Sign in with Facebook
20 Problems Only Book Lovers Understand
Non-bibliophiles don't always feel your pain…but you're among friends here! We asked on Facebook and Twitter: What's a problem only book lovers understand? We got more than 1,000 amazing responses. Check out some of our favorites and share your own bookish struggles in the comments.
1. "The urge to buy books even though you still have too many books to read at home." Rie VdWarth
2. "Feeling sad for people who don't really exist." Kimberly Moniz
3. "RUNNING OUT OF SHELF SPACE!!!" Kim
4. "Getting interrupted when you are on the last few pages of a book." Sobe Daya
5. "The book hangover. When a good book finishes but you can't start a new one because you're still too immersed in the last book to move on." Meagan Lewis
6. "Wanting every book in a library section but knowing it is impossible to read all of them." Richard Azia
7. "Waiting so long for a sequel that you forget what happened in the first book." Jessica Luong
8. "When you're lying in bed and it's all cold in your room—and the hand holding the book freezes to death, even though the rest of you is warm under the blankets." Alina Marie Swan
9. "Finishing a book and having to wait a whole year to read the next in the series." Sarah Scanion
10. "Trying to keep the book dry while reading in the bath." Patricia Boland
11. "Ordering a book online and getting the book with the movie cover. A book with a movie cover just doesn't feel the same." Anna RN
12. "Not being able to read and eat lunch at the same time because you don't have a third arm." Bernadette
13. "When someone borrows your book and doesn't return it for ages!" Pallavi B
14. "Deciding. Which. Book. To. Read. First." Monique Balsamo
15. "Getting to a 'can't stop reading' spot in the book and it's 3:00am." Joan Chesley
16. "When you have a book with you, but it's not the one you wanted to read right then." Virginia Osborne
17. "Being forced to stop reading by other obligations, but choosing to ignore those obligations. Then getting in trouble." Feel Like Fangirling
18. "Packing for a trip and never being able to bring enough books." Erika Gallion
19. "Having a book fall on your face because you're reading on your back while holding the book up." Manuel Cedillo
20. And the ultimate book lovers' dilemma: "So many books, so little time." Navy Reading
Don't see your reader-specific problem? Share it with your fellow Goodreads members in the comments! Chances are you'll find someone (or many someones) who feel your book pain.
Check out more recent blogs:
7 Great Books Hitting Shelves This Week
Your Most Successful Book Club Picks
Readers to the Rescue: Your Best Book Club Tips
(Top image credit: Illustration by Quentin Blake for Roald Dahl's Matilda.)
Comments Showing 851-900 of 922 (922 new)
I Try to walk and read and end up walking into some one or something. I think all of these apply to me. Another one is getting told you can't get another copy of the same book even though that copy has a different cover and you just need it
Steampunk wrote: "I think some school libraries are the worst. First off, let's say the only have the first book in the series . Excuse, so now I have to go to my own library and read the rest. Also poor quality of ..."Every school library has a meeting to discuss the changes they can make and students are allowed to go. I'm not sure how often the meetings are, but you could go and tell them to get the next books in some series.
JoAnn wrote: "Funny no-one has mentioned the vortex that book stores have. I cannot pass a book store without getting sucked into the store, it is like I have no control over my body.And as for downloading the ..."
Yes for your first point and I can spend hours in there and for me, it's the same thing with libraries.
Ethan wrote: "All of the above apply to me......EVERY SINGLE DAY!!"Me too!! Smh
I go back and re-read books and I have a stack of books that have yet to be read. I always return to my favorites.I also have more books than space to keep them. I even keep electronic copies of books I haven't been able to find in print on paper.
I also have about five books at various stages of completion at any given moment and it drives my wife crazy that I can keep track of that many books at the same time. I don't multi-task very well but I can multi-read like a champ.
Yvette wrote: "Sitting in public reading and you come across a funny witty passage! You laugh out loud and people look at you as if you've lost your marbles."oh! gosh! that happens ALL the time in class!
My problem is when I see a book and check the back for a summary, it's just reviews.
Or when you read a series so quickly that you can't remember which book a scene is from.
All I can do when I read all of the comments is nod my head and think I am not alone! My biggest problem is I read on average about 80 books a year. I have about that many books on my shelves just waiting to be read, and here I am checking out books from the library! AAAAARRRGH!
Jeffery wrote: "All I can do when I read all of the comments is nod my head and think I am not alone! My biggest problem is I read on average about 80 books a year. I have about that many books on my shelves just ..."i will say that i last year a read over 250 books! this year i am trying to read 300!. who ever thought and created digital books is a GOD to me! because my poor little book shelves would no be able to hold them! 😂
and CURSE! good reads for ever creating the the READING CHALLENGE! i am WAY to competitive to let it get the best of me and not finish it!
Stephanie wrote: "i will say that i last year a read over 250 books! this year i am trying to read 300!. ..."How do you do it?! Impressive!
Jeffery wrote: "I have about that many books on my shelves just waiting to be read, and here I am checking out books from the library! AAAAARRRGH! ..."I have a similar problem; my "to read" list keeps growing and growing. I do read books from my list, but I always find other books to read instead or to add to the list. I really should have a better balance between reading books on my list and reading books not on my list.
