What Are Your Reading Habits & Quirks?

Let’s do something a little fun on the blog today: let’s talk about our reading habits and quirks.

We all have them—those little rituals, preferences, and “bookish sins” that make our reading lives uniquely ours. Whether you’re a purist who won’t even crack the spine of a paperback or a multitasker who can devour a thriller while listening to a podcast, our habits say a lot about our love for the written word.

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own reading life, and I want to hear all about yours, too. Here is a look at the quirks that define my time between the pages!

The Bookmark Debate: To Fold or Not to Fold?

Is there anything more polarizing than a dog ear”? Some see it as a sign of a well-loved book, while others view it as a tragedy! Then there is the question of what actually marks the spot. Are you a collector of beautiful store-bought or magnetic bookmarks, or do you reach for the nearest ripped piece of scrap paper or an old receipt?

Me: The physical care of a book is where my “ookish personality” really shines through. While some people don’t mind a little wear and tear, I simply can’t bring myself to dog-ear or fold a page over. Even the thought of a permanent crease in a perfectly good corner makes me wince! To me, the pages should stay as flat and crisp as the day they were printed.

Because I’m so protective of those corners, I’ve developed quite a love for the proper tools of the trade. I absolutely love fancy bookmarks from bookstores—the ones with the beautiful tassels, the inspiring quotes, or the stunning artwork. There is something so satisfying about tucking a beautiful piece of cardstock into a book. And don’t even get me started on magnetic bookmarks! Those are truly awesome; they clip right over the page, so there is zero chance of them sliding out if I drop my book or toss it in a bag.

Now, I’ll be honest… my intentions are always high, but my organization isn’t always perfect. Okay, okay—I’ve been known to use a receipt or two for holding my page, too. Sometimes you’re at the end of a chapter, your eyes are getting heavy, and there isn’t a fancy magnetic clip in sight. In those moments of “reading emergencies,” a grocery receipt or a scrap of paper becomes my best friend. It might not be glamorous, but it gets the job done without harming a single page!

The Sound of Silence?

Some readers need a curated instrumental playlist or the hum of a coffee shop to focus. Others require total silence to truly disappear into a story. Can you tune out the world, or does the slightest noise break the spell?

Me:  When it comes to my environment, I have a bit of a quirky habit: I can tune the world out almost too well. Most people think you need a library-quiet room to focus, but I actually prefer a little life in the background. I usually have the TV on while I’m settled in with my latest read. There’s something about the low hum of voices and activity that actually helps me settle into the story.

The funny part? I have absolutely no idea what’s going on on the screen.

A sitcom can be on, or a game show could be crowning a winner, or a movie could be reaching its big finale, and I wouldn’t be able to tell you a single detail. The TV becomes a blur of light and sound that exists somewhere outside the “bubble” of my book. My brain uses it as a sort of anchor—it satisfies the part of my mind that likes a bit of company, while the rest of me is a thousand miles away in the world of my story. It’s the perfect setup: the TV provides the atmosphere, but the book provides the adventure!

Provisions for the Journey

Reading is an Olympic sport in some households, and every athlete needs fuel. Do you have a go-to snack that won’t leave smudges on the pages? Or perhaps you’re strictly a drink person—leaning into a steaming mug of tea or a cold glass of water to keep you company through a long chapter.

Me: For me, reading and snacking go hand-in-hand—with one very specific exception. I am definitely a reading snacker, provided I’m sitting in my recliner. If I’m reading in bed, the kitchen is closed (no one wants crumbs in the sheets!), but anywhere else in the house, I usually have a little something nearby to nibble on.

My go-to “book food” usually leans toward the savory side. You’ll often find me with a plate of cheese and crackers or a bowl of chips. There’s something about that salty crunch that keeps me fueled while I’m untangling a mystery or following a historical journey.

