Is It Possible to Read "Too Many Books?"

First of all, happy 2015, everyone! I was going to start off the year posting a book review, but I gave the book one star, and a raging review by me is not the best way to start the new year...

We've all heard this phrase at one point in our lives, whether it be from exasperated friends or annoyed relatives: "You read too many books." I've never taken it as an insult, because hey, reading lots of books is a good thing, right? But from the tone that said person uses, it could be deduced that socially, reading too many books is not, in fact, a good thing.

Not that I actually care about what other muggles think of my reading habits, but this begs the question: Is it possible to read too many books?

To me, I guess it would depend on the person themselves. In my opinion, it is possible for one to read "too many" books. *dodges missiles* Hear me out, though!


About a year and a half ago, I went through this month-long phase where I would read about a book a day. I was a reading machine; I would read read read and neglect schoolwork and basically be an unproductive poop. My grades weren't very hot, and my mind was so preoccupied by books that I found it hard to concentrate on studying. Basically, my entire life was books, and my grades and relationships were suffering.

Inevitably so, once this reading high faded I found myself in a major book slump. I was incredibly burned out and tired of books and reading. *insert dramatic if slightly cheesy gasp*

My point is, every reader has a limit. It's absolutely none of my business to dictate what defines "reading too much," because everyone has their own pace and reading habits. One person may be able to read 300 books this year; a slower reader like me could do a little over a hundred.

I know I'm just a teenage girl with not much life experience to boast of, but I still want to remind everyone that it's okay to take a break from reading and/or blogging. Know your limits, and don't overwork yourselves. If you feel a reading slump coming on, take a step back and ask yourself if it is because you've been reading your butt off for the past few weeks and your brain is overflowing with all that information. Take a breather. Indulge in your favorite TV show. Play Trivia Crack.

Because, at least from my point of view, reading "too many books" is a very real occurrence, no matter how many times we try to protest otherwise.

Do you think it is possible to read too many books? Or is it just (yet another) product of mind with no basis in reality?