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Readers possess many qualities that puzzle non-book readers. While non-readers may not be able to wrap their minds around our actually liking books and wanting to carry them everywhere we go, we don’t spare these traits a second thought. We know that reading is amazing and that readers are the greatest people. Hands down, we’d build a team of book lovers to have our backs in an emergency because, quite simply, readers are the best. I even made a list of all the things readers are best at below just to prove it. How many of these things sound like you?
- Readers are the best romantic partners. (Really, science says so. It must be all the romances we read.)
- Readers are the best listeners. (We listen with our eyes as well as our ears. Although, there might be a couple thoughts about the latest book we’re reading bouncing around in the back of our minds.)
- Readers are the best at balancing books in weird positions. (If you haven’t shifted to at least 27 different positions during one reading session, are you even a real reader?)
- Readers are the best at losing track of time in bookstores. (Let me loose in a bookstore and centuries will pass by unnoticed.)
- Readers have the best memories. (Do you think it’s easy to remember every plot from every book we’ve ever read since the first grade?)
- Readers are the best at reducing stress. (Lots of studies have proven that reading reduces stress. Apparently, reading six minutes a day keeps the doctor away.)
- Readers are the best at coming up with comebacks (. . . 6 hours after the fact.)
- Readers are the best at multitasking. (reading while walking, reading while cooking, reading while cleaning, etc.).
- Readers are the best at whipping out a book at a moment’s notice. (Five minute wait for the bus? Let me grab my book. Two minute wait for the cashier? Let me grab my book.)
- Readers are the best at letting you have alone time. (Seriously, take all the alone time you need. I’ll always have more books to read!)
- Readers are the best at creating vivid scenes in their heads. (Television ain’t got nothing on me!)
- Readers are the best at becoming just as emotionally invested in fictional characters’ lives as they are their friends and family. (They’re real to me.)
- Readers are the best at finding typos in books. (But if the story’s good, we won’t judge too harshly.)
- Readers are the best at making last-minute excuses to cancel plans. (It’s no surprise that readers are also considered some of the most creative people.)
- Readers are also the best at pulling through when you really need them. (Partly because we’re always home, partly because we’re very empathetic, and partly because we’ve read a book that’s prepared us for the situation.)
- Readers are the best at turning any nook, cranny, or flat surface into book storage solutions. (Anything can be a bookshelf with the right mindset!)
- Readers are the best at saying “I have nothing to read” when there are full bookshelves and an ereader in front of them. (What? It’s true.)
- Readers are the best at empathizing. (And literary fiction is said to increase empathy the most.)
- Readers are the best daydreamers. (Because we need something to fill the time between reading sessions.)
- Readers are the best at losing bookmarks. (And using literally anything else as bookmarks in their place.)
- Readers are the best at being patient. (Unless they’re waiting for the next book in a series.)
- Readers are the best at spotting the differences between books and movies (or television series).
- Readers are the best at Scrabble and other word games. (Usually . . .)
- Readers are the best at budgeting (if only to maximize their book-purchasing capacity).
- Readers are the best at being fashionably late. (Sorry, I just had to make it to a good stopping place!)
- Readers are the best writers. (Never trust an author who doesn’t read.)
- Readers are the best at recommending books. (Duh!)
- Readers are the best at taking care of their books. (There will be no broken spines or dog-eared pages in this house.)
- And last, but not least, readers are the absolute best at reading!
Things readers aren’t the best at:
Even with all the great things that readers rock at, we are still human. Below are a few things that readers aren’t always the best at.
- Readers aren’t the best at understanding why others don’t like to read. (“But you’ve tried it right? Like, you’ve actually read the book? And you still didn’t like it?”)
- Readers aren’t the best at putting books down. (The only valid reasons to interrupt me are: 1. My books are on fire, 2. A child is crying, 3. You want to take me to the store to buy more books.)
- Readers aren’t always the best at waiting until the end of a book to read the end of the book. (Sometimes I just need to make sure reading the whole book will be worth it.)
