So Many Books. So Little Time.

[@frankmorlock9134]

Hey, Michael, I went through this around when I was still young, like you. Then, I remembered what I was told by a librarian friend of mine when I just started out as a reader: You will never exhaust the library. Even if you have a short list, new books are written every day, your tastes will expand even if they don't change, and even if you live longer than you expect you just won't get to where you hope to go. The first step to recovery is to accept it. The next thing to do is to try to figure out what you really, really want. For me, that means, (1) keep reading new material (I'm not a re-reader). (2) Try to read in areas that I like but where I feel there is a gap. (3) Don't feel ashamed if you don't read something you are pretty sure you won't like (for me that would be Finnegan's Wake and similar literary crimes and monstrosities) (4)Don't run a race. Relax and enjoy what you can, when you can. Most of the same rules would apply to other aspects of life, except for rule one. I don't feel I have to visit every city, museum or country on earth. I've already done my share. If I find a restaurant that I really like, I will probably go there in preference to trying something new. After all, ex[perience counts, and repeating good experiences is one way of living longer and enjoying the life you are living. Get in a good comfortable groove and stay there.

[@kimesch9698]

What great advice! Thank you.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

Only one potential adjustment for me at least, is rule no.1 that is, don't re-read... buut i re-read a few chapters of a couple of history books that I have, and it felt like I had quadrupled the atmosphere and understanding! my penithwuth.

[@ZoeyDeLeonVA]

Makes me think that books should exist in the afterlife and read more in there until we're double dead.

[@larrycarr4562]

Great idea! Can I take my kindle with me?

[@steviepickles9174]

Agreed. I want to read everything.

[@ABT212]

I'm 62 and oh, the time I've wasted not reading (or writing)!

[@kimesch9698]

I keep a skull on my library shelves for just this reason, memento mori ( not a real skull like they did in the olden days.;) One thing that might cheer you up is that you may be able to read more as you age. There are no guarantees in life, but you might be able to read a lot more. When I was working, I read about 50 books a year. Now that I’m retired, unfortunately with a disability that keeps me from my more active hobbies, I read 226 books last year. Making lemonade out of lemons, as they say.

[@ITCamefromthePage]

You don't have superpower YET Michael. You never know. I've thought of this often and the way I think about life is that it's a good thing you'll never get to it all. Even the fastest booktuber in the world will still go out of this world without having read all good books. There will always be good stories on the horizon but if you are too busy living life than reading the books that is completely okay. Spending that extra time with the people you love and your dogs, that will be the things you regret if you miss out on them. At least that's my experience, I remember going through the stroke and getting very close to brain death (they had to do surgery to remove the clot), the only things that crossed my mind were whether or not I'd be able to hold my cats again, everything else didn't even cross my mind. Come on Michael THE ROO looks amazing.

[@stevengentry9396]

To live is to leave things undone and unfinished. The only thing we actually get done doing is living.

[@StevenEverett7]

So many books, so little time. I know there are more books in the world than I will ever read in my lifetime. My solution is to simply enjoy whatever I'm reading at the time and not worry about what comes next.

[@vbathory3757]

This is the exact conundrum I face more often than I’d like to. Strangely I find some comfort knowing I’m not the only one thinking of these things. Thanks for making the video 👍🏻

[@iinanieminen]

I have had this same problem with many different things, hobbies, sports, books etc. I am interested in everything and it has caused me a lot of anxiety as it is not possible to do everything or read everything. Life has gotten easier when I decided to start making difficult choices. I will focus on few things and others are for fun if I have time. I think with reading it is also better to get more out of the books you read than read all the books in a hurry.

[@masonbricke4568]

This was for you a therapeutic video. You have expressed your frustrations and concerns among friends (and of course, shown off another lovely tie). We share the same frustrations, as all readers do. By the way, my gun is strictly for home defense. I promise to never shoot you with it, though I cannot make the same promise regarding your creepy friend back there...

