Hey bookdragons! Today I’m back with an interesting TTT topic: Changes in my reading life! I really enjoyed thinking back about how many changed for me as a reader in my last years, especially since I joined bookstagram (and that is actually the turning point I chose for this top ten ;))
- I take photos of what I read: pretty obvious change right! Before, I used to read for myself only. And shared with friends and family. And then, I discovered booksta, the joy of taking photos and sharing what I read, what I think of it with you all!
- I read more. Well, to be honest, when I was young like between 8 and 14, I used to read A LOT. I did not count like I do know but I know it was much and we were always buying more books. Our book budget must have been over the Moon! Then, I discovered TV shows and now, I can’t believe I spent years barely reading! Because I am back in the game baby! And for almost 3 years now, I’m reading more and more and more! And I LOVE it!
- I read in English: I’m French. For over 20 years, I’ve been reading in French, and then, while we were traveling to Scotland, I read my first book in English. After that, I read in English occasionally. But with booksta, it became a habit and now I might even read more in English than in French!
- I have a lot of bookish friends: Before, I felt a bit lonely in my love of books. Of course, I had my mom and my grandpa. One or two friends maybe. But when I started booksta, I discovered people like me, living and breathing for books! And now I feel lucky enough to say that I met true friends through this social media!
- I’ve started to read science-fiction. For me, it was all robots, Running man and aliens. Then I discovered Red Rising, Illuminae and more, and I realized that sci-fi changed a lot, and I could actually love it!
- I read in cafés/tea places/outside: I never used to read outside of my house (or even my bed lol, the couch was the farthest I’d go), but since I’m living in Montreal, I’ve read in tea houses, alone or with friends, in parks and in various places! And it’s a fun change 😉
- I collect bookish items. Ok, this is not directly a reading habit but I feel it’s related! Before, never ever ever did I even think of having bookish items. Not even when I was reading and loving Harry Potter. The discovery of fandom bookmarks, pins, illustrations, CANDLES and more, it came to a lot later, with bookstagram once again!
- I’m so much more critical about romance. This came with growing up, with my studies and with the simple fact of being a woman. I simply can’t stand anymore the cliche of a « macho » man, all the toxic masculinity and sexism that still a lot of romance have (I even wrote an open letter to romance writers here)
- I collect multiple editions: books used to be more »practical » for me. Yes, of course, the cover mattered, but not that much either. And I never would have thought I would buy several editions of the same book for collection! Ok, it is not all books, mostly Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, but still! And I’m pretty proud of some of these editions I found! Some old, some gorgeous and some rare 😉
- I buy used books. In France, where I lived, we didn’t have much used book stores. When I arrived in Montreal and got back into reading, I discovered that here it was a heaven for book hunters! There are so many great used book stores!! That is how I got myself with over 150 books to read, because when a book cost between $1 and $4, it is super easy to fill your shelves (honestly, who could blame me?)
Here are 10 things I thought of who changed in my reading life in the last years, especially since I joined bookstagram! What about you? How did your reading change in the last years?
See you for a cup!
Elise
PS: if you do not know what TTT is, you can read all about it at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Love this! Red Rising is one of my favorites as well but I haven’t read the newer ones yet. Have you been able to check them out yet?
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No not yet! I’m waiting for the full trilogy to be out haha
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I agree with so many of your reading changes. I’m also more critical of romance. When I was younger I thought Instalove was THE BEST love. 🤦🏻♀️ now I know it’s the slow burn love that is the best kind.
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haha we were young and innocent looool
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Bookstagrammer does make sharing bookish stuff a lot of fun! Completely agree. And yay for science fiction too. 🙂
I love used bookstores!
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haha yeah I’m so glad I gave this genre a chance!
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I love used books too! There’s nothing like finding a good deal. 🙂
Great post! Here’s my TTT
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haha yes the feeling of accomplishement is real!
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I sometimes read books in Spanish or German. But I read them in other languages to improve my skill in those languages.
I don’t collect a lot of multiple editions, but there are a few books I have multiple copies of… on purpose even!
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haha I only keep my multiple copies on purpose… if it’s not on purpose (which happens oooops ) I resell or give them!
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I completely forgot to mention that I take photos of books now!
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haha we can’t think of everything!
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Wow. You read more books in English than in French, though you are French. I wonder if I will ever get to the point where I read more books in French than in English, though I am American.
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hahaha that would be quite impressive!! have you learn French in school?
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I AGREE WITH YOU ON ROMANCE CRITICISM. Before, I used to just enjoy romance. If it made me feel good, I gave a good rating. But now, I’m aware of so many more things and I’m soo critical. I’m actually sad about it because this means that I enjoy lesser books.
My TTT of the week: https://thewordyhabitat.wordpress.com/2019/11/19/10-changes-in-my-reading-life/
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THANKS! But hey it means you are a better human being in my opinion 😉
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My precious! That’s how I feel about my books too! Plus the bullet journaling – we are twins! The only thing I can say in French is « shut your mouth » (thanks Mom).
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hahahha love that! Bujo is life haha! And That can be useful you never know lmao!
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I’m impressed that you switched to reading in English! I speak a little Spanish, but reading even Spanish children’s books is tough. Good for you.
My TTT.
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Thanks a lot!! I could not just switch back to French now!
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I’m jealous that you have a strong enough understanding of English to read in it (because, let’s be honest, the English language is a train wreck)! But I also love how you’re reading new genres and looking at old favorites with a critical eye.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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haha thanks ❤ I could not stop reading in English now!
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Finding bookish friends has definitely been one of the best changes after starting a blog. And reading English book has been a change for me as well. I hadn’t even thought of that one! I’m Ducth but in the past few years I have read only English. Oh and I absolutely looove reading outside of home. Especially cozy cafes and on the beach in summer. Great list! 🙂
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Thanks!! Yes it feels limitless to read in English!
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Ooh I hadn’t thought to include joining Bookstagram and collecting multiple editions of books, but those are true for me too. I’ve only posted book pictures for a year or so (not as long as I’ve been a book blogger), and I used to think it was silly to have more than one copy of a book but now I have four copies of one book alone, for example.
My TTT: https://bookworm716.blogspot.com/2019/11/top-ten-tuesday-changes-in-my-reading.html
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hahaha once you get into the book madness, you can only go deeper!
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That’s so awesome that you’ve made more bookish friends!
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yes! I feel so lucky!
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I love that you’ve been taking more pictures and are reading in a language that isn’t one you used to! I’m actually trying to do that myself. I am trying to get back into learning with other languages. It’d be really nice to expand that to being able to read full length novels in languages other than my own. (English.)
SUPER stoked you’ve made bookish friends! That’s always an important thing to have.
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Yes I can’t believe I was only reading in French a few years back haha! I have so much more choices in English! And yes, bookish friends are the best ❤
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