Weekend Reads #119: Why Do I Procrastinate on Books I WANT to Read

Weekend Reads is a post in which I discuss a variety of topics and mention the books I’m currently reading.

For this week, I’ve decided to participate in the Let’s Talk Bookish meme hosted by Eternity Books and Literary Lion. A discussion topic is given each week for us to post about. This week’s topic is

Putting Off Books That I Want to Read

Do you ever put off the books you actually want to be reading? What do you end up reading instead? Why do you put off the books that you would rather read for other stories? Do you treat reading books you’re excited for as a reward?

I chuckled to myself when I saw this topic because it’s something I often do. There are several reasons why I might delay reading a book, but the main ones are that I’m just too eager to read it, I’m not sure I’d like it, and I feel “pressured” to read it. Let’s briefly explore them.

I’m just too eager…

It makes sense that I delay reading books I’m not sure I’ll like or ones I’m pressured to read, but I also procrastinate on reading books that I’m eager to read, ones I know I’ll probably love. I think that’s odd. I think I’m an oddball for not immediately grabbing and reading books I’m excited about. Why do I delay on reading them?

I can’t answer the question, but a possible reason is that I probably psyched myself out getting too excited about the book and subconsciously assume that my high excitement and expectations of the book will make it a disappointing reading experience.

The books I’m eager about are the ones I’m more likely to purchase and… then forget about as they lay on my shelves collecting dust; so that’s another reason. My shelves are double- (and in some causes triple-) stacked, so if these purchased eager-to-read books somehow end up on a row that I do not see on a daily basis, then I’ll forget they’re there to read.

Another reason based on the fact that I purchased the book is that I hardly ever read the books I own, which is also weird. So by purchasing the book, I effectively made it one that I’ll probably not read any time soon.

Books I bought because I am (still am) eager to read them but have yet to:

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The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente, illus. by Ana Juan

I’m Not Sure I’ll Like it…

This is easy to understand. Sometimes I’ll find or hear about books that interest me that I really want to read, but deep down I’m ambivalent about picking them up. Books that fall in this category I always pick up when I go to the bookstore but leave without them because I’m just not sure. If I’m purchasing books from a store or borrowing them from a library and have a pile that’s more than I want, these are the books I’ll take hours antagonizing over as I try to decide whether to leave with them or put them back on the shelf. (They usually go back on the shelf.)

Books that fall in this category include…

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The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman, illus. by Colleen Doran
Mythos by Stephen Fry
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

I feel pressured…

The last reason I’ll share in this post is that sometimes I feel pressured to read the book, so I don’t even though I’m eager or interested in reading it. Or, to be more accurate in some cases, I’m asked or told to read the book, so I don’t. My immediately reaction to being told to do something (sometimes) is not to do it, or rather not do it when I’m told to do it. In short, I rebel against directions and instructions.

Books that fall in this category are ones that are loaned to me without me first inquiring about them or books that are extremely hyped. Thankfully, this doesn’t happen too often. I’ve encountered some great reads from books suddenly loaned to me (like Soledad by Angie Cruz) and or were overhyped (like Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend).

Other books I felt “pressured” to read that somehow worked out…

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Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

If you also procrastinate on books you’re eager to read, share your reasons why below.

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What I’m Currently Reading

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Dragon Wing by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

I’m currently buddy-reading this with Emily at Embuhleeliest (my buddy-reader in all things Hobb). The book is surprisingly humorous, so I’m enjoying it so far.

The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner

I’m buddy-reading this with Millie from Milliebot Reads. I believe she’s already done, so I’d like to wrap it up this weekend. I’m enjoying this one as well. I like the protag.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Surprisingly, my reading experience with this is not going as great as I thought it would. I think it’s because I’m not giving it the time it needs… maybe. I’ll focus more on it next week.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

It’s the first novella in the Murderbot series. I intend to participate in the All Systems Read event this weekend (April 2-5) hosted by the Wyrd & Wonder crew for SciFi Month (another event they — Lisa at Dear Book Geek and Imyril at There’s Always Room for One More — host). The plan is to read/catch up on sci-fi reads and chat about it on Twitter using the #AllSystemsRead tag. I intend to read as many of the Murderbot novellas as I can and maybe some sci-fi comics too.

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What are your reading plans for the weekend?

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