[@8bitsnkboy472]

I've only read three books so far this year (all short paperbacks). I made a list of 'books I should read before I die' many years ago, but I haven't read many of them (too side-tracked with pulpy classic sci-fi stuff to be honest). Anyway, my point is that you're not alone in failing to match your expectations. For what it's worth, I've been really enjoying your content - I particularly like your reading reports AND your comic-book coverage (especially the non-superhero stuff). That said, do what suits you - your optimism is admirable, but you aren't a reading machine. Keep up the great work, Michael - you've inspired me to read all my unread books - Cheers!

[@scottpearson5644]

I have even less time than you left to read (statistically speaking). Started reading young, but had a 25+ period of very limited reading after that. Now, with renewed passion for reading and having found BookTube, I fret over having enough time to read. I want to read the many classics I have not read and the books that I collected over the years (Yes, I was collecting even when I was not reading). Every week I find more I want to read. Your melancholy over too little reading time left in life is shared. You are not alone.

[@MasterMalrubius]

I hit my 30's and with a house I didn't spend the time reading which I once did. Then I got out of the habit for reading fiction and read more topical subjects. But I really miss that immersive focus of being in a really good story.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

I have a similar story Scott. Read Anna Karenina in my 20s and absolutely nothing else! Nothing!!! thereafter until i was about 32. One consolation beyond Marcus Aurelius meditations at least, might be that that is how it has been since the dawn of time. idk

[@troytradup]

The other sad fact, at least in my life, is that I read slower than I did when I was a younger lad. Deeper, probably, but slower. When I was making a living as a reader, it was basically a book a day. Then a book a week. Now, two to three books a month. I assume at some point I'll be down to reading a page a day and finally I'll just crumble to dust in my chair. Go ahead and read The Roo. It's very fast, a decent read, and has one of the great covers ever.

[@frankmorlock9134]

Right on.

[@mediumjohnsilver]

Reading a page a day in the Punxsutawney Public Library was how Phil Connors kept track of how many days he has spent in the time loop (in an early draft of Groundhog Day). Even so, he exhausted the library.

[@stews9]

We tune in for you, Michael, not the books or how many you've read. I must add, I watched the Daredevil video, and I like your commentaries on comic books. One thing to recall, if there be no Heaven as an infinite Library, (Dr Who), then it's still enough to be a part of writing and reading, the world of books, because it's all interconnected. Once you're at a certain level of reading, you've attained mastery. Think of it, Sensei Mike.

[@PaxPanic]

Noooo Michael. You aren't alone I too have thought about this. More now, even. And it's an interesting thing. I imagine it can be applied to lots of habits we love, but I'm always hopeful that I can perhaps haunt a library, a la the Ghostbusters movie opening ("GET HER!" 😂) This may be one of my favorite videos you've ever made.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

This struck me: "...can be applied to lots of habits we love....".... mm yeah - i'm thinking like breathing; and consciousness. and time!?

[@gavinmcintosh5716]

Indeed. Maddening when you think about it too much. I also struggle to fit everything in that I want to read. I only watch you and Steve's channels (reeled in via the epic Wednesday feature) so I can read more. Loads of good channels but you have to set limits otherwise you can loose days to watching instead of actually reading. Obviously I've got to get through both Roger's cheap old book club and STD's one before I move back to my own stuff.

[@markw.loughton6786]

I'm philosophical about this, one day at a time, one book at a time :) Book reading challenges also put you under a certain amount of pressure, and I would probably advise. Just take it a day at a time and read things that you love.

[@frankmorlock9134]

Agree completely.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

Basically. Yeah. I agree as well. I left a comment that is perhaps similar??? be interested in your reckoning

[@rogercroft3218]

Some books are to be read slowly and savoured; others are to be skipped through quickly.

[@noeditbookreviews]

The title of this video encapsulates one of the central ideas in my life. I just read a book on the 4.5 billion year history of the earth and all I could think was "I would need countless lifetimes to study all of this!"

[@sterlingreads547]

I think about this too. This year I’ve been pickier about what I’m reading 📚😊

[@sandyokey1019]

Based on this research, my suggestion is you drop this crazy 500 book challenge and buy what you want. 😊 my hope is that all my unread and wish list books will follow along with me to the next life.