- Readers aren’t always the best at not judging a book by its cover. (But we are great at seeking forgiveness when we have misjudged a book.)
- Readers are not always the best at going to bed on time. (Just one more chapter!)
- Readers are not the best at pronouncing the names they’ve only ever seen in books. (“So that’s how you say it . . .”)
- Readers aren’t good at not taking it personally when you say you hate a favorite book. (Insulting me is fine. Insulting my favorite book is asking for war.)
- Readers are not very good at picking a favorite book. (You can’t seriously mean just one?)
- Readers are not the best at keeping their cool when they realize there aren’t enough pages left to tie up all the loose ends. (Hold up, she’s just barely walking into the castle, and there are only 9 pages left?!)
- Readers are not very good at packing lightly. (I need a plane book, a beach book, a hotel book, a car book, and backup books in every genre!)
- Readers are not always the best at forgiving someone who borrowed a book and forgot to return it. (Or, even worse, returned it tattered.)
- Readers aren’t the best at forgiving authors for killing their favorite characters. (I still burst into tears occasionally.)
- Readers are not the best at organizing their bookshelves without becoming distracted by a book. (Five years and several books later, my shelves are finally organized! Now where to put these new books . . .)
Can you relate to these things book lovers are best and not best at? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy reading!
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Loved both sets of ‘the best at’ and ‘aren’t the best at’ lists!
Have to admit that – 45+yrs later – I STILL haven’t forgiven my younger sister for purloining my ‘very precious and extensive collection of Enid Blyton’s’ when I first left home ………………………… She even had the audacity to cross-out MY name and address from inside the front covers and replace them with her OWN name (and same address) in her own handwriting.
Enid Blyton! I loved the Famous Five and the Secret Seven.
I was definitely ‘THERE’ with The Famous Five in all their adventures – maybe something to do with me growing up ‘as an only child’ with my grandparents, despite having younger siblings. My other personal favourites were ‘The Barney Series’ (all began with ‘R’) and the ‘Adventure Series’ (with Kiki the cockatoo). I also enjoyed books by Malcolm Saville – especially the Lone Pine Books.
Please tell me you eventually repossessed those books. Even defaced as they are with those writings inside them, they should be worth a little fortune to you in sentimental value.
Unfortunately, I never got them back from my younger sister – though I have since ‘re-acquired’ most of them from various sources over through the past 45+ years.
However, a couple of years ago, ‘baby sis’ bought me a First Edition of Rockingdown Mystery by Enid Blyton from a bookshop in Hay-on-Wye as a christmas present ………………….. she is now forgiven ;-)!
While reading what “readers are good at” I couldn’t believe all the things actually, honestly,and “right on the spot” describe me. Thank you for making my day!
Readers are the best at finding typos in books. (But if the story’s good, we won’t judge too harshly.)
Speak for yourself! It offends me that someone who purports to be a professional (publishing a book for pay makes them a professional) doesn’t take the care to do so professionally and get these typos professionally removed.
If they don’t care enough to remove those pesky typos or get them removed by a third party, then I don’t feel it my duty to read what they wrote. Furthermore, I will tell all my friends to not bother with their work.
As an author, they should aspire to a higher code of conduct. When this conduct is the composition and dissemination of literary works, such errors and not caring about them is not acceptable.
Thank you! Very entertaining and 100% true.
Yeah, put me down for #3 and #12 on the things not good at list. I stopped reading the Harry Potter series after they killed Sirius Black.
I love this, so true especially points 4/17 and 20 in the good at and I love point 3 in the not so good at. I am so glad there is someone else out there that does that. My book group think I am so very strange for reading the end. I just don’t like surprises and need to be prepared if there is stress involved! Having said that now I have a kindle I always have more books more compact as well as paperbacks. My husband hates it …. Wishing you the best and happy happy reading
Here’s another one (although you briefly touched on it)…Readers are the best and calmest ones waiting in a long line! I NEVER go to the post office without my Kindle!
