
The Book Lover’s Book Tag
A new month calls for another Book Tag. I found this Book Lover’s Tag on Of Reading and Random Things, so read her post here, and let me know if you fill it out yourself!
Do you have a specific place for reading?
I prefer a couch or a cozy easy chair, but I’ll read anywhere. Except in a moving vehicle (planes included) because motion sickness usually comes before I can finish one sentence.
Bookmarks or random pieces of paper?
Both! I have some lovely bookmarks that I’ve purchased or been given as gifts, but I will never hesitate to grab the closest piece of junk mail, scrap piece of paper, receipt, or what have you to mark my place in a book.
Can you just stop anywhere or must it be at the end of the chapter?
The end of the chapter. Not to say that I have never “just stopped anywhere,” but I like completing a chapter so I don’t have to go back and refresh my memory in the middle of a paragraph or page.
Do you eat or drink while reading?
Drink, yes; eat, no. Coffee (tea on occasion) and wine are some of books’ best companions. But between a beverage, a book, a notebook, and writing utensils, adding food (and the inevitable napkin) is too disruptive to me. Plus, food breaks are a good excuse for getting up (moving around, stretching) and for checking in on #bookstagram.
Music or TV while reading?
Neither. Talking, singing, beats, and images are too distracting, so I usually just open a window or turn on a fan if I need a little background noise.
One book at a time or several?
Several, to my disdain. I wish I could read one book front to back without starting another book halfway through, but I’ve never been able to. I need options and variety!
Do you prefer to read at home or elsewhere?
At home. Living in a rural area means there aren’t too many close-by options for reading, so home is always the best bet (and most comfortable, of course).
Read out loud or silently?
Poetry: out loud.
Paragraphs or passages I love: out loud.
Everything else/the majority of the time: silently.
Do you read ahead or skip pages?
I’ll admit that I skipped some pages of the long end speech in Atlas Shrugged, and I have spoiled the endings of books for myself because I was either too anxious to wait or I wasn’t feeling the book. But it’s not a habitual behavior.
Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?
These are extreme opposites, aren’t they? I’m not sure this necessarily means breaking the spine; maybe just opening/reading the book enough that the spine shows wear? I’ve never literally broken the spine of a book – the horror! But I don’t mind if the spines look like the books have been opened.
[Did you know there is a technical way to open a book? Click here to find out how to do it correctly. 😉]
Do you write in your books?
YES! I cannot believe some people are against this. Some of the editions I own will never have writing in them, but that’s why I buy mass market/multiple editions – so I can take notes! How do some readers not underline, or exclaim, or signal important lines alongside the text of their books?! I will never understand. My writing utensil of choice is a pencil and not a pen, to prevent ink bleeding and spotting of course, but in a pinch I’ll use a pen or even a highlighter.
You can share your thoughts about my answers in the comments, or fill out this book tag yourself – let me know if you do. Happy reading and book tagging!

23 Comments
Lucy Mitchell
Loved this. Especially the point at not stopping mid chapter – made me smile
kmac14
Thank you! 🙂
Ritu
I do love a good book tag post!!!!
kmac14
They are a lot of fun to fill out!
Ritu
True dat!
fancypaperblog
Quite a nice book tag! Enjoyed reading it and hopefully will get to do it too x
kmac14
Thank you!
Gary
Been a while since I did this tag myself, but always nice to see other people answers. I tend to treat tags and awards are brilliant way to get to know the blogger better.
Enjoyed reading your answers 🙂
kmac14
I agree! Thanks Gary!
angelanoelauthor
I don’t think anyone could blame you for skipping those stinkin’ speeches in Atlas Shrugged. I really wanted to power through them, but I am absolutely certain I did the same thing. I never thought of adding some background noise, like a fan, to my reading environment. That sounds like a great idea! I love this tag. For some reason, learning more about a person’s reading habits is more helpful to getting to know them than a lot of other “get to know you” type things out there.
kmac14
I’m glad I’m not alone!
I agree with you – and it’s a lot of fun to fill them out!
josypheen
I don’t make notes in books unless I am actually studying them. So, I might have some notes in history books or Japanese textbooks from school, but I have never felt the need to make notes when I am reading for fun…
kmac14
I do it so I can remember quotes and important parts – because I’m horrible at remembering without notes. To each their own, of course!
josypheen
It does make the book look loved. When I’ve bought second hand books I sort of love to see what the person before me liked/commented.
kmac14
That can certainly be a nice find!
fancypaperblog
I have nearly finished my post on this topic! I will publish in next few days and tag you in it. Thank you!
kmac14
Can’t wait to read it!
fancypaperblog
Won’t be long?
Steph
I also have the bad habit of reading several books at once. I just love all the books I can’t help it! Although right now I am commuting myself to game of thrones and nothing else.
kmac14
It’s one habit I wish I could kick – although it seems to get worse as I get older…good luck to you! 🙂
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johnrieber
I have two favorite bookmarks: one is a Tokyo subway ticket, the other a receipt from a New York Times Square Internet shop that no longer exists…those are great bookmarks!
Kelsey
Oh those are great bookmarks – such treasures!