Turn Your "Tsundoku" into Treasure
A Guilt-Free Approach to Managing Unread Books

Do you have stacks of unread books piling up on your bookshelf or bedside table?
Do you feel a twinge of guilt every time you see them?

In Japanese, there's a word called "tsundoku" (積読) that describes buying books and letting them pile up unread. This concept resonates so widely with book lovers worldwide that the word is used as-is in English: "Tsundoku."

But is tsundoku really a "bad thing"? In this article, we'll change your perspective on tsundoku and show you how to treat it as a "treasure trove" instead.

Tsundoku is Your "Future Reading List"

First, let's shift our thinking about tsundoku.

Tsundoku isn't "books you haven't read." It's "a collection of books you wanted to read someday"—in other words, your "future reading list."

The act of buying a book is a record of "being interested in that book at that moment." Even if you don't read it right away, that interest doesn't disappear. In fact, reading it later often provides a different perspective.

Finding the "Right Amount" of Tsundoku

That said, if tsundoku grows without limit, it becomes hard to manage. Some books will end up in the "I'll read it someday" pile forever.

So what's the "right amount" of tsundoku?

As a general guideline, 3-6 months' worth of reading is a healthy amount of tsundoku. If you read 2 books per month, that's 6-12 books. If you read 5 books per month, that's 15-30 books.

Beyond that, books tend to shift from "books I want to read" to "books I might read someday."

Five Criteria for Prioritizing Your Tsundoku

When choosing "the next book to read" from your tsundoku pile, how should you prioritize? Here are five helpful criteria.

1. Is it relevant to your current self?

Some books that interested you when you bought them may not be relevant to your current self. Conversely, some books that didn't resonate at the time might be exactly what you need now. Choose based on "whether it directly relates to your current challenges or interests."

2. Does it have an expiration date?

Books with information that has an "expiration date"—like tech books or business guides—should be prioritized. Classic literature or philosophy won't lose value in 10 years, but "The 2024 Guide to X" won't be relevant in 2026.

3. Is it part of an ongoing series?

If you've stopped in the middle of a series, it's best to continue before you forget the previous volumes. Leave it too long, and you might need to restart from volume one.

4. Was it recommended by someone?

Books recommended by friends or people you respect can become conversation starters. Being able to say "I read that book you recommended" deepens relationships. Ideally, read it while the recommender's memory is still fresh.

5. Is it thin or thick?

When your reading motivation is low, starting with thin books can help. The sense of accomplishment from finishing one book creates momentum for the next. Conversely, when you're in full reading mode, it's a great chance to tackle thick books.

Three Ways to Reduce Your Tsundoku

After prioritizing, if you've identified "books you probably won't read," it's important to be bold and organize them.

1. The courage to decide "I won't read this"

You don't need to read every book you buy. For books that no longer interest you or don't suit your current self, deciding "I won't read this" is a valid choice. That decision creates space to focus on books you truly want to read.

2. Donate to libraries or give to friends

If throwing away books feels wrong, consider donating to libraries or giving to friends. Knowing the book will reach its next reader eases the guilt of letting go.

3. Sell at used bookstores or online

Books in good condition can be sold at used bookstores or through online marketplaces. Think of the money as funding for "books you want to read now"—your tsundoku becomes an asset.

The Benefits of "Visualizing" Your Tsundoku

To manage tsundoku effectively, "visualization" is key. When books are just physically piled up, it's hard to know what you actually have.

Using a reading record tool, you can list your tsundoku (unread and in-progress books) and see all your 0% progress books at a glance. When deciding "which book to read next," you can browse the list and choose.

Recording the purchase date and "why you bought this book" also helps you recall your interests and purpose when you finally read it.

Tips to Stop Adding More Tsundoku

Even if you organize your tsundoku, it's meaningless if more keeps piling up. Here are tips to prevent adding more tsundoku.

1. The "Read One, Buy One" Rule

Simple but effective. Don't buy a new book until you finish reading one. This prevents tsundoku from growing and motivates reading.

2. Use the library

For books you're only mildly interested in, try borrowing from the library first. If you read it and think "I want to keep this," then buy it. If a library book doesn't interest you, just return it.

3. Add to your wishlist and wait

Add books to Amazon's "wish list" or a reading management app's "want to read" list, then wait a week to a month before deciding to purchase. This prevents impulse buying and ensures you only buy books you truly want to read.

4. Consider ebooks

Ebooks don't take up physical space. Even if tsundoku grows, you don't have to worry about overflowing bookshelves, and they're easy to carry. However, ebook tsundoku can also become hard to manage if it grows too much, so listing is still necessary.

A Healthy Mindset for Living with Tsundoku

Finally, here's a healthy mindset for living with tsundoku.

Tsundoku is proof of your intellectual curiosity. Instead of feeling down thinking "I have so many unread books," think positively: "I have so many books I want to read."

And from that treasure trove, pick one book to read today.

Summary

Tsundoku is not a bad thing. Rather, it's a reflection of your intellectual curiosity and desire to learn.

May your tsundoku become a "treasure trove" that enriches your future self.