Coping with Reading Guilt in 7 Easy Steps – Published by ‘Fantasy Faction’

Nicola Alter published this article about ‘Reading Guilt’ on the website of ‘Fantasy Faction’. I thought it was worth spreading the word about these seven steps, since I very much suspect I am suffering from reading guilt. Thank you, Nicola!

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Every year, countless readers suffer from a condition known as Reading Guilt. According to a prominent scientist (or possibly, to no prominent scientists), anxious or time-strapped readers are particularly vulnerable. Sometimes the condition can be so debilitating it actively prevents the reader from reading, which can lead to a dangerous spiral that only further exacerbates the problem.

Signs you might suffer from Reading Guilt of one form or another can include:

1. The pile of unread books on your shelf, be it virtual or real, makes you feel anxious every time you look at it.

2. You occasionally dust off that book your friend loaned you and pretend you are about to read it, knowing in your heart you are just preparing it to collect more nightstand dust.

3. The sight of a bookstore evokes complex feelings of longing and guilt.

4. The book-devouring speed of a well-read friend makes you irrationally envious.

5. The question, “have you read…” elicits an instinctual dread, because whatever it is, you’ve usually never read it.

6. When someone recommends a book to you, you smile and make enthusiastic noises to cover the sinking feeling in your stomach, because it’s just another to add to the endless list and you’ll probably never get around to reading it anyway.

7. You are so behind on that reading goal you set that it just serves to depress rather than motivate you.

8. You have a vague but pervasive feeling that you haven’t read enough of the “important” books.

9. The hunt for bookmarks depresses you, because you realise they are all wedged in half-finished books and you can’t bring yourself to remove them.

10. You participate in online “How many of these books have you read?” quizzes, even though you know the results will not cheer you up.

Read the entire article here:

 

Coping With Reading Guilt In 7 Easy Steps