I used to collect books, but I purged them when we moved a few years ago. I almost exclusively use the library.

I know a lot of people like to own books, so own as many as makes you happy. If they ever start to feel like a looming TBR pile, then consider why you want to own them. I highly encourage people to set a limit as they start to collect books. The limit may be a number of books, a budget amount, or a specific space you don't want to outgrow. Too often people enjoy collecting but it becomes overwhelming, then there can be guilt over the amount of money invested in books not read or it starts to feel like an overwhelming to do list.

We are made for stories, they teach us lessons, they teach us compassion, they teach us morals. Fairy tales, Parables from the Bible, and other fiction or interpretations have been part of the human experience forever. The emotions you felt or the lessons you learned are no less real because the story is fictional.

It really depends on how you process information and what type of book it is.

I'm a tactile learner, which means I learn best with hands on activities. I when I was in school I needed to be taking notes to remember anything from lectures, I never needed to look at my notes again, but doing something with my hands made it easier for me to remember what I was hearing. If I just sit and listen to a book, my mind drifts off within minutes.

I primarily listen to things like cozy mysteries or other "light" nonfiction on audiobooks. I'm also listening to them in English, the only language I speak fluently. These are not books with unfamiliar words or phrases, so I'm not trying to learn new words or figure out subtexts. I've been told I speak fast and when I taught I would have to try to slow down my normal rate of speech. I find it annoying when people talk slowly, so I love speeding up the playback on everything that I can.

I also have a lot more time than the average person, I'm retired, and where we moved puts me in the car for long periods of time, I and I walk a lot.

Try not to compare your reading to other people's. If you read a lot, you will likely increase your speed, especially if you are reading in another language. You may want to research if your dominant learning style is visual, audio, or tactile and figure out what the best format is for you.

I found this story delightful. I love a story that flows in a way that feels like I've watched a movie. I read a lot, but this book was by far one of the best I've read this year and I plan to read everything Andy Weir has written in hopes that any of them come close.

I couldn't have said it better.

I don't count them as read, but IMHO, you should log your books in anyway that works for you. I just noticed that I can add a shelf to GoodReads which is where I log my reading. I think I'll add a DNF shelf and put them there. I would like to find a good place to log them so I don't actually try to read them again.

I use Libby and it took months for me to get it after it stayed on my "looks interesting" list for months. I found it delightful and wanted to talk to anyone about it when I finished. I don't think I posted here, but I've definitely commented on several of the posts.