Reading in bulk

For those of you who have been reading my columns from the beginning, you’ve probably gotten a very good sense of how many books I read and have read. Since I’ve only been on this earth, and of reading age, for less than two decades, I’m often amazed myself as to how many books I’ve managed to read. I tend to stop at a bookstore and walk away with no fewer than four or five new books, and I usually start reading them all within the week. At any given time, I’ll be in the middle of ten to 15 different books, some being new finds and others being the 100th read-through of a longtime favorite.

When you walk into my dorm room here on campus, the first thing you’ll encounter is the large stack of books on the table next to my bed. Before Thanksgiving break, I had 16 books piled there (yes, I counted) and I was in the middle of reading all of them. In fact, my roommate has asked on more than one occasion if I’m really reading so many books at once. However, she now knows not to question me when I return carrying a bag of books to add to the collection taking over my desk shelves.

My family often asks me why, if I read so many books, I won't simply check them out from a library and control the literary chaos. It would be easier to simply borrow the books I read once and decide I didn’t really enjoy, or the books that are "a shot in the dark" when I choose them. However, there’s no way to know if the book I’ve picked up will inspire me in ways I don’t expect and acquire a permanent place in my favorites collection.

I read and reread my favorite books so many times that I can open them to any page and begin reading.  Some people say that the fun of reading a book is being surprised at what comes next. While that’s true the first or second time around, I like my favorite books to become so well known to me that they’re a constant I can always return to. If I’m feeling lost in my schoolwork or in my relationships with others, I can always rely on my favorite books to be a source of calming consistency. I get to know the characters so well they become real people, ones who’ve influenced me with their decisions and helped me make some of my own.

It is a strange habit I have, reading more than one book at a time and rereading them until I can quote entire pages. However, I think that’s partly why I find reading so enjoyable. At any given time I can embark on an entirely new adventure or spend some time with old friends. Sure, it gets confusing, but that is precisely why I tend to read a story I’ve read a dozen times while I’m reading a brand new book. If I don’t understand the choices a character made or can’t follow the plot, I can always turn around and delve into a sea of calmness, into a story I’ve heard again and again.

I would not recommend following in my footsteps by reading a dozen or so books at one time, but I would suggest that you go revisit a book you’ve read before. Although you will know the details of any plot twists and understand each character from the beginning, there’s also something to be said for reading a book just for the nostalgic pleasure it brings.