I am a bibliophile. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word “bibliophile” as “a lover of books; a book-fancier.” While this may seem like a simple definition, I think that the term actually carries great weight. I proudly profess that I am a bibliophile, because I think the word encompasses so much more than the statement, “I like to read.” I certainly enjoy reading, but “bibliophile” (at least as I understand the term) does not just mean a love of reading. A bibliophile is someone who loves books and everything about them. As an English major, bibliophiles and lovers of language constantly surround me, so I thought I would compile a list of five particular things I have noticed that people who love books do. To clarify, I do not mean that you cannot love books if you do not do these things, or that the way you express your affection for the written word is wrong if you do not do these things. This list is simply a few things I have noticed. So, here are five signs that you are a bibliophile…..

1. You Carry A Book With You Everywhere

Even if you are not reading the book, even if you have no plans throughout the course of your day to read the book, it is still in your bag. It feels wrong when you are travelling and cannot fit a book in your purse. Throughout the day you may periodically take out the book. You won’t actually read it, you just want to reassure yourself that it is there if you happen to get the chance to read it.

2. You Fantasize About Being Trapped in A Library

Can you imagine how wonderful that would be? Just you and hundreds of books. You don’t have to read any of them, but just the feeling of being surrounded by so many stories and words would be amazing. Libraries are magical places after all.

3. People Constantly Ask You For Book Recommendations

This is certainly not a bad sign. It is great that people respect your expertise in what makes a great book. If you are a bibliophile, people ask you this question all of the time. Your neighbor messages you on Facebook about it; at lunch someone will casually mention, “hey have you read any good books lately?” Not only will people ask you for recommendations, they also ask you, “so what is your favorite book?” and you spiral into the crippling terror of having to come up with a coherent answer while sitting in silence and fretting because there are just so many incredible books in the world and you love them for so many different reasons.

4. You Have Very Strong Opinions On The Treatment of Books

Some people adore bookmarks. Others prefer to dog-ear their pages. Personally, I am the latter. Among bibliophiles I have noticed that there is a heated debated about what one can do to a book. Is it alright to write in the book? Is folding a paperback in half while reading it acceptable? Is a well-loved book a torn up, coffee stained, highlighted paperback or a pristine hardback with a shiny jacket cover?

5. You Love The Way A Book Smells

This is a trait that almost every bibliophile I know possesses. Books have a unique smell. Some people claim that pages smell old and musty, but to you, the smell of a book--whether it be a new or old—is a wonderful thing. There is nothing quite like it. Before you purchase a book, you often smell it, because if it doesn’t have that perfect book smell, is it really worth buying?

Happy reading, bibliophiles.