Novels I haven’t finished reading are piling up by my bedside. What if that’s a good thing? | Hanna Thomas Uose
In a thought-provoking exploration of modern reading habits, author Hanna Thomas Uose reflects on her personal experiences with unfinished books and the evolving nature of attention spans in the digital age. Uose candidly reveals that she has five partially read novels on her bedside table, 36 audiobooks on her phone, and 46 abandoned eBooks on her Kindle, alongside a growing stack of advance copies of books vying for her attention. This accumulation of unfinished works might initially seem to support the notion that contemporary readers struggle with focus, as noted by fellow author Ian Rankin, who recently remarked on the challenges posed by social media and the fast-paced news cycle. Rankin suggested that literature may need to adapt to the changing landscape of attention spans, indicating a shift in how stories are consumed in today’s world.
However, Uose argues that her series of literary abandonments is not merely a symptom of dwindling attention spans but rather a reflection of a more nuanced relationship with reading. Once a reader who felt compelled to finish every book she started, Uose now embraces the idea that it is perfectly acceptable to set aside a book that does not resonate with her at the moment. This shift in perspective signifies a broader cultural change in how individuals engage with literature. Rather than viewing unfinished books as failures, Uose sees them as a recognition of personal preferences and the right to prioritize enjoyment over obligation. In a world overflowing with content, where the pressure to consume quickly can be overwhelming, Uose’s revelations invite readers to consider the value of intentional reading choices and the importance of finding joy in the literary experience.
Ultimately, Uose’s reflections challenge the prevailing narrative about attention spans, suggesting that the act of abandoning a book can be a form of self-care rather than a sign of distraction. By reclaiming her reading habits, she advocates for a more liberated approach to literature—one that prioritizes personal connection and satisfaction over societal expectations. As both a writer and a reader, Uose’s journey illustrates the evolving landscape of literature in the age of information overload, where the quality of engagement may outweigh the quantity of books read.
Authors are sounding warnings about the length of the modern attention span, but my series of abandonments is a sign of something else
This is embarrassing, but here goes. There are five novels beside my bed, all partially read. On my phone, I am partway through 36 audiobooks, which pales in comparison to the 46 ebooks I have abandoned on my Kindle. This doesn’t count the growing pile of advance copies beside my coffee table, vying for blurbs, now that I am a published novelist myself.
At first glance, these stats seem to corroborate Ian Rankin’s words. Commenting
a fortnight ago
on how easy it is to lose a reader’s focus, when it is fragmented by social media and the news cycle, the writer said: “Maybe as people’s attention spans change the literature will have to change with them.” But as someone who used to doggedly finish whatever I was reading, I now consider it a human right to put down a book that I’m not in the mood for.
Hanna Thomas Uose is a writer and strategist. She is the author of
Who Wants to Live Forever
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