I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel
Baker Books, 2018
For many of us, reading is a lifestyle. We can’t imagine life without books. I’d Rather Be Reading is the perfect literary companion for anyone who feels this way. In this collection of relatable reflections by blogger and author Anne Bogel, readers are encouraged to identify and remember the moments that have defined them as readers.
Anne Bogel dedicated I’d Rather Be Reading to “everyone who’s ever finished a book under the covers with a flashlight when they were supposed to be sleeping.” So I knew this book was for me.
An entire chapter covers “How to Organize Your Bookshelves.” Another chapter presents strategies for getting through your stack of books waiting to be read. Still another chapter points to the value of re-reading a favorite book.
Then there’s an extra fun chapter, “Bookworm Problems,” where dilemmas unique to the reading lifestyle are identified. How does a reader deal with having all of their library holds come in at once? Why do we feel betrayed when we get a third of the way through a book before realizing we’re reading the abridged version? Why do we feel socially awkward when we don’t know how to mentally pronounce a character’s name? And isn’t a “bookworm hangover,” when we’ve finished a book we still want to live in, the worst kind? Reading Anne Bogel always makes me feel like I’ve landed with like-minded nerds.
My sister gifted me an autographed copy of I’d Rather Be Reading when it was first published. Below the author’s signature, my sister wrote, “One day I’ll say, ‘I’d rather be reading my sister’s book.’” Following this morale booster, she drew a smiley face.
Who do you love sharing books with, reader?
(Want to know what I thought of Anne Bogel’s Reading People? Click here to read my review.)
