Am I Reading Enough?
(Source: Alain Simon on Pinterest)
There are only two months left in 2025 and suddenly I wondered about whether or not I’m reading enough books this year. Not just the quantity, but also the contents that I read. Some months, I could finished three to five books, while some other months I only finished two books because I got other things to focused on. But once I’m no longer overthink the number of books I finished, I started to question the latter one. Am I reading enough contents to educate myself this year? Am I getting too comfortable with my picks and missing the opportunities to read other genres, authors, or forms of literature?
I’m aware of the transition from being a senior student on the first half of this year and a fresh-graduate member of society on the last half. This sort of pushed me into a habit of “schooling” myself since I found myself not living through a routine of studying. Maybe that’s why sometimes I could be pretty strict about my reading habit including to force myself to read thicker books. And if you follows my 2025 reading journey, you might know I succeeded to read consistently. Then why do I still feel like it’s not enough?
I guess, same as everyone else, I got a streak of ambition in me. Everyone had their own hunger to excels at things they loved the most. The most simple example? You’re head over heels with this person who loved Tarkovsky’s films, you would spend three and a half hour to watch Andrei Rublev even though you’re almost fall asleep. You want to be perfect in what you love, and ambition is a common thing to prove how much you love it. And for book lovers, the only person to prove how excellent you are at it is yourself. How secure, confident, or proud you are with your reading habit.
That was when I looked back at my reading history this year and collected some things that I missed. One, I realized the lack of Indonesian author I read this year, especially classic authors. Two, I haven’t read nonfiction enough this year. People could mention their selection of books on politics, environmental issues, philosophy, gender, economy, etc. While I can’t mention a single title I read this year. Three, I haven’t been able to enjoy other forms of literatures such as poetry or essay collection. So, even with those pile of paperbacks on my bedroom, a number of book titles I checked on Goodreads, and reviews I posted on my book account, am I reading enough?
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It feels like a childish thing to raise some questions such as if I don’t understand this book, am I stupid? or if I don’t enjoy this book, do I have bad taste? and somehow I don’t realized those questions that I’m too embarrassed to admit morphed into other similar forms such as if I don’t keep track of this topic I would not understand what’s going on in our nation nowadays or if I don’t read this author I would not expand my taste in art. Sometimes, we’re too arrogant to admit that we’re still questioning childlike questions everyday and it’s fine.
Back to my questions earlier about am I reading enough contents or not, I believe it’s the best to learn something out of curiosity and willingness rather than an obligation. A year ago I read books about postcolonialism that I normally would not pick up, but I was writing my thesis on R. F. Kuang’s Babel, and I loved that book so much that reading those postcolonialism theories got me feel excited especially when I can match my findings with some passages in Babel. Therefore I conclude it’s the best to pick books based on what you’re ready to read about.
You need to be informed about current political situation, global climate, or society? Or do you need to put your head into a profound reflection on philosophy? Maybe you’re more comfortable with short forms of writings such as poetry and essay collection? Any chance you prefer reflective books that allows you to have mental conversation with the writer? Or anything that will give you clear steps to do something? Reading, should be as simple as that. Ask yourself what do you need to find in those pages.
My friend recently told me that if you can’t read some books, there will be a time when you can finally get through it. A person’s taste can change, and experience could give you new perspective on things that will help you understand some things along the way. I think because now I’m reviewing books publicly, there’s an ounce of self-awareness about the kind of image I slowly create. What would people say about my books collection? What would I answer if anyone ask my opinion on some books I haven’t read or some genres that aren’t my cup of tea?
I think I need to ask myself again, what’s my account original intention? I made my book account to spread my interest in reading and to spark conversation on things I originally feel interested about such as gender, culture, and many more — and now in additional, some books about journalism and copywriting since it related to my field of work. I would like to think one day my reading journey can inspire anyone the way I found inspiration in book influencers such as Jack Edwards (our favorite internet based librarian). But for now, the question remains, am I reading enough?
To finish this entry; there are two ways to answer it. The first one is; no, I’m not reading enough. There are still so many books to read, stories to explore, I’d like to believe that I’m a forever student and more books to read would create more hunger for knowledge. The second way to answer it is; yes, I’m reading enough. I know my own selections and the areas that I need to learn at the moment, and I’m trying to applying the one at the time way in studying. That means, instead of write down the list of areas of studies I need to read next, better see where my current reads will take me after this. Let’s say if my current reads touches on some aspects I need to study more profound, (for example, last time I read Laksmi Pamuntjak’s Amba, I was interested to read more about the history of Buru Island) big chance it will open my horizon to wider catalogues.
Ah, Vienna by Billy Joel always succeeded to put me (the crazy child in question) in place. Slow down… I’m doing fine. For now, the thick academic assignments could wait until I’m ready to dip my toes. Later? Maybe I’ll feel a little bold and pick something out of my elements. Tonight? It’s okay to read something to feel giddy by your favorite romance comedy novel you’ve read three times already.
