Some of the books on my bookshelves ... I haven’t read. I intend to read them, but I haven’t gotten to them yet. Some of them have even been on the shelf, unread, for years.

I’ve always felt a tinge of regret about this. As though these books represent small failures. Little goals I never achieved. But a friend helped me to re-frame this.

Unread books serve as a reminder of the many things we do not know. A world of knowledge we have not yet accessed.

A plentiful, personal library — even one filled with unfamiliar texts — is the mark of someone with a healthy, intellectual curiosity. A lifelong learner.

Make time for the unread works, as time goes by. But when you discover pristine books with unblemished spines, don’t feel the sting of self-reproach; see those books through the lens of possibility … and a reminder of your endless passion for learning and growing.