Just for fun, I’m creating four posts about “bookworm problems” in September:
“Top 5 Ways to Catch a Bookworm”
“Top 5 Bookworm Problems” (today’s post)
“Top 5 Reasons to be With a Bookworm”
“Top 5 Things a Bookworm Would Never Do”

Top 5 Bookworm Problems

I’m linking up today with Meeghan at Meeghan Reads for Top 5 Tuesday: Top 5 Bookworm Problems.

***This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

I must explain two things that are NOT book problems for me before I start my list:

• One of my bookworm problems is NOT book storage and/or organization because I read digitally!
• One of my bookworm problems is NOT that I’m a MOOD reader….I think of that as more of a personality trait or personal preference.

#1
Too Many Books, Too Little Time

Can you relate? My TBR mountain is on the verge of toppling! This creates serious bookworm problems! I can’t resist the new and shiny. I’m tempted by intriguing reviews and book titles. And if the word “book” or “bookstore” is in the title it’s an obvious “must read”…..amirite?

#2
I Can Read Faster Than I Can Write Reviews

Authors depend on reviews, and I like to write as many reviews as possible (even if it’s just to add a star rating on Goodreads). However, the discipline of writing the review before beginning my next book is an ongoing challenge and is one of my most unrelenting bookworm problems. It doesn’t take long to get behind in writing reviews! Who can relate? I want to add here that your review doesn’t need to be long. Authors value one-sentence reviews as highly as full paragraph(s) reviews. You might be interested in this post I wrote about writing a review.

#3
Feeling “Meh” About a Popular, Hyped Book

Well…..NO TWO PEOPLE READ THE SAME BOOK. If you don’t connect with a book, that’s legitimate! READING IS A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. It’s ok to be an outlier! I think I’ve set a personal best this year in books I have DNF’d (did not finish) or felt meh about! By the way, DNF is a legitimate response! There is no rule about finishing every book you start. You might enjoy my post about my love/hate relationship with DNF. If you wonder why you haven’t seen a popular book reviewed on this blog, that’s probably why. I don’t like to “yuck” on someone else’s “yum” and I certainly don’t want to make authors cry! There’s no reason to count a DNF among your bookworm problems!

#4
Writing Kind and Honest Reviews

Why is it a problem to be kind?
Occasionally, I accept an ARC (advance reader copy) for a book for which I cannot write a 100% positive review, yet I’m obligated to review the book because that was my commitment to the publisher or the author. Carefully wording this review is important (and difficult) for many reasons. 1. I know others might have enjoyed or will enjoy the book; 2. I don’t want to hurt an author’s feelings; 3. I want to only publish reviews on my blog for books that I can enthusiastically recommend; 4. I don’t wish to contribute to the negativity on social media; 5. I don’t want others to “pile on” in the comments; 6. Mine is only one person’s opinion.

If reading the book was my personal choice and I’m not obligated to review it, I will place it on my virtual DNF shelf in Goodreads (GR). If I’ve read at least 50%, I will leave a star rating on GR with a note that it was a DNF and no other comment. Very rarely I will pretend I never had the book in the first place and quietly delete it from my GR Currently Reading shelf.

What’s more difficult is when I’ve made a commitment to review the book. Sometimes I will write a simple review on GR (which I copy to NetGalley) and never put the review on the blog. If it’s for a blog tour and I have committed to a blog post, I have two options: contact the publisher and/or author and explain the situation, or 2. write a kind and honest review. All my reviews are honest (as I’ve explained here), and over the years I’ve grown in my ability to write honestly in kind ways. If I’m writing about what didn’t work for me, I always include the elements that DID work for me. If you are a regular follower, I’m certain you have noticed my different approaches to writing a review and can tell from my tone and word choices when I’m not 100% enthusiastic about a book.

I’ve learned the most about writing kind book reviews from other reviewers. I notice the wording in reviews and make note of phrases I want to begin using. One trick that reviewers use (to avoid writing a negative review) is to write an elaborate summary……with really no review (or a long summary followed by a one-sentence reflection). I watch out for those reviews because it’s my clue that the reviewer probably didn’t like the book!

If you are a bookworm and write reviews, do you find it difficult at times to be kind AND honest?

#5
I Can Read All Day (or All Night)

Thankfully, I’m R E T I R E D so I read (and review) like it is my job! Fortunately, my husband supports my reading habits and is a tolerant and understanding person! However, I do have days when I neglect other responsibilities like laundry and meal prep! Reading is still cheaper than most other hobbies…I could spend hours on more frivolous and expensive pass times!

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QOTD: Do We Share Bookworm Problems?

Do you have any bookworm problems?

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Happy Reading Bookworms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, teach us about our world, and help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

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The books I review are purchased by me or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that they are free (arcs).

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