Unread Towers: Chronicles of a Book Collector
From Shelves to Speakers
As someone who has cherished purchasing books for many years, I find a unique satisfaction in beholding the stacks of books lined up on my bookshelves.
The sight of them, standing there with their spines boasting a spectrum of colors and titles, offers a peculiar sense of accomplishment and anticipation.
Yet, paradoxically, my relationship with these books is tinged with a hint of failure — the failure to read them to completion.
Many of these books remain untouched after the initial excitement wears off, their contents partially explored or, in some cases, entirely undiscovered.
This narrative is a candid exploration of my love for acquiring books, the struggle to finish them, and an unexpected solution that rekindled my hope of conquering my ever-growing reading list.
The Joy of Collecting Books
There’s an undeniable thrill in acquiring a new book — its fresh pages, the crispness of the cover, the promise of new knowledge, stories, and ideas within.
Buying books has always been more than a mere transaction; it’s a ritual.
Each book I purchase is a testament to my curiosity and never-ending quest for learning and entertainment.
The stacked books in my home are not just decor; they represent aspirational images of myself as someone who is well-read and informed.
However, this accumulation of books comes with its challenges.
Despite my initial enthusiasm, the reality of time constraints and diminishing attention spans often means that these books remain partially read or, even more dishearteningly, untouched.
The Struggle with Unfinished Books
The pattern is all too familiar – I eagerly start a book, only to find it abandoned after a few chapters.
The reasons vary — a loss of interest, the lure of a new title, or simply the demands of daily life.
This cycle of unfulfilled reading endeavors leaves me with a sense of guilt and frustration.
The books I was once excited to dive into became silent reminders of my inability to follow through.
This pattern persisted until a serendipitous encounter with an Audible subscription, which arrived as a free perk with a book I purchased from Amazon. Initially overlooked, this subscription unwittingly became the key to a new world of ‘reading.’
The Audible Revelation
The discovery that I had been charged for an unused Audible subscription for three months initially annoyed me.
However, it prompted me to explore the service I had been unwittingly paying for.
With a wealth of credits, I downloaded various titles, wondering whether this new format would resonate with me.
Surprisingly, integrating Audible into my daily commute transformed my reading habits.
The hours spent driving, previously filled with podcasts and music, became my new reading time.
Realizing that I could complete a book in just a few days was exhilarating.
Listening to audiobooks became a ritual that allowed me to consume books at an unprecedented pace.
The feature to speed up the narration further optimized my listening experience, enabling me to absorb content even more efficiently.
Embracing a New Form of Reading
Though I have since unsubscribed from Audible to prioritize listening to the titles I already own, the impact of this experience has been profound.
Audiobooks have allowed me to enjoy literature that fits my lifestyle, turning wasted time into productive and enjoyable moments.
The sense of accomplishment in finishing these books has reinvigorated my love for reading in all its forms.
Now, as I balance my time between physical books and their auditory counterparts, the piles on my shelves no longer represent unfinished business but opportunities for exploration, whether through the turn of a page or the press of a play button.
Just as I have navigated the evolving landscapes of IoT and smart cities, I have found a way to navigate my challenge of reading through technological means.
Audiobooks, like the advancements in my professional field, represent progress and adaptation.
They remind me that there are always new ways to learn, grow, and enjoy books’ wealth of knowledge and stories, even when traditional methods fall short.
In conclusion, while the stacks of unread books in my home might once have symbolized a failure to commit, they now represent a diverse array of possibilities waiting to be explored in whichever format suits me best.
My love for books remains undimmed, but now it is complemented by a practical approach to enjoying them fully, regardless of the medium.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 