Reader Problems Book Tag

I had responded to this book tag a number of years ago in a now discontinued blog, and thought it would be fun to go back and revisit these questions 10 years later with hundreds more books under my belt. I hope you can get a few laughs, and of course please feel free to grab these questions for your own blog.

1. You have 20,000 books in your TBR, how in the world do you decide what to read next?
I’m a mood reader and will pick up whatever I’m feeling at the time. It’s impossible for me to plan what to read so I stopped trying. I usually like to read at least one ebook and one physical book at a time.

2. You’re halfway through a book and you’re just not loving it. Do you put it down or are you committed?
Nine times out of ten I push through it, there are some books that I ended up enjoying that started off really slow but paid off at the end. I also like to write about the books I am reading, and I won’t review a book I haven’t finished. I’ll put some books down with the intention of returning later if I’m not feeling it before fully DNFing the book.

3. The end of the year is coming and you’re behind on your reading challenge, do you try to catch up? And if so, how?
I’m actually running into that problem for the first time in many years. Who knew breaking a leg and undergoing surgery could have that kind of effect? Honestly I just read as much as I can and have stopped pushing myself to reach goals.

4. The covers of a series you love do not match, how do you cope?
I buy an ebook version instead.

5. Everyone and their mother loves a book that you do not. Who do you bond with over your shared feelings?
I’m married so I hold my husband hostage while I ramble about the book. Or my teen daughter. They at least seem to find some amusement in it.

6. You’re reading a book in public and you’re about to start crying. How do you deal?
I’m soft when it comes to sad stuff and cry pretty regularly when reading, watching films, or playing video games. When I’m in public, and this has happened to me a few times, I’ll put the book down for a bit until I can get some privacy at home so I can get the full emotional effect.

7. The sequel to a book you loved just came out but you’ve forgotten a lot of what happens. Are you going to reread it?
Yes, I have to, I won’t be able to get into the book otherwise. I don’t re-read books very often, so this is one of the biggest reasons why I tend to read more standalone books or wait until a series is completed.

8. You do not want anyone to borrow your books, how do you politely say no when someone asks?
What’s that? I can’t hear you over the sound of me hurling books at anyone willing to read them. I’ve gotten burned a few times by people that didn’t return a book or returned it damaged, but I think they usually feel bad and never ask to borrow another book afterwards.

9. You have picked up and put down 5 books in the last month. How do you get over this reading slump?
If I’m having difficulty with the books I’m reading I generally try to read something light and short that I can finish in one sitting. Manga, a short story, some essays, or poetry collections. I think experiencing a story beginning to end in a small and easily digestible form really helps me feel better and gets me to focus my attention again on reading.

10. There are so many books coming out that you are dying to read, how many do you end up buying?
When I completed this tag in the past my answer was “none.” I was broke throughout most of my 20s, so I tended to look for books that I could read for free: library, ARCs, and giveaways. Now that I’m in my 30s with a career and a husband who spoils me rotten, I buy A LOT of books (too many). Having a dual income and older kids gives me more flexibility to splurge on the things I love.

11. After you purchase all of these books that you’re dying to read how long do they sit on your shelves before you get to them?
I feel personally attacked by this question. It really depends on the book and how hyped I am to read it, sometimes it’s right away, most times though I am completely guilty of putting that book on my shelf and a few months pass by before I go, “I should really read that.” I have a short attention span and I like shiny new things, so my TBR is always miles high. I really admire folks that have self control when it comes to their TBRs.