So here's the deal: I don't think I read books like most "normal" people. So when I set a goal to read 100 books in a year, I guess I should explain myself.
These are my confessions...
1. Might as well start with a big one: I dog-ear my books. I know, I know. All of my english teacher friends just gasped and asked themselves whether we could still be friends. It's alright y'all. I own the book. It gives it personality. Makes it feel read. (Don't worry, I don't dog-ear borrowed books or library books).
2. Not necessarily intentionally, but I do break the spines on books. It's the way I hold them. If a book doesn't feel good sitting in my hands it's going to affect me wanting to read it. Again, I own the book. I am not defiling the author, the characters, or the story. I'm just getting comfortable with my book. (Again, if you lent me a book, to the best of my ability I keep the spine safe).
3. I read a lot of fiction. And when I read fiction, I read it fast. If I get connected with a character, it is really difficult for me to put a book down. I read it the bathtub, I read when I'm nursing, I read before bed, I read waiting in lines at the store, I read during naptime.
4. It takes me twice as long (if not longer) to read non-fiction.
5. The test of a good book for me is whether I want to reread it or not. My favorites I reread every year. I probably don't reread every page every time. Occasionally I will skip ahead to favorite parts or skim parts I don't particularly like. But it's pretty much a sure thing that I will read Harry, Hunger Games, Twilight, The Christy Miller Series, and The O'Malley Series every year at least once. And considering I've already read the Divergent books twice in a month, I can probably guarantee it's going to be on my annual list. Sometimes I reread favorites many times a year. It's like eating comfort food. On a bad day, if I'm not watching Gilmore Girls, I'm probably reading a favorite book. There are times I would rather reread a book I already know I love rather than risk reading a book I might not. Call me moody. Just don't be surprised if you see several Harry re-reads on my 100 list.
7. I read books like I'm watching a movie. I don't even see the words after awhile. If it's good, I completely connect to the world the author creates.
8. I have to have a picture in my head of the character. A lot of times, I will assign someone I know or a famous actor for the part. I just have to know who it is. Movie adaptations can completely ruin the characters for me if the actor they cast does not match up to who I have in my head. I am still not over Edward (James Pattinson) or Sirius Black (Gary Oldman).
9. (Take a deep breath and try to remember all of the things you love about me) Not every single time, but a lot of the time, if an author describes a character as ugly, I change it in my head so the person is actually really pretty. I'm not talking about bad guys. Bad guys are always ugly. I'm talking about when an author describes the main character as, "not particularly pretty" or "no remarkable characteristics" or my personal non-favorite, "mousy". I know. I know. It's messing with the author's characters. I know. I know. I'm shallow and vain. I know. I know. I'm a hypocrite.
10. If it's a really good book, and I can't put it down, I will stay up till 3 in the morning to finish it.
11. The Characters I read become my friends. It is part of the reason I like to reread so much. It's like visiting old friends.
12. I smell books. Literally stick my nose in the middle of a book and smell. There is nothing like a good book smell. I wish I could bottle it. But then, there's also nothing worse than a bad book smell.
Wondering why we're still friends?
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