Getting High on Books
It is said that to be a writer you have to read. I would take that a step further and add that for most of us who write, we do not just read, we live to read. Like a runner hitting the runner’s high at a certain stride, a book lover experiences the same high when pulled into an irresistible, can-not-put-downable book. So much so that we keep repeating said behavior (reading), looking to score another hit. In other words, we’re addicted.
How to tell if you’re addicted to books:
- You happily get lost for hours in a bookstore to the point of forgetting who you are.
- Browsing is not an option. To not buy a book when let loose in a bookstore requires a Herculean effort of will.
- You spend all your disposable income on books. Recession, what recession?
- You max out your library card on each visit.
- Your “to read” list includes piles of books around your house that you’re constantly tripping over.
- The motto “so many books, so little time”, actually means something to you and can give rise to a sense of panic.
- Your mailman’s back is just about broke from all the Amazon deliveries to your front door.
- Your favorite position is the one where your head is buried in a book
- You carry a book with you at all times, like an epi-pen.
- Resentment, in capital letters. You resent your job, your life (especially that housework bit) or anything else that interferes with your ability to keep turning the pages.
If you recognize yourself in any of these symptoms listed above, forget about seeking professional help. Remember that admitting you have a problem is the first step. Therefore, take my advice and run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore or library and treat the writer in you to a book.
You’re telling me! I heart books big time. Have books all over my house! There are even two novels in my bathroom 😉
I think I am a book-addicted too.. I find myself reading books for 8 hours.. 4 times a week.. I love reading it makes me feel relaxing..
I can relate to this post. I always go to bookstores and I would just stay there and spend some time there. Reading books is so relaxing though a lot of people says that it gives them headache but not for me.
I love to read. I know most of the time reading is done on the internet. When not on a desktop or laptop, I still prefer paperbacks to devices such as the iPad or Kindle. Do you feel the same way?
Jason, I will always prefer the feel of an actual book in my hands.
Hi Michele,
I think I have these symptoms that you just listed in here about being high on books. Reading is my favorite thing to do and I enjoy every minute of it.
Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed the post!
Hi Michelle,
I love your blog here. They say I’m a wide reader, I told them that this is the way to enhance my knowledge about everything. Anything goes for me, from books to magazines to reading blogs. I love reading and I want to learn from what I have read.
Thank You! Like you, I’m a wide reader as well- I love to be transported to new worlds and meet new people. Your thought about wanting to learn from what you have read reminds me of something that I just read about Abraham Lincoln. He left school at nine and his father was illiterate but it was his step mother who taught him how to read and write, from then on he was never without a book and despite his lack of education, went on to become one of the great minds of politics in the 19th century 🙂
Thank you for the affirmation that I am not alone. I will read anything and don’t really discriminate as to whether it’s an actual bound book, ebook, community bulletin, hubby’s engineering newsletter, favourite blogs. I force myself to cycle through different genres to give myself a broadened perspective. My husband’s jealousy stays in check as I crawl into bed with a variety of different authors every night. 🙂 Happy reading all!