Amen! I once read an entire book while waiting in lines at Disneyland!
Can I copy this and use it? Those are so true and accurate and FUNNY. I see me, I see most of my friends and then some.
For non-commercial use you’re more than welcome to copy and share it with fellow readers! We just ask that you attribute and link back to us so other readers might find and enjoy us too.
Thanks!
I can relate to all the above. You hit the nail square on. I am every one of the above definitions
All of the above are soooooooo true!!!! These statements describe me so well!
Amen.
As a person who reads paperbacks, hardcovers, and has 2 Kindles, a Nook, an iPad, a laptop and a desk top…with Kindle apps on all…I proudly say…’I Am A Reader!’
My husband thinks it’s an obsession…but I can’t figure out why that’s a problem!
Yes! Say it proud! Just make sure to remind the hubby that there are far worst things to be obsessed with. 🙂
I love the feel of a real book you don’t get with a kindle. The smell, feel, the look of a book is comforting. Book stores, new or used are wonderful. I have a kindle {which I love} really good for reading late after my husband goes to sleep{doesn’t wake him up}. I always ave a book with me.
Well said! I’ll never stop loving real books, but the convenience of an ereader has definitely found it’s place in my life as well.
Just ask the people at Amazon to put that into one of the next incarnations of their Kindle and it may eventually happen. After all, if Jeff Bezos can spend 40 million on an eternity clock [look it up under jeff bezos + eternity clock] he can make this one simple wish come true to sell more book ereaders.
This was a rather funny read.
I agree with most of those but you forgot a couple…Readers are great at cocktail parties because they can chat about any topic and/or can be heard saying “I read a book about that…” And of course Readers invariably can spot other Readers and can be overheard saying “Did you really like….” Or “That’s my FAVORITE book on (insert topic)……” Traders can order any food from any country due to ,”reading about it once” or describing an odor by saying “I read about that once…. I know what it smells like!It was in (insert book title)”
Great ideas! I may have to go back and work a couple in when I have the time. Thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love talking about books. I save book/reading quotes and cartoons. My newest cartoon is from Pickles – Opal says to Earl, “When did ‘one more chapter’ become 6 AM?” That could almost be me, but my very patient husband helps. Years ago after work our son (also an avid reader) and I stopped at the local book warehouse before Christmas. Of course time flew and when we tried to leave the highway was backed up for miles due to an accident. My husband was home waiting for us and on the news saw a car fire on our route. None of us had cell phones at the time so we couldn’t call to let him know we were safe, He was very concerned until we got home hours later than usual.
Thanks for sharing, Janice! Those book stores will get you every time 😉
I agree with most of what readers aren’t good at. I had many laughs and eye rolls. You have a great imagination and all true.
I had to laugh at some of these. I think I would actually do without food if it were a choice between that and a new book. The Kindle has solved one problem. I used to have a book in the bathroom, one by my bed, one in the car and one I would carry around! They used to tell me world war 3 could break out right on my street and I wouldn’t know it. Not to mention the wonderful friends I made and new worlds I have explored through books!
Thanks for sharing! There’s definitely been a few nights where I skipped dinner because I didn’t want to have to take a break from my book long enough to cook dinner. But that only happens with the really good books.
Describes me to a T, so I must be not only a reader but one of the BEST READERS.
Absolutely!
I didn’t realize you know me personally! You described me to a tee. I started reading about age 3 and have been an avid reader ever since. I have been known to read phone books and dictionaries when I finish the last new book on my shelf.
My problem is,when I have read a book, I remember the plot and, sometimes, some of the dialogue so I have difficulty rereading most books. I donate all the books I don’t pass on to family and friends to the library. They’re happy to have them otherwise I would have no furniture, just books!
You might be an even more avid reader than me! I have yet to read a phone book, but I also have a book buying problem that hasn’t let me run out of new book to read for years. I love that you pass on and donate your books! I’m trying to do that more often, but I just get so attached to my books.