Jasmine wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "i will say that i last year a read over 250 books! this year i am trying to read 300!. ..."How do you do it?! Impressive!"
honestly, any chance I get when I not studying, so any type of break from school ! I go HARD! lol and I read a lot of series so it helps out too because I have no patience in waiting! it doesn't help that can access my kindle on every device I own!!! lol!!!
One of my barriers is time, of course, but I just couldn't physically read that much! My eyes get tired!
Jasmine wrote: "One of my barriers is time, of course, but I just couldn't physically read that much! My eyes get tired!"oh they definitely get TIRED but I am usually to engrossed to put it down.
plus not a big tv or movie/ social media fan. This is probably the only thing close to social media I get! lol!
Jasmine wrote: I have a similar problem; my "to read" list ..."I feel ya!
Princess Lauren wrote: "When people ask "what are you reading" and then try and grab your books."UGHHH NOOOOOO
Lol the article pointed out most problems books lovers facing.So much books on my Waiting list!!! :(
I will come back to comment on this once...I find
the strategy to achieve my reading goal for this year to share it with you guys...
Well, there's one problem not mentioned here- when you lend someone a book and they finally return it, the book's in tatters!For crying out- if u borrow something, have the courtesy to take care of said borrowed object, especially if it is a book.
Every one of them (except reading in the bathtub) AND:* Taking a book EVERYWHERE you go. I took one to my 8th grade graduation dance. I still take one every time I leave the house.
* Being glad that you have a smart phone because it has a Kindle app and even if you forget your physical book, you never have to be without a book to read.
Stephanie wrote: "Yvette wrote: "Sitting in public reading and you come across a funny witty passage! You laugh out loud and people look at you as if you've lost your marbles."oh! gosh! that happens ALL the time i..."
But what is worse is when you start crying because a character gets killed, but you are on the 'L' coming home from work and so you try to hide the fact that you are crying.
Just so you know, if you have problems finding out what to read next go to tumblr and search up (for example) YA books or go to this link:
http://epicreads.tumblr.com/tagged/gifs
and scroll util you see the gif that switches book titles
http://epicreads.tumblr.com/tagged/gifs
and scroll util you see the gif that switches book titles
JoAnn wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Yvette wrote: "Sitting in public reading and you come across a funny witty passage! You laugh out loud and people look at you as if you've lost your marbles."But what is worse is when you start crying because a character gets killed..."
I read a lot on public transit, and when I read something that is particularly horrifying or terrible, I'll definitely make faces! I'm in public, but I don't care!
Ruqsar wrote: "Well, there's one problem not mentioned here- when you lend someone a book and they finally return it, the book's in tatters!For crying out- if u borrow something, have the courtesy to take care o..."
I will never lend my mom a book ever again; she cannot be trusted!
Jasmine wrote: "Ruqsar wrote: "Well, there's one problem not mentioned here- when you lend someone a book and they finally return it, the book's in tatters!For crying out- if u borrow something, have the courtesy..."
If I find a book that I particularly like and think about sharing it with friends and relatives I purchase two copies one for myself and one to lend out.
Tom wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "Ruqsar wrote: "Well, there's one problem not mentioned here- when you lend someone a book and they finally return it, the book's in tatters!For crying out- if u borrow something, h..."
Good idea! Has been used a couple of centuries already:)
I get defensive when someone criticizes one of my favorite fictional characters in a book review.
Katy wrote: "I get defensive when someone criticizes one of my favorite fictional characters in a book review."You get the highest mark for devotion!
I hate it whenever they kill off my favorite-- major and/or minor-- "good guy and/or good girl" characters for no ...really good... reason and make it scary and/ or gruesome.
to all those who get upset when I break the spine of a book. I do it to my own books, not those owned by others. The reason for breaking the spine is that if you read a small book which has 753 pages you simply cannot read it properly without giving yourself an RSI unless you have the guts to break the spine and open the book right up so it can reveal its story. I live the stories in my books with the characters. I do not "preserve" my books for prosperity so that one day when I have let go of them some other sucker can buy it for a buck from a jumble sale and read it at ease and think how lucky he was to have found a book in such good condition. If I read a book I am in there, nose and all. And I break the spine with reckless abandon. You can keep your books all tidy and nice - I don't mind, all the better when I get your old book for a buck from the jumble sale table and can break its spine so I can read it properly. Go ahead, hold your books in the most careful ways possible so you get a crick in your neck and sore thumbs. A book is a friend to be read and live through all the tough pages and the sobby pages with. My books show we've been through the story together.
Any wrote: "to all those who get upset when I break the spine of a book. I do it to my own books, not those owned by others. The reason for breaking the spine is that if you read a small book which has 753 pa..."
Fair enough, after all. Thanks for frankness.
The one thing I hate most is when Hollywood takes a book an makes a movie. They rewrite the story line just to make a buck. If they are going to do that, please read the book first. Example: Fifty Shade of Gray. That is one book that can not be told the way you see it while you are reading the series. Shame on people who never read the books Hollywood turns into movies.
