Life can be a difficult journey. There are times when a person has to overcome an anthill. For certain individuals, though, there are more problems to overcome than most people would have to face. Some problems aren’t looked upon as typical, but that doesn’t demean the problems anyway.
As self-proclaimed speaker for the community of book lovers as a whole, I have decided to allow non-book lovers a peak into what the life of a book addict is truly like. Sometimes love develops into something stronger, something that is not healthy. In the case of book lovers, that deep, dark place is becoming a book addict. The first step is to admit you have a problem, and that is what this article is about. Hi, I’m Amanda Petty, and I’m a book addict.
The first thing us book addicts need people to understand is that we cannot practice an ounce of self-control in a bookstore. If we’re out and about together, you must make sure to never allow us to enter the store with cold hard cash. Books are our vice, and entering a place that is characteristically well-lit, gives a welcoming vibe, provides comfortable seating, and is filled windows-to-the-walls with books is, quite frankly, unwise. More than once I’ve had to experience blowing through all my cash and having to whip out the good ol’ debit card. Be a good friend and give us a limit as to how many books we can leave the store with.
While there are many different levels of book addicts, the severe addicts will set reminders for anything book related. This habit can come in handy because we always know when the latest book-turned-movie will come out; goodbye are the days when you had to search the movie apps. When a new book they’re interested in comes out? You best believe that date has been marked on the calendar for weeks. It takes a lot of planning to not let one book that has the potential of becoming a book addict’s new favorite book slip through the cracks.
The leading hardship of all is becoming way too invested in a book. Not only do we care way too much about the characters, but we dedicate our valuable thinking skills to the plots as well. In all honesty, we don’t even try anymore not to care; it’s as if we ourselves are in the books. There are plot twists coming at you and the characters left and right and all you can do is physically scream at the dumb choices being made. But time and time again, the characters don’t listen to you. You tell them, “No, don’t go down that dark corridor, alone, with no means of self-defense, while someone is out to get you!” And what do they do? That’s right. They walk down the dark, scary corridor and it doesn’t end well for them. You try to convince yourself that this is the last time you’ll invest yourself, but come the next book, you’re back at it again.
There are certain topics one simply does not bring up to a book addict. Number one: print books are losing the fight to electronic books. There is always a new form of a common product that will generate a sizable buzz, but that doesn’t mean the older form will cease to exist. Yes, there are many people who have bought electronic book devices, such as the Amazon Kindle, but there are even more people who continue to read books in the traditional form and for one reason: the experience. Whenever I read a book on my phone, don’t ask me any questions about it a week later because I won’t remember a thing about it. Print books have a way of immersing all of your senses together with every flip of a page. There are the basics that are not missed by book addicts: the cover art, the shape and weight of the book, and the feel and new or antique smell of the paper. All of these characteristics add to the experience of reading a book and creates a link between the senses and memory. Book addicts try to argue this in a dignified way by saying, “Excuse me, but that is incorrect.” Our knee-jerk reaction it to squawk, “Liar!” while grabbing hold of all our books and hold them dearly as if someone is trying to take them away from us. It’s best to stay away from the topic of electronic books altogether.
While there are many more quirks about my people, there is not enough time in the day to describe our intricate inner workings. At this point, though, you have been given a decent glimpse into the life of a person who simply loves to read. So next time you see a person carrying a stack 15 books high out of a store and is struggling to open the door, open the door for them and say genuinely, “Have fun reading!” We’ll appreciate it. So go grab a book or five and go on your own reading adventure. But you have been forewarned. The life of a book addict is an endless cycle. Once you get on this merry-go-round, there’s no getting off. Happy reading!
