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!
QOTD: Do We Share Bookworm Problems?
Do you have any bookworm problems?
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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Number one always! 😄
It’s universal I fear! 😂📚
I can definitely relate to numbers one and two! There’s just not enough time to read everything 😂
Right?! The fun is in the trying! 🙌
Exactly!
🙌
Definitely relate to #2. I am way, way behind with reviews. I never thought about just doing a GR review for books I’ve received via Net Galley about which i don’t have a lot to say.
I use the GR strategy sparingly when I really don’t want to promote it on my blog. But of course I also copy and paste it to NG. At least I can say I did cross post somewhere! Just not my blog! I was caught up on reviews and suddenly I’m behind again! How does that happen? I have no self control when I have another book waiting for me!
My self control went completely out of the window last month. Bought far too many books despite having hundreds in the house thst are yet to be read. Why does the shiny new object hold such attraction???
Right?! I read two books this week that I obtained on impulse instead of following my TBR! I can justify it by claiming I needed a quick light read to balance out a dismal one! Well…before I could blink, I read 2 not one! 😂😂 But I think I’m ready now to resume my regularly scheduled program!
Also buying is a different pleasure from reading! We need to read AND buy! 😂
I can relate to all 5! This post was so cool… Loved it to every bit!
Thanks for your kind and enthusiastic comment! We might be book twins! 😂😂😂
I loved this post, thanks Carol.
My biggest bookworm problem is #1, not enough time. However, I am so looking forward to #5 in less than a year now. I can’t wait to join the ranks of the “retired” and can read all day long if I want to.
#1 is universal I think! You will love retirement! Instead of turning off an alarm, I reach for my book. And don’t ask how late I stay up reading at night!
We have several of the same bookworm problems. I would add to my list that I’m trying to make up for lost time. I only started my home library when I started on Bookstagram. So, three years ago. And I’ve gotten sucked in to the special editions. While it’s definitely a problem 😂, it is so much fun!
Book problems are the most fun problems!
We have all the same problems! I especially liked “I Can Read Faster Than I Can Write Reviews”.. So true!
I agree with all 5, Carol! I definitely read faster than I write reviews. The hardest reviews for me to write are the ones I absolutely love (I tend to fan girl too much) and the books I really dislike but am obligated to review by a commitment? I had to write one of those today. It tough sometimes to keep it kind while being honest. p.s. I agree, RETIREMENT is amazing!!
I completely agree about writing reviews for books we love and dislike! For the later, use the trick of writing a looong summary!!! 😂
I think we can all relate to those problems. Well said.
Thanks for visiting my TTT this week.
Universal bookworm problems!
I can relate to all of these, especially the ‘I can read faster than I can write reviews’ I’m so behind on reviews!! And it doesn’t help when life gets busy!!
I gat caught up and blink and I’m behind again! It’s an ongoing challenge! Thanks for commenting Mani! 🙌
[…] four posts about “bookworms” in September:“Top 5 Ways to Catch a Bookworm”“Top 5 Bookworm Problems““Top 5 Reasons to be With a Bookworm”“Top 5 Things I Would Never Tell a […]
We definitely share all these bookworm problems Carol. I like how you handle books you do not like or DNF. I agree, that just because I don’t like a book, it doesn’t mean it won’t be loved by others, so I also take care with those reviews. Great post.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Carla!
I can relate to all of these points Carol, particularly #2. I have just had the issue you mention in #3 and intend to write about it for our monthly WOYBS linkup, so thanks for the heads up!
#3 is the worst! I’ll be eager to read your post!