Any wrote: "to all those who get upset when I break the spine of a book. I do it to my own books, not those owned by others. The reason for breaking the spine is that if you read a small book which has 753 pa..."
I agree with you 100% A book is for your enjoyment. Not to be kept on a shelf. P.S. If you borrow a book form the Library, remember someone will want to read it next. So please take care while you read books you borrow from the public library.
Katy wrote: "I get defensive when someone criticizes one of my favorite fictional characters in a book review."I read Uncle Tom's Cabin last year. People often use the term Uncle Tom as an insult but Uncle Tom was a character to admire.
Any wrote: "to all those who get upset when I break the spine of a book. I do it to my own books, not those owned by others. The reason for breaking the spine is that if you read a small book which has 753 pa..."
I agree with you 100% on what a book is for, and if you own that copy do what you want. Maybe I will make an exception for rare but worthwhile books. When my daughter was done with The Road by Cormac McCarthy she asked "Dad can I burn this book?" Actually it is not that bad, but she was taking a HS frosh Honors class that should have been titled How to Take Pleasure Out of Reading.
Norma wrote: "The one thing I hate most is when Hollywood takes a book an makes a movie. They rewrite the story line just to make a buck. If they are going to do that, please read then book first. Example: Fifty..."I totally agree. Sometimes they change the original so much it is barely recognizable just so it fits into the american standard of "stupid young pretty girl is totally smitten by hunky young hero guy". I find it offensive when it's done that way. One good example is "Eragon" in the book Eragon is totally in love with this almost self-assured slightly goth strong warrior fairy type woman who is older than Eragon. He pursues her and tries his hardest to win her over. She is a totally strong dark haired woman almost Zena like. In the movie they turned her into the skinny pretty girl from next door who when Eragon mounts his dragon asks "Will I ever see you again" (sigh). Totally not the right way round. But it sells better. ARGH!. Same with the Dresden Files. In this case the guy picks the "outwardly better looking girl" giving us the old message "you had better be pretty enough of you'll get tossed by the wayside". He, Dresden is watching a video with a normal looking nice girlfriend. The disguised vampire "drops in" looking sexy and beautiful. In the book Dresden makes the girlfriend leave for her own safety while he puts a spell on the vampire which makes her reveal her own ugly real self (vulture). In the movie, he sends his girlfriend packing because the vampire is much prettier and he opens a bottle of wine to spend the night with her. ARGH!!! ARGH. I always prefer the book. Must say that some movies really are well done and are sticking to the books like glue. Twilight and Harry Potter were two examples. They really didn't change anything at all. Stuck to the script as much as one can confronted with a rather large, long book and only 2 hours to show what's in it.
Steven wrote: "I too suffer from most of the mentioned problems, most notably lack of shelf space. We have remodeled twice now to increase shelf space. Now we either need another, major remodel or a move to an al..."I agree wholeheartedly! E-readers are nice for convenience but they will never replace a good physical book. For my 19th birthday the only thing I DID NOT WANT was an e-reader. Now I use it sometimes but mostly just for books that are digital copy only.
Jasmine wrote: "Ruqsar wrote: "Well, there's one problem not mentioned here- when you lend someone a book and they finally return it, the book's in tatters!For crying out- if u borrow something, have the courtesy..."
My mother was a teacher and always told me to never judge a book by its cover. I bought a book when I was a teenager with a semi-graphic (erotic) cover that had nothing to do with the story but she threw it away because the cover was "suggestive". After that, I never left my books where my mother could get a hold of them.
OOh, number eight of this list is the worst... I know exactly that feeling!!!!
MichelleJ wrote: "I have to disagree with number 12...SACERFICE MY LEFT ARM FOR READING!!!!!!"
Then you'll be called 'Michelle, the Mutilated Bookworm':))
I forgot my book at work. Now I don't have anything to read on the way home, on the way to work, or for the 15 minutes until my fitness class starts. Noooooo!
buying the same book multiple times because you haven't gotten to read it yet and you forgot you have it waiting on the shelf....
Zoe wrote: "OOh, number eight of this list is the worst... I know exactly that feeling!!!!"the freezing hands syndrome. I bought myself a poncho and wear it in bed. I use the long sides to cover my hands. when it gets really cold I'll have to wear gloves. But I won't give up reading. And when it gets so bad that I can't hold the book anymore I'll resort to audio books and keep my ears warm with the headphones as well.
Or wanting to write a book and not having the skill for it. I have an amazing story and just need an ending and a person to write it.
Kristina wrote: "Or wanting to write a book and not having the skill for it. I have an amazing story and just need an ending and a person to write it."Just imagine: there is a writer precisely in Spokane and she is my friend here.
Kristina wrote: "Or wanting to write a book and not having the skill for it. I have an amazing story and just need an ending and a person to write it."I can so relate to this. I have a great story, too. But no particular talent for book writing. I have 5 chapters written, but they are lifeless and and sound like bad chick lit. :-(
Or, they have the last two but not the first one!"
YEES..."
My library does this with DVDs for TV series. So annoying!!!!