The Orangutan Librarian (who I adore and I’m sure you already follow!) tagged me to share my good reading habits. Isn’t it interesting that it is much easier to think of your bad habits than your good ones? I love that this tag allows you to look at yourself in a positive light.
Read from a Wide Variety of Genres
I, like most readers, have my favourites genres (historical fiction, literary fiction, SciFi, memoirs) but I often find myself picking up books outside those genres- and loving them! I enjoy reading outside of my comfort zone, and have found many of my favourite books that way. There are no genres that I will not try because I know there are gems in every genre and I do not want to miss them.
Trust My Gut
Since I started blogging I have developed a skill in knowing what books I am going to enjoy. I no longer give in the hype because I have been burned too many times- not because they are bad books, just because they were not for me. I now trust my gut instinct and if I hear about a book that sparks an interest in me, I add it to my TBR. There is not rhyme or reason to this- it is just a feeling!
Read Books in All Formats
Two years ago I only read physical books. These days, I always have a physical book, an ebook, and an audiobook on the go. It really has changed by reading life and has broadened my horizons. I am now able to read books at times when I would not have been able to in the past. Also, I think there are some books that are better as audiobooks and I would hate to have missed consuming them that way.
Read Every Day
I read every day, even if it is just a few pages. I have started this habit where I wake up a little earlier and read for a bit every morning. It is a great way to start the day and to wake up my mind. This is a more recent habit, and I hope to continue with it. I also read every night before bed.
Review Every Book I Read
Some times I fall behind, but I do try to review every book I read, even if it is just on Goodreads. I love sharing my opinions on novels and discussing them with other readers. I mean, that is why I started this blog after all!
Ooo … reviewing every book?!? That IS a great habit! And reading in all formats too … I’m getting better at the latter but still prefer the physical copy. Great habits!!
Nothing will have beat physical books for me! It’s just nice to have other options as well. Thank you!
It is — I’ve become more accustomed to ebooks now, especially when travelling!
This is a great idea! Positivity is always welcome!
Thanks! Positivity is definitely needed these days.
Ooo, nice list — I totally agree about reading all formats. Once I got over my resistance to ebooks, it made reading on the go so much easier!
So true! I probably read more ebooks than physical books these days and I never thought I would say that.
Great list! When you say you read every book
Does that include DNFs?
Thank you! I think because I have gotten so good at knowing which books I’m going to like I very rarely DNF them. I don’t review the ones that I do DNF though. I’m torn on whether I should considering I hadn’t read the whole book. What are your thoughts on that?
Gotcha! I don’t write reviews on DNFs for two reasons. One, logically (and being a pisces it is really hard for me to go on logic over emotion lol) I didn’t finish the book so it hardly feels fair. Two, you never know… maybe it just wasn’t for me and so why give it such horrid a reaction that others might not even try it that might like it? I will say that I double down on this thought process when it comes to ARCs.
And just to clarify… it isnt that I think I am any kind of huge influencer… hardly BUT still.. I would hate to be the cause of any author’s feeling of “ouch” or pre-sales they are counting on, even if I’m not writing to please them… it just feels like the wrong thing to do. I have written low reviews.. but not DNFs.
I have made ONE exception to the rule… ironically the book was called Rule and it was one of my first reviews. Thankfully I wasn’t the only blogger to do so because I was shaking in my boots. I had serious moral issues about how the author handled certain topics and stand by my choice. In those situations? Damn straight I will nail it to the cross.
You perfectly put in to words how I feel about this. If I put a book down because it was hugely problematic I would point that out. Even if it is just one line on Goodreads. In other cases, I realize that I may just not be in the mood for the book at that time or it may not be for me. I also worry about hurting authors. Even with books I don’t like I will point out its merits.
Oh good because when I posted it and saw the length i was like oh crap… hope I didnt just hijack her thread with a mini post lol! I’m glad I could help! 🙂
Yeah some have said to me… but you aren’t writing for the authors/publishers and I’m like it isn’t like that and I definitely let them know I DNFd on NG or Edelweiss (depending on where -if it is an ARC- came from) but still… compassion/emparthy/humanity people… plus like for other readers.. why kill it. There are plenty of books I’ve DNFd just to read 5 star reviews from others.
Thanks for sharing your reading habits! I also try to read every day and before I go to sleep. Although – sometimes it keeps me up too late, and that’s not always good haha. But sometimes, you just can’t help it if the book is super exciting!
I have been there! It happened to me recently with The Bride Test by Helen Hoang.
I like the variety of using different reading formats, although I still don’t listen to audiobooks. It’s great that you review every book you read – I try and do the same except for classics.
Audiobooks are definitely not for everyone. It took me a few tries to get in to them.
I don’t remember the last time I reviewed a classic. I read Emma recently and have been debating whether or not it is worth reviewing.
I feel the same way with the classics that I (very) occasionally read – reviewing them doesn’t always seem worthwhile as opposed to more contemporary books.
Great habits!
I’m kinda guilty of not reviewing everything i read. But it was actually a conscious decision and usually know before even i start a book whether i will or won’t. Sometimes i surprise myself tho 😀
Reading a wide variety of genres is great i think. I used to avoid contemporary, but later discovered there are some with elements of mystery which i really like, so that opened up a whole new avenue for me 😀
That is a good way to go about it. I review every book but not every book gets a full length review. I just do not have a lot to say about some books I read so I put together mini reviews.
I also love contemporary with mystery elements. Such a good mix!
These are the habits I wish I had! 😀
One of my goals for this year was to read 100 pages every day. Then I reduced the number to 50 and now I completely gave up on being able to read every day.
Audiobooks have been really saving my reading life for the past few months, I’d often listen to them during my weekly drives.
Ah, and also I’ve tried to review every book I read and.. yeah… failed 😀
I never used to read every day! It was definitely difficult to get in to the habit. I think it is best not to set a page goal. One page counts in my book!
Audiobooks are life changing!
Yea, you are probably right. I need to just set a goal “to read” and not “to read X pages”. Maybe I will end up reading even more this way.
I got myself into the reading every day habit this year and I love it! I look forward to that hour before bed to get comfy and lose myself in a book.
Isn’t it awesome?! Such a great way to destress.
Good for you for getting up early to read! I’m much more likely to stay up too late finishing a book than getting myself to set an early alarm 🙂
I have always been more of a morning person! don’t know why!
Thank you so much for the lovely shoutout! And I completely get what you mean about trusting your gut 🙂 I also read from a variety of genres and in lots of format- but I’m very impressed you review everything you read!! Awesome answers!
Thank you so much!
Alright, astrology is nonsense – but us Gemini’s (and Aquarius’s) I’ve noticed read from a variety of genres – and so agree, historical fic & memoirs are some of the best genres!
Oh that is really interesting and actually makes a lot of sense! Such great genres with so much variety.