[@jonnaah9683]

Yes, the "500 book plan" is much crazier than collecting all the books you want.

[@jamesabbiati5775]

Good advice! I took the sane approach and am doing a four-month "read what I own" challenge. Else.... I wouldn't be able to buy a book for the next 8 years. 😲

[@jamesabbiati5775]

Wow. That was....depressing. I read about the same speed as you, Mike. And I'm six years older. 😞 On the bright side, you didn't factor in an increase in reading potential when you retire. More books! (see Greg M for details.) One observation: Maybe force yourself to consider DNFing if you need to, or at least accept a 2-chapter "preview period." I suspect Wolf Hall would end up in the circular file and you can make time for Carrion Comfort. Or the opposite. Your mileage may vary.

[@occultdetective]

Ah, mortality. My father passed at 71. His father at 76. His father at 59. His father at 89. His father at 77. His father at 72. I'm days shy of 57. How many years left? 32 years if I make it as long as my Great-Great Grandfather, but he was a tough old Civil War Colonel. They were made of sterner stuff, I think. The average of those men comes out to 73.8 years. Well, that is well shy of 20 years left isn't it. I guess I'll just read what I can read and let the cards fall where they may. I should probably start reading through all my Robert E. Howards again. You know... just in case.

[@frankmorlock9134]

Agree, except that I don't think I'd devote the rest of my life to reading one writer, but if that floats your boat, sail on !

[@BookishChas]

Nothing like your TBR to remind you of your mortality lol. Great topic Michael!

[@disshelvedwithadamwhite8731]

I watch and look forward to all your comic videos! As for reading speed I’m not very fast either. That’s why I don’t do the read all you own challenges- I love getting new books (or ebooks) too much. I know I’ll never read it all but it’s a comfort to me to know I have a wide selection available to me at all times. Plus I’m OCD and a hoarder so that accounts for a lot of it. My room’s a mess - I’m literally surrounded by books!

[@HeyYallListenUp]

I think about this too. Yesterday I returned a book to the library with no intention of getting another one, because I have SO MANY other books I want to read. However, there was Stephen King's Fairly Tale, just calling to me. Sigh.

[@royreadsanything]

What an interesting topic. My only thought is that if I knew I was on the way out, in some sort of endgame situation, I'd mostly be rereading Conan.

[@NP-Hunt]

So relatable! Made me think of the scene in Two And A Half Men where Alan has a breakdown in the bookstore. I know it's generally a crappy show, but that scene is hilarious (it's on KZbin as 'Two And A Half Men - The book frenzy').

[@laurels7892]

Here's my two cents. Just read what you enjoy and don't feel pressured to keep up with the Booktube Joneses. As far as content for your channel, I always enjoy hearing about books you may have read before Booktube as well as your current reads. I love hearing about vintage books that I missed through the years. Specifically, John Christopher's books were a gift to hear about and read. Statistically, you will live longer and have more time to read if you don't stress about Booktube. Hi to Roger! Love your Cheap Old Bookclub, buddy!

[@frankmorlock9134]

Very good advice. Being obsessive compulsive takes the joy out of reading and other aspects of life.

[@laurels7892]

@@frankmorlock9134 Thanks, Frank! 😊

[@nedmerrill5705]

You dwell on your own death too much. Live for today!!

[@monaedoyle3631]

I have to say that I am in the middle of reading a book that I’m enjoying. However I have some other books I want to get to. Sarah from the Bookish Knitter mentioned March Mystery Month and reading Harlequin romantic suspense books. I have some romantic suspense books I want to read. I have some other books I want to read as well. There’s just not enough hours in the day.

[@jade7398]

Yes, I do think about it. Not so much on the number of books that I want to read, but there are some books that are difficult and I keep on postponing, like Heidegger or Schopenhauer.

