How to read more sustainably: a guide for conscious book lovers
Reading has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I’m never going to give that up. But with the world quite literally going up in flames around us, I can't help but think often about the environmental impact of my hobbies and whether there are ways to be more conscious about them.
I’m constantly struggling between the will to stop buying everything new and the desire to still support authors and the publishing industry. And listen, I'm not an expert, I'm just trying to do my best. So here is a list of ways I found to read more sustainably, to keep up a hobby that feels more essential than ever in this day and age, while making sure it still aligns with my values.
Forget the 100 books a day reading challenges: take your time
I love that books are cool again, and that there is a whole side of the internet out there that is bringing reading back, inspiring people to pick up books after years, and falling in love with reading again. But. I fear it’s getting out of hand at times. Because why am I seeing people trying to tackle their 500+ books physical TBRs by reading 1 book a day? What’s going on? Have we lost the plot (pun intended)?
What’s the point of getting through books this fast just to meet some arbitrary unachievable quota? I find it so wrong to set these kinds of expectations on oneself and others, especially when it comes to an activity as inherently slow as reading. And most importantly, what in the overconsumption is going on? I get it! I get it: buying books is wonderful, I love it, I wish I could spend my days browsing through bookshops. But what’s the point in having hundreds of unread books collecting dust on my shelves, knowing it will take me years to get to them?
So anyway, pardon my rant. Back to the point I was trying to make: take. your. time. The most sustainable thing you can do is probably to just enjoy to the fullest each book you read. Slow down, read the same description multiple times, so that years in the future you’ll find yourself wondering if that specific scenario was from a movie or a book, just because your mental image is so clear and vivid.
There is literally no need to read a certain amount of books in a certain amount of time. Really.
Photo by Trnava University on Unsplash
The obvious one: buy secondhand books first
Same as reading, thrifting is definitely having its moment nowadays and I don't have much more to say than to suggest looking for the books you want secondhand first. Apps, local thrift stores, websites, indie bookshops: the possibilities are endless.
You just need a little patience. But oh, the joy of finally finding that one book you were looking for, hidden in your local bookshop. It truly feels like finding a treasure. And your wallet will be thankful too.
You already own a library card, right? Right?!
Libraries are so precious, and I genuinely think they don't get enough credit. There is something about walking into one that just feels good: the quiet, the smell, the rows and rows of books waiting to be picked up by someone. Plus, it's a great excuse to leave the house, if you ever need one.
Now, I get it. Sometimes you just want to own a book, have it on your shelf, come back to it whenever you want. I feel that. But there's something about borrowing a book that makes me feel connected and part of a community. And of course, it's a way of reading that has no impact on the planet
So if you haven't already, go and get yourself a library card. Its free, and not only will you have access to physical books, but also to a whole world of online resources like eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines.
Choose independent bookshops, I’m begging you
Your favourite author has just released a new book and you want to treat yourself and run to buy a physical copy? First of all, yes. Second of all: please, please choose your local independent bookshop over a big chain or, dare I say it, Amazon.
Here's the thing: when you buy from an independent, you're not just buying a book. You're keeping a bookshop alive, supporting the people who work there, and investing in a space that makes your community a little bit better.
And honestly? The experience is just better. There's always something unexpected on the staff picks shelf, always someone who can recommend your next favourite read. Amazon cannot do that (but what it can do is literally push every other bookshop out of business).
Photo by Rudy Issa on Unsplash
Go digital (but make it intentional)
Going digital can be a great sustainable option, but only if it actually makes sense for you. There is no point buying an e-reader if it's going to sit in a drawer collecting dust. If you already know you won't read on a screen, this one simply isn't for you, and that's completely fine.
I've had my e-reader for over ten years now and it's still going strong. It's perfect to carry when I travel or to read foreign literature that may be harder to find where I live. Friendly reminder though: Kindle is an Amazon product, so choose your e-reader carefully.
Same goes for audiobooks. A great option if you commute, exercise, or just want to consume more books without carving out extra time in your day. Another friendly reminder: Audible is also owned by Amazon. Luckily there are plenty of alternatives out there.
Share the love and pass your books along
Last but not least, there are actually plenty of ways to get your hands on books without spending a single penny. Little free libraries, for one: those tiny wooden boxes full of books that people leave in parks, on street corners, outside their homes. They're everywhere once you know to look. Just make sure to also contribute if you find something you like!
Book swaps are another great option. Organise one with friends or your local community, everyone brings a book they've finished and leaves with something new. And then there's the simplest option of all: borrow from a friend. Just one tiny request: please bring it back if it's not a present. Pet peeve of mine.
Reading sustainably is easier than you think
I would never suggest giving up a hobby like reading just because it has an environmental impact. That's not the point. The point is to be a little more intentional about it and to make small choices that add up over time without taking the joy out of something you love.
None of this has to be perfect either. You don't have to do all of it, all of the time. Buy secondhand when you can, support your local indie when you can't, use your library more than you think you need to, and pass your books along when you're done. That's really all it takes.
Did I miss anything?
