Reader Confessions: 10 Habits Only True Bookworms Understand
She's a 10 but...
They say reading is good for you, yet for many of us book lovers (dare I say reading addicts...), we have a lot of interesting habits that may be considered odd by non-readers.
Buying Multiple Versions of the Same Book
Should I get the paperback, ebook, or audiobook? Why not all three?
If you own your favorite books or series in every format, you are far from alone. Many readers are guilty of this. What starts innocently as spending a single audiobook credit quickly devolves into, "Wow, I loved this book so much that I now need the physical copy for my bookshelves... And I may as well get the ebook since it's only $2..."
But hey, at least we are supporting our beloved authors!
Running Late Because of a Cliffhanger
There is nothing worse than when a chapter ends on a cliffhanger. The temptation to read just a few more pages to hopefully see a resolution has certainly led more than one bookworm being late. Hopefully your boss is a reader, too!
Because giving up on reading before work isn't going to happen...
Staying Up Well Past Bedtime
"Just one more chapter."
The lie we all tell ourselves. Next thing we know, it's 3 a.m. on a work night, and we know the day ahead is going to be brutal.
It's okay, though, because we will definitely go to bed early tonight, right...?
"The Book Was Better"
Readers are the worst people to watch movies with because, at best, we are going to criticize the screen adaptation for not being identical to our 1,000-page novel and, at worst, pause the show or movie every few minutes to tell you how it actually went down in the book.
Of course, we will never stop getting excited about announcements for a new adaptation... Even if we already know it won't live up to the book!
Ignoring the Rest of Your TBR for a New BookTok Recommendation
Book-buying bans are practically impossible thanks to BookTok and Bookstagram. I was perfectly content to read the books that have been sitting on my bookshelf for literal years until a single reel came along and introduced me to a book I didn't know I needed.
But now I need it.
And everything else can wait.
Buying a Book Because the Cover Was Pretty
The old adage "don't judge a book by its cover" is lost on those of us who love a good shelf trophy.
Character art... Foiled lettering... And don't even get me started on sprayed edges...
No, I don't speak German, but you don't need to speak a different language to appreciate the visual art that is THE COVER!
Getting Overly Attached to Fictional Characters
No, they are not real, but pointing that out only makes us feel worse. Because they should be! That lovable side character who can find the bright side in any situation? The morally grey lead who would burn the world to protect his soul mate?
The world needs them.
More importantly, we need them.
Just because they aren't real doesn't mean our love for them isn't.
The Book Hangover
Nothing beats the high of discovering a new favorite book. The characters, the plot, the journey--it all sits with you and gives you something you never knew you needed.
The downside?
In its aftermath, no other books can compare and are, therefore, not worthy of being read.
At least until we've gathered ourselves enough to bear the thought of moving on...
Suddenly Becoming Extroverted When You Come Across Another Fan of the Same Series
We've all been there. Hurrying into the grocery store in our most comfortable sweats, trying to avoid any and all human contact when we see someone bearing the hoodie with a symbol or quote we would recognize anywhere.
Goodbye, introversion. Hello, new best friend.
It's the only thing that could turn an anti-social booktrovert into a social butterfly in the span of a millisecond.
Recommending a Book or Series That Destroyed You to a Friend
"This book ruined my life for weeks. I could not stop crying... You should read it!"
If you're guilty of this habit, you are far from alone.
Are we burdening our friend with the same devastation we've been unable to unsee?
Sure.
Are they going to call us in the middle of a breakdown to berate us for recommending a book that is shattering their heart?
Almost certainly.
Are we going to stop?
Never.
Because the best books are the ones that leave you changed. And don't our friends deserve that? It's okay, though. Since we knew the emotional destruction was coming, we will be ready with the tissues and ice cream.