[@tiffanyvantine3322]

I think most of us who are big readers have this problem. I managed to read 8 things (books, short story collections, graphic novels) in January, and I’m on track for 11 in February. Some of the things that help me get more reading in are: -keeping my phone or kindle with me to read for a few minute while waiting for things (in line at a store or such) -listening to audio books (I can listen and work at the same time. I know this doesn’t work for everyone, but my job can be repetitive. I also prefer this for classics, non-fiction, and some re-reads) -scheduling my reading time. I try to write down when I will read during the day. The plan is first thing when I get up, during breakfast a couple hours later, during lunch, and before bed. -let people in your life know that reading is a priority to you. Sometimes my husband and I will just sit on the couch reading together, or I’ll go read in the tub or bedroom while he watches a movie of plays video games. Of course everyone has different commitments in life, and my schedule won’t work for everyone. And not everyone reads at the same pace. I know I’m an above average speed reader, although not a “speed” reader, but some people read slower for lots of reasons, and that’s ok. There will always be new books coming out we want to read. My TBR seems to only grow, not shrink, especially as I read more. When I was reading less, I wasn’t looking at all the things I could read, or watching book-tube, which only introduces more things I want to read. I think it’s important to focus on shorter term goals inside over arching plans (I want to do a full Fables graphic novel read through, I will read one Fables GN/month) and always make sure we’re enjoying what we’re reading, rather than tapping into the existential dread that I won’t read everything I want to before I die. But when the dread hits, I try to use it as motivation to try to live as long as possible. I want to read all the things, so I guess I should try to eat healthy, exercise some, and avoid bullets!😂

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Definitely avoid bullets!

[@Johanna_reads]

I relate to this too well! This was so painfully true and so painfully funny!

[@helencheckley7536]

I think you will live well into your 90s. Reading is good for you so I think it will make us live longer.. and don’t worry about what age you are. Live each day as it comes. Yesterday was the past ,today is the present ,tomorrow is the future. Just enjoy your reading and other things in your life. Happy reading ❤😊

[@BookTimewithElvis]

I know exactly what you mean Michael I often ponder books and mortality as well. I also need to get to Wolf Hall, let me know if you'd like to read it with me sometime before our passing. Cheers.

[@jakeschell3941]

Surely not Eight Years! Sounds like the opening of a Thomas Mann novel.

[@Leebearify]

WOW, here is a giggle.... I do the very same thing counting up the books I even own and will never get to. Oh, and guess what I think that being a lurker (as I am) I share kindred with Roger! I allow all of the 'great sounding' books that we talk about to make the TBR bigger and then I laugh when the postman has to lug 10 or so more books up my stairs. Hi Roger!! I like to interrupt too!!

[@briteskin]

This is one of the reasons stopped making a comprehensive tbr and started taking it more month by month and not thinking beyond the current month. Especially since the last two weeks haven't gone to plan. I am keeping cool calm and collected, thankfully. I think I have the first printing of that Miller Daredevil Omnibus. They definitely have better book covers. Mine is this weird die cut thing that doesn't even really protect the hardcovers.

[@sherrifromthelibrary]

Got me all teary-eyed. Book people, we're just crazy.

[@jonnaah9683]

How many books could you read if you spent all the time reading that you spend making and watching booktubes? Add it up...

[@wburris2007]

If I am an average Canadian, I have 16 years left. If I move to the US, I would only have 12 years. I think you should move to Canada.

[@lesliegordon2313]

You and me both, Mike. I'm lucky if I read two books a week. And if they're a thousand pages... It's just not gonna happen. I find it mind-boggling that some of these booktubers - a lot of them students - manage to read six books a week. As well as study! I'm just a working stiff. I'm sixty-four and retire in 19 months. Oh, boy, I can't wait. I try not to plan my TBR order because, like yourself, life just happens to knock it off-kilter occasionally. I wish you all the best, my friend, and you may you live long past your predestined seventy-seven years. Love from the 🇬🇧

[@helencheckley7536]

One booktube read 84 books in one month they must have a speedy brain.

[@BookBlather]

Well, that was depressing. You know I’m right behind you, Mike.

