The struggles of being a bookworm

Being a book lover is always a journey. You explore many worlds, learn new ideas, fall in love with characters, and find more about yourself. However, the life of a bookworm is not easy. It comes with its own challenges and headaches.

Here are some to name a few. 

The unread pile 

Bookworms are inclined to try new genres and writers. While the intention is praiseworthy as they try to expand their horizon, a part of their shelf becomes the unread corner – a pile of books stacked up and unread for the unseeable future. This pile keeps growing, and bookworms tell themselves that they will eventually get to it. 

The forever incomplete novel 

Sometimes, bookworms will start a book that may not be from their preferred genre or perhaps with a storyline that takes a while to hook them. However, after a couple of chapters, the book is forgotten. Then one day, they decide to tackle the book again from the top and stop at the exact same spot only to repeat the vicious cycle, never knowing how the story ends. 

Re-reading 

There is always that one book that calls out to a bookworm no matter how intricately they know every detail on every page. Without thinking, they find themselves reaching for that book almost every other week or month, stopping themselves from starting something new.  

Did they read this one?

Forgetting is easy when you have a bunch of books you aim to finish within a certain time. After months, a book lover might look at a book and think to themselves, "Did I read this?" With that question, they decide to go for it. It usually ends in one of two ways – they never read it or they begin to experience déjà vu. 

Not being able to read a book again for the first time 

This may not be specific to bookworms. Sometimes, you read a book and fall in love with the story and characters. In the end, you feel a little broken, a little filled with hope. The sadness comes with not being able to experience the journey and emotions as intensely again as you did the first time.      

Getting a new book and finishing it ASAP 

You know those books that you simply must finish reading right away? It is all exciting and thrilling, but then you reach the conclusion and feel empty since there is no more to read. Bookworms might even beat themselves over reading it too fast. The conflict between wanting to know how it ends and wanting it to go on forever is continual.

Never enough time 

As the booklist keeps growing longer and longer, there is never enough time to read everything. Staying up late and scanning every page like their life depends on it, bookworms have too much on their list and the struggle is real. 

Bookworms are simple creatures. All they want in life is to read. While it is a simple desire, it is equally frustrating and sometimes, an anxious one. Despite the harsh reality, books and stories remain at their heart's core.

Puja does nothing but read Gaiman and drinks unhealthy amounts of coffee. Send her cat photos at fb.com/pspspspspspspspspspspuwu/