How Many Books Can Someone Really Read?

Recently I did some reorganizing of our bookshelves and notice something interesting and kind of disturbing:

I’ve got somewhere around 60 physical books sitting on my shelves that I’ve yet to crack open.

Now, I read fast—really fast—and some of these are small books, but is it really possible to read all of these, plus the others that keep finding their way onto my “to-read” list?

At what point does it become too much and how can I manage to get through the most important books, if not all of them?

The first thing I’m trying to remember is that I don’t have to finish everything. When I get the point of the book, I get the point. It’s okay to put it down. (I did that just recently actually. It was freeing.)

The second thing is if I don’t end up reading all the books still on my shelf, the world will keep turning—and chances are, it’s not going to ruin my life.

The third is remembering that I don’t need to add additional books to my “to-read” list. I don’t have to read everything that I want to (and neither do you).

And the final thing…?

“Of making many books there is no end…” (Eccl. 12:12a) There’s always going to be more books written, but it’s wiser to focus on the one of greatest import—the Scriptures. If that’s my goal, then, at the end of the day, I can’t say I’m missing out.