Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Am I reading too much?

(79 Posts)
LaCrepescule Wed 12-Mar-25 19:44:46

I’ve always loved to read and since retiring I spend hours every day with my nose in a book. I have a healthy social life, am out walking every day with the dog and also volunteer but I can’t help thinking I should be doing something a bit more productive.
I know how good reading is for us but is it possible to read too much?

Grannmarie Thu 13-Mar-25 06:57:41

Yes, thank you very much, Elegran.
I'm looking forward to re reading it soon.

Whiff Thu 13-Mar-25 06:41:34

How can you read to much ? I have read everyday since my mom taught me to read. It keeps your mind active .
My choices of genre have changed over the years and have a book with my favourite authors along with the books by then so I don't buy the same book again . Before my move in 2019 I had 600 fiction books which I got down to 300 and culled my recipe and gardening books to the bare bones. Authors I would no longer re read . But over the years my collection has grown to over 400 but they are books I love to re read by my favourite authors it takes me a few years to get back to them . Books I had as presents if I like them I keep otherwise they go to the charity shop
. I do read books brought me even if I hate them as the person chose it for me . If I buy a book and after 3-4 chapters don't like it I don't bother reading more .

.I did have a Kindle with books on but got fed up with it and gave it away and brought paperbacks of the books I liked. I love the feeling of holding a book.

Reading is one of life's great pleasures. Plus we learn things . If people didn't read how would we communicate on GN . Learn how to use new items we buy . Research about our own health conditions. They are educational but also a pleasure.

Read to much never . 📖📖📖📖

henetha Wed 12-Mar-25 23:39:29

No one can read too much. I'm an avid reader too and just love it.
But it's healthy to mix it up a bit. I go out quite a lot.
I don't think you should worry about excessive reading though, it's a great way of getting through the day. And you learn a lot.

eazybee Wed 12-Mar-25 22:23:26

You can use reading as an escape from reality. I know I do.

escaped Wed 12-Mar-25 21:48:54

I wish I could be an avid reader. I start books but seem to find my thoughts wandering, and so miss a chunk here and there. I enjoy poetry a lot.
If reading is your lifestyle, and your pleasure, then I think you should continue to spend hours doing this.

Barleyfields Wed 12-Mar-25 21:33:49

You are probably making up for all the years when you were too busy to read much. I know I am.

Allira Wed 12-Mar-25 21:22:51

she devoured all reading materials, from the (limited) contents of the local library to the cereal packets in her kitchen
Grannmarie the sauce bottles were always interesting!
'Cette sauce d'haute quality est une mélange de fruits orientaux, de vinaigre ..."
That's as much as I can remember.

My first encounter with French.

CanadianGran Wed 12-Mar-25 21:18:06

Hmm, I’m a reader, but think if other parts of your life are neglected then yes, you can read too much.

But if your other ‘chores’ are done, then feel no guilt at all!

Allira Wed 12-Mar-25 21:17:50

crazyH

You can never read too much - I used to even read the newspaper that our fish n chips came in 😂 - and I used to devour books.
These days, I just have no patience to sit down to read…..no patience at all. However, I do like a good Biography.
My 3 AC have always got their heads in a book.

I was the child who read out all the notices on the buses, in the doctors' surgery, in the clinic etc. "Why would people spit on the bus, Mum?"

No, you can't read too much. Although I woke myself up last night as my Kindle crashed to the floor at about 1am!

I wish children read more now, rather than having their eyes glued to their phones.

Elegran Wed 12-Mar-25 21:07:37

Was it this story, Grannmarie ? www.coursehero.com/file/207050085/maggies-first-reader-summarypdf/

TwiceAsNice Wed 12-Mar-25 20:34:33

I read a lot when I have time. All kinds of books fiction and not fiction and I have a weekly and monthly magazine I enjoy. I also like puzzle books to do.

I work still 3 mornings a week and do some volunteering so I feel I do varied things. As far as I’m concerned you can never read too much just enjoy it and don’t feel guilty

Silverbrooks Wed 12-Mar-25 20:29:18

A late friend of mine, a keen reader and crafter like me, used to say she felt guilty if she read, knitted, crocheted or sewed during the daytime. I’ll do any of those things at any time of day. In fact, I think I prefer doing them in the daytime in natural light, especially as I age and my eyes tire more easily.