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

Booktubeland is full of normal people too who sometimes get through a week only reading one book. I totally get the pressure to read what you want to read before you die though, and we don’t know when that’s going to be. My livestream will touch in this kind of thing tomorrow as I have to talk about the 25 book challenge…..great video as always Mike.

[@helencheckley7536]

I’m 52 I started to worry about being in my 50s . And I have thousands of books to read. I am a slow reader. But I alway have two books on the go. Just live each day as in comes. We could all live longer because reading is good for you .❤😊

[@arekkrolak6320]

I literally read Planet of Apes today, I am just browsing internet for other Pierre Boulle books :)

[@christianmaltais]

Don't limit yourself, man. Just aim for 120.

[@wavaleebranch]

I agree with everything you said, and I feel exactly the same about desperately wanting to read books faster. My TBR is probably close to 500 books!

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

ha ha. yeah i'm just the same.

[@gregorynichols4103]

The Roo is actually quite good! Unsolicited opinion about book reading goals and setting arbitrary restrictions on ourselves: read what calls to you from book to book, and don't set limits or erect guardrails on your glorious reading freedoms! No 'X' number of book challenges, no 'new' book buying restrictions, no worrying about conforming to Booktube's unrealistic parameters! As a loyal viewer, I hate seeing you be unhappy under the yolk of pointless reading rules. No rules! :)

[@bernardjohnson8093]

Quality over quantity.

[@stevensmith1520]

Read Wolf Hall, the trilogy is one of literature’s greatest achievements. I have read Wolf Hall three times and intend to read the whole trilogy again before I die.

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

thanks for sharing, I have 19 pages of titles on my Kindle waiting for me to read and a dozen paper books too.

[@charliedogg7683]

Hi Michael, I watched the Daredevil video! I even left comments. I watch every video you make as you're personable, our reading tastes are very similar and your views almost always reflect mine. One of the markers of our individual mortality for us readers is to look at our bookcases and think that we'll never read all the books we own. This is very likely true, but I subscribe to the other side of the argument: how much I've enjoyed the books I have read over my life, especially the ones that have made a life-long positive impression on me like the Conan paperbacks of the Sixties and Seventies and Marvel's comics from the Bronze Age. And when I shuffle off this stage that is life, I will have left instructions for the disbursement of my books and comics so that they may form part of my legacy to my family, friends and complete strangers some of whom may be ensnared in the wonderful web that is fiction. So let's all raise a mug of Argrosean ale or Lovecraftian lager to the books we've read and loved.

[@danielmarlett1421]

Thank you for the shot of anxiety. I feel the same way, which means I've spent a lot of money storing up for a day that Im afraid will never come

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

I was a bit stunned when I discovered that you can't get very much money for second hand books!

[@danielmarlett1421]

@@Richard.HistoryLit I don't even bother trying to sell them. I just donate them. But I almost exclusively buy used so I also don't pay much.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

@@danielmarlett1421 500 books at £3-4 each is £1500-2000 over months/years. But I guess I will never get back the concert tickets either.

[@samslash9]

Nah man. I really struggle to read a book within two weeks. Don't fret about not being a speed reader. Also, I just found the channel and loved the daredevil video.

[@kenward1310]

This, but with writing.

[@leematthews6812]

Yeah, but for me this applies to a load of stuff: books, concerts, movies, and most of all, countries to visit. You just have to try and prioritize. As a Brit, your 'right to bear arms' leaves me shaking my head in despair.....

[@carolinec3951]

Sounds like the Eddie Murphy movie “Thousand words”. If this 500 book challenge is stressing you out, then skip it. Maybe instead do 1 book in 1 book out. We don’t want you pressured and unhappy. Reading is supposed to be fun.

[@frankmorlock9134]

AMEN !

[@mediumjohnsilver]

A semi-monthly reading report (or a mid-month reading report and a month-end wrap up) would be a good alternative to the weekly wrap-up. Congratulations on getting the Daredevil Omnibus. It looks very cool.

