Balancing reading with other priorities can be challenging, but for a devoted reader named Dan Pelzer, books were his passion. On social media, @drawntobooks revealed that Dan had an extensive reading list with thousands of books, singling out one as his least favorite, describing it as “pure torture.”
Dan bequeathed his family a remarkable legacy upon his passing – a 60-year collection documenting his reading journey. Starting in 1962 during his time in the Peace Corps in Nepal, Dan immersed himself in the volunteer library of 150 books.
Upon his return, Dan continued voraciously reading, covering a wide range of genres from classics to contemporary works like those of John Grisham. Each completed book was meticulously recorded, reminiscent of tracking reading progress on platforms such as Goodreads or StoryGraph, or in a physical journal.
Over the years, Dan averaged over 80 books annually, mostly sourced from his local library, minimizing his expenses.
By the end of his life, Dan had compiled a detailed 109-page list with over 3,599 entries, having completed every book he started, regardless of his opinion of it.
One book that didn’t resonate with Dan was the dense and lengthy novel Ulysses by James Joyce, published in 1920, which explores a day in Dublin in 1904 through the perspectives of three characters.
Despite being banned upon release, Ulysses gained recognition later, with the UK lifting the ban in 1936. Dan’s aversion to the novel was evident as he labeled it “the worst” and “pure torture.”
In online discussions, some pointed out that Dan essentially created a comprehensive record of his reading endeavors, akin to a personal version of Goodreads before the platform existed.
Others shared touching sentiments, expressing admiration for Dan’s dedication to reading and his impact on those around him.
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