Avery K. Tingle, The Gamer Author

I’m going to preface this with a couple of inflammatory statements. I don’t believe the vast majority of people read books anymore, at least in America. I’m not sure what the global stats are. Secondly, I’m part of the problem. I consume a fair amount of nonfiction, but I don’t read much fiction.

So when I came across this article about people decorating their homes with books they have no intention of reading, I wasn’t sure how to process this.

One passage from this article really hit home, though: “I bought those books by the yard. Then I arranged them that’s visually pleasing to my eye. I haven’t actually read them.” He stated this as though this was common sense, as though he expected his guest to know this was how things were done.

He didn’t actually read the books. He just owned them.

To which, I ask with growing clarity as I write this, what’s the point?

What people spend their money on is their own business. It’s good that people still support authors and bookstores, especially independent bookstores. But then to never actually partake of the contents, to simply have them but not take advantage of them, that seems like a terrible waste to me. If anyone visits who does happen to be a reader, the owner is going to fall flat on their face. What’s the point of decorating your home with something you’re not a fan of?

I have a bigger game library than I do a bookshelf. I understand that this might rankle some people, especially as I’m a fiction author. But I’m honest about it. I’m not going to put up facades in my home. The books I have, if people ask me about them, I can speak intelligently about them.

But maybe that’s just me.

Still don’t quite know what to make of this. I think supporting authors is cool, but knowing the work will never be read hits.

I’d love to know your thoughts. Feel free to share below. Thanks for reading.