I am happy to see so many people sharing their thoughts about this subject. I didn't expect that when I wrote this post. But I am also sad because most of us have to deal with this problem. I would prefer that it doesn't exist. I think that readers, who are dealing with it, can find some solutions or techniques which are mentioned here very helpful.
As I said in my post, I managed somehow to reduce that bad habit of overthinking while reading a book.
Excluding myself from online databases helped. I already have a big database in my head, so there is no need to search for more. I still accept spontaneous recommendations, those are nice, but I don't search for anything new by myself.
I mostly stopped buying new books, and I read only the ones I have on my shelf (about 50 unread books). Sometimes I want to read a book I don't have, so I go and buy it. But I managed to keep that on a rare point. Before, it was happening more often.
Rereading helps.
I understand when you love something, you want more of it. You know there are so many books that you should read, and it's perfectly understandable why obsession comes on the way. But there is another side of the story, where you should accept that you cannot go through everything. That you should go easy, consume the art of writing slowly, and enjoy every drop of it. I want to live that story. I now feel like I am on the border, which is also progress, but I want to get my mind to that checkpoint where I will be cool and not obsessed.
And one more thing for the record. I don't read fast, I read slowly, and I often return and reread some passages. This bad habit I have doesn't prevent me to consume the writing how it's supposed to. It only destroys the touch of enjoyment when you're empty-headed and when you completely dive into the book. And I really miss that.
Underwud94 OP t1_jd73ild wrote
Reply to Problem to focus while reading, because you think about another book by Underwud94
I am happy to see so many people sharing their thoughts about this subject. I didn't expect that when I wrote this post. But I am also sad because most of us have to deal with this problem. I would prefer that it doesn't exist. I think that readers, who are dealing with it, can find some solutions or techniques which are mentioned here very helpful.
As I said in my post, I managed somehow to reduce that bad habit of overthinking while reading a book.
Excluding myself from online databases helped. I already have a big database in my head, so there is no need to search for more. I still accept spontaneous recommendations, those are nice, but I don't search for anything new by myself.
I mostly stopped buying new books, and I read only the ones I have on my shelf (about 50 unread books). Sometimes I want to read a book I don't have, so I go and buy it. But I managed to keep that on a rare point. Before, it was happening more often.
Rereading helps.
I understand when you love something, you want more of it. You know there are so many books that you should read, and it's perfectly understandable why obsession comes on the way. But there is another side of the story, where you should accept that you cannot go through everything. That you should go easy, consume the art of writing slowly, and enjoy every drop of it. I want to live that story. I now feel like I am on the border, which is also progress, but I want to get my mind to that checkpoint where I will be cool and not obsessed.
And one more thing for the record. I don't read fast, I read slowly, and I often return and reread some passages. This bad habit I have doesn't prevent me to consume the writing how it's supposed to. It only destroys the touch of enjoyment when you're empty-headed and when you completely dive into the book. And I really miss that.