Picture this: you’re all snuggled up with your favorite book in your comfiest reading spot, swaddled in a cozy blanket like a literary burrito while sipping on a steaming beverage, or a glass of wine. Maybe you don’t have school or office the next morning.
When you dive headfirst into the pages of a gripping book, a sort of alchemy occurs. Hours disappear. Dragons and bullfights and plane dogfights become real, and the universe becomes your backyard. Reality takes a backseat while your imagination takes the wheel, aided by your book.
I don’t know about you, but this is when I start lying to myself. One more chapter, I say. I’ll sleep after I’ve read one more chapter. Next I know, I’m bleary-eyed, sore, and dizzy at 6 am, having read through the night.
At the library, I tell myself–this is the last book, I can’t carry any more. And I’ll unpack a dozen books when I return home.
I promise myself I wouldn’t buy a new book till I’ve read all the books at home. By now you know how that ends up.
I tell myself I’m entering the bookstore to look. I don’t need a basket because I’ll buy just one. Maybe. It’s cheaper than drugs, I say, (having read it in a meme). Or getting a dog. Or a television. Why not get two? I can afford this book. And that one. And this other one. How could it hurt? I’m supporting the publishing industry.
And of course I have space for all of them at home. Who said I have cluttered bookshelves everywhere?
I may never find this book this cheap ever again.
And yes, all of those are lies. Like any addict, I’m adept at self-deception.
If you love books as much as I do, what are the lies you tell yourself? Surely, I can’t be the only one?
If all of that talk of books has made you want to indulge your addiction, I have a few lovely giveaways and sales lined up for you.
End of School Giveaway: 125 USD Amazon Gift Card Prize: 16-30 May 2023
US Goodreads Giveaway: Her Little Flowers by Shannon Morgan: 100 Print Books: 16-30 May 2023
US Goodreads Giveaway: True True by Don P Hooper: 5 Print Books: 1-31 May 2023
UK Kindle Countdown Deal: Only Child – Casey Kelleher: 19-26 May 2023
US Goodreads Giveaway: The Surviving Sky by Kritika H Rao: 50 Print Books: 15 May-10 June 2023
US/ Canada Goodreads Giveaway: The Ghost Tamer by Meredith Lyons: 5 Print Books: 10-31 May 2023
US Goodreads Giveaway: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: 12 Print Books: 15 May-10 June 2023
UK Kindle Countdown Deal: The Coffin Club by Jacqueline Sutherland: 1-31 May 2023
UK Kindle Countdown Deal: We Are All Liars by Carys Jones: 19 May-30 June 2023
US Kindle Countdown Deal: The Woman From Death Row by Peter Hogenkamp: 19 May-25 June 2023
US Goodreads Giveaway: The Algorithm Will See You Now by JL Lycette: May 20-June 18 2023
US Kindle Countdown Deal: Just A Still Life by J. Ivanel Johnson: 12-18 June 2023
My literary crime novel, The Blue Bar is on Kindle Unlimited now. Add it to Goodreads or snag a copy to make my day. The sequel, The Blue Monsoon is up for pre-orders! And if you’d like to read a book outside the series, you can check out You Beneath Your Skin. Find all info about my books on my Amazon page or Linktree.
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All of this is relatable. In fact, I’ve even resorted to hiding my latest book buys from family members to escape the stares. Saturday nights are book polishing nights, since eternity 😀
I think I need to find my own book-hiding place, too…
😀😀
How about it won’t spoil the story if I peep at the summary at the back of the book? LOL
🤣🤣
Yep – I tell myself all of those as well! Love disappearing into a book!
I know what you mean!
The hours slip by while engrossed. Just a few pages then I’ll switch the light out – a familiar scenario.
Far too familiar for comfort 🤣
Oh, the one more chapter is what I consider a false promise. It only means I’m seriously thinking about putting my book away—for now.
With special emphasis on ‘for now’… 🤣
Great question. I don’t even pretend anymore, that’ll I’ll quit after another chapter. I know the truth–and my time is my own so it doesn’t really matter if I keep reading!
A good philosophy to follow!
I tell myself those same lies. Despite KNOWING that they are lies. Unlike Alex I do reread. Some books I reread at least once a year. And still I buy/acquire more.
Books are just irresistible!
I lie that I can actually read every book I already own! And I don’t reread any book. Including my own!
There are so many books I’d like to reread, but somehow I just never get around to doing it!