[@ReadingAde]

Wolf Hall trilogy is amazing. I'm actually going to reread it this summer

[@thebigbounce]

what I like most about the Kindle is I only download books I’m about to read, I only have one unread book on my Kindle.

[@konstantinos-6-6-6-8]

I have felt the same way but I think it’s more important to enjoy what you read. And if I don’t feel like reading anything for a week or it’s fine, what can you do. You can always make videos about stuff you’ve read. For example have some more in depth reviews of HPL and REH, not spoiler free like the weekly videos, etc….

[@duffypratt]

A bunch of people die before 52, skewing the average. The average remaining span for a 52 year old American is 28 years. There are about 275,000 books published in the US each year, not including self-published. You are not even going to be able to read everything published this month. I wonder: Do people lie awake at night and fret over whether they will be able to eat everything?

[@janicecuroso1042]

We all want to live long enough to read all the books we have stacked in piles around our homes. Luckily, women tend to live longer than men, plus the women on both sides of my family lived long lives. So, I figure I have a sporting chance to get through most of the books I want to read. Of course, I could be wrong. We'll see how things are going in two years when I celebrate my 77th birthday. But don't give up hope Michael. Once you retire you will have more time to read all those books you stay awake worrying about not getting to now. At least it's been true for me. Don't give up hope.

[@holzausgabe8812]

I gave up to compare my reading life with other readers. It's my hobby which should be relaxing. I don't want to be stressed out by it. My goal is to read 100 books. That will take me two years and i'm fine with it. 📚 🐌

[@benja6902]

Today I ordered the FM Daredevil Omnibus!

[@stephenwalker2924]

Michael, I must inform you that Roger was laughing behind your back, silently, all the way through this video as you wrestled with the cumbersome weight of cruel yet precious mortality. He was. Really.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

He read the book of time. Roger that is. For those that know.

[@inanimatecarbongod]

With my health being what it is, I rather doubt my own life expectancy will be anything like the 81 years that men can apparently expect to get to here in Australia (we're a lot less blasé about guns, which may help). To be honest I'm more than a little amazed to have made it to 48, every birthday since I had a stroke in 2009 has come as a bit of a surprise, and there's so much I have to accept I'll simply never do... all the books I'll never read, the films & TV I'll never see, all of that, and it's really shit to have to admit it to oneself. And I'm kind of painfully aware of how much less time I probably have compared to most people, and how much time I am frankly wasting just bumming around on the Internet, the films & TV I could be watching instead of KZbin, the books I could be reading... and in the end how much of it even matters? What difference does it make to anyone but me? Does it even make a difference to me? I don't know. Still, I admire your dedication in getting up at 5am to address these existential matters, whether they make a difference or not... it's far more than I'm inclined to do.

[@frankmorlock9134]

You are never wasting time if you are enjoying what you are doing. If at least one object in life is to enjoy the time you have, don't feel guilty for doing just that.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

Have you read Marcus Aurelius' meditations?

[@inanimatecarbongod]

@@Richard.HistoryLit I have, yes. A book full of wisdom I really should take on board.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

@@inanimatecarbongod Nice. That seems like the whole thing to me. We might be moved by philosophical writing, or we might find something to believe in. But maybe not. Christopher Hitchens wrote an amazing book called Mortality.

[@maestro7058]

Okay we need to give you the dagger of time with the sands of time in them from Prince Of Persia and rewind the clock!

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

I think about this kind of stuff all the time, unfortunately. So if I live to the average age, I have 20 years left. I'll never be able to read everything I want to read before I die. 😭 If heaven exists, it will be full of books (I hope) but I have to get there first!! 📚😇

[@frankmorlock9134]

Don't hold your breath.

[@Richard.HistoryLit]

You look 27 in your picy!

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

Thank you! That's my 55 year old pic. I need to update. 🤗

[@bizarrebraincomics7819]

More comic stuff ! I always watch the comic Book stuff.

[@MasterMalrubius]

I'm not into comic books but it is interesting to hear about them.

