Super Readers

We all know the expression “Pride goes before the fall.” Well, in my case, I took “the fall” big time this Fall season

It began last January when I set a loosey-goosey goal of reading “a lot” of books in 2024. It started when I saw an article about Super Readers, which sounded super impressive. I didn’t bother actually to read the article, but on the spot, I decided I would become one too. It wasn’t prudent of me. The devil — and the pride — is always in the details!

I vaingloriously thought, “I read a lot. Surely, I can step up the pace and achieve the ranks of Super Readerdom just like that.

The Super Readers Race Begins

And just like that, I was plowing through books like a farmer racing to harvest his crop before an unexpected early frost!

In rapid order, I raced through Remarkably Bright Creatures, Covenant of Water, Tom Lake, For This We Left Egypt, Why Fonts Matter, Martyr, Big Swiss, A Short History of Nearly Everything … and on and on and on.

I had books on my nightstand, on the coffee table, in the car, and in my tote bag. Fiction, non-fiction, art books, science books, books for “dummies” and all sorts of books on how to become a smartie!

Now, with the year coming to an end, I did a tally of the number of books I’ve read (or skimmed) ((or tried to finish but gave up on)). Drum roll, please.

The total as of November 20: 39 books!

Tally tallied, I was, I admit, impressed with myself.

I figure I can probably get through at least five more books before midnight January 1. Fingers and eyes crossed.

Super Reader Epic Fail!

Then, I researched the definition of a Super Reader. That’s where the proverbial “Pride goes before the fall” kicker kicked in.

I am no Super Reader! Not even close! The Washington Post story I skimmed last year identified Super Readers as people who read books in the hundreds! Be still, my aching brain and bifocaled eyeballs!

Among the champs listed:

• Paul Scott, retired in Los Altos, Calif., 388, in 2023, (and 350 the year before),
• Vivian Taylor, book blogger in Charleston, W.Va., 365 books a year,
• Olivia Ambrogio, science communications trainer in Silver Spring, Md., 200 per year, and
• Rachel Dawson, social media manager in Richmond, between 150 and 200 books a year.

For his part, Paul Scott says he reads about 350 to 400 pages a day, logging three to four hours in the morning and then a couple hours later in the day or evening. Again, he’s retired but reading that much sounds like a career — or an obsession — to me.

Now, it hardly comes as news that Americans are reading fewer books than they used to. According to a Gallup report, Americans read about 12 books a year, the smallest number that Gallup has recorded since 1990.

A New Plan

As for my self-imposed 2024 book-a-thon, I have a confession.

It hasn’t been an uplifting intellectual experience. It wasn’t even fun. It felt like a breakneck, breathless mandatory exercise that didn’t flex my mind, my memory, or my imagination. I raced through tome after tome, not pausing to savor them, not lingering over passages I liked nor pondering ideas I found meaningful. No. I raced like there was a timebomb ticking.

Next year, I may maintain continue tracking the books I read, but it won’t be for a boastful “count” or bragging rights. It will simply be for the pleasure of looking back on the ones I liked. That’s a much better idea. No pride. Just joy.

📗 📚 📕

Meanwhile, I’d love to know what you’re reading and enjoying. Please share!