Throw Back Thursday: Confessions of an Obsessive Reader

July 16, 2015

Thursdays I feature a “throw back” review from my old blog.  I have so many books that I posted and loved on my old reading spot. So I’m throwing back to join them all together.

I found an awesome little survey that I posted about in September of 2007, I thought it would be fun to answer these again.

8 years later and most of these are still pretty similar!


What book are you currently reading?

I took the 5th and 6th books of Josi Kilpask’s Culinary Mystery series with me on my little trip to Washington a couple weeks ago.  (I read the first four in the series last year). They are really easy books to pick up and finish fast, so after reading those two I haven’t put them down.  I’m hoping to finish book 10 today, then read book 11 and the final book 12 this weekend.  

After these books I’m looking forward to re-reading To Kill A Mocking Bird and then on to Go Set A Watchman.  These are both downloaded and ready on my kindle.  I can’t wait!  I know a lot of you are already reading them, I would love to know what your thoughts are!

How do you decide what book to read next?
I have a list I keep on goodreads, and a list on my phone.  I also LOVE to browse the library.  Amazon also is so great at recommending books to read.  I don’t usually have a system, I just read whatever sounds good next and what I’m in the mood for.  I do try to mix up non-fiction and fiction.


Do you always finish books, or do you give up on them? If you give up on them, how many pages does it usually take?
I try really hard to always finish a book, or at least skim to the end. I recently returned a book to the library that was on my summer reading list.  I was so excited to read it, but when I finally got a copy, I just couldn’t get into it.  I tried about 100 pages.  I could pick this book up another time and love it.  I’ve found that most of the time it’s completely the mood I’m in at the time. But I will put it down any book when the language or subject gets too offensive to me. 

Do you ever re-read books you love? If so, how often? Give examples, if possible.
YES!  I’ve re-read Harry Potter so many times.  Also a lot of Shannon Hale books and classics like Jane Austen books.

Can you read books in noisy places (e.g. trains, buses, crowded rooms)?
Yes. I can.  Most of the time after the kids bedtime I can sit next to my husband while he watches TV and read.  But if I really want to concentrate on a book, or enjoy a book than I really prefer a quiet place.   My life is busy so most of my reading is caught between things – school pick up, waiting places during kids lessons, even on the stationary bike while exercising. I think you just have to be flexible if you want to make it a priority.

Where do you acquire most of your books? If you are a library user or borrower, how many books do you borrow at once? If a buyer, how many books do you usually buy at once?
Amazon and the library.  I hardly buy real books anymore.  I’m pretty picky about which ones I would want to buy for my library.  In 2007 when I first filled out this survey kindles weren’t around.  I am SO glad for them!  There are so many free and super cheap books and books you can borrow on Kindle Unlimited.  

I’m not sure how many books I borrow at once from the library.  It’s usually more than I can get too.  And then if the kids are with me, we fill the big library bag and still have to walk out with books in our arms too.  I love the library.

Do you have any unusual tendencies while you read?
I love to read with a blanket or quilt.  No matter the time of year. 

Do you read through pages at top speed, or do you stop to savor the sentences along the way?
I usually skim and speed read fiction.  Non-fiction I tend to read slower and take notes, or highlight sections more often so I slow down a bit.  I love that while reading my kindle I can see popular highlighted sections.  

We know most of us can read just about anywhere, but specifically where and when do you do your best reading?
My favorite reading spot is in our bedroom after the kids go to bed. (although I tend to fall asleep!)  I also really love getting up early and reading in the early morning before anyone in the household is awake.  There is a nice comfy chair in our living room that I love.  One of my all time favorite places to read is under the Christmas tree lights, with a good quilt, in the early mornings during December.  It’s a place I discovered a few years ago and every year I just have to wake up early to read there.


You can read the original post with my answers here.  

And I would love to know what your answers are!  Leave a comment below and let me know….


What are you reading?  Do you have a list? Where is your favorite place to read?  Do you speed read or savor? Where do you get your books? 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *