Balancing time for reading can pose challenges as competing priorities often arise. However, for a dedicated individual, reading constituted the essence of his existence. On social media, @drawntobooks disclosed the story of Dan Pelzer, a man who meticulously curated “thousands of books on his reading list,” with one unfortunate selection that he dubbed as the “worst,” going as far as labeling it “pure torture.”
Following Dan’s passing, he bequeathed his family a remarkable legacy – a 60-year compilation representing his literary journey. During his time in the Peace Corps in Nepal in 1962, Dan embarked on a quest to consume the modest volunteer library’s 150 books.
Upon his return, Dan’s reading odyssey continued unabated as he diligently worked through his extensive book inventory, ranging from classics to memoirs to works by John Grisham, meticulously documenting each title upon completion akin to tracking progress on platforms like Goodreads or StoryGraph, or through a traditional reading log.
Over his lengthy tenure, spanning numerous years, he achieved an impressive feat by devouring over 80 books annually, solidifying his status as an exceptionally prolific reader.
Noteworthy is the fact that Dan predominantly sourced his reading material from his local library, minimizing personal expenditure, a practice he adhered to consistently.
At life’s conclusion, he left behind a meticulously crafted 109-page inventory, comprising over 3,599 entries, having diligently completed every single book he initiated, irrespective of his personal affinity towards them.
Among the books that failed to captivate him was James Joyce’s Ulysses, published in 1920. Renowned for its complexity and length, the novel delves into the experiences of three individuals – Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and Molly Bloom – on a singular day in Dublin, June 16, 1904.
The modernist nature of the novel led to its ban upon release, including in the UK, due to its perceived “obscenity,” a restriction that was eventually lifted in 1936.
His aversion towards Ulysses was evident as he described it as “the worst” and “pure torture,” reflecting his distaste for the narrative.
A comment on his literary legacy remarked, “He essentially compiled an entire book detailing his reading endeavors.”
Another observer noted how he essentially fashioned his own literary catalog similar to Goodreads before the advent of such platforms.
A reader shared a personal connection, expressing, “I stumbled upon a book he read on my birthday and am currently immersed in it! It’s a surreal feeling knowing that he completed this book on the same date, perhaps even at the same time. The book is The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann.”
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