoarders, where buying books and actually reading them are two completely separate hobbies.
I used to think I was alone in this. That somehow, my impulse to grab just one more book every time I stepped into a bookstore (or scrolled through an online sale) was a personal weakness. But then, I started talking to fellow book lovers and realized something important: we all do it. There is an entire community of us who find immense joy in stacking our shelves with books we may or may not read anytime soon. And guess what? There’s actual psychology behind this!
So, why do we hoard books? Why do we keep buying them, even when our TBR (To Be Read) pile could last us a lifetime? Let’s unpack this bookish mystery.
1. The Joy of Possibility
Buying books isn’t just about the stories inside them. It’s about the promise they hold. Each new book is a world waiting to be explored, a journey we might embark on—someday. It’s like stocking up on dreams.
Whenever I buy a book, I picture myself curled up with it on a rainy afternoon, fully immersed in its pages. That mental image alone is enough to justify the purchase, even if I end up reading something else instead. The book still represents possibility—a future moment of escape, discovery, or learning.
2. The Illusion of Time
Raise your hand if you’ve ever told yourself: “I’ll definitely read this next month.” Yeah, me too.
Book lovers tend to be optimistic about their reading time. We convince ourselves that our schedules will magically open up and we’ll finally make our way through the towering stack of unread books. But life happens. New releases come out. Reading slumps hit. And that book we were so excited about when we bought it? It ends up gathering dust while we chase after newer, shinier reads.
It’s not that we don’t want to read the books we buy—we just have more enthusiasm than available hours in the day.
3. The Collector Mentality
Some people collect stamps. Others collect shoes. We collect books.
There’s a thrill in owning books, in building a personal library that reflects our tastes, aspirations, and intellectual curiosities. Even if I never read every single book I own, just having them around brings me joy. They make my space feel warm, inviting, and filled with endless potential.
And let’s be honest—bookshelves full of books make us feel sophisticated. There’s something comforting (and slightly pretentious) about walking past rows of beautifully arranged books and knowing that at any moment, you could pluck one off the shelf and dive into a new adventure.
4. The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
Limited-time sales. Special editions. That one book everyone is talking about on Bookstagram. The publishing world knows how to tempt us, and we fall for it every time.
The fear of missing out on a great book deal or a trending novel is real. What if I don’t buy it now and later regret it? What if it goes out of print? What if I suddenly need to read it one day? These are the thoughts that lead to impulse buys and never-ending TBR piles.
5. The Comfort of Books
Sometimes, we buy books not to read them immediately, but because they bring us comfort. The simple act of being surrounded by books can be calming. On stressful days, I don’t always reach for a book to read—I just run my fingers along the spines on my shelf, feeling reassured by their presence.
Unopened books are like silent companions. They remind us that whenever we’re ready, they’ll be there, waiting.
So, Should We Feel Guilty?
Absolutely not! Book hoarding, at its core, is an expression of our love for literature. Sure, our TBR piles may be ambitious (or slightly delusional), but what’s life without a little bookish optimism?
Instead of feeling guilty about unread books, let’s embrace the joy of collecting them. Let’s appreciate the excitement of discovering new stories, even if it takes us years to get to them. And most importantly, let’s remember that there’s no right or wrong way to be a book lover.
So go ahead—buy that book you’ve been eyeing. Your future self will thank you (even if it takes five years to finally read it).
Are you a book hoarder too? How big is your TBR pile? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
Copyright © Biyai Garricks
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