I’m not sure who created this tag, but I love the questions. Let’s do this.

 

What is the longest amount of time you can comfortably go without picking up a book?

Not very long. I think my mind has gotten used to reading something. If I am at work, I have headphones stashed that I can pull out and listen to one of my current audiobooks. I have a Kindle and the Kindle app on my phone for when I wake up in the middle of the night. I don’t make it very long and there’s always a book nearby!

How many books do you carry on your person (or kindle) at any one time?

I have the Kindle App on my iPhone, so however many books I have on Kindle, are always with me. This also goes for whatever audiobooks I have checked out through the library, downloaded on Scribd or on Audible.

Do you keep every book you buy/receive or are you happy to pass them on to make space for more?

I have no issues with cutting ties with a book. I don’t unhaul frequently, but usually in the summer I’ll purge those I don’t want anymore.

How long would you spend in a bookshop on a standard visit?

If it is a solo trip and I’m just browsing..I can spend an hour or two. I spend some time browsing the romances first, followed by the cozy mysteries..then poetry and before I leave, I check for any new memoirs. If I go in already knowing what I want, and know the bookstore has it, then I am in and out.

How much time per day do you actually spend reading?

Honestly, throughout the week it feels like I hardly get any reading done unless I am able to listen a bit while working. My day starts so early and when I get home from work my husband is at school so it’s just my kiddos and I. I usually am laying down around 8 and will attempt to read something, but I also want to watch a little television. The weekends are really when I get to play catch up.

Where does the task ‘picking up a book’ appear on your daily to-do list?

Obviously life stuff are my priorities but for my mental health I make sure I make time for reading. Reading is one of the handful of things that bring me back down, back to reality, out of dark spaces..so I make sure that I make time. It may be 3 minutes, it may be one page..but I make sure I read when I feel the urge or when I just need to take my mind elsewhere.

How many books do you reckon you own in total (including e-books)?

If I had to estimate, I’d say if not 500, then close to it. Last time I counted (well, my husband counted) I had almost 400 books. This actually took place prior to me unhauling 3 boxes of books. It felt great!  Since then though, I fell more and more in love with romance, discovered a used book store I love and began receiving books periodically from publishers..

Approximately how often do you bring up books in conversation?

Really not often at all. I am a Military Police Officer..not saying that no one around me reads, but I don’t think on a daily I’m surrounded by avid readers. My reading life feels strangely like a secret I’m keeping from people which isn’t the case in actuality, but it’s just nothing something I speak about, because there isn’t anyone to converse with about it.

What is the biggest book (page count) you have finished reading?

Going on a whim here and assuming the biggest book I’ve read is Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell. That book was huge. I read it with friends though so it looked more like a chunker than what it felt.

Is there a book you had to get your hands on against all odds i.e searching bookshops, online digging etc?

I come across old gothic romances on Pinterest quite often. Not with much intention of reading them, but I’m obsessed with the covers. I have seen some that I still can’t track down but for the most part, if I have seen one I want, I have been able to track it down on eBay.

A book you struggled to finish but refused to DNF?

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis.

I struggled with finishing this book because I couldn’t stand it. Couldn’t freaking stand it.

What are 3 of your main book goals for 2019?

• Read 75 books
• Read more romances by women of color
• Make time for memoirs and poetry

Have you ever had the privilege of converting someone into a reader (maybe via inspiration or incessant nagging)?

Yes. Two of my younger brothers who weren’t too fond of reading as kids, are now huge readers. I love it. Both of them have confessed that seeing me read so much played a huge part in them becoming readers. I love them and am so proud.

Describe what books mean to you in five words.

My favorite escape from everything.