Last Updated on May 18, 2020 by ThoughtsStained
Hello, lovelies!
So, I’ve been wanting to write more bookish discussions and always struggle to come up with what I should write about. Well, I remembered saving this amazing post by Kelly @ Another Book in the Wall where she talked about what reading habits she was proud of. I really liked that post and it made me think: do I have any reading habits that I’m proud of? Are there any I’d like to get better at?
And thus, a post was born.
Thank you so much for inspiring this post, Kelly! Definitely go check out her blog, it’s fantastic!
Reading Habits I’m Proud Of
Always writing reviews of any books I read
I’m very proud of this! Ever since I decided to start reviewing books, I’ve stayed on top of reviewing every book I read. Granted, it isn’t always the most in-depth review or a long review. Some reviews are mini, some are long form, some come in bullet points and some arrive much later after I read the book. But, I have continued to write them and I’m really proud of that.
Learning my taste and almost always reading books I love
I’ve gotten really good at predicting books that I’ll enjoy reading, which is why so many of my rantings are in the 4 or 5 star range. I’m not forcing myself to read the classics because I’m “supposed to” or being ashamed of loving the hell out of reading romance anymore. Instead, I’m reading what I want to and have become very good at knowing when a book is going to sweep me off my feet, which I think is awesome!
Broadening my reading scope
That said, I’m also really glad that I’m being more cognizant of reading more books that don’t look like what I usually read growing up: white, cis male-authored books. I didn’t even realize this was something I gravitated towards until the past few years and I started to pay more attention to who I was supporting. I’m really glad I’m starting to read not only more books by women, but also books by authors of color and LGBTQIA+, as well as books inspired by non-Western influences. I want to continue to do this!
Reading Habits I’d Like to Improve Upon
Reading more often
Isn’t this the bane of all readers? So many books, so little time to read them? I used to berate myself for not reading as much as I did during my youth, but my youth didn’t also include: working two jobs, writing my own novels, finding hobbies outside of reading–like playing games on my PS4–cooking dinner every night and generally adulting. I don’t have the time like I used to read. But, I also could stop waiting for large chunks of time to read and instead take the time I have to do so, even if it’s ten minute spurts. Or, reading while I eat and before I go to bed, instead of scrolling through social media.
Sharing my reviews across more spaces
I share my reviews here and on Goodreads, but I know that sharing them on Am*zon, as well, is also very important. While I hate the platform, I also know that it’s algorithms are really important for authors success, especially those in the self-published realm, and reviews help make those algorithms positive. I want to continue to support them and cross-posting my reviews (include my backlog of reviews) to that site needs to happen for me to continue doing so!
Being more timely when it comes to ARCS
I used to be really good at staying on top of ARCs, but alas, I have fallen. I am now quite behind, both on ARCs from publishers and from review requests from authors. Life happens and that’s why, honestly. That and reading slumps and depression and being over-committed and a slew of other reasons. Despite it all, I still want to get caught up, which is why I’ve closed any requests for the foreseeable future and am being very selective when it comes to requesting new ARCs.
And there you have it! A few reading habits I’m proud of and a few I hope to strengthen. I’d love to hear yours! Don’t forget to link back to Kelly’s original post above, as I’m sure she’d love to hear them, too. 🙂
Cheers.
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This was such a fun post to read! That’s awesome that you’ve learned what books you like most and now generally gravitate towards them. And I completely agree, I definitely have to be better about posting reviews on different platforms!
Aww, thank you so much, Holly!! I really do, too. I keep telling myself I’m going to and it keeps following off the wayside. Hopefully soon, I’ll figure it out!
We have very similar habits. I also review everything I read, and I’m definitely behind when it comes to ARCs!
Nice to see I’m not alone! 😀
No matter how hard I try, I seem to always fall behind on ARCs! I think it’s great that you’re aware of your reading tastes and pick books that you’ll end up loving. Reading is supposed to make us happy, right?
I need to make more of an effort when it comes to posting reviews to the big A too. Not that I ever read book reviews there, but after hearing how important it is for authors’ sales and success in the site metrics, I feel like I should be doing it more, especially for the authors I love.
I really wish I could get caught up and hope that I do. I just try to remind myself that, no matter when it gets reviewed, it’s important to do so and hopefully will be a nice boost for the author after the release!
Yes, exactly. I personally don’t use the site and never read reviews there, but I think it’s more of a numbers thing, and I really want to make a better effect to do just that!
I am the WORST at cross-posting my reviews, even on Goodreads. I go through spurts where I’ll try to post my last four or five and spread some love. But I’m most proud that I usually find 30 to 45 minutes to read in the evening, so I usually make SOME progress on what I’m reading.
Yeah, I am behind on cross-posting, too! I really need to do that. That’s awesome and you should be totally proud of that!
Great idea for a post! Reviewing every book I’ve read is a dream of mine, haha. I have been slowly working towards what you do, I imagine – writing a small something even if it’s long after I finish the book. But I have a long ways to go with this goal. I can agree that book blogging has helped me learn my tastes. I read more 3 and 4 star books than I used to.
Well, I guess I should have clarified that I’ve reviewed every book I’ve read since I started book reviewing a few years ago. 😛 But I’m hoping to reread some favorites and write those reviews! I’m glad you’ve learned your tastes, too!! That’s the best feeling.
(No worries, I also meant every book since I started book reviewing, haha)
Ahh this is a great post! I’m so impressed that you review everything you read, I really want to do that more. I’m trying to, really, even with something as short as a sentence, but sometimes I’m just very very lazy haha 🙂
And I also need to improve on sharing my reviews more, I really do, I keep on forgetting about it…. oops.
Oh, I definitely do mini-reviews where I review multiple books at a time or something like that, when I can’t mange to do a full review! Sometimes, a sentence is all I got, but at least it’s something. *shrugs*
I typically review on Amazon and Goodreads (and the blog). But I definitely need to get better a about being timely about my ARCs. Right now, I’m especially behind. I’ve had a hard time reading lately!
Same, I feel that 100%! It’s hard to balance it all, but I think we just have to remember to be gentle with ourselves and do the best we can!