I also work some evenings (and go out quite a lot in the evenings anyway) so daytime is when I have time for those pursuits.

When the garden starts to wake up in spring, I probably do a little less daytime crafting or just shift to evenings with an easy project to work on while watching a film - but I always find time to read. I usually have at least one novel and a non-fiction paper book on the go as well as an audiobook which, of course, I can listen to while I do other things.

Reading is productive. It stimulates the mind, improves vocabulary, enhances creativity and imagination, widens one’s knowledge of the world, improves concentration and focus. reduces stress and is good for overall mental health.

Introversion is good too. You might like to watch this TED talk from Susan Cain author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4

Grannmarie Wed 12-Mar-25 20:28:36

Grandmabatty

You can never read too much!

Absolutely! Many years ago, when I was teaching '5th year non certificates', i.e. children who had to stay at school ( after ROSLA to 16) when they had no opportunity of achieving any exam accreditation, I came across a short story called, I think, Maggie's First Reader, probably written in the 60s?
Maggie was a wife and mother who came late to reading through no fault of her own. Once she had mastered the basic skills, she devoured all reading materials, from the (limited) contents of the local library to the cereal packets in her kitchen cupboards, to the extent that her meticulous home and well kempt children became somewhat neglected. Eventually, a family compromise was agreed upon whereby Maggie had one whole day every week to read from morning till night, and resumed her previous housewife/ mother routine for the rest of the week.
The students enjoyed this story and it sparked interesting discussions about the joy, and importance, of reading. Some of these big kids admitted how proud they were of wee brothers and sisters who were just learning to read in early primary.
I've never managed to find that story online.

Georgesgran Wed 12-Mar-25 20:22:54

I wish I had time to read more!

You have a fairly varied life, so just crack on with your books.

Rula Wed 12-Mar-25 20:21:01

One can never read too much.

LaCrepescule Wed 12-Mar-25 20:15:58

Well, I need to get over myself 😊
I suppose it’s because reading is a solitary activity but I never feel alone with a book. I’m an introvert too and we all know how society views introversion! But maybe I should get over that too…

Lucyd Wed 12-Mar-25 20:15:28

I read at least three books a week plus a couple of newspapers. I love books but do feel I need to make the effort to try to explore new hobbies or revisit old one after a longish period of doing very little. I am amazed when someone tells me they don't read - my life would be very empty without books.

hollysteers Wed 12-Mar-25 20:09:12

You would only be reading too much if you felt you were neglecting a creative gift you had or the books you were reading were depressing you.

I’m a bookworm and have been since childhood, although strangely I was slow to read. Books have meant more to me than people and have seen me through an unhappy childhood and worrying times. I have a number of books on the go and cannot travel without one.

I spend too much time on my IPad these days and should be painting and writing, my other passions. The fact you have raised this question makes me think you could cut back a little and as you say “do something a bit more productive”.

Indigo8 Wed 12-Mar-25 20:07:26

I think you can read too much if it becomes your only activity.
Let's face it it is just as much a couch potato pastime as watching TV or going on GN.

OP clearly does other more active things and it is probably a welcome form of relaxation. It also keeps your brain active.

Grandmabatty Wed 12-Mar-25 19:59:09

You can never read too much!

Babs03 Wed 12-Mar-25 19:58:28

God no. Read as much as you like. I love reading and will never ration myself, life’s too short.
Enjoy.

crazyH Wed 12-Mar-25 19:55:56

You can never read too much - I used to even read the newspaper that our fish n chips came in 😂 - and I used to devour books.
These days, I just have no patience to sit down to read…..no patience at all. However, I do like a good Biography.
My 3 AC have always got their heads in a book.

Cossy Wed 12-Mar-25 19:55:44

Absolutely not!

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 12-Mar-25 19:54:32

Reading not productive?? Wash your mouth out.

Ziggy62 Wed 12-Mar-25 19:54:12

My best friend spent lots of time reading. She had 5 children in 8 years and although they didn't have a tv she spent so much time reading to the children.
When they went to school she would leave the dishes piled up in the sink, not worry about the housework and just sit and read all day!
10 years ago she was diagnosed with dementia, sadly last year she died at the age of 60.
So my advice is to read, read and then read some more