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We all know someone who always has their nose in a book—or maybe you are that someone. Bookworms are often seen as quiet, introspective types, but behind the pages lies a world of quirky rituals, secret habits, and surprising behaviors. Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just getting started, here are 10 unexpected reading habits that reveal the secret lives of book lovers.
1. Sniffing Books Is a Real Thing
Yes, it’s true. Many bookworms can’t resist cracking open a book and inhaling deeply. The smell of old books (vanilla-like from lignin) or the crisp scent of new pages can evoke powerful nostalgia. To a true reader, scent is part of the experience.
2. Multiple Books at Once? Absolutely.
Some readers juggle two, five, or even ten books simultaneously. A fantasy novel for escapism, a mystery for late nights, nonfiction for the morning commute—each book serves a different mood or purpose. It’s like having a literary buffet at your fingertips.
3. Re-reading Favorite Books Is a Comfort Ritual
Ask a bookworm how many times they’ve read their favorite book, and you might be shocked. Ten times? Twenty? Re-reading is like revisiting an old friend. Familiar lines, predictable outcomes—it’s the comfort food of reading.
4. That “To Be Read” Pile? It’s a Mountain
You might think avid readers have everything under control, but their TBR pile could rival Mount Everest. Buying books and reading them are two separate hobbies—and no, we’re not accepting judgment at this time.
5. They’ll Pack Books Before Clothes
Going on vacation? The average reader might spend more time choosing which books to bring than which shoes to wear. And yes, they probably pack extras “just in case” they finish one mid-trip.
6. Some Read the Last Page First (Gasp!)
Controversial but true—some readers have to know how it ends before they even begin. It helps ease anxiety, allows them to focus on the journey, or simply satisfies unbearable curiosity.
7. They “Cast” Actors in Their Heads
While reading, many bookworms mentally assign actors to the characters—sometimes even writing entire imaginary scripts. It’s like running a private Netflix series in your mind.
8. Highlighting and Annotating . . . for Fun
Dog-eared pages, color-coded tabs, sticky notes—some readers treat their books like treasured notebooks, filled with thoughts, reactions, and quotes. It’s not defacement; it’s devotion.
9. They Form Emotional Bonds with Fictional Characters
When a beloved character dies? It’s a full-blown mourning period. Some readers even avoid finishing a series because they don’t want to say goodbye. The pain is real, and so is the connection.
10. Reading Can Be a Form of Time Travel
Bookworms often lose track of time entirely. Hours pass. Meals are skipped. Sunsets missed. They enter a world so vivid and complete that reality fades into the background—and honestly, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Reading may seem like a solitary activity, but it’s one filled with wonder, emotion, and idiosyncrasies. Behind every quiet book lover is a world rich with imagination and deeply personal habits. So the next time you see someone lost in a book, remember—they’re living a secret life you might never suspect.
Which of these habits do you recognize in yourself—or your book-loving friends? Share your quirkiest reading rituals in the comments!
all of these fit me.they also fit my mother and brother. i grew up with bookworms. My children have also become bookworms. I collect books,historical WWII books by authors such as Stephen Moore, Ernie Pile, Eugene Sledge.
Mysteries, Agatha is a big favorite. Victorian era thru 1940″s english mysteries also gothic heroine mysteries. Patrica Wentworth, original Sherlock Holms, SS Van Dine, some Charles Todd and Jacqueline Winspear. I love to read and there is nothing like transporting yourself into a good story and setting. Its won of my biggest enjoyments in life.