Always have your nose in a book? Here, New York, NY tutor Lauren P. has rounded up a list of some familiar feelings most book lovers will relate to:
1. The only time you truly feel regret is when you find yourself waiting in line or on public transportation without a book. A unique type of anxiety overwhelms you in those situations. The grocery store, airport security, train, or even being on hold on the phone are unbearable without a book to fill the time. The same feeling occurs when you have just finished a book during your outing and realize you forgot to bring a spare. Normally, if you have fewer than 50 pages left, you carry the next choice in your library to begin immediately. Otherwise, you find yourself reading about the author or flipping back to page one again.
2. You are not sure every person in this whole vast world has just one soul mate, but you know what might convince you. The only way you could believe someone was your one-and-only soul mate would be if moments after meeting, they happened to mention their favorite line from their favorite book, and it happened to be the very same line and the very same book that left lasting impressions on your own life. How could you not spend eternity discussing the social repercussions and perspective-altering epiphanies inspired by your shared readings?
3. You are completely and totally against Kindles. Why? There are several reasons.
First, you do not want your children or grandchildren to think about books the way you think about vinyl records. You do not want to have to explain to them what a bookmark or dog-eared page is. How could you relate to your own family members if such a world existed?
Second, you know the books you’ve read have made you who you are. You once again have your future, maybe-not-yet-existent family in mind, and you feel very strongly about sharing your books with them. You envision them scanning your bookshelf and spotting your favorite novel, pulling it off the shelf and being just as engrossed as you were. You do not envision this happening in a Kindle library.
Third, how would decorate your home without choosing your favorite books to stack on your bedside table, next to your couch, under the coffee table, on top of your refrigerator, and next to your television?
4. You tie all names in books back to real life. You cannot help but compare real people with their namesakes in your favorite novels. And every time you read a new book, you make a mental note whether any of the character’s names would be perfect for your future child, grandchild, or pet. You still hold out hope that you will find the perfect name in the pages of your favorite book.
5. Any ideal day, no matter the season or occasion, involves books. Your ideal vacation is spending a week lounging on the beach reading — you really do not want to go on that six-hour fishing charter or historic tour. You get anxiety for every moment that you are not enjoying the pure bliss of outdoor reading in the perfect combination of sunshine and breeze. Conversely, your ideal rainy or snowy day — that you sometimes feel guilty about fantasizing about on a beautiful summer weekend — is to spend all day under a blanket, next to a window, reading something cover to cover.
Most avid book lovers can relate to the above fantasies. A significant part of who you are is a result of the lessons, epiphanies, and knowledge gained through your extensive reading. Your view of the world, and your plans for the present and future, are always influenced by books.
Lauren tutors in various subjects in New York, NY. She has her Master’s Degree in Education (with a concentration in students with learning disabilities), and is a certified NYC Special Education teacher. Learn more about Lauren here!
Photo by Abee5
Suzy S.