Every reader is unique; we all have different methods of tracking, handling, and choosing the books we read. Here are some of the quirks I’ve developed as a lifelong reader:
Spine Breaker
I’m that reader that every book lover hates. I break the spines of my paperbacks, chuck them in my purse, and read them in the tub. My books are spotted with ketchup and/or tea stains, have tattered covers, and perhaps have a bit of water damage.
As a fantasy lover, the books I read tend to be on the longer side. Thick books are tough to keep pristine and I have no issues cracking them right down the middle. I carry them everywhere, therefore they tend to get a bit beaten up. I feel like I’m in the minority here; most book lovers seem to keep their books in the best possible condition, but that’s just never been a priority for me. However, I always treat borrowed books incredibly carefully.
Countdown
This is a weird one. Before I start a book, I have to check and see what the last page number is. I like to keep track of how long a book is and do a little countdown in my head. I think this is one of the reasons I have trouble reading e-books; I can’t keep flipping back and forth in the same way I can with a physical book. The percentage just isn’t the same!
Playing it by Ear
As someone who usually loves to plan in advance and know exactly what’s going on, it’s strange that I cannot do this with my reading. My mood changes pretty constantly and I may want to read one thing this week and something completely different next week. I’m trying to work around this with my TBR pile, but my interests shift so constantly that it doesn’t always work.
Must Own Books
I used to be a dedicated library goer when I was working a low-wage job. I simply couldn’t afford to buy books that I might not like. Now that I am in a position to be more liberal with my spending, I tend to forgo the library and buy everything I read. Is it the most practical? Probably not. But I hate the feeling of borrowing a book, loving it, buying it, and having an unread copy sitting on my shelf.
Cover Love
I know I’m not alone in this one. I absolutely love a good book cover. A gorgeous book will persuade me to buy a read a book about 80% of the time. If nothing else, it will catch my eye and make me pick it up. I love showing off my books on the shelf or in my nightstand TBR pile, so the more beautiful the better!
I Should Read That 
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