Reader Problems Book Tag

Thursday 21 November 2019




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

I'll tell you what I do! It's just like when you're at home and hungry but you don't have anything to eat. You keep walking to the fridge, opening it, staring, sighing, then closing the door and walking away. But in the case of what to read next, I just browse my shelves until something jumps out at me.

Truth be told, I usually have a book I want to read. But Anne and I do so many reading challenges that I usually have a book I should read on top of a book I really want to read.


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

It depends. How long is the book? I was recently reading a book called Shallow Graves that I wasn't feeling, but it was less than 250 pages so I sucked it up and kept reading. If it had been a longer book though, that would be different.

If I needed it for a reading challenge prompt, I may keep reading unless I can find a better sounding book for the same prompt. Otherwise I'd drop it faster than lubed up bowling ball.

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'm actually 10 books over my Goodreads reading challenge! So yay for me! I had a goal of 60 and I'm on 71 now. Next year I'll do 120, but count graphic novels and manga as well. So hopefully I'll do 60 graphic novels and 60 regular books.


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

I try not to look at it and try my best to hide my shame. I'm a fan of The Expanse series and with book 4 the design on the spine changed a bit and it drives me effing batty. My Jo Nesbo books don't match either. So instead I focus on my Dresden Files books or my Terry Brooks books which do match.

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

Almost all of my friends are readers so there's bound to be someone who agrees with me. I thought I could count on Anne to hate Every Heart A Doorway with me, but she ended up liking it, though she could at least see why I hated it. For the most part we agree on things and if not her, then I'll find a reader friend who hates it as well.



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

I just cry. I don't have anything to prove to anyone. What's the worst that would happen? Someone makes fun of me? Oh no! Some mouth breathing troglodyte is laughing at the person who's in touch with their feelings. Shame.


7. 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?!?!?!?

To quote younger Millenials than myself... THIS! I'm a fan of Brent Week's Lightbringer series and the latest book just came out and it's been about two years since The Blood Mirror hit the shelves and now I forgot where we were. I know the basics, like where Gavin is, what Kip is doing, but The White? Karis, the others? I forgot. Lucky for me, Brent Weeks breaks down each book in the series with a synopsis of what happens. For authors who don't do that, I search for and read a write up of the plot


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

I usually don’t have a problem with it. But there are a couple rare books I own that I would never loan out. Like my first edition hardcover of The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks. So if someone asked to borrow that I’d be torn between saying “hell no” or “oh hell no.”

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

I pick up something I know I like. I’d pick up Storm Front book 1 of the Dresden Files series. Or I’d pick up a kids book like something from A Series of Unfortunate Events or The Spiderwick Chronicles. I’d maybe even pick up a manga. Anything just to read and complete something. That usually gets me out of my slump.

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

Almost none unless there something super special about it. I rarely buy books new these days after my wife and I discovered library book sales. I did buy two books recently, The Poppy War by   and Space Opera by Catherine Valente. I haven’t read those yet and I still haven’t heard the end of it.


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?

It really depends. First and foremost, do they work for any reading challenge prompt? If so, it may be the next book I read. If it doesn’t work for a prompt it may take a good long while for me to pick it up as I prioritize finishing reading challenges to my own reading desires. As I mentioned above, I purchased two books a couple months ago and still haven’t gotten around to reading them even though I’m excited for both. Also, as previously mentioned, the next book in the Lightbringer series came out and I haven’t purchased it yet as I know it would have just sat around on my shelf.  I may not do the Popsugar reading challenge next year, and if I don’t, then I can read whatever I want!

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