Book Club on Yik Yak | I’ll never understand the idea that people need to feel some sort of external reward for reading books. Reading is in and of itself rewarding, and the concept of people setting a quota for the # of books they’re going to read in a year makes it a chore

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Book Club 7w

I’ll never understand the idea that people need to feel some sort of external reward for reading books. Reading is in and of itself rewarding, and the concept of people setting a quota for the # of books they’re going to read in a year makes it a chore

Anonymous 7w

It’s cuz they don’t actually love reading they just view it as something to brag about!

Anonymous 7w

Its because people are conditioned from a young age to see it as a task instead of a hobby, and a lot of people lose their joy from it when they associate it with positive feedback from people around them and then lose that feedback. It's like if I go on a walk everyday, then people start walking alongside me to make me feel happier, then they all just stop showing up after years of it... walking wouldn't feel so good anymore

Anonymous 7w

well i do absolutely love reading but the only reason ive set myself up with the # of books im choosing to read is because im personally just challenging myself to read more and this is easier to keep track of how many books i have read and have left to read. but i do agree the people that brag about reading tons of books are very annoying

Anonymous 7w

because when they’re kids adults tell them to read even if they don’t want to, so then reading starts to seem like something that isn’t supposed to be enjoyed

Anonymous

#1 7w

I was thinking the exact same thing the other day. Some people like books. Some people like reading. We’re not the same. And it’s like, I get it, we’re spoon fed crazy consumerist propaganda and the allure of new ideas is strong. But I do think a lot of people are excited by the idea and aesthetic of reading more than the reading itself. And I feel that sometimes too, so I’ll talk a bit from experience while also calling it out as something to change.

Anonymous

#4 7w

This!! I am the type of type A person who takes notes of everything I do, including my reading list! I challenge myself to read more by getting a ‘high score’ and beating last years numbers. I also try really hard not to DNR books so the numbers game helps me get through some of my less interesting books. I love reading and read a lot of non fiction, but not all non fiction is written in the most compelling way, which can make me want to put a book that I’m interested in down a little faster.

Anonymous

#4 7w

The issue is more so in the fact that people will force themselves to read in order to achieve their quota. Everybody has a reading list, the issue comes in the fact that people will force feed themselves books in order to achieve this arbitrary goal, which in my opinion defeats the purpose and removes the joy that is inherent in reading as a hobby.

Anonymous

OP 7w

I just think that if they enjoy the high of reaching that goal and do it through reading that’s not necessarily a bad thing? Like forcing yourself to do something good for you to better yourself (for whatever reason) is usually a positive. Reading is a great hobby, but it’s also a great way to learn and grow. Just because you view it as a relaxing hobby doesn’t mean others shouldn’t get to enjoy it the way they want. I am forcing myself to read to achieve my list, and I enjoy that because

Anonymous

#5 7w

I’m learning the things I set out to learn. I’m forcing myself to slow down by turning off my phone and creating a more peaceful atmosphere for myself (because I use reading as a break from my day, and a way to transition into my bedtime routine). If the numbers help me do my hobby, why do you care? Especially in this day and age where reading and being off your phone is uncommon, I just think we shouldn’t gatekeep books