They only write books for women now. That is why they are the only ones who read. I miss Tom Clancy like you would not believe.

Ya they all work for the government also

Omg Shelly forgive me but I laughed my head off at the image of you realizing that you associate the LIBRARY with buying books! Loving the no buy insights so far 🤎

Of these I've read The Women, All the Colors of the Dark, and God of the Woods. I enjoyed them all!

I'm doing a no buy year for pretty much the same categories you are- here we go!

Wouldn't it make more sense to give MORE money to schools that are doing poorly so that, I don't know, maybe they do better?

Good to see. When I was at secondary school we had to read 25 books in Dutch language, from 15th Century to present day. Additional 8 books in English, 8 in French and 8 in German. Nowadays students may read 8 books, if the do at all. Many of them just read the excerpts. I think school is far less demanding than it used to why? No idea.

8:00 I think if someone lacks the attention span to read a novel, it's nonsensical to say they "are capable of reading a novel a week". That would be like saying I am capable of walking from Siberia to Portugal because my legs are functional - someone with greater stamina than I could definitely do it, and I might do it if I trained and planned, but it's definitely not the case that I am capable of doing it now.

I read to my kids novels. Then taught them to read myself. There were some tears in the learning but in the end it was worth it.

I used to read a lot. Then I got busy working. I was then gifted a Kindle. I am now voracious reader again. My large library travels with me everywherAnd it has a dictionay and a Wikipedia inside.

It’s not how we’re teaching reading, it’s the impact of social media, KZbin and the phone technology we are using. It’s a “brain virus,” sucking the intellect out of this generation.

Those pleasure endorphins released by quick and easy electro-nonsense cannot be matched by reading. I know a LOT of people who NEVER read and not just younger people. We have optimized our laziness. When the power grid finally fails, the new Dark Ages will commence.

People who can't / don't read (doesn't matter which) nevertheless vote. They also emphasize their right to free speech. It's depressing.

Adding my perspective as someone based in the UK with many teacher/pupil support friends: A. We have a generation where many people had children without thinking about the effort commitment needed; they dont want to have to look after their child and they've found the ideal 24/7 entertainment mechanism - parking them in front of a tablet or TV which are like e-numbers for the brain. As such kids are growing up in an environment of minimal social contact, where 20 years ago they wouldve been pushed to play outside with friends and a TV dinner was a no-no B. Linked to the above many children have been allowed to grow without boundaries ever being enforced, so they have no concept of having to discipline themselves or follow instructions. As such put in a class environment where they have to do both the above is a recipe for failure and general "low order" disruptive behaviour is anecdottally higher than ever C. The above is heavily linked to socio-economic group; with kids from poorer areas and families generally doing worse. A lack of positive role models is an issue and lack of socialising exacerbates this D. Even 20 pdd years ago there was an issue with people glorifying being uneducated and/or lacking practical skills, rather than being disturbed by the fact. However its worse these days because kids role models are influencers who model the same, but are famous and rich for it When I was at school we did "Oxford Reading Tree", which were graded books that level by level had more text and less pictures; then there was a whole host of books in a school library which were approachable steps up; we were always encouraged/pushed to read so many books a term and tell the class about them and those who struggled to read did extra reading with a class tutor at school. Everyone was also made to read out loud in class but only as much as they were able and comfortable e.g. slow readers did a sentence; quick ones did a few paragraphs. Even the quiet kids read out loud.

I did a low spend last year with the plan to donate money at Christmas. My mantra became "I'm not buying a want, so my community can have a need". Then a strange thing happened. When people told me they were struggling instead of saying "I'm broke too" I helped buy a car, send a kid to camp and pay vet bills. I told people I'd "pass the hat at work" but mostly I just sent an etransfer to the service providers. No obligation, just putting money where it can do some good.

