How many books do you guys read, on average, in a week?

[ForestSpell]

Its hard to really gauge. Part of the issue is that I mostly read non-fiction and its generally in a sporadic, research style. So there is generally a dozen or so books scattered around with marked pages for reading and cross-referencing. And I'll rotate out what is on my desk based on whatever rabbit hole I'm going down at the moment. But I rarely sit and read non-fiction cover to cover in one go the way I do fiction. So it can be a while before I've completely read any one non-fiction book all the way through, even though I spend a lot of time reading.

I don't read as much fiction as I used to, but if in the mood to do so I can knock most novels out within 1-6 hours depending on how dense and engaging it is.

Post automatically merged: May 26, 2025

How can you finish seven books a week and retain or implement any part of them?

For what purpose is the reading other than to aggrandize one's self for having read?

The more I read from people here, the clearer it becomes that in 1,000 "occultists," there may be only a handful of true practitioners.

I think it depends on subject and purpose of reading.
For fiction, 7 books in a week is reasonable and easy for avid readers. It is usually just read for the purpose of entertainment. You don't need to retain or implement anything from them.

For non-fiction, it can depend on method or, again, purpose. If just to appease general curiosity, again its just leisure reading. If you're researching a specific topic, and select your reading choices around that topic, the materials often repeat core information, perspectives and such on a topic so that will help retain key information.

And in both cases, not all books are equal. 7+ short novels like most mass market paper backs would be a breeze to read through in a week. 7 thick academic texts, not so much.

Reading is a hobby, reading a lot isn't about trying to "aggrandize" one's self for most, its just something they find enjoyable.

Its honestly not all that different from someone spending hours a day gaming, gardening or on any other hobby or interest.

 

[Adeptus]

In a weekk? Probably quarter.

 

[beardedeldridge]

Since last time I answered this, it’s definitely gone in some sporadic cycles. At the same time: 1 book (practice/interest) every 8 weeks-ish. A 2nd book (historical/auto) every 12 weeks-ish. A third book (fiction) every 4 months (I’ve been sitting in a library for a short period every week and reading one without checking it out).

-Eld

 

[scinoisp]

Reading cannot make you a magus. You need to stick to a system and do practical works.

 

[Amadeus]

I have a system that's a bit different than most people. Although in certain circles it's more common.

The reading divides into what I call "spam" and the other books. Spam/others ratio is about 75-25% 80-20 or 90-10%. The %'s change.

The spam is made of rereading the same texts, psalms, Torah, others, certain service texts and the Quran. This is to ensure a strong energy charge, stack, to be loaded and to receive benefits. Also for meditative purposes, altered states.

The 10-20% stands for spiritual, esoteric, occult texts. Occasionally I check the local libraries, maybe once in a while buy something. Then of course books I find online. I prefer actual physical books but very often I'm reading them on a device.

I haven't counted how many other books on an average per week/month but the "spam" usually adds at least 100 pages a day. I've developed a weird system for counting the pages where even the read mantras can be counted into pages. I created a certain system.

Reading cannot make you a magus. You need to stick to a system and do practical works.

Yes, definitely, you have to do something.

 

[beardedeldridge]

…The reading divides into what I call "spam" and the other books. Spam/others ratio is about 75-25% 80-20 or 90-10%. The %'s change.

The spam is made of rereading the same texts, psalms, Torah, others, certain service texts…

Yeah the 75/25 feels about right for me.

I didn’t include my paslter/invocation/evocation work as reading. But that 3 to 1 ratio keeps the focus on the actual work and me out of the armchair.

 

[Asteriskos]

Yes, I can't fathom how some people can be online 23 hours a day, have a job, a family, practice Magick, and read books all day every day.
I only read physical books (or sometimes something I find on archive.org) but I think if I had to say it in a number per week it would be 0.01 books that I actually finish.

@Yazata,

As usual your practical viewpoint on life shows!