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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.)
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Any wrote: "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 stor..."
Would you mind collaboration, Any? Australia is the place I love for a reason.
Igor wrote: "Any wrote: "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 ..."
Thanks for the offer. Very kind of you. I will have to think about this. I am rather involved with a lot of projects right now and can't commit to any new things till something else gets dropped first. And all the current ones are very dear to my heart. The book has been "dormant" for a number of years now. I'm not sure if I want to dig it out right now.
Any wrote: "Igor wrote: "Any wrote: "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 ..."
I am also engaged in two translation projects, but a good challenge is often able to squeeze in. If you'll feel like it, feel free to give me a hint. Things change.
thank you, I'll keep you in mind. For now I am full up with commitments which are closer to my heart and more important.
Any wrote: "Kristina wrote: "Not having any money to buy books..."They have libraries to help you out with that problem. 1000s of books no payment required."
Yeah, but there's this special feeling about owning a book.
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 have a somewhat similar problem- i have ideas for characters, fight scenes and dialogues but can't think of a plot!!
Ruqsar wrote: "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 have a somewhat similar problem- i have id..."
I just kinda write until a plot idea comes to me, then rework parts of it if I have to.
Ruqsar wrote: "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 have a somewhat similar problem- i have id..."
Stephen King says that, when he runs short of plots, he opens The Washington Post at "miscellanea" and finds his plots rather quickly:))
Igor wrote: "Ruqsar wrote: "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 have a somewhat similar pro..."
Oh, thanks for that, Igor!
I'd have to say when you've had an amazing heart wrenching, life changing day and you just want to tell someone everything you achieved. But really you just shut yourself in your room and read a book cover to cover.
One that happens to me too many times is having to re-read pages the next day from when I fell asleep the night before.Also, even though you're dozing off making the decision to just 'put the book down' and go to sleep is so difficult!
The only 3 conditions in the list that I suffer from:1. "The urge to buy books even though you still have too many books to read at home." Rie VdWarth
6. "Wanting every book in a library section but knowing it is impossible to read all of them." Richard Azia
20. And the ultimate book lovers' dilemma: "So many books, so little time." Navy Reading
#21 Treating a book you've absolutely loved like an important relationship you've had - once it's over you don't want to start another one just yet, because "it will never be the same". And feeling the same bitterness when you do start the next book, the first few chapters - reading and thinking "you'll never be *so and so* "
Hate when people fold down the corner of a page to mark where they left off.
Norma wrote: "Hate when people fold down the corner of a page to mark where they left off."Oh man, RIGHT ON!
Norma wrote: "Hate when people fold down the corner of a page to mark where they left off."
I couldn't agree more, especially if it's a library book!
I couldn't agree more, especially if it's a library book!
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 with you on that last part. The feel of an actual book in my hands does it for me. The electronic books are not the same!!
Steven wrote: "Leah wrote: "cindy wrote: "3, 7, 15. Those are my demons.Oh, and 13, when they finally returned it, but with dog ears, food stains or worst, cracked spine. :("
Yesss!! People don't understand that..."
try better world books they often have books no one else has - but they probably have a cracked spine.
Laura wrote: "I have a few to add: - Wanting to continue your book but you really can't because student responsibilities and deadlines
- 1 word: READING SLUMP
- Going on goodreads to look up a book someone re..."
OMG I RELATE! schools that don't give time for us to read should be cancelled tbh
They have libraries to help you out with that problem. 1000s of books no payment required.