#1 Book Storage – How do you store and organize your books?
Many of my books live in bookcases—similar to the ones pictured below—throughout the loft and on the first floor of our home. Others have found their way into old trunks, which seems especially fitting for books that carry a little history of their own.
I tend to keep my vintage and antique books in bookcases where I can easily see and reach them. I love having them close by, ready to pull down and hold whenever the mood strikes.
My ebooks and audiobooks have their own little home, too. I keep them organized in a folder on my laptop, where they’re always waiting for the next reading adventure.
#2: Tracking – How do you keep track of what you have read and what books you own?
My blog is where I share the books I’ve recently read and reviewed, but my TBR (to-be-read) collection is a whole different story—it’s huge! There always seems to be another book waiting to be discovered, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
#3 Borrow – Do you lend your books out?
Yes...but only to mom and close friends.
#4 Buying – How do you buy or acquire your books?
I tend to buy and read whatever catches my interest. My reading life has always been guided by curiosity—if a book sparks something in me, I want to read it. I’m also fortunate that publishers, literary agents, and authors often send books and ebooks my way, introducing me to stories and writers I might not have discovered on my own. It’s one of the things I love most about being a book blogger: there is always another book waiting to find me.
When family members and co-workers request a gift list from me, books are always at the top of my list followed by coffee beans, teas, and taffy.
I enjoy purchasing from independent bookstores and like to browse bookshelves and while exploring, I often read.
#5 Comments – How do you respond to the “How do you read so much” comment or similar comments?
I make time for reading and usually spend at least 10 hours a week with a book. But my love of reading doesn’t stop there. I’m always reading something—news articles, magazines, and whatever else catches my attention. For me, reading has never been something I do only at certain times; it’s simply part of my everyday life.
#6 Next Book – How do you pick your next read?
I tend to go with whatever floats my boat—whatever speaks to me in the moment. I don’t really have a set formula for choosing my next book.
This afternoon, I found myself hanging out at the bookshop, doing what I love best—wandering the shelves and seeing what caught my eye. I came across a copy of Fire From Heaven and decided to read a few pages of the first chapter. Something about it grabbed my attention, and before long, I knew I wanted to take it home with me. So, into the stack it went!
#7 Travel – How do you pick what book(s) you bring on vacation with you?
When traveling, I generally have a tablet and a laptop with me.
I frequently read ebooks or carry along a book on poetry or nature.
#8 Annotate – Do you write, highlight, or mark up your books in any way?
No! Oddly enough, I don’t write or highlight in the books I own. I say “oddly” because I actually love buying previously owned books, and many of them come with someone else’s notes, underlining, and little marks from the readers who came before me. I find those markings rather charming and sometimes even enjoy wondering what caught their attention.
The one exception is a Bible I received as a teenager. That book holds some of my own notes and reflections, making it especially meaningful to me.
For my other books, I keep a journal nearby where I can jot down thoughts as I read. And if I know I’m planning to write a review, I’ll often take notes—sometimes by hand, sometimes by typing—as I make my way through the book. It’s my way of capturing those little thoughts and feelings while they’re still fresh.
#9 New or Backlist – Which do you prefer, new releases or backlist books?
I usually go with whatever synopsis catches my attention. I read quite a few backlist books, but I’m also fortunate to receive advance reader copies and new releases to read and review, so there’s always something interesting waiting for me.
When I think about my very favorite reads, though, I think it has less to do with when the book was published and more to do with the writing itself—and how the story happens to fit into my life at that particular moment. Sometimes a book simply finds you when you need it, and those are often the ones that stay with you.
#10 Sequels – Do you read books as they are released or wait for an entire series to be published before reading 1 book?
I generally read books as they’re being released, but I also love discovering books that have been around for a while. One thing I never do is limit myself to just a handful of authors. There are simply too many wonderful books out there, and I’d hate to miss one that might be exactly the book I need at that particular moment.
#11 Do you use bookmarks?
Yes, I use bookmarks - but not these that were a handcrafted gift.
I hope you find new or old books to love