Ever since I could remember, I've loved reading, even when I couldn't technically read. At the tender age of five, I would beg my parents to read multiple books to me as they tried to put me to bed. "One more page" was turning into "One more chapter" and then "Two more chapters, please!" I couldn't tell you why I was so interested in the words that formed those fairytale stories and chapter books my parents read to me, but I was. As the years went by and I got older, my love for reading, as expected, got bigger. A lot of my friends actually despise reading, and don't understand why I'm constantly buying books when I have stacks I've yet to read. So I've put together a list of "confessions" that book lovers around the world can relate to and help their friends who don't understand our weird ways...understand.
1. My bookshelves are overflowing.
I'm talking about books stacked in front of the books already shelved properly or even stacked on top of the shelves themselves. No matter how full they get, I will always find room for them to fit. Even if it means sneaking a few onto my mom's book shelf.
2. Physical copy > E-reader/Kindle.
There's absolutely nothing better than holding a physical copy of a book in your hands and feeling the page as you turn it. Plus, your eyes don't really ever get tired staring at a page with ink.
3. "What's your favorite book?"
Possibly one of the most dreaded questions a bookaholic could ever be asked. With all of the books you've read, yeah it's obvious you're going to have some favorites, but to limit it to just ONE?! Sorry, I can't do that. If by "favorite" you mean top 10, I can give you an easy list of those.
4. Nothing beats that "new book" smell.
It's kind of hard to even really describe what a new book smells like, but I can easily define it in one word. Heaven.
5. Sometimes I wish my favorite characters were real.
When you're reading a good book, and you're really enjoying everything about it, you can't help but really feel like you relate to the characters and you find yourself wishing that your favorite characters were real, because hey, new friends!
6. Reading is a getaway.
Nothing is better than opening a book, sitting in a relaxing setting and throwing yourself into the story. Whether it's a new book or one you've re-read a million times. There is nothing more satisfying than "escaping" reality through a good book.
7. I highlight/mark my books like no other
Sometimes there's a paragraph that you relate to or a quote that you absolutely love. And instead of losing it, I just grab a highlighter or a pencil and underline it. So whenever I need to, I can easily find it.
8. I always have a book on hand.
For the times when day to day life gets so crazy, I always have a book with me in case there are those rare moments when I have time to read a few pages or more.
9. My parents groan every time I buy a new book.
"But you have five books at home that you haven't even read yet." Yes, that is true. But it's always nice to have options to pick from.
10. In fact, they avoid bookstores and the book sections in general.
My mom intentionally avoids bookstores or the areas in stores where the books are. She'll even tell me straight up "I'm not buying you another book," before we even exit the car. But the joke was always on her, because I always made sure to carry my wallet with me on those trips.
11. I will always love reading.
Nothing can ever replace my love for reading, ever. Sure there are times when I don't read a book for maybe a few days, weeks or months. But when the time comes that I pick up a book and get into reading it, there's no better feeling.