[@kokorospirit5006]

Great video! Good analysis, 1500-2000 books left to read in a lifetime...time to be very very selective!

[@denisadellinger4543]

Something always happens to get you off your program. But aren't you still reading book? It's all going to be ok. You will read the ones you want to read and were meant for you to read.

[@supernova1969]

Daredevil is one of my favorites.

[@KelanJ29534]

Hello there Mr. Micheal! I would like you to make a list of your top non-science-fiction books please

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

No, that was not the reason I didn’t watch that video (or bailed on it quite early, actually). You see, back when I was reading comic books, my little group of comic book reading friends couldn’t stand one particular artist, and that was Frank Miller. It was, as I recall, before he began to write; and eventually I moved away from comic books. I don’t remember if I ever saw the Miller-written Daredevil. Of course I’ve been aware of his rise-just the other day I got to see the movie _300_ and loved the graphic template of it-but only from on the fringes as I’ve never gone back. Now I just looked him up on Wikipedia and see that he is not all that much older than me. (Those years of disparity mean more to a teenager than to an oldster.) I see Frank has made something of himself-good for him! Probably more than I can boast. If I were to go back to a comic, it would be Doug Moench’s _Master of Kung Fu_ though I’m not sure how that could be done. But like you, I am aware of time pressing down on me, possibly even more than you. You are not an oldster.

[@maestro7058]

Holy crap the omnibus is the friggin best!

[@sgriffin9960]

Maybe it's the winter blues. I'm tired. I'm sick of our children being slaughtered. I've stopped joining in read- alongs. Mostly stopped commenting on booktube. I don't have enough time left in my life to read all the books I have. All I can do is send you a hug. 🤗

[@ThatReadingGuy28]

Yes I think of this all the time too, and I'm still relatively young.

[@jeremyfee]

What a morbid video, though it makes me want to do this type of math as well. :)

[@WilliamsLibrary]

I am all about lowering expectations. It might take all of this year for me to finish my "read what you bookmark" challenge. And then there are 2 bookmarked tomes not part of the challenge that I partially DNFed (did not remove the bookmarks) which will take even longer. With my reading speed, I might not be done with them until I'm 46 years old! (I'm 38)

[@DDB168]

You're not the only one, I think about it HEAPS too 😪 One impact is booktube. I watch way less booktube and spend that time on reading instead. I'm glad it's 77, I thought it was only 42, phew 😅 Make use of the buddy read re: Wolf Hall, Once an Eagle et al. They help me get through a chunker. Dont know why, they just do.

[@ellesse3862]

Oh no, try not to dwell on death or those reading machines ploughing through a gazillion books a week .. ignore them, its not good for your mental health. Stress kills. So you read one book in a week, sometimes it can take me a few weeks to read one book. Will you read all your books that you'll own before your time comes? nah .. doubtful. There will always be more things than we can ever get through, relax, read the ones you want to read the most and see where it takes you. You get a thumbs up for the gorgeous DD omnibus, a wise choice for your collection, upgrade those old paperbacks.

[@binglamb2176]

Egad! I have nearly 20 years on you on the great race to the finish line. If your numbers are correct, I had better stop eating and get reading more! Oh wait . . .

[@brianbaker5938]

Twilight ZoneTime Enough at Last with Burgess Meredith

[@joachimmagdziak7742]

I'm only 17 but in Poland average life expectancy is just 76! 😬 I doubt I'll make it to the end of my list. The other problem is storage place; a gothic abbey would be useful I guess (strange things are coming to my mind after recent E.A. Poe rereading indeed). 😄

[@imorca1994]

I watch comic book videos, but I was a reader during the 1990s-2000s. So both the old stuff and the new stuff don't mean all that much to me. To me, Daredevil is mostly a Netflix series character...who pissed me off on the regular. Also, if you don't read The Roo, you should send it to Criminolly.

