In a world where time for reading is often scarce due to competing priorities, one individual stood out for whom reading was a central passion. Through a social media post by @drawntobooks, it was revealed that a man named Dan Pelzer maintained an extensive reading list, encompassing thousands of books, with one particularly disliked volume labeled as the “worst” and akin to “pure torture”.
Following Dan’s passing, he bequeathed his family with a remarkable legacy in the form of a 60-year collection chronicling his literary journey. Starting in 1962 during his time with the Peace Corps in Nepal, Dan delved into a modest library of 150 books and continued his reading quest upon his return.
Persisting in his reading endeavors, Dan traversed various genres from classics to contemporary works, meticulously documenting each completed title, reminiscent of tracking progress on platforms like Goodreads or StoryGraph, or through a traditional reading journal.
Over his “many years” of dedicated reading, Dan managed to consume over 80 books annually, solidifying his status as a remarkably prolific reader. Notably, he primarily sourced his reading material from the local library, minimizing his expenditure on books.
At the conclusion of his life, Dan left behind a detailed 109-page list comprising over 3,599 entries, having diligently completed every book he commenced, regardless of personal preference.
Among the books that failed to resonate with him was “Ulysses” by James Joyce, a dense and extensive novel that follows the experiences of three individuals on a singular day in Dublin in 1904. Initially met with censorship for its content, the novel was eventually unbanned in the UK in 1936.
His aversion to “Ulysses” was evident, describing it as “the worst” and a form of “pure torture,” underscoring his lack of enthusiasm for the book.
Commenters marveled at Dan’s literary dedication, likening his meticulous record-keeping to authoring a comprehensive book on his reading history and noting his foresight in creating a personalized reading log akin to modern platforms like Goodreads.
One individual shared a poignant connection with Dan’s reading legacy by picking up a book he had read on her birthday, experiencing a unique sense of synchronicity. The chosen book, “The Magic Mountain” by Thomas Mann, further bridged the temporal gap between them.
Reflecting on the financial prudence of utilizing local libraries, another commenter expressed a wish to have tracked the cost savings accrued through library usage, akin to Dan’s frugal book acquisition approach.
In a touching tribute, a well-wisher conveyed condolences for Dan, highlighting his impact on those around him and wishing him eternal peace and remembrance.
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