Reader Problems Tag

The second shelf is heaven: all books are the same height

I was tagged in this reader problems questionnaire in *blushes* … January. I was really excited when Anne from Books, Baking and Blogging tagged me, but I just *eh* forgot. So go check out her answers to the reader problems tag as well, she has GIFs. If that isn’t a selling point, I don’t know what is.

Since January I started a new masters degree and moved into my new student room, which has *drumroll please* new bookshelves! I figured I’d treat you to some pictures of the books I own :).

1. You have 20,000 books on your TBR. How in the world do you decide what to read next?

Only 20k? My shelves are full of unread books, and the TBR list in my head is even longer. I usually pick up books depending on what mood I am in, or based on the book I just finished. At the moment I’m in a detective-reading mood so I’m reading a lot of Josephine Tey.

2. You’re halfway through a book and you’re just not loving it. Do you quit or commit?

I don’t keep the books I give up on, so here are some good ones to try

I quit. I decided long ago that life is too short to read bad books.

No. Now I come to think about I do something far worse (or smart): I skip to the end of the book. When it is surprising or original I might invest in the book a little longer. If it is what I expected it to be I’ll put it down.

3. The end of the year is coming and you’re so close, but so far away on your Goodreads reading challenge. Do you try to catch up and how?

I think I would try to make it, I can read quite quickly and can get a bit competitive about reading books. I would probably start reading ‘easier’ books, though, such as detectives or romances instead of working my way through some great works of literature.

4. The covers of a series you love do. not. match. How do you cope?

My collection of Jane Austen novels

I SREAM. AARCH. This is The Worst Thing. I deliberately did not buy the third book in the Divergent series because it is bigger than the other two. But to be fair, I was not that committed to the series anyway.

I do try to group books by the same author together in my book cupboard, but because they are of different publishers, different decades and vary between hardback and paperback, it does look a bit off.

5. Everyone and their mother love a book you really don’t like. Who do you bond with over shared feelings?

I have never really been too excited about The Fault in Our Stars. I read the book found it ok, but I don’t think that it was worth the hype. So when Beckie0 posted a video on YouTube explaining why she doesn’t enjoy the book, I was very happy. I don’t agree with every point she makes, but it was nice to have someone agree with me.

I’m not very afraid to be vocal in my opinions about books, so I actually quite like it when someone enjoys a book I dislike or vice versa. It allows for a good discussion. Who doesn’t like a good debate about books?

6. Reading ADD. You’ve picked up and put down 5 books in the last month. How do you get over your reading slump?

The detective I’m currently reading

I try to ‘tempt’ myself with something I know I will enjoy, such as a re-read of an old favourite or an easy detective. These slumps are usually caused by a large university ‘to read’ list, so mixing literature with the occasional ‘lighter’ novel will help.

7. You’re reading a book and you are about to start crying in public. How do you deal?

I cry my eyes out. I cry quite quickly about films or books and don’t really care any more.

8. A sequel of a book you loved just came out, but you’ve forgotten a lot from the prior novel. Will you re-read the book? Skip the sequel? Try to find a synopsis on Goodreads? Cry in frustration?!

If I loved the book I usually do remember enough of it to be able to read the sequel. If I don’t remember enough I skip the sequel or read it anyway and have memories come flooding back.

9. You do not want anyone. ANYONE. Borrowing your books. How do you politely tell people nope when they ask?

I say ‘sorry, no’.  But, to be fair, I don’t think I have ever minded someone borrowing my books. Most of them are second hand and look a bit shabby anyway.

10. There are so many new books coming out that you’re dying to read! How many do you actually buy?

Isn’t it pretty?

As many as my budget allows. I don’t really follow new releases, but I’m a sucker for second hand book stores. Only yesterday I bought three new books at a second hand store that was closing down. I’m proud to say I didn’t buy five :).

11. After you’ve bought the new books you can’t wait to get to, how long do they sit on your shelf before you get to Them?

Waaay too long… *cough* Years *cough*.

I’m very good at not getting round to things (such as this tag, hehe).

I tag everyone.

No, seriously, because I’m so terribly late in picking up these questions I’m not tagging anyone in specific. But if you haven’t answered them yet and you feel up for it, give it a go. Please leave a comment below with a link to your post, I’m excited to read your answers :).

Books books books ❤