Okay. So this is actually two different tags, but don’t they just beg to be put together in one post? Especially since it was the always-entertaining Ally @ Ally Writes Things to tag me in BOTH the Bad and Good. Thanks, Ally!!
Some of these might end up being a little controversial, but what fun is the world without a little unpopular opinion every once in a while? Let’s do this!!
GOOD
Never hesitating to read when finding a few minutes during the day
Waiting for an appointment, long commute, lunch break. Doesn’t really matter if it’s 5 minutes or an hour. I always have at least two books on the go. One physical and one digital. That way I don’t even have to carry my physical book with me to make use of found time. I’m always preparing to whip it out and have a go! (I was talking about reading! What did you think I meant?!)
BAD
Reading When I Should Be Social
I often think I’m contributing to a world that doesn’t talk to each other anymore. Instead of having my nose in a book, maybe I should be giving a strange an awkward nod and saying something obvious about the weather. I don’t know. I don’t like small talk and it’s very unlikely to have a life-altering conversation with a total random.
GOOD
Making use of my local library’s services
Physical books I only borrow on occasion, but I use the digital resources my library offers on a daily basis. Overdrive and Hoopla are a great source for audiobooks, and you just can’t argue with that price!
BAD
Never Reading New Releases
Since the bargain section of bookstores don’t normally have new releases and I tend to go after the ‘available now’ titles from my library, I’m usually a few years behind with what I’m reading. I’m not what I’d call a trend-setter. People much better than me are diving into mountains of books and coming back to tell us all which are great and which aren’t.
GOOD
Buying books that are on sale
I’m not talking about the books that are 25% off, or even 40% (well… sometimes.) I love the browse the bargain section of bookstores. The place you can discover hidden gems for $5. And that’s usually the price of a hardcover! Not sure I’ve ever found an AMAZING book there, but I also don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed either.
BAD
Buying too many books because they were a good deal
The other place I love to buy books from is kindle. Especially when they’re on sale for a buck or two. And once in a while, a really interesting book is offered for FREE!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! The problem quickly becomes obvious when your digital library has about 100 titles that you haven’t read, and yet you’re still looking at what eBooks are on sale! eBooks Anonymous? Is that some kind of newsletter that will tell me about discount books?!
GOOD
Using a bookmark instead of dog-earing
Okay, okay. Dog earring a page isn’t that big of a deal. It’s not going to destroy a friendship or anything, but I’ve always got a bookmark handy. A while ago I printed a bunch of images off and cut them into strips. Cheap, plentiful, and a great variety.
BAD
Counting Pages
Is there anything that doesn’t do this? Sometimes you just have to know if you should keep turning pages or put your bookmark in mid-chapter. Not the best reason to push on and finish a chapter, but sometimes it just HAS TO BE DONE!
GOOD
Listening to suggestions of others for what to read
Easily one of the greatest things about being in the blogosphere is the sheer number of high-quality recommendations. It’s a community that takes all of the books in all of the world and distills them into a list of the absolute best books ever published!
BAD
Reading books based on Hype alone…
I’ve now read a fair number of books based on hype & recommendations alone, never once bothering to find out what the book was about. Seriously. I’ve read books without even glancing at the synopsis. So far, it hasn’t let me down, but how long can that last?
GOOD
Always remembering to add an interesting book to my TBR
If you hear about a book that sounds good, and you’re going to want to read it, don’t wait. Pull out your phone, write it on your hand, or have the cover tattooed on your bicep. Don’t assume you’re going to remember it, because there’s a good chance you won’t.
BAD
Adding Books to My TBR Knowing I’ll Never Read Them
Every book I add to my TBR sounds interesting. Otherwise, why add it. But there are times when I’m adding one that sounds “kind of” interesting, knowing that odds aren’t good I’ll ever get to a book that sounds “kind of” interesting.
BOTH
Reading ARCs when I really want to read something else
Sometimes there’s a book on my shelf that’s calling to be read. But often times (especially this past year) I chose to ignore the book I really wanted to read, and stay on top of my ARCs. That’s good, because I’m staying responsible and giving priority to the books I’ve been given in exchange for a review, and bad, because I’m not listening to that inner voice that gave me my passion for reading in the first place.
I’m pretty much with you on all of these. 100+ ‘good deal’ kindle books…. when will they ever be read???
Never. LOL. Unless I’m somehow marooned on a desert island with my phone and a way to keep it charged. And food. Will probably still need to eat.
Hahahaha. I know what you mean 🙈😊
Uff, i never thought not reading new releases was a bad thing! I rarely read them, for similar reasons, hehe. I prefer buying books on sale or second hand 😀
I still don’t know if not reading new releases is bad, but it bugs me this time of year! Goodreads asks for us all to vote and I look at all the books and go, I can’t vote. I haven’t read a single one of these books! LOL
Ah, yes… same. I only read the Stephen King one. The one exception… i always want to read his stuff as soon as it’s out 😀
The Outsider? or Elevation?
Outsider 🙂 I pre-ordered Elevation but didn’t have time to read it yet
How is The Outsider? I’d really like to read it, but def won’t get to it by end of 2018.
I loved it! As usual, the characters were brilliant and the story was proper creepy 🙂
Can’t wait!
I am loving all the Office GIFs btw! I don’t usually consider my reading habits good or bad either, and I am starting to realize that I have picked up some bad ones more recently 😡
I am really glad you combined these tags though- you’re right, they do go very well together and the tag itself felt much more whole and complete. Great job!
This is such a great idea, combining both!!! I agree with so many of these. I try to only buy books that are on sale too, but I also count pages CONSTANTLY.
Hahaha sorry!!!
Honestly these do beg to be put together, great idea!
Thanks!
Oh yeah, I’m there with you. And new releases? There are only maybe three authors on the whole planet whose books I care enough about to buy maybe straight away, otherwise, I’m in the bargain basket of last year’s books.
The number of books I’ve read without even having glanced at the synopsis is astounding. In fact, it would be well above the number of books I have read the synopsis for. Usually they are recommendations or auto-buy authors. But yes, they have been known to be hype books too… (and yes, I also wonder how long this will last)
I am SO glad to know that I’m not the only one that counts pages. It’s a serious problem! Literally every time I finish a chapter, I flip through the next chapter to see how long it is. It never stops me from reading…… I was planning on reading it anyway…… but I MUST know!
I love the gifs you used <3 they fit really well!! And I do most of these things too haha especially reading when I should be social 😂😂