Lists like this exist in a lot of places on the Internet, but these problems speak to the true heart of any book lover so I’d like to share my top ten book lover problems.
1. When you finish a book and have to wait a year (or longer) for the sequel. As an author, I appreciate the difficulty of cranking out more than one novel a year, but as a reader I want them to appear more frequently–maybe monthly? weekly?
2. When someone says you read too much. Who are they to decide on ‘too much’? Do they play too many video games or spend too much time on sports? Obviously, ‘too much time’ is an irrelevant notion to a true lover of books.
3. When you forget to eat or sleep because a book is so good. Or you do fall asleep and dream yourself into the story. Ah, exquisite torture!
4. When someone interrupts your reading. I remember one of the Harry Potter books that was released on my birthday. I received the book as a gift, but also uninterrupted time to read it. I curled on the couch and lost myself for twelve hours. Bliss.
5. When someone asks you to pick your favorite book and you can’t pick just one. My students are always asking for my favorite book. I can say I love historical fiction and fantasy, but once I start remembering great books the titles spill from me. Choosing one just seems unfair to the rest of them.
6. When someon tells you they don’t like to read. My first reaction is, “Oh, we’ll change THAT by the end of the year!” And we usually do. If not, I am truly saddened.
7. When your favorite character dies. In one book, it’s unexpected, but if you’ve followed a character through a series then that character’s death is a blow.
8. When someone spoils the ending of a book. Sure, I’ll continue to read it anyway, but something special is missing if I already know how it’s going to go. I don’t tell you the score of the game you recorded, do I?
9. When you lend someone a book and get it back in terrible condition or not al all. As a teacher, I lend books every day. I see students laying them face down on the desk or stuffing them inside it. Covers get rumpled and torn. I don’t mind well-loved usage, but neglect gets me angry. Even worse is if it’s not returned at all. It’s not unusual for me to lose 100 books a year out of my classroom library.
10. When a book makes you cry in public and everyone thinks you’re crazy. One of the books I sometimes read aloud to my class is Where the Red Fern Grows. I have a big note on it: Don’t read chapter 19 aloud! That is the chapter where the boy’s beloved dogs die, and I simply can’t read it without crying. Every time.
That’s my top ten. Which resonated with you? Do you have any other book lover problems? feel free to share in comments!