Sketchplanations - The Podcast Tsundoku: Do you buy books faster than you can read them? đđ¤
Jan 13, 2026
Explore the intriguing concept of tsundoku, the habit of accumulating unread books, and its charming quirks. Hear personal tales of oversized bedtime book piles and the shift to audiobooks. The hosts debate whether partially read titles count and discuss the joy of gifting books. They reflect on the tactile pleasure of physical books and highlight life-changing reads. Listeners are invited to embrace their own tsundoku while savoring the sheer delight of reading.
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Tsundoku Captures Aspirational Book Collecting
- Tsundoku describes acquiring books faster than you can read them and carries a playful, historical Japanese origin.
- The practice captures aspiration more than failure, showing love for learning even when reading lags.
Bedside Piles And Staircase Libraries
- Tom keeps a pile of books beside his bed and often switches to the audiobook version instead of finishing the physical copy.
- Jono describes his parents' house full of book piles, even stacked on stair landings, giving a vivid image of family tsundoku.
Tsundoku Extends Beyond Physical Books
- Tsundoku extends beyond physical books to audiobooks, browser tabs, and hobbies where acquisition outpaces use.
- The emotional value of buying a book and the promise it holds often explains why people keep collecting unread items.
