About this quote

People often treat books as social currency rather than sources of pleasure or learning. Pause and ask why you picked your current read: curiosity, escape, or something to mention at a dinner party? If the goal is reputation, give yourself permission to stop or switch to something you actually enjoy. Reading fewer books you love will leave you with clearer tastes and better memories of what you read.

When to use it

• College seminar: I held up that dense theory book to sound prepared in class, but I only read a chapter before giving up.
• Office networking event: I bought the business bestseller so I could name-drop it at drinks — I never meant to finish it.
• Dating profile shelf: I curated a few impressive titles to look interesting on dates, even though I haven’t opened most of them.
• Book club night: I pretended to admire the group's pick so I would fit in, then admitted I’d skimmed and suggested something I actually liked.