In the past few years, I've learned a lot of lessons as I transition into adulthood. A few lessons have been more surprisingly important than what I've learned about being a book lover.

1. Parting with books that you haven’t touched since 7th grade is harder than you’d expect

Getting rid of books is a strange and difficult experience. Though, the only books I held on to through growing up are the extremely important ones I still have roughly half a shelf on my rather full bookcase devoted to books I adored in middle school but haven’t read through since. After years of ignoring the pitiful pleas of mercy from bowing shelves, packing yet another box of books to haul to my first apartment brought me to the realization that I should probably find something else to do with these books I don’t even remember the plots of (and really about time I make room for some new ones).

2. Going to a bookstore unsupervised is dangerous

A beautiful spring afternoon, a fresh paycheck in your bank account, nowhere you really have to be for the next couple hours, all your friends are busy, the world is your oyster -what better place to go than the bookstore? I get near theme park levels of excitement from the thought of being able to spend as much time and as much money as I please in the bookstore (even if it means I live off peanut butter sandwiches for the next month) gone are the days that I have to ask for my parents to buy books for me or wait until Christmases and birthdays for a substantial haul, I can buy however many books I want when ever I want. Buying over half a paycheck worth of books in one afternoon definitely inspired me to work on budgeting and self-control. I’ve never understood “with great power comes great responsibility” more.

3. The bargain bin is full of hidden, underrated gems

I never paid much mind to the bargain books until I had a limited amount of money to spend on books. But since those “SALE” and “Bargain Price” signs caught my eye; my life has been changed. Why would I ever pass up on more books for my dollar? Some days it takes some time and searching to find a story that peaks your interest but some days its just hit after hit for 5, 4, or even 3 dollars apiece! There’s a whole world of characters, stories, and authors just waiting to be discovered and loved that are being completely overlooked. Some of my new favorites are some of the cheapest books I’ve ever found and the low price is just that much more to love!

4. There is nothing scarier than lending out your books

Lending out the books I love has always been nerve-racking. I want my friends to experience the astounding worlds and characters that I love but those books are like a little piece of me. And in high school it was easier, I saw my friends daily and there were my books right there in their arms and when they were done it was as simple as passing the book back to me in between classes, at lunch, after school. But now, who knows how long someone will have your book? We’re all so busy. When will they get around to reading it and when will your schedules ever line up to meet and get it back? I have been faced with few questions more difficult than “hey could I borrow that book sometime?”

5. Borrowing books is so great! (unless you fall in love)

On the other hand, borrowing books is a super sweet deal! You don’t have to pay, you don’t have to find space on the bookcase, and you always have someone to discuss it with! Also, returning the book in a respectable time is a pretty good motivator to get reading. There’s almost no downside. Until you fall in love with it. And suddenly you're always too busy to meet with your friend to return it. You tell yourself that you’ll return it as soon as you buy your own copy but sometimes there’s just something about that specific one. What if you can’t find that book when you visit the bookstore? Or do you really have the money to spend on a book you’ve already read right now? (This is why I get scared to lend out my own books)

6. Non-fiction is way more interesting than I gave it credit for

When I was younger, I never ventured into the non-fiction section of the library or bookstore. I’d been given a few neat books about animals and things as gifts here and there but why would I go out of my way to read about boring real-life stuff when there are so many wonderful made up stories to enjoy? Well, let me tell you, real life is wild. Real people’s stories are wild. There are books about everyone, everything, anyone, and anything. And these people and things really existed here on this same earth as me and that just blows my mind. I am sorry that I never gave them a chance as a kid.

7. The most exciting part of the end of the semester: summer reading

Between classes, homework, activities, clubs, jobs, obligations, responsibilities, attempts at a social life, finding time to read in college is tough. As the semester ends and my schedule clears up the coming three months of more free time than I know what to do with is immensely exciting for so many reasons and I can make so many plans. But none of those plans are more exciting than the reading list I can actually make it through. All the books I haven’t really had time for or that I’ve been interested in checking out have jumped to a dramatically higher position on my list of priorities. I’ve never been more pumped for summer break!