Top 5 Bookish Habits | Top 5 Tuesdays

Hello again! It’s Tuesday, and of course that means it’s time for a Top 5 post. Top 5 Tuesdays and their topics are brought to you by Shanah @ the Bionic Bookworm. Check out her blog, she’s awesome, and this page for the list of topics for February!

This week’s theme definitely gave me pause. I’ve been reading a long time, but I haven’t ever really stopped to think about any of my habits in relation to reading. This list is going to be a little but of a guilty admission, but I feel I’m probably in good company, so hopefully no judgement, right…?

Anyways, here are my top 5 bookish habits:

Using Anything as a Bookmark

I’m pretty sure a lot of, if not most, people do this. I often find myself ready to put a book down and realize I don’t have a bookmark.

I’ve used all kinds of things for bookmarks, from candy wrappers to paychecks to hair-ties. If it’s within reach and it’s mostly flat, I’ll use it.

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Buying New Books Before Reading Ones I Already Have

This is a common problem, too, I think. Being someone who loves to read, I never say no to a trip to my local book store. And I also can’t seem to stop myself from buying a new book every time, sometimes more!, even knowing that I have so many unread books on my shelves at home. That’s why I’m participating in #startonyourshelfathon this year. Check it out, if you’re thinking about curbing your book-purchasing habits!

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Writing/Highlighting in Books

For starters, I don’t do this all the time. But, I don’t just do this with school books. I’ve found myself highlighting or underlining certain passages in books, or writing on the margins if I’ve had a thought about what I’m reading. I will say that I’ve never done this to a book I don’t actually own. I’m not a monster, okay! I wouldn’t put a mark in a book that wasn’t mine. And it’s a pet peeve when I come across books at my library that have been marked by someone.

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Accidentally Never Returning Books

On a few occasions, I’ve come across books in my possession that belonged to my elementary school/high school. Am I ashamed of this fact…yes. Will I return these books…No, because of the shame! I feel terrible about this and it does keep me up at night sometimes, but the way I look at it is…I’m just re-homing these books. I didn’t do it on purpose, and I’ve also donated plenty of books in my time, so I’m hoping this evens things out…Also, if you’re a friend of mine and you want me to read a book, please don’t lend me your copy, because you might not get it back…Yeah, I’m one of those people, too.

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Eating/Drinking While Reading

There are a number of books I own that are water-damaged because of this. I try my best but I’m a messy person. Even knowing this, I continue to eat and/or drink while I read. Maybe it’s because I’m always snacking? I can’t seem to help it. Sometimes I’m so engrossed in a book, but it’s also dinner time and I can’t put the book down, so the best method is to eat while reading.

Thoughts & Thanks!

What do you think of my habits? Do we share any? Let me know some of your reading habits in the comments below!

Thank you for reading this post. And, as always, happy reading!