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

I know we are mere mortals but I swear Mike if you pull out Carrion Comfort one more time 👊

[@AndrewBuckleBookReviews]

You are not selling living in the States !! 77 ... and being potentially shot. Glad I'm in the UK (and hopefully Spain). Based on the 77, I have 15 years to go and at 200 books a year, that gets to about 3000 books and that is not many ! I love the Frank Miller book, read them when they came out and they were all excellent. I am just starting Mantel's Bring Up. Halfway through Death of the planet of the apes (very enjoyable) I suspect I will never get around to reading all the classics. The last time anyone could read nearly every 'western' book was about 1200 or so, unless you end up as the Highlander, it is going to be tricky to get through every book

[@jamesl4857]

Having been born and raised in Ohio, I get what you said about the medical insurance system in America. It is horrid. My dad had to work two, and sometimes three jobs, to pay the family medical bills when I was still in Ohio. When I moved to Italy to be with the lovely woman who is now my wife of nearly 20 years, the difference of the health care system surprised me, Taxes here pay for the medical needs of people, and even if you go to a private clinic, the prices are not as insane as in America. To get on the subject of your video, I'll be 50 on March 10, and I haven't read as much as I'd like to. I have other interests, and I have writing deadlines. However, I've loved reading since my grandparents read to me as a toddler. I think Frank Zappa said the same thing as the title of your video. Sometimes I'd love to be like Burgess Meredith in that TWILIGHT ZONE Episode, minus the broken glasses. Though, I have noticed I read faster without mine recently. I only need them to see far away and see the TV and computer screens. All The Best, James Heath Lantz Freelance Writer Staff Writer for Back Issue magazine 2021 Eisner Award nominee, 2019 winner, "Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism"

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

That Burgess Meredith episode is always on my mind.

[@lisarichards1956]

Don't make yourself sick over it. Choose something you are interested in. Read it. Enjoy it. You'll never read them all and I think there are probably other meaningful things we should be doing with our lives. This advice is coming from someone who loves to hide in a book, lol. I try to alternate between lighter and heavier topics. My library is much smaller than yours and it's still hard to decide. :)

[@justmatthewjust]

Just ordered the omnibus after watching your video and Steve Donoghue's. Also don't forget all the extra reading time when you hit retirement!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Retirement is a long way off, unfortunately.

[@paulmonahawk4921]

Not enough hours in the day my friend 😪

[@stretmediq]

When I'm not reading I'm a paramedic and I encounter a lot of people who are much older than 77 and a good percentage of them seem to have a lot of books in their house so maybe readers live longer 😊 📖 📚

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m counting on it.

[@szaggasd]

Is it a sin to not read a great book before you die? I think Paul Auster explored that in one of his novels, it helped me deal with that

[@psikeyhackr6914]

How much time do you spend driving? It is somewhat difficult to read a paper book while driving. AIReader is a app that does text to speech from various ebook formats. So I read while washing dishes and taking a shower. And I don't want 1,000 paper books. I used to have more than that but not anymore. Don't even want to think about having that many. People who talk about the smell of books creep me out.

[@PhantomGenerator237]

Give yourself some more credit. You look like a healthy man. I am sure you will live long past 77.

[@LivingDeadEnby]

Do you share senile insomnia with me (I have that since I'm 37, now I'm 48 ... I hope it doesn't get worse when I'm actually senile) or do you have to get up so early for work? You don't need to talk every week of what you've read, you could talk about what you want to read in the next time. But you do that anyway, don't you? That's a lot of 'you's here 😄

[@sleepyreader666]

You could only allow yourself to do a video after completing a book...as motivation

[@FrancisGo.]

I'm 4 minutes into this video, but let me just stop you there. The singularity is probably going to hit within your lifetime. Life expectancy goes out the window. Nobody knows what will happen when humanity is millions of times smarter than it is now. This is the one time in history where it's perfectly rational to make a wish and hope for the best. Also, Harold Bloom read entire libraries, and so, reading his books would probably show you what your taste would be like if you actually had a chance to do the same. You'd probably just converge on the exact same classics. Or you'd be like Neil Gaiman, who also read entire libraries, and he converged on....Stephen King. Zalazny. Harlan Ellison. 🤷‍♂️