6 Things That Are Probably True about You If You Read a Lot of Books…

My daughter’s friend came over for a play date the other day. She’s four and completely sweet and adorable. But, like most four-year olds, she’s also very free with her opinions, complimentary or not. So, in addition to asking me if I “had a baby in there” (😐), she also gently encouraged me–well, more like insisted in no uncertain terms, really–that I should wear contacts instead of glasses because they “make your face look better.”

I’ve been told many times in my life that I should wear contacts. And I know I look traditionally more “pretty” without them. But god damn it, what’s so wrong with glasses? I like my glasses. They make me feel like myself. They remind me of the streets that raised me. Plus, practically speaking, they help me read books more comfortably. When I wear contacts, my eyes dry out and burn, especially when I read a lot. And since I’m always reading a lot, that is a problem.

Truthfully, I suspect that a disproportionate number of book lovers wear glasses. It just comes with the territory. But that got me thinking about what else we might have in common. Let’s make a list, shall we?

#1  –  Your childhood probably had a lot of this going on:

And maybe a little of that:

I.e., we aren’t cool. We wear things like large gold circle glasses, fluffy scrunchies, shorter-alls, baggie t-shirts, and Birkenstocks with white socks. We can’t answer your questions about the latest fashion trends to save our lives, but we can tell you anything you need to know about classic Russian literature.

(FYI, these are pictures of me…in high school. It’s okay, I still cry about it, too.)

#2  –  We are kinda shy.

We are sensitive souls! We desperately want to connect, but we’re also incredibly introverted. That’s why we like stories:  we get to interact with people (albeit fictional ones) without having to go through the agony of, you know, speaking.

#3  –  We have more books in our homes and on our e-readers than we could possibly read in five lifetimes.

But it doesn’t matter. We will buy and download and check out more. Our shelves will burst. They will overflow and even topple. Our inner beings will be shaken by a quiet anxiety as we watch our TBR pile grow and grow–but we will also be inwardly full of joy and comfort knowing we are surrounded by so many lovely words.

#4  –  We arrange and rearrange our bookshelves like it’s our job.

Just look at our Instagram accounts.

#5  –  We care. Like, a lot.

Because we’ve read so many books and “seen” life from so many different people’s perspectives, we are better able to empathize with and understand the struggles of others. We honest to God feel your pain, and we just want to make it better. I know we may sometimes come across as awkward, unfriendly, maybe even judgmental. But I promise you, we are big ol’ softies. Once our souls have had time to relax and open, it’s time to hop aboard the Feelz Express.

#6  –  Last, we like wearing glasses!

We like the glasses! We choose the glasses! You’re just going to have to let it go.

 

Any I missed?