Even my PhD and JD friends don't read. It's not a "kids these days" problem. Kids are just more honest. I notice older people would pretend that they read. I first noticed it when Atkins diet was popular. In the early edition, it says you can't have coffee. But 100% of people I met who was on Atkins was drinking coffee. They claimed they read the book and it's OK as long as you don't add milk or sugar. They would double down and tell me to read the book. 💀 That's the first time I realized most people don't read, they just pretend that they do. I've seen people quoting "Normal People" with punctuation. It means they didn't even open the book. Anyway, I think education needs to change. We can't just push people to read anymore. The battle is over. Education needs to be, unfortunately, more entertaining.

Thank you for sharing your insights into the feelings around accumulation and your lessons about patterns and habits you had around spending.

its like reading out of context their way. You have to read the whole book to get the meaning of what the author is trying to convey, that can't be done in one or two paragraphs. I love to read and I'm glad I grew up in a society that still believed in it, I may be old now but I am also full of joy when i come across a great book with great meaning, its food for the soul and spirit.

So you are now educating the next elite. Many years ago most of my education was done at private schools. My trouble was that I always read ahead on the book we were studying and I would be in trouble for reading too fast. History classes were the same. I’d always finish the history text book long before we got to the end of term. Who profits by this teaching in snippets for tests? In other subjects they say “follow the money” Who is it that makes the money out of not teaching our children to be able to read a book properly.

Studie "Ride the wave" “Riding the Wave” is the practice of surfing your own intense emotions. Think of it this way: a surfer doesn't fight the powerful ocean wave that comes their way; they move with the wave, riding its natural tide.

Great emotional expressions.

Yeah, Self denial is a powerful tool; it jars us awake in a temporary way. It artificially pry's our psyche open a bit. The subsequent momentary suffering allows for something new to appear in us. It is a Teaching method in some Eastern Schools. Of course it is not done without the proper perspective and goals, but more importantly method. Jarring denial will allow new thoughts and ideas to enter One. Possibly some good; but also some not so good and that is the importance of method. Generally, pretty safe IMO

What is a book?

I wasn't going to buy any books this year. I fell off the wagon I bought 6 books from Amazon and 1 from Half Price books. I didn't purchase any books in the last 2 days

"I can't have_____ is depriving, so I immediately want it. BUT, when I tell myself" today, in this moment, this month etc, I am Choosing not to buy____, then I feel like I am still in control. I can have it, but I am choosing not to.

Thanks for including me!! Love this video (and your backdrop 😍)

Quick answer is technology. Boomers did not have it. We had a desire for mental stimulation. In HS we were reading adult level books. I was reading about the causes of the Vietnam war at 13. By 15, I had read 1984 (it was not a class assignment). We were not pushed into it. It came naturally. We valued knowing stuff. That is missing from later gens. Later gens do not believe they need to know anything. They have the internet. But, they have not developed the way to evaluate the info. They just accept it.

I read Ina Garten's autobiography. I wouldn't describe it as your other reader did (a warm hug) but It is very interesting. She has accomplished so much and it is interesting to see how, after a lonely childhood she began to believe in herself and her choices, and they catapulted her into success and fame (which I don't think she craves, the fame). Her husband plays a very interesting support role in her life, and is never wavering in that. I have most of her cookbooks and I found the book inspiring, not realizing all the choices she has made to get where she is today. Even just how her cookbooks have been designed is revolutionary, successful and enlightening.

You were so funny about the library dilemma! Maybe you can just donate that money to the library instead.

Aaaack!!! I’m Thinking of Ending Things! That was the second Iain Reid I read. Also enjoyed very much. I’m going to dole out another Iain Reid to myself this year. Probably We Spread. But I digress…. That’s not the point of the video! 😂 I’ll bet this “no buy” mentality will become second nature before you know it and won’t cause so much angst. You’ve got this! 💪

In Afghanistan we have boys and girls school separate, girl only learn till class five yet, boys in public school until class 8 gets a body search at the door, their knives are taken mostly with jewelry and receive them while getting out. Phones are not allowed to bring for primary and middle school. Two languages are taught as main Dari Pashto, two hours every week of sports, either football or running. The methods are old mostly because the new methods are not yet norm in education system, we still use chalk on blackboards. Three times 7-9 9-12 12-3 AM/PM no canteen in most schools and they are bringing food with them.