I absolutely Loved this article! Another favorite side effect of being an avid reader is Never Feeling Alone. When I was a single mother of five (all who love reading), reading was my escape, now that they are all grown and I’m living alone, books are some of my best friends. Thank you for the positivity expressed in this article!
Thanks for sharing your story, Virginia! Books have also made me feel less alone during hard times in my life.
Good at: 12. I am totally involved in my books.
Not good at: 12. Do not kill off my favourite character, I may not read that author’s books again – ever.
Sometimes, I like to pretend that certain deaths didn’t happen and make up new endings in my head. There’s nothing wrong with living in denial, right?
Me too Sarah. I guess we are all authors in our own minds. Of course I will read his books again but one particular book has stayed with me for months. And I cry, again. Silly really, it is only a story but I get so involved I am right there.
Yikes! Did someone follow me around and take notes?! Or did my husband rat me out?
I’d have to say most of these points fit me to a T. *blushing profusely* I have no defense, I am the list and the list is me!
Hubby said he’d have bury me with my eReader or I’d be back to haunt him later.
Then you and I are kindred spirits! Thanks for sharing. Your comments made me laugh.
I drive the people in my car crazy, even when I’m the driver, because I’m constantly reading the signs along the road and pointing out strange things about them. I can’t help it, they just catch my eye and I blurt it out. Ya gotta share, right?
Thanks for your responses, Gail! If I don’t have a book on me, I too will read any object with words on it. However, I will say that having books on my phone has greatly decreased the number of shampoo bottles I’ve found myself reading as of late.
If there’s no book in a room where I have to wait, God forbid, such as a doctor office, or someone else’s bathroom, I read anything around, lables, packages, grafitti, etc.
You’re right on track, I match most of them!
I disagree with the no dog eared book in my house comment. No dog ears means there is no REAL reader in the house.Some of us have done that, as we were in apprenticeship as a real reader and have kept the books to prove it! Though as we advanced we learned about bookmarks and envelopes shoved into the spot we needed to mark.Where did I put my electricity bill or will.
To each their own! I’ll admit that I grew up dog earring books, but now that I’m older I’ve taken a different approach. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I can identify with 99% of these! (However, to get around No. 10 “not very good at packing lightly”–my Kindle solved that problem. However, I still have to have some printed reading material in case the battery dies on the Kindle : )
Of course! You can never trust those batteries. Even when you bring several extra pocket chargers. 😉
Forget the pocket chargers if you mean the plug-in-the-wall USB chargers there isn’t always a plug near you, unless you mean the ones which are essentially just a backup battery. For those of you who are interested, go to aliexpress dot com and look up power bank battery case and also 18650 batteries. Combine the two and away you go. For the batteries, look into the 18650 batteries with a capacity of 8000 mAh. Have fun.
This pretty much describes me especially staying up late to read “just one more chapter”.
Me too. I have been known to stay up after 4 am because I have to know….
These are all so true. You nailed it!
Guilty…especially the 3am just one more chapter…
guilty of all those crimes 🙂
Guilty, as charged!
This is so right on ! Loved this, thank you for sharing. I think it needs printed and put in my library.
Thank you! And feel free. 🙂
There have to be more! I am addicted to reading. Very good article. But there have to be more.
Here is one. A bathroom book! Maybe this is only a special group of readers. My father was one so it is in my genes.
There are at least one magazine and/or book in each of my bathrooms. I mean, why waste the time?
You’re absolutely right! I have bathroom books, too!
Me too!
Since I went digital, I put all my books in one or two tablets and they follow me wherever I go, bathroom, bed, or even sofa.
Guilty on all counts!
17. I always always have something to read, and am rarely bored. Even a bad book has me practicing my editing skills.
20. Working at a library, someone returned a book with a strip of raw bacon used as a bookmark!! Of course they bought a new book.
Raw bacon?? And I’d thought I’d seen it all!
Yup, raw bacon. I guess it was the right shape and size!