The NetGalley Team’s Quirky Reading Habits

Reading is a unique experience. Not only are you bringing your individual point of view to every book you read, but you might even be reading in a creative way. Maybe you need music playing in the background to get in a reading mood, or you only listen to Audiobooks, or you refuse to start a series until the final book is published. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here, the NetGalley team shared their quirkiest reading habits.

Kelly

My quirkiest reading habit might be the one that involves not reading: I don’t read everything my favorite authors write (at least not right away). I keep one of their books unread on my TBR at all times. They’re my rainy day books; prepared to be pulled out in a moment when I really need some comfort. And I figure if my favorite authors ever announce they’re leaving writing behind, I know I’ll have one book left to savor.

 

I love reading Acknowledgements in books. I’m always fascinated by the behind-the-scenes info about the author’s inspiration or the unique people who helped along the way. Unfortunately, many of the ARCs and audiobooks I read typically don’t include that section of the book. More than once I’ve hunted down a finished copy just so I could read those final few pages.

 

Dana

Most of my weird quirks are audiobook related. Audiobooks have become a way that I ensure that I read more, since I listen while multi-tasking (always at 1.5 or 2.0 speed).  I’ll even use audiobook excerpts and teasers to help declutter books from my shelves that I’m no longer interested in anymore. I typically only listen to audiobooks that I also own a print copy of. My rationale is that it helps me get through my TBR at a faster rate. I realize that in some cases that isn’t always the most economical choice, but it’s my quirk so don’t judge me. 

 

Kristina

When I read a line or paragraph that especially resonates with me I dog-ear the page, but specifically, I fold the page over so the corner is touching the line/paragraph that I love. When I  pick up books to re-read, I often discover a dog-eared page like this and easily remember what it was on the page that I loved.

 

Lindsey

Before I start reading (and often before I buy a book, too) I read the front matter in full. I like to know the publisher and imprint, and I have a habit of checking the spine before anything else when I pick up a new book in a bookstore or library. I’ll read all the praise at the beginning of the book (and on the back cover) before I dive in. And the dedication is a can’t-miss! Oh and I really love a good epigraph. If a book includes an epigraph, I’ll return to it again after I finish reading the entire book just to see how it takes on new meaning.

 

Tarah

I have a few: I always reread the same book (The Night Circus) whenever I get in a reading funk. I tend to read ebooks, so when I read a physical book I find myself trying to highlight words with my finger.

 

Katie

I can’t bring myself to use bookmarks. It started when I was a kid, when I would just reach for the nearest object to stick in my book (paperclips, a sock, and sometimes on occasion, another book). As an adult, my local bookstore even gives out free bookmarks with every purchase, but I still somehow end up using a kleenex in the end.

 

Alyce

I tend to read bits and pieces from many books at the same time—around 6-10 physical books at any given time—from a variety of genres (most often these are: nonfiction, memoirs, sci-fi, YA, and mystery). I like to pick up whatever I’m in the mood for on that specific day and read a chapter or two, and then when my mood shifts I set it on my “currently reading” pile. This means that some books can take me months to read, but I find it clarifies for me which books I don’t want to finish, and also highlights those books which are truly stellar—I know I’ve found an amazing book when I read the entire thing within a day or two.

 

Stuart

I always check the copyright page before reading a book, hoping that it tells me what font the book is set in.

 

Nina

If I really love a book, I can just about guarantee that I don’t want to see the movie or tv adaptation. I worry that the casting will overwrite what I have in my mind, or that if the movie is bad I won’t love the book as much. I am my most deranged about this with Philip Pullman‘s His Dark Materials series—books that I loved so much I literally went to Iceland to see the Northern Lights because the North is where the veil between the worlds is thin. Sure, I refused to watch the 2007 movie adaptation of The Golden Compass, but I couldn’t even bring myself to watch the 2019 HBO/BBC series His Dark Materials. Even though I was nervous that seeing Lyra, Iorek Byrnison, Lee Scoresby, and the other characters who have been with me since I first read the series as a kid, I was still curious about the adaptation. So, I listened to a recap podcast from Nerdette without ever watching the show. Absolutely nuts, I am well aware.

 

What are your quirky reading habits?

Kelly Gallucci

Kelly Gallucci is the Executive Editor of We Are Bookish, where she oversees the editorial content, offers book recommendations, and interviews authors and NetGalley members. When she's not working, Kelly can be found color coordinating her bookshelves, eating Chipotle, and watching way too many baking shows.

3 Comments
  1. Like Katie, I use whatever is closest as a bookmark–but what’s worse is that I have a habit of picking up cool bookmarks. I never seem to find them handy when I need them, but…. My weird little quirk is that I won’t start a series until there are several books already written in that series. HATE getting sucked in and then having to wait for the next book to come out. That and, if I’m really enjoying a book, I will kinda hide out for an hour or two after I finish it so that I can gradually emerge from the book bubble.

  2. While I don’t automatically turn to the last page/chapter before I start, I have been known to jump towards the end if I am still struggling to engage after the first 50 pages or so, just to try and decide if it looks like it will get more interesting and if it’s worth persevering. It works for me (sometimes).

  3. Like Nina I hesitate to watch the movies. So a while back I decided to switch it up. I now watch the movie before i read the book. Now I usually can enjoy the movie without comparing it to the book. I also multiread — usually one on my iPad at least one on my phone. one or two print books.
    We have a senior center group that our library comes and does a book discussion with us. So I never start that book until 2 weeks before the club meeting.
    If I read it too early, I’m likely to forget it.
    Grammarly is trying to correct my typing as I go here. The suggestions are mostly not helpful.

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