Thank you very much for sharing.

Love this content ❤

I forgot all about the bone book now it has unlocked a memory I think I might get all of them

You can do this! My daughter was in a bookclub- I don’t think she ever bought a book for it. Library and Libby for the win.

One wonders how anybody would do today with a "Classical Education" (including the Latin). To be required to quote blocks of text longer than the 'snippets' you teach from would probably be considered child abuse when once that was only a tiny part of being able to graduate from high school.

There have been periods of my reading life where I would borrow the book from the library and only purchase if it is a favorite... so my bookshelf becomes less of a TBR and more of a place of pride in my home. I'm working to get back to this by purchasing less myself.

Too much media everywhere else and people have much shorter attention span.

Would journal about feelings you need to buy something help with the need to buy something?

Our sense of time has changed & reading requires having a block of time in order to enjoy a good book. Hi tech was able to fill those moments, here & there, with accessible info without having to lug around a weighty volume. So the overriding problem is the pace of this society, which is too fast & not at all thoughtful or even all that productive. One solution is to reject hi tech but another is to limit its time in your life, and to find time to do the things you love. Personally I'm now more art-focused so most of my time goes into making masks, paintings & drawings. I do, however, regularly visit the public library for background info pertinent to my work & also for short stories, which don't require a huge time commitment. As for this upcoming generation, don't get your hopes up because I suspect they're going to fail & fail badly. I've never felt this way about other, younger generations... but this ignorance, apathy & disconnectedness is something new & it's not good.

Libraries rule!

I feel seen! My library remodeled right before the pandemic started. This meant they moved where the 'books for sale ' were located and they are displayed a bit more like a bookstore and I get tempted especially when they have a 'super sale' where books are 4 for $1.🤦‍♀️ I started out buying books for bookclub but now either borrow from the library or a friend. I also suggest books from my shelves.

Library books also look good on shelves! And the beauty of them is you can continuously change out the shelf where you keep them😊 No buys are hard! I‘m currently working on the 100 Book Challenge from Criminolly. I didn’t meet the goal last time of not buying any books until I’ve read 100 of my own, so I’m trying again. Good luck on your challenge! I’ll be rooting for you!

I freaked out, too!😂😂😂

I’m not on a no-buy but am trying to be a bit more mindful of my purchases and it’s been so interesting to catch myself when I have had the urge to buy something I absolutely do not need but might have justified because “it’s just a little thing” 🙈

So proud of you!! I'm also proud of myself because Lisa Eldridge has a pin point concealer pencil out....I said NO!!! But it was so difficult hahaha

You should treat yourself with a prize at the end of your no-buy journey (hey, maybe that dress will still be there), but I hope the temptation to buy starts dwindling down as you get more into the year. :)

Wonderful honesty about your immediate struggles. It is hard not to buy stuff that you love buying, and I think it is fair to reward yourself occasionally by spending that money on something else you enjoy. For you this is not about saving money so once a quarter or whatever spend some of the money you saved for something fun with your family. Or donate to a charity or a women's shelter that needs clothing and children's books. You are still paying for those items but not for you.

Originally here for your book content, but enjoying the No Buy challenge too. I strive to spend waaaaay less in 2025, but not a full No Buy As far as books i am similar in that i do not like scary movies and easily get nightmares, but i still delved into horror reading a bit in 2024. The two that i liked best were: The Djin Waits a Hundred Years- Shubnum Khan & Fowl Eulogies- Lucie Rico. Maybe your library has them 🙂🙃

Proud of you! It's hard to change a state of mind/ habit, so way to go! 🎉 My relationship with Library books is, "check it out, read it, and if you love it buy one for your shelf!" If I hate it, then no skin off my back 🤣