Of course, the menu changes with the seasons. When that Western Pennsylvania chill sets in, and the weather turns cold, a snack isn’t enough—I need something to warm me up. That’s when you’ll find a steaming cup of hot tea sitting right beside me. It’s the ultimate cozy ritual: a warm mug in one hand, my tablet in the other, and a quiet evening ahead of me. It’s the simple things that make the reading experience feel truly complete!

To Mark the Page

The “marginalia” crowd loves to highlight favorite quotes or write notes in the margins, turning the book into a conversation. On the other hand, many prefer to keep their books in pristine, “like-new” condition. Where do you stand on “inking” your library?

Me:  When it comes to my personal library, I have a very firm rule: I do not write in my books. There is something about a pristine page that feels a bit sacred to me. I want the story to stand on its own without my scribbles or highlights distracting from the world the author created. Whether it’s a gripping mystery or a sweet romance, I prefer to keep my copies looking just as clean as the day I bought them.

However, if you were to pick up my Bible, you would see a completely different story.

While my novels stay untouched, you’ll find my Bible all marked up. To me, that’s not just a book to be read; it’s a conversation to be had. The margins are filled with reflections, certain verses are underlined where they’ve hit home, and there are highlights everywhere marking the “grace-filled moments” I’ve found over the years. It’s the one place where I feel like adding my own pen to the page actually makes the reading experience richer. One is for escaping into a story, and the other is for diving deep into the truth—and my pen knows the difference!

The Great Format Face-Off

In the modern age, we are spoiled for choice. Do you crave the tactile weight and smell of a hardcover or paperback? Do you prefer the convenience of a digital tablet that can hold a thousand stories at once? Or are audiobooks your primary way of “reading” while you’re on the move?

Me: Finding the perfect way to consume a story is sometimes a process of trial and error. For me, audiobooks are officially out. I’ve tried to make them work more times than I can count, but there is something about being read to that acts like an immediate sedative. I’ll start a chapter with every intention of finishing it, only to wake up twenty minutes later, wondering how the main character ended up in a high-speed chase!

Even my beloved paperbacks haven’t been safe lately. Over the past couple of years, I’ve noticed a frustrating trend: I’ll settle into my recliner or snuggled in a camping chair outside in the summer with a physical book, and before I know it, my chin is hitting my chest. There is something so relaxing about the weight of a book and the smell of the pages that my brain apparently thinks it’s time for a nap rather than a reading session.

To combat the “nod-off,” I’ve officially moved into the digital camp. My tablet has become my primary reading companion for a while now. Maybe it’s the light from the screen or just the ease of holding a slim device, but it’s the one format that keeps me alert and engaged. It was a big change for a lifelong book lover, but if it means I can actually finish a chapter without falling asleep, I’m all in!

The “Do Not Disturb” Factor

We’ve all been there: you’re at the climax of the story, and someone starts asking what’s for dinner. Does it annoy you when someone tries to chat while you’re mid-paragraph? Or are you the type of reader who enters a “book trance”—totally oblivious to the fact that someone is even speaking to you?

Me: It’s a bit of a running joke (and perhaps a mild frustration for those around me!) that I am totally oblivious to my surroundings once I start reading. You could be narrating your entire day or asking where the spare keys are, and I’ll just keep nodding along to the rhythm of the prose, completely unaware that a conversation is even happening. It isn’t that I’m ignoring you on purpose; it’s that I’ve quite literally left the building.

The Final Chapter: Over to You!

Writing this out has made me realize just how much these little quirks are a part of my daily joy. Whether it’s the hum of the TV I’m not actually watching, the steam rising from my tea, or the “book trance” that keeps me oblivious to the world, these habits are what make my reading time feel like home.

But enough about me—I want to hear about your library logic!

• Are you a “protector of the pages” or a “dog-ear rebel”?
• Do you have a “reading snack” of choice, or is that a total no-no in your house?
• What is the strangest thing you’ve ever used as a bookmark?

Drop a comment below